Step Inside 12 of New York City’s Most Beautiful New Restaurants
Discover why these are the most sought-after reservations in town
Perhaps one of the most exciting things to happen in New York City this year is the flurry of new restaurant arrivals offering a variety of cuisines. From dazzling new flagship openings by notable names to restaurant debuts featuring global menus, these are the most sought-after reservations right now.
1. HED NYC
Marking the latest expansion of San Francisco’s Michelin-recognized hed 11, New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood has a new resident in HED NYC. The menu, led by Chef Piriya Saint “Boonprasan,” reimagines the restaurant’s fine-dining concept to bring more traditional Thai practices to its guests. Rotating every three to four months, each seasonal menu highlights a different region of Thailand and focuses on ingredients for which the area is known. While rice remains the center of the meal, as is typical of the classic Thai dinner table, the five-course menu also features locally sourced soups, seafood, pork, noodles, and more, which diners can choose from.
The interiors, crafted by Projekt / ID Interior Design Studio, bring a contemporary feel to the dining experience, where a variety of materials and natural stone elevate the space. Throughout the space, dark terrazzo flooring and lime plaster walls provide a moody entry to the main dining spaces, consisting of a ten-seat bar made of green- and maroon-veined marble and seating of upholstered banquettes and olive leather. In the 18-seat private dining room, the blend between burgundy upholstery and reclaimed wood tables provides a more intimate setting perfect for work or friends.
2. Brasserie Cognac Américain
The latest venture from beloved Serafina Restaurant Group, dual-level Brasserie Cagnac Américain stands as Midtown Manhattan’s new watering hole for classic New York City dining. Inspired by the classic Parisian brasserie, the all-day menu led by chef Michael Lomonaco boasts classic French fare such as escargots de Bourgogne and duck à l’orange, as well as a blend of American-meets-French dishes including Lobster à l’Américaine and tagliatelle with truffles.
Stepping inside the restaurant is reminiscent of older-age New York City, where a seductive red color palette envelops the space. On the first floor, a large horseshoe-shaped bar and main dining room equipped with upholstered banquettes welcome guests in, while the second floor holds the private dining room enveloped in plush seating and patterned flooring.
3. Felice Flatiron
Overlooking Madison Square Park, the latest flagship from family-run Felice has arrived in Flatiron. Known for its sumptuous Italian fare and impressive wine list, the new location’s menu brings exciting arrivals and speciality drinks alongside time-loved classics. To complement staples including arancini, linguine frutti di mare, and chicken Milanese, the Flatiron location welcomes a newly introduced nightcap menu filled with post-dinner treats including an affogato martini, the amaro shakerato, and more. The refreshed menu also encourages diners to share with the Il Toscano Plate, equipped with rotating selections of salumi, pecorino, olives, and crostini, further reinforcing the restaurant’s communal style of dining.
To elevate the classic feel of Italian home cooking, the design of Felice, done by Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture, emphasizes natural light brought by the wrapping windows and 18-foot ceilings, and natural elements of wood and marble. A center bar anchors the restaurant, while the 30-foot-wide illuminated wine wall captivates the dining room, where custom Italian oak millwork crafted in Florence brings true Italian heritage to New York.
4. Oyatte
With an impressive resume consisting of The French Laundry and Gramercy Tavern, new fine dining restaurant Oyatte marks chef Hasung Lee’s first independent culinary concept. Featuring an eight-course tasting menu experienced on two floors, guests will begin on the ground level atelier where beginning courses such as vegetable consommé infused with walnut oil and featuring a broth of celeriac, parsnip, daikon, carrot, celery, and Spanish onion, poured tableside; house-cured charcuterie featuring pickled magnolia buds wrapped in smoked duck breast, alongside house-cured ‘nduja and fried Angelica shoots, and a number of other will be served to kick off this culinary journey.
