For A Last Minute Meal

Note: Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order and not in order of preference.

  • abcV (American) – Plant-forward spot by Jean-Georges Vongerichten for seasonal plates, tonics, and cocktails, plus gluten-free fare
    • Location: Flatiron
    • Atmosphere: Bright, modern, casual
    • Suggestions: Whole roasted cauliflower, avocado lettuce cups, wood roasted baby artichoke, potato dumplings
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with someone who is vegetarian or vegan, a last minute dinner, a casual but very good meal
    • Note: All of the food on the menu is vegetarian

  • Alice (Italian) – Sophisticated, intimate Italian restaurant in the basement of a historical brownstone
    • Location: Greenwich Village  
    • Atmosphere: Cozy, intimate 
    • Suggestions: Burrata, bucatini al limone 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get  
    • A Good Place For: A date, a last-minute dinner reservation 
    • Note: This is a seafood heavy restaurant 

  • Au’Zatar (Mediterranean) – Lebanese/Middle Eastern fare in a contemporary space, known for their tableside shawarma towers
    • Location: Midtown East, East Village 
    • Atmosphere: Casual, contemporary 
    • Suggestions: Falafel, hummus, halloum mekli, chicken kafta kebab, fries, shawarma 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get. It’s likely you’d be able to walk in on a weekday 
    • A Good Place For: A last minute meal, casual dinner with friends 

  • Bar Pasquale  (Italian) – A Sicilian-inspired spot featuring handmade pasta, sfincione-style pizza, and small plates
    • Location: Nolita 
    • Atmosphere: Unassuming, casual 
    • Suggestions: Rigatoni alla vodka, pizza
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: A group dinner, a last minute dinner 
    • Sister Restaurant: Charlie Bird, Pasquale Jones

  • Claudette (French) – Mediterranean-accented French dishes served in a bright corner space with an elegant cottage feel
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Elegant, comfortable
    • Suggestions: Truffle hummus
    • Reservations: Suggested
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends, a really good last minute dinner reservation
    • Note: All the food here is outstanding – you really cannot go wrong

  • Joseph Leonard (American)– New American fare served from breakfast to late-night in a rustic space with just a few tables
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Casual, seasonal, a neighborhood spot
    • Suggestions: Burger on an English muffin
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: Brunch, dinner with friends, a date
    • Note: Joseph Leonard is a great brunch spot
    • Sister Restaurants: Fairfax

  • King (Italian) – Snug, bright restaurant featuring a seasonal Southern Italian menu and  unique cocktails
    • Location: Soho
    • Atmosphere: Quaint, European, upscale casual 
    • Suggestions: The menu changes frequently, so order whatever speaks to you
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: A date, a small group dinner, dinner with friends 

  • Le Crocodile (French) – Sprawling spot at the Wythe Hotel serving French fare, wine, and cocktails in an easygoing setting
    • Location: Williamsburg
    • Atmosphere: Upscale, trendy
    • Suggestions: Onion soup, roast chicken with herb jus and frites
    • Reservations: Suggested but not hard to get
    • A Good Place For: A nicer dinner with friends, when the parents are in town, a nice date

  • Mamo (Italian) – Offshoot of a longtime French restaurant with Italian & Provençal fare in stylish but casual digs
    • Location: Soho
    • Atmosphere: Dark, romantic 
    • Suggestions: Fried artichokes, ricotta, cacio e pepe 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get if you book in advance
    • A Good Place For: A date, dinner with friends, when the parents are in town

  • Nowon (Koran) – Korean-American plates are served in an intimate setting with hip hop influences
    • Location: East Village  
    • Atmosphere: Trendy, loud, vibey 
    • Suggestions: Everything on the menu was unique and delicious. I would suggest doing one of the pre-fixe menus. My favorite items were the whipped ricotta toast, the fried chicken and the honey butter tots 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get  
    • A Good Place For: Dinner before going out, a fun atmosphere

  • Portale (Italian) – Warm neighborhood restaurant and bar presenting seasonally driven Italian dishes from an open kitchen
    • Location: Flatiron
    • Atmosphere: Upscale, trendy
    • Suggestions: Polpette, risotto, lumache (this was amazing)
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get; you can usually secure a few days in advance 
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with the parents, a special occasion 

  • Shoo Shoo (Mediterranean) – Playful Mediterranean fare with Israeli influences & health-conscious ethos in a plant-filled space
    • Location: Nolita 
    • Atmosphere: Quaint cafe, welcoming, vibey 
    • Suggestions: Hummus, Japanese eggplant, Shoo Shoo kebab 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: Dinner with friends 

  • SONA (Indian) – Priyanka Chopra’s trendy restaurant spotlighting reimagined Indian dishes and desserts, plus cocktails, wine, and brunch
    • Location: Flatiron
    • Atmosphere: Well decorated, nicely lit, welcoming
    • Suggestions: Burrata butter chicken
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: A nice dinner, a date, when the parents are in town
    • Note: SONA received Michelin recognition in 2023

  • The Odeon (French) – Lively bistro with outdoor seating serving French American food, plus brunch and late-night bites
    • Location: Tribeca
    • Atmosphere: Not noteworthy – a standard restaurant feel
    • Suggestions: French onion soup, parmesan fries
    • Reservations: Generally not required, though suggested on a Friday or Saturday
    • A Good Place For: A last minute dinner
    • Note: The Odeon is good but nothing on the menu will blow your mind. In my opinion, it’s overpriced. There are better French spots in the city, but you won’t have a bad meal or a bad experience here
    • Sister Restaurant: Café Cluny

  • Wayan (French) – Cédric Vongerichten (son of Jean-Georges) serves French-accented Indonesian fare in a sleek setting
    • Location: Nolita
    • Atmosphere: Warm, hip, eclectic
    • Suggestions: Any of the satays, vegetable spring rolls, lobster noodles, roasted cauliflower, corn fritter
    • Reservations: Suggested but not hard to get and you can usually get a last-minute reservation
    • A Good Place For: A last minute really good meal, a dinner date, dinner when friends are in town
    • Note: This is one of my favorite spots in the city. All the food is great. The dishes are unique, and the atmosphere makes you want to stay for hours. Don’t skip out on the cocktails