It's the Best of the Very Best: The Top 25 Restaurants in New York City

 By James V. Ruocco

It's the best of the best.

Setting the criteria for my favorite restaurants in New York City was fast, fun and easy. No long think fests. No deliberation about prices, locations, menus or cuisines. It was simply a case of picking places I've thoroughly enjoyed through the years and have often revisited time and time again. Others are brand new, but well worthy of praise. Some, sadly, could not be included (Eleven Madison Park, Fedora, 21 Club, The Four Seasons, among others) due to shutdowns from the ongoing pandemic, which eventually forced them to close their doors for good.

Let's continue.
To be acknowledged, each restaurant had to stand out from all the others in terms of food, menus, wine and liquor listings, ambience and décor, history, clientele, who's who in the kitchen and finally...exceptional service. Until, at last, the list was complete, divided up to include my picks for New York City's best restaurants.

(Proof of vaccination for all guests is required upon arrival at most of these restaurants. This includes a physical Covid-19 vaccine card, a New York State Excelsior Pass, a relevant state-provided vaccine pass, a photo of your vaccination card or a matching government issued ID. Restaurants will not be able to accommodate guests who cannot present proof of vaccination in person)

The Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel
Fifth Avenue at Central Park South
New York, N.Y. 10019

(212) 546-5300

Per Se
10 Columbus Circle

4th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10019
(212) 823-9335

Le Monde
2885 Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10025
(212) 531-3939

The Rose Club at the Plaza Hotel

Fifth Avenue at Central Park South,
New York, N.Y. 10019 
(212) 546-5311

A.O.C L'aile ou la Cuisse
314 Bleecker St
New York, N.Y. 10014 
(212) 675-9463

The Loeb Boathouse at Central Park
East 72nd St.
New York, N.Y. 10021
(212) 517-2233

 

The Polo Bar
1 E 55th St.
New York, N.Y. 10022

(212) 207-8562

 

 

 

Amelie
22 W. 8th St.
New York, N. Y. 10011
(212) 533-2962

Le Bernardin
155 W. 51st St.
New York, N.Y. 10019
(212) 554-1515

Kurumazushi Restaurant
7 E. 74th St.
2nd Floor
New York, N. Y. 10017
(212) 212-582-7200

The Grand Tier Restaurant
Metropolitan Opera House Lincoln Center
30 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10023
(212) 799-3400

Joe Allen
326 W 46th St.
New York, NY. 10036
(212) 581-6464

The View
New York Marriott Marquis
1535 Broadway
47th & 48th Floors
New York, N.Y. 10036
(212) 704-8900 

P.J. Clarke's
915 Third Avenue at 55th Street
New York, N.Y. 10022
(212) 317-1616

Elephant & Castle
68 Greenwich Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10011
(212) 243-1400

Chez Napoleon
365 W 50th St.
New York, N.Y. 10019
(212) 265-6980

Carmine's

2450 Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10024
(212) 362-2220

Sardi's
234 W 44th St.
New York, N.Y. 10036

(212) 221-8440

Virgil's Real BBQ
152 W 44th St.
New York, N.Y. 10036
(212) 921-9494

Petit Boucherie
14 Christopher St.

New York, N.Y. 10014

(646) 756-4154

JoJo

160 E. 64th St.
New York, N.Y. 10065
(212) 223-5656

John's of 12th Street

302 E. 12th St.

New York, N.Y. 10003
(212) 475-9531

Sylvia's
328 Malcolm X Blvd.
New York, N.Y. 10027
(212) 996-0660

Smith & Wollensky
797 Third Avenue
New, York, N.Y. 10022
(212) 753-1530

Jean-Georges
1 Central Park West
New York, N.Y. 10023
(212) 299-3900