Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in New York City

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in New York City? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Nai Tapas Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1010)

$50 and over

Tapas / Small Plates

East Village

About the restaurant

Nai, meaning Mother in Gallego, offers a unique understanding of Spanish cuisine where guests can dive deep into Chef Ruben Rodriguez' innovative tapas menu.
Originating from Galicia, Spain, Chef Ruben Rodriguez has honed Nai's bold flavors from his Mother, Ana Maria Gonzalez Arias.

Top review

Talia

Dined 6 days ago

We had a fabulous time at dinner. The food and service were impeccable, will absolutely be back!!

Trattoria iL Gusto Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (493)

$30 and under

Italian

Upper West Side

About the restaurant

Authentic Italian restaurant located in the Upper West Side with an extensive menu to appeal to all! Featuring a collection of Italian and world wide wines, and authentic cocktails. Our menu offers a fresh and unique Italian cuisine. We offer casual and refreshing open air outdoor seating and, inside, a warm and intimate atmosphere offering the same great experience.

Top review

Truewordsvip

Dined on Sep 27, 2024

Always a great go to! Get the 🍆 ! Nice wine too! Love the outdoor space!

Piccola Cucina Casa

4.9

4.9 (59)

$31 to $50

Italian

Boerum Hill

About the restaurant

Chef Philip Guardione is bringing all the Italian flavors to Brooklyn.

Top review

sidney

Dined on Oct 7, 2024

Excellent dinner well served. Nice new place. Friendly people busy for a Monday night.

Tasca

4.9

4.9 (73)

$50 and over

Spanish

Upper West Side

About the restaurant

Tasca, which is Iberian for "Tavern," brings together the vibrant flavors and culinary traditions of both Spain and the Latin countries of the Caribbean. Offering an elevated and innovative interpretation of Spain, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's shared food histories, Tasca seamlessly ties together the evolution of their cuisines. In a multi-level, 5,500-square-foot space complete with several open, airy dining areas, outdoor dining, subterranean lounge and wine cellar with fireplace. Tasca conveys both the warmth of a traditional Spanish tavern and the breezy elegance of a contemporary, coastal Caribbean restaurant.

With a variety of unique spaces and conveniently located near Central Park and the Museum of Natural History, Tasca is available for outdoor and indoor dining, large-party bookings and full restaurant buyouts. Tasca can accommodate any occasion from dinner with friends, birthday parties and family gatherings to corporate presentations for 200 guests.

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined on Oct 4, 2024

Fantastic food and staff is terrific. Highly recommend

Il Tinello - East 46th St

4.9

4.9 (454)

$30 and under

Italian

Midtown East

About the restaurant

Blending 36 years of tradition with innovative Italian cooking, Il Tinello provides a rich experience that can only be matched by its delicious menu. The quality Italian ingredients, spectacular wine list and impeccable service showcase the restaurant's heritage, while the classy decoration brings new energy to every meal. The fresh home made pastas, regional ingredients and diverse wine list boast of what's to come, yet the classics and traditions continue to tempt. Never intimidating and always comfortable, Il Tinello delivers an experience that is perfect to celebrate your big day or every day.

Top review

Carollvip

Dined on Oct 7, 2024

The staff and dinner experience was wonderful! Very professional and friendly. The bartender, Arta knows how to make a great espresso martini! I had the special tuna tartare which is AMAZING! One of the BEST I’ve had in the city. Make sure to get there before it’s all gone.

Shan Szechuan

4.9

4.9 (25)

$30 and under

Sichuan

Cobble Hill

About the restaurant

On Smith Street in Brooklyn, we have prepared a feast of oriental cuisine for you with passion and professionalism - Shan.

Our environment is warm and comfortable, and our menu is rich and diverse. From classic Mapo Tofu, Chongqing Spicy Chicken, and Lamb Dry Pot to various handmade dumplings, wontons, and pot stickers, every dish is the masterpiece of our chefs. Our beverage selection is equally impressive, featuring craft cocktails, selected wines, beer, and spirits.

Welcome to Shan to enjoy the food and taste of life.

Top review

Sofia

Dined on Sep 25, 2024

Great service, delicious food with good amount of heat! and amazing cocktails! They even let our group stay late, past closing which was very sweet. Highly recommend this place and I look forward to our next night out there!

Perry St

4.8

4.8 (3686)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

West Village

About the restaurant

Chef Jean-Georges brings relaxed elegance to the West Village with Perry St - awarded three stars by the New York Times.

Jean-Georges’ son, Cedric Vongerichten, helms the kitchen, creating dishes that reflect his own keen instinct for balancing flavor and texture with an exquisite blend of French, American, and Asian influences and ingredients. The menu is inspired by the season, centering on the local market at Union Square.

Please visit us http://www.perrystrestaurant.com for menus and more information.

Top review

Yvan A.

Dined 3 days ago

Absolutely fantastic as always. Compliments to the chef and staff for making a simple evening an unforgettable one!!

J's On The Bay

4.8

4.8 (65)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Shore Acres

About the restaurant

Welcome to J’s on the Bay, owned and operated by proprietor Chef Joe Salimeni, award-winning graduate of French Culinary Institute and self made owner of this establishment as well as J’s Meal Prep. J’s On the Bay offers Meal Prep for busy customers on the go. From quinoa salads to truffled chicken lettuce wraps, turkey chili and everything in between. They offer weekly delivery to all five boroughs and soon, nationwide distribution.
J’s offers its customers a unique dining experience with its off the cuff combinations of classic ingredients and their unexpected marriages Chef Joe constructs. J’s was first opened in 2014 has evolved over the last 7 years from a homely neighborhood diner to the fine dining restaurant it is today. Through hard work, uninterrupted and meticulous care, and constantly working to push himself and his menu, Joe has turned his restaurant dreams into a reality.

Top review

Jeaninevip

Dined 4 days ago

My go to place when I want to enjoy a great meal and catch up with a friend. I am Big fan of J’s and his team

Bistro Eloise

4.8

4.8 (425)

$30 and under

Traditional French

Jackson Heights

About the restaurant

Bistro Eloise offers traditional Homemade French food, making you travel all over France. Going from Brittany (Crêpes) to Burgundy (Beef Bourguignon), passing through Toulouse (Cassoulet), etc...

Top review

Mary

Dined on Oct 1, 2024

It was lovely for our 30th wedding anniversary. We had nice conversation and could hear each other....nice place and nice people...

Yakiniku Toraji - Bowery

4.8

4.8 (11)

$50 and over

Japanese

Chinatown

About the restaurant

Toraji is a “yakiniku” style BBQ restaurant.

Since our first shop has been established in 1995 in Tokyo, Ebisu area, we came a long way.

Starting with “namuru” and “kimchi” Korean style steamed and pickeled vegetables, continuing with tongue, ribs and/or outside skirt, finishing with cold noodles or “pibimpab” Korean style mixed rice bowl. We are commited to provide you the “yakiniku” you want for the days you feel like having a “yakiniku”.

We as pros won`t do any compromise in terms of ingredients, taste or service, Toraji will continue to promote the right way the yakiniku culture, bringing taste, happiness and health to our customers.

Top review

Kumivip

Dined on Sep 21, 2024

I had a quick lunch with my kid at Toraji an and had a great experience. The service was top-notch with attentive and polite staff. The table was clean and the decor is minimum yet beautiful. The lunch set is good portion and fair quality. If they do well for lunch, their dinner menu must be better. Looking forward to come back with friends and family very soon to explore more dishes and their course menu. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a top-notch Japanese BBQ experience!

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