Following the first few courses, guests will be escorted upstairs to finish the meal, enjoying main courses and desserts including Maine scallop marinated in sweet mirin and steamed fishcake wrapped in savoy cabbage, served over a sauce of dried scallops and smoked ham hock; Spring green porridge made with two kinds of brown rice cooked down in an herb sauce, with black garlic gastrique, and topped with shaved, soy-preserved black truffle, preserved cara cara orange with vanilla and star anise, marshmallow vacherin and black ginger chantilly cream, and more.
A sultry color palette of greys, dark blues, and blacks mingles with salvaged materials sourced and natural finishes to channel a classic lounge feel. Bespoke artwork is integrated throughout both floors of the restaurant, including a commissioned 13-foot-long cascading installation crafted from clear quartz by renowned Korean artist Bahk Seon Ghi.
5. Philippe Chow
A household name renowned for his elevated Chinese fare and signature “Peking”-style dishes, Philippe Chow’s latest New York City outpost has officially opened on Fifth Avenue and encompasses three floors. Whether for lunch or dinner, guests can expect chef Philippe Chow’s signature Beijing-style creations such as slow-roasted, tableside-carved whole Peking duck, chicken satay with house peanut sauce, green prawns, salt-and-pepper lobster, kung Pao chicken, and the always inventive flambéed cotton candy baked Alaska.
Washington, D.C.-based firm //3877 oversaw the interiors, where they took inspiration from both Chow’s storied reputation and history of the cuisine. Incorporating reds and golds, design highlights include a sweeping sculptural brass-clad staircase leading guests throughout the restaurant, a standout 20-seat bar, and a striking gold-leaf-domed banquette table.
6. Noury
Marking the city’s latest izakaya destination, Noury stands as an intimate and stylish new addition to the bustling neighborhood of Soho. Holding only 40 people, Noury is the second restaurant concept from husband-and-wife team chef Alex Chang and sommelier Lina Goujjane, and puts a modern twist on the classic izakaya experience with the help of chef de cuisine Joji Miwa. Featuring signature dishes like daily-changing sashimi, vegetable futomaki, onion and bonito tart, and larger plates like grilled Montauk tuna belly. To complement the meal, world-class rare sake and wine options bring an exclusive experience with each dish.
Similar to their first opening, Kiko, the culinary couple tapped Studio Tre to once again oversee the interiors of this second venture. Working within a smaller space, the firm incorporated elements of metal, steel, and chrome to mix with the natural earthen color palette. The plush upholstered banquettes in green and chocolate colored Cesca chairs by Marcel Breuer play alongside bespoke pendant lights littered throughout the restaurant.
7. Oriana
Perhaps one of the most anticipated openings of the year, Nolita’s buzzy new restaurant Oriana brings back the time-loved practice of live-fire cooking to diners. Menu highlights, led by chef Andy Quinn, include turbot with mussels, Chardonnay, and sea vegetables; whole barbecue duck served with smoked breast and neck sausage; axe-handle pork chop with black mustard; white asparagus with braised beans and summer truffle; and lobster Louie with toasted crumpet.
To bring even more fire to his hot restaurant debut, firm Modellus Novus took inspiration from chef Quinn’s cooking style by incorporating natural panelling throughout the multiple spaces, with hidden design details including a cheekily concealed turntable, carefully placed mirrors, and upholstered seating in reds and rusts to give a true Milanese feel. Artwork is also a key component of the space, with standout presentations including a site-specific triptych by Tunji Adeniyi-Jones and a canvas by Rashid Johnson.
9. Floradora
Officially opening its doors to the public, Floradora brings the Italian-American history of the West Village, courtesy of owners Cody Pruitt and Jacob Cohen, alongside executive chef Vanessa Velez. While Velez takes inspiration from the deep history of New York and its heritage, inventive dishes incorporate global elements that make this menu truly one-of-a-kind, such as spicy tuna rösti with avocado crema, spicy vodka garganelli with gochujang, oxtail lasagna, and 72-hour American wagyu “steak” au poivre. Pruitt spearheaded the drink offerings, bringing an equally playful approach to everyday dining, with highlights including the giardiniera gibson, lychee vesper, June bug, and the namesake cocktail Floradora.
