Greenwich Village

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

American

  • Joseph Leonard – 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

  • Loring Place – Upscale-casual American restaurant for seasonal, wood-fired dishes, handmade pastas, and pizzas
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Minimalistic, welcoming, cute casual 
    • Suggestions: Everything is good; nothing is the best you will ever have but it’s all consistent and satisfying 
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get 
    • A Good Place For: Large parties, a dinner date, a good back up dinner on the weekends when you can’t get into your top choice restaurant 

French 

  • Claudette – 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 

  • Minetta Tavern – Celeb-magnet hot-ticket tavern with upper-end French bistro fare and reimagined vintage decor
    • Location: Greenwich Village 
    • Atmosphere: Dark, historical, loud, exclusive, throwback 
    • Suggestions: Black label burger
    • Reservations: Required; reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance 
    • A Good Place For: A third date, a casual night out 
    • Sister Restaurants: Balthazar, Pastis, Morandi 
    • Note: Coming in at $38, the black label burger at Minetta Tavern is arguably the best hamburger in NYC

Italian

  • Alice – 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 

  • Bar Pitti  – Blackboard specials supplement the small menu at this Italian spot known for its glamorous crowd
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Casual, loud, busy 
    • Suggestions: The menu often changes but any of the pastas are worth trying 
    • Reservations: Walk in only 
    • A Good Place For: Outdoor dining, a date, celebrity sightings 
    • Note: Bar Pitti is cash only

  • Carbone – High-end takes on red-sauce fare await at this A-lister Italian restaurant in a retro-glam space
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Elegant, upscale, a place to see and be seen, sceney
    • Suggestions: Spicy rigatoni vodka, tortellini al ragu, meatballs 
    • Reservations: Required and very difficult to get. Reservations open for lunch and dinner 30 days in advance at 10:00am ET, exclusively via Resy
    • A Good Place For: A special occasion, when friends or family are in town, a romantic date 
    • Note: In my experience, Carbone has been equally rated as the best Italian restaurant in NYC and the most overrated Italian restaurant. In my opinion, there is no better spicy rigatoni than at Carbone. It’s absolutely to die for (pro-tip: if you’re craving the rigatoni, order out from Parm, it’s the same recipe). Carbone has wowed all guests I have taken there, but not just the food, the bill. It’s an expensive night out but worth it for a special occasion (i.e., when you can get a reservation) 
    • Sister Restaurants: Sadelle’s, Torrisi, HaSalon, Parm, The Grill, The Lobster Club, The Pool, Dirty French, ZZ’s Clam Bar, Crown Club

  • L’Artusi – Italian small plates are matched by an extensive wine list at this bi-level restaurant
    • Location: Greenwich Village 
    • Atmosphere: Modern, buzzing, welcoming 
    • Suggestions: Cacio e pepe, bucatini,  little gems, olive oil cake 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations are released on a two-week rolling basis, each day at 9am. The bar is reserved for walk ins
    • A Good Place For: A nice dinner, dinner with the parents, a special occasion 
    • Note: In my opinion, the cacio e pepe at L’Artusi is top 5 in the city. L’Artusi is a good place to set Resy alerts for, as the day before or day of there are usually cancellations 

  • Olio e Piu – Naples meets NYC at this trattoria with thin-crust pizza, Italian wines and  ample sidewalk seating
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Energetic, lively
    • Suggestions: Rigatoni
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get, though you should book a few days in advance 
    • A Good Place For: Dinner before going out in the West Village, dinner with friends 

  • Palma – Italian classics are crafted from organic ingredients in a sunwashed stucco space with a garden
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Atmosphere: Quaint, cozy, welcoming, charming 
    • Suggestions: Arancini, carciofi, melanzane, ravioli cacio e pepe 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations can be made on Open Table 30 days in advance. Reservations are not too difficult to get but need to made at least 2 weeks out
    • A Good Place For: Impressing people from out of town, a special occasion, a small group dinner, private dining 

Mexican 

  • Ofrenda –  Low-lit Mexican cantina known for inventive fare, creative drinks & happy-hour specials
    • Location: Greenwich Village 
    • Atmosphere: Small, colorful, casual 
    • Suggestions: Guacamole 
    • Reservations: Not required but suggested on a Friday or Saturday night 
    • A Good Place For: Drinks after work, a happy hour deal 
    • Note: I found the food to quite average but the drinks were great and there are good happy hour deals

Japanese / Ramen 

  • Jeju Noodle Bar – Korean restaurant focused on ramyun (noodle soups) & starters in a warmly lit, contemporary space
    • Location: Greenwich Village 
    • Atmosphere: Minimalistic, modern 
    • Suggestions: Wagyu ramyun
    • Reservations: Required; reservations open up on Resy on a 2 week rolling basis 
    • A Good Place For: A special night out, dinner for 2
    • Note: Jeju has 1 Michelin star 

  • Karakatta – Japanese spot for spicy ramen bowls, appetizers, beer & sake, with counter & table seating
    • Location: Greenwich Village
    • Suggestions: Spicy black tan tan 
    • Note: Karakatta specializes in spicy ramen

  • Tokyo Record Bar – Tiny izakaya offering prix fixe Japanese menus & vinyl playlists
    • Location: Greenwich Village 
    • Atmosphere: Engaging, energetic, creative, welcoming 
    • Suggestions: N/A; dinner is a 7 course tasting menu that changes nightly 
    • Reservations: Required; reservations become available 14 days in advance at 10am on Resy
    • A Good Place For: A date, impressing an out of towner, a fun dinner experience 
    • Note: Tokyo Record Bar offers a 7-course pre-fixe menu and a vinyl record experience. Everyone will choose one song from their curated vinyl list, and the staff will create the playlist using the songs the guests pick. Dietary restrictions are taken into consideration, if noted in advance (e.g., they always have vegetarian substitutions available). All food is served family-style