Well, the people of Reddit have spoken, after putting together the Brooklyn picks. For Manhattan I grouped them instead of creating another map (Brooklyn is huge). And just like with Brooklyn, there are certain areas as you can see where I dont spend much time. UWS and UES are just too far, and not as interesting, while Midtown East and Times Square are hotel/tourist heavy, with minimal parking, and more suited for business lunches. Rarely anything interesting opens there.
I also think its time to retire the Z-List. I’ve been managing it for many years, and I’ve had many people commenting on how useful it is. But a list of 30 that covers a large area, no matter how often updated, can run its course. I know some rely on it, but I think its better to rely on its Brooklyn and Manhattan list replacements at this point. I will leave the Z-List up for a while to give people a chance to say goodbye 😉
I will update these lists often. This one is more or less from south to north, with the borders stretched on occasion to fit everyone…
Tribeca
Nish Nush – One of the best if not the best Falafels in the city for a few decades now.
Au Cheval – Go for the sick burger, stay for the Mac & Cheese.
LES / Chinatown
Ginger and Lemongrass – Pretty much for the spicy lemongrass soup.
Shu Jiao Fu Zhou – Hard to beat for a quick cheap dumplings and noodles.
Spicy Village – Slightly uncomfortable but exceptional Chinese. Try the dumplings and Big Tray of Chicken
Uncle Lou’s – Got a little too touristy lately but this is where I’d go for Cantonese right now
Katz’s Deli – The Pastrami Temple. Mega touristy for a reason
Corima – Affordable, superb creative Mexican
Nolita / Little Italy
Thai Diner – Super popular for a reason. Try to come at Off-peak hours
Wayan – Vongerichten Jr doing all kinds of Indonesian/French magic
19 Cleveland – Excellent all around Israeli
Tomiño Taberna Gallega – NYC’s best if not only pure Galician. Meaning get the Octopus
Figo il Gelato – Fig/Ricotta Gelato when fresh is hard to beat
Soho
Raoul’s – A celebrated old French Bistro.
San Carlo Osteria Piemonte – Almost does Italy’s top food region justice. Order from the Piemonte menu
Rivareno Gelato – I’m an ice cream junky and this is my favorite Gelato these days. Especially appreciate the northern flavors
Pinch Chinese – Outstanding elevated Chinese. A favorite since they opened pretty much
Greenwich Village
Anton’s – I follow certain chefs I admire, until they call the cops 😉 Nick Anderer (Mailino, Marta) did an amazing job curating a great menu at Anton’s. He’s now doing his magic at his second, Leon’s (great lunch so far). Love the brunches here too.
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele – While not exactly the same as the Napoli original, a fancy pizzeria with a full menu
Jeju Noodle Bar – I preferred this Korean before the Michelin star, but its still outstanding
Balaboosta – The flagship of one of the most celebrated Israeli chefs.
Song’ e Napule – If I have to pick just one pizzeria
Leitao – Superb Portuguese. One of my favorite discoveries in the last few years
Via Carota – Possibly the most well rounded Italian we have. Popular for a reason
Dell’anima – Italian in West Village is having a moment. Just moved back after many years deep in Hell’s Kitchen. Exceptional pastas and chicken.
East Village
Foxface Natural (Temporarily closed) – From a tiny Sandwich shop to creative Michelin style dining.
Hearth – A reliable old timer and the creator of Brodo.
Fiaschetteria “Pistoia” – The closest we have to eating in a Tuscan village
Carnitas Ramirez – Possibly best tacos in NYC today.
Danny & Coop’s Cheesesteaks – Yes, worth the hype.
Spice Brothers – When a spice master opens a fast food Middle Eastern. Worth checking out
Nowon – Our go-to for a simple burger, rice cakes and more.
Claude – Josh Pinsky is another chef I follow for a while, from the Momofuku days in this case.
Flatiron / Gramercy
L’Express – One of the most reliable Brasseries in the city, aging like a fine Bordeaux
Olle – No shortage of great Korean in the area, but you’ll be hard pressed to find better Galbi Jjim
Ulivo – Nice all around Italian, good pizza, and a plethora of fresh pastas by a talented Sardinian
Milu – Fast food Chinese like no other.
Rezdora – Pricy high caliber Italian, especially the pastas, inspired by Emilia Romagna
Chelsea
Jun-Men Ramen – Good ramen but even better non Ramen items like the Mazemen and wings.
Tia Pol / Txikito / Salinas – Three excellent Spanish all timers, near each other. All quite different. I frequent Tia Pol more only because its more accessible.
Hell’s Kitchen
Frena – Elevated middle eastern by a seasoned chef, now owner. Taboon 2.0 for those who remember.
Chalong Southern Thai – Probably best Thai in Hell’s Kitchen today, if not Manhattan.
Danji – Former Michelin Korean. Nice comeback story after a devastating fire
Chi – Solid, stylish Szechuan with a twist
Don Antonio – Legit Neapolitan pies. Just about as good as it gets.
Pure Thai Cookhouse – Legendary Thai in Thai heavy Hell’s Kitchen
UWS
Pig and Khao – Used to frequent the LES location. Same menu as far as I know.
Eating With Ziggy 