With the two floors holding both a dining area and cocktail lounge, the interiors focus on an old-school New York aesthetic, with a special focus on history. Warm wood panelling mixes with sultry Tiffany-style lighting, bringing special attention to more than 50 portraits of artists, musicians, writers, and cultural figures personally selected by Pruitt, alongside a curated selection of vintage posters displayed on each wall.
10. Graciela
Argentinian cuisine gets an even more elevated treatment with the opening of Graciela, chef Pablo Rivero’s first restaurant concept to open in the U.S. Renowned for his live-fire cooking technique and inspired by the vibrant culture of Buenos Aires, the menu reflects seasonal ingredients with a special focus on Argentine dishes. Offering a range of dishes including starters of empanadas, cured meats, and dips, heartier highlights feature skirt steak, dry-aged bone-in ribeye, and grilled whole branzino, all available to be served with side dishes including marinated peppers, mashed potatoes, and more.
Channeling the feel of an Argentinian tavern, Home Studios oversaw the interiors, where they incorporated natural stone surfaces, including travertine and Calacatta Borghini marble, which is commonly found in historic Buenos Aires cafés. At the center of the space is a charcoal-fired parrilla and Spanish Josper oven, standing as the design focus of the space, allowing diners to experience the live entertainment and “feel the heat” of dishes being made.
11. Tin’s
Doubling as both the Lower East Side’s swankiest new cocktail joint and a destination for a more casual feast of Shanghai-inspired treats, three-story Tin’s brings a joyful yet moody atmosphere to East meets West. Created by partners Philip Dizard and Mercury, the duo brought in an all-star lineup of F&B giants to truly channel the bustling culture of Shanghai with a New York City twist. The food menu, led by executive chef Justin Choung, focuses on the city‘s stable dishes with a special focus on homemade dumplings, wontons, noodles, and rice. To complement the food menu, the beverage program led by Philip Dizard and bar director Bowen Kirkwood highlights personal memories from Dizard’s memories in Shanghai and spotlights inventive ingredients found in the area. Highlights include the 7th Street Fizz made with banana milk, Dako-Ri consisting of lemongrass, Maojiantea, honey, and rare aromatic lime, and more.
The design was conceptualized as a way for guests to journey throughout the space, with each room unfolding to tell a new story. At street level, Tin’s Shanghai Diner incorporates a nostalgic history of the city, with vintage editions of Xinmin Evening News, People’s Daily, and China Daily lining the corridor. Leading downstairs, mahjong tile inlays and traditional Chinese coin motifs wrap the stairwell to lead guests into an Art Deco-style space. Finally, be on the lookout for the concealed entrance to New York City and Shanghai-melded Tin’s Dream Room, where guests can reserve the room for private dining and events.
12. El Cielo
Located on the top floor of New York City’s bustling Virgin Hotels, Colombia’s famed Michelin-starred Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos brings his multi-sensory dining ethos to the U.S. El Cielo stands as a one-of-a-kind culinary journey, with a special focus on Barrientos’s roots in Colombia. The standout offering at his buzzy new fine-dining concept is The Experience menu, where 15 courses are served on locally sourced dishware and objects, a nod to the country’s deep history and culture. For a lighter meal, the 10-course Journey Menu holds some of the same delicacies, with standout offerings including the installation-like tree of life bread, duck and passionfruit main dish, and scallop ceviche.
Boasting sweeping views of New York City courtesy of the floor-to-ceiling windows, designer Catalina Barrientos and Chef Barrientos incorporated artisan design touches in the upscale dining rooms, which include local artwork, handcrafted pieces, and materials—all of which are complemented by the restaurant’s earthy color palette of whites, mauves, and golden lighting.