Discover 8 of the Most Exciting New Restaurants in New York City

1. Manuela

As if the bustling neighborhood of SoHo wasn’t already filled to the brim with the chicest dining destinations, new art-filled eatery Manuela, conceptualized by hospitality group Artfarm, brings art and food together into one delectable hotspot. Named after Manuela Wirth, who co-founded the group alongside her husband Iwan Wirth (also one of the founders of notable art gallery Hauser & Wirth), the restaurant’s interiors boast museum-level art including site-specific commissions made by respected New York artists including Mika Rottenberg, Mary Heilman, Rashid Johnson, Rita Ackermann, Lorna Simpson, Pat Steir, and Uman. To complement the pieces, London-based artist and designer Duro Olowu incorporated custom textiles and furnishings to bring an even more artistic edge to the space.

For the menu, a new twist on American classics celebrate the continuously changing seasons. Featuring a large assortment of plant-based dishes including roasted turnips with royal corona beans and grilled brassicas as well as roasted oyster mushroom with charred leek and lemon are perfect for vegan and vegetarian diners. Additionally, the food from land and sea are honored, through Instagram-worthy fluke crudo as well as heartier dishes like berkshire pork collar served with pickled long hot peppers and shaved onion.

2. Heroes

One of the funkiest new spaces to enter New York City’s restaurant scene is an old carriage house that has been transformed into three-story dining spot, Heroes. Serving as a tribute to the biggest “heroes” of the food industry and beyond, such as Julia Child, Thomas Keller, Sonia Sotomayor, and others, the restaurant’s unique atmosphere is reflected both in the dishes and interiors. The first two floors, designed by Helena Barquet and Fabiana Faria of the chic boutique Coming Soon, bring futuristic design to the forefront. On the first floor, a bespoke wall mural by Indiana Hoover nods to the restaurant’s hero theme, where portrayals from Salvador Dali’s surrealist cookbook Les dîners de Gala highlights the striking bar area and lavender color palette. In the private dining room on the second floor, a bold color palette of sea-foam green allows for a tranquil setting for hosting an intimate party. Finally, on the third floor, sensual swatches of red bring a 1970’s aesthetic to the space, where a vintage bar by Willy Rizzo complemented with 1970s wood paneling and 60’s-era Charlotte Perriand lighting sconces are found throughout.

Keeping with the restaurant’s namesake, the stars of the menu can be found as part of their two-person “heroes banquet,” which features choices of stuffed chicken served with sauce vin jaune and roasted mushrooms, dry-aged turbot served with chili butter and sautéed escarole, or dry aged bone in ribeye served with marrow jus and fried potatoes. For starters, small plates including individual scallops, grilled alp blossom, beef tongue skewer, and others can be enjoyed while sampling from the menu’s equally inventive cocktail list.

3. Sushi by Scratch: New York City

Already holding hubs in bustling cities including Beverly Hills, Austin, Chicago, and more, unique omakase experience Sushi by Scratch has officially opened doors in New York City. Founded by chefs Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee, the intimate 10-seat sushi experience provides a moody ambiance to an already exclusive dining affair. The star of the show, the spanning omakase bar, gives diners front row seats to the 17-course menu, which features inventive twists on Japanese classics such as hamachi painted yellow with sweet corn pudding and topped with a fine sprinkle of breadcrumbs and unagi that’s fried crispy in rendered bone marrow fat and dressed with poblano yuzu kosho, soy sauce, ponzu, lemon, and sea salt — just to name a few. The intimate space also holds small tables ideal for date night or to sample a variety of Japanese sakes, beers, and whiskeys selected by expert sommelier Gavin Humes.

4. Ánimo

For the city that’s always on the go, New Yorkers are always looking for the perfect place to grab the most important meal of the day. Whether it’s brunch with friends, or a casual breakfast meeting, restaurant Ánimo serves Mexican-influenced breakfast dishes whose interiors are just as colorful as the culture itself. Designed by Jordana Maisie Design Studio, color palettes of mint green, yellow, and soft white are highlighted through sapele hardwood tabletops, flowing terrazzo counters, handmade tiles, and vibrant murals. In addition to an impressive pastry selection available for those in a hurry, heartier dishes including chilaquiles, molletes, and barbacoa and egg tacos bring authentic flair to bustling Midtown Manhattan.

5. Joo Ok

Embodying the true aesthetic of Korean culture, fine-dining destination Joo Ok has found home in the city’s Koreatown neighborhood. In addition to a contemporary dining area, the design features an interpretation of a traditional house, also known as a “Hanok,” which leads guests to an interior garden, also known as “Madang.” The “Madang” holds industrial elements of concrete floors, columns, and ceilings punctuated with impressive displays of Korean art, while the main dining room holds tranquil color palettes of beiges and light browns. 

Holding Michelin stars in its original Seoul location, the 11-course tasting menu specializes in the freshest seasonal ingredients, where Chef Shin Chang-ho incorporates traditional Korean seasonings to craft inventive dishes such as bigfin reef squid served with granny smith apple and honey butternut squash, and foie gras served with namul and kumquat.

6. The Corner Store

At yet another swanky new dining destination conceived by the acclaimed Rockwell Group, classic New York charm shines through with The Corner Store. Featuring a wide array of seating, which ranges from supple leather booths to tables of rich wood, the architecture and design firm incorporated an eclectic mix of materials including antiqued brass, textured plaster, classic checkered marble flooring, and high-gloss wood paneling to transport diners back in time. To give this dining experience even more immersive flair, a curated selection of photography and artwork adorn the walls to represent the creative energy the city is known for. In addition to the expansive main dining room, a back patio allows for dishes to be enjoyed al fresco, where lush landscaping helps shield guests from the busy SoHo streets.

A true testament to classic American fare, the finest selection of seafood and butcher delights bring new heights to this upscale menu. While sipping on any of the number of martinis available, appetizers such as snapper crudo serve as the perfect lead up to main entrees including prime New York strip steak, grilled Mediterranean branzino, or lobster frites.

7. Brass

Perhaps one of the most anticipated restaurant openings this year, Brass is yet another hotspot conceived by Restaurateur Nick Hatsatouris as he enlists the help of the hospitality duo behind Wildair. Finding home in the city’s historic Evelyn Hotel, the space’s retained Art-Deco architecture is the perfect background for the jazz-inspired interiors courtesy of Islyn Studio. The star of the 70-seat dining room are avant garde murals hand-painted on site by California-based artist Jessalyn Brooks, which complement the mosaic flooring and oversized skylight. The seating, which holds raspberry-hued upholstered banquettes and white tablecloth tables, brings even more elevated flair.

Available for dinner, hors d’oeuvre such as crab and maitake tartlet and radish gribiche set the tone for classic staples including pork shoulder a la moutarde, golden amish chicken roulade, and scallop gremolata. For a lighter meal, opt for selections from the raw bar, where the freshest local seafood is spotlighted.

8. SEA

Known as a pioneer of modern Korean cuisine, Jungsik Yim has made his mark in the world of fine-dining through his Michelin two-star namesake restaurants, located in Seoul and New York’s Tribeca neighborhood. Now, he has welcomed a more casual dining option through his latest concept SEA (which stands for Southeast Asian), situated in Manhattan’s Chelsea hub. Enveloped by exposed brick walls, punches of lime green and teal are shown through through plush banquettes and mosaic tiling. Embodying a more minimalistic design approach, exposed beams give an industrial edge to this seafood-forward experience. Highlights include an inventive takes on crispy pork served alongside fresh herbs and a vermicelli pancake as well as the crab fried rice.