Best Restaurants NYC: Where Locals Eat and You Should Too

New York City is known for many things — culture, art, theater, and iconic landmarks such as Central Park, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building. But you know what else you should explore in the Big Apple during your trip? The food! The city boasts an amazing culinary scene that’s worth trying. If you’re ready to find out the best restaurants NYC has to offer, read on below.

Keens Steakhouse is one of the best steak restaurants NYC is home to. It’s famous for holding the largest collection of churchwarden pipes in the world. Since the early 17th century, pipe smoking has been known as a good way to remove negative and harmful thoughts. For Keens Steakhouse, their pipe tradition dates back to the 20th century and continues to this day.

Apart from the pipe tradition, of course, Keens Steakhouse is also known for its well-marbled meat—especially its massive and delectable steaks—as well as its signature mutton chops. If you’re heading to Keens for lunch or dinner, their menu will surely not disappoint. They offer different types of seafood for appetizers, such as fresh oysters, crisp calamari salad, and a chilled seafood tray (oysters, clams, lobster, shrimp). They also have salads, lunch specials, and side dishes that are worth tasting!

For the mains, they have what they call “Keens Classics,” which consists of several meats like prime rib, T-bone steak, mutton chops, porterhouse, and more. And hey, you can’t just leave without ending your meal with a sweet treat! Keens has multiple dessert options, such as key lime pie, fresh berries, sundaes, and different types of cake. This is definitely one of the top restaurants in NYC that you can't miss!

A great Italian restaurant NYC is home to is Osteria Delbianco. It’s an upscale restaurant that serves Northern Italian cuisine, perfect for brunch and dinner. Here, they serve authentic and traditional Italian dishes, as well as specialties from the owner’s hometown, the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy. To make your dining experience even better and more personal, the owner’s Delbianco family recipes are also served at the restaurant for both locals and travelers to indulge in.

Before we get into the brunch menu, here are some must-haves from their all-day menu: Tagliere di Salumi e Sottaceti (selection of imported cured meat and homemade pickles), Insalata di Carciofi, Avocado, Parmigiano e Pistacchio (salad with thinly shaved fresh artichoke, avocado, arugula, parmigiano, and pistachio), Zuppa del Giorno (soup of the day), Spaghetti al Pomodoro (a classic spaghetti with San Marzano tomato and basil), and Pollo Piccante (spicy roasted chicken with roasted potatoes).

Now for their weekend brunch menu, which both locals and travelers love, they offer dishes such as Uovo Benedetto (poached egg, toasted Tuscan bread, hollandaise, Norwegian smoked salmon, and Italian cured ham), French Toast (with fresh strawberries and Vermont maple syrup), Steak 'N Eggs (NY strip, sunny-side eggs, and shoestring fries), and Crostone Emiliano (oven-baked egg nestled in ciabatta bread, asparagus, and truffle oil). Osteria Delbianco is truly one of the best restaurants NYC has to offer for both locals and travelers.

Now, if you want to visit several good restaurants NYC has to offer all in one go, then this New York City food tour is one that you should consider adding to your itinerary. The tour will take you to the West Village, where you can sample authentic and delicious New York cuisine. West Village is home to small local restaurants, as well as hidden gems that will definitely make the tour worth taking.

Since it’s a tour, you won’t simply eat your way through it. Your tour guide, along with staff from each establishment, will also enlighten you with knowledge about the dishes you’ll be trying during the food tour. Some New York bites to expect include New York bagels, Italian salami, different types of pastries (both sweet and savory), and ham-and-cheese combinations.

This brunch, lunch, or dinner cruise has got to be one of the many cool restaurants New York has to offer. It’s one thing to dine on a boat; it’s another to be dining while surrounded by the city’s stunning views! The glass boat that you’ll be boarding will delight you with views of the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Freedom Tower, and more. There will also be live music as you dine, setting the perfect atmosphere for an unforgettable dining experience.

For those eyeing to have brunch, the menu will consist of butternut squash and kale salad for your starter; a choice of one from scrambled eggs, brioche French toast, buttermilk-brined chicken breast, or potato gnocchi with tomato ragu; and a choice of one from tiramisu, mixed berries and pineapple, or Basque-style Spanish cheesecake for your dessert.

If you’re looking to have lunch, the menu is still butternut squash and kale salad for your starter; a choice of one from buttermilk-brined chicken breast, Atlantic striped bass, or potato gnocchi with tomato ragu; and a choice of one from tiramisu or mixed berries and pineapple for dessert.

Now for those having dinner, get ready to choose one starter from butternut squash and kale salad, cauliflower and leek chowder, or Italian sausage ravioli all'Amatriciana; choose one main from Atlantic striped bass, buttermilk-brined chicken breast, cioppino, potato gnocchi with tomato ragu, or osso buco; and choose one dessert from tiramisu, mixed berries and pineapple, Basque-style Spanish cheesecake, or chocolate mousse dome.

The brunch, lunch, and dinner all include unlimited coffee, hot tea, iced tea, and water. This dining cruise is one that easily ranks among the best restaurants NYC has in store for both locals and travelers.

Known as "The Queen of Soul Food" among locals, Sylvia’s Restaurant is one that is well-loved in New York. Locals, and even politicians (Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama), are known to frequent the place, establishing that it is indeed one of the best restaurants NYC has to offer. They have been serving Southern comfort food since 1962 in Harlem, New York City.

The restaurant offers daily specials, like Meat Loaf with Sylvia’s Secret Sauce and Oxtails on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Stewed Turkey Wings on Thursdays, Time-Honored Southern-Style Chitterlings from Friday to Sunday, and BBQ Short Ribs of Beef & Fried Chicken on Saturdays and Sundays.

For their regular menu, they offer many kinds of salad, appetizers like Catfish Fingers, entrées like Oven-Baked Half Chicken, Pork Ribs, and Shrimp, which you can choose to be golden fried, grilled, or barbecued, and Angus Beef Burgers. They also have dessert options for after your meal: classic Chocolate Cake, Coconut Pineapple Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Banana Pudding, Sweet Potato Pie, and Peach Cobbler.

Now you know of some of the best restaurants NYC has in store for both locals and travelers! Since these dining experiences are well-known, we highly recommend booking a table or your slots ahead to make sure that you get a taste of what the locals love to eat in New York! Safe travels, everyone.

To add to the list above, some must-tries in New York City (specifically Manhattan) are Joe's Pizza and Prince Street Pizza. You can never go wrong with a New York-style pizza.

Famous people opt to go to upscale restaurants in NYC, like Carbone, Via Carota, and Minetta Tavern.

First-timers in New York can try famous dining spots like Sylvia's Restaurant, Katz's Delicatessen, and Russ & Daughters Cafe.

If you’re on a budget but still want to taste the best of New York, head to Joe's Pizza, Los Tacos No. 1, and Mamoun's Falafel.

Yes, you are allowed to leave tips for good service and food.