Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in New York City

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Marc 179

5.0

5 (72)

$50 and over

Bistro

TriBeCa

About the restaurant

Renowned New York City Chef and TV Celebrity Marc Murphy revives his classic neighborhood bistro in Tribeca, offering a unique dining model with a $75 prix fixe four-course menu. Open only three days a month; guests can savor an exceptional experience with Chef Marc Murphy overseeing every dish and engaging with patrons. True to Marc's iconic style, the menu features accessible, well-rounded French and Italian bistro fare, presented in a delightful four-course prix fixe format that changes monthly. Expect delicious, comforting dishes paired with an exceptional wine selection, all with an untraditional markup. Join us as we indulge in the joy of dining and revel in true Marc Murphy fashion.

Upcoming dates available:
January 16th-18th
February 13th -15th - Featuring Chef Amanda Freitag!
March 13th - 15th

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

Wonderful dinner! Looking forward to dining there again.

Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar

4.9

4.9 (192)

$31 to $50

Seafood

East Village

About the restaurant

Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar puts what it does right in its name. This is a place custom designed for fans of local small-batch brews and a well-stocked raw bar. The inside of the restaurant is as cozy and comfortable as one would expect, as it is a relaxed atmosphere similar to a sports bar in the off-season. One of the keys to Upstate's success is its commitment to freshness. So much so that there isn't even a freezer in the building as everything is brought in fresh daily.Obviously, the oysters and clams are what most patrons come for, and Upstate's selection of west and east coast varieties changes every day, depending on what is available. That's certainly not the only thing on the menu, though. Guests can try out shared plates of house cured salmon, crab cakes, squid salad and even sea urchin.

Top review

Urayoan

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

We found this venue by chance. It was one of the best surprises with food, drink and oyster knowledge that far surpassed our expectations. We will be back the first chance we get.

Angelina's Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (58)

$30 and under

Italian

New Springville

About the restaurant

Angelina's Kitchen - serving the finest pizza and Italian cuisine.

Top review

Kraig

Dined 7 days ago

Such a great restaurant! Food here is always delicious.

Fresco's Grand Cantina

4.9

4.9 (126)

$30 and under

Mexican

Astoria

About the restaurant

**** Please note this page is for our 28-50 31st St, Queens, New York location.****

Beautiful Mexican-Fusion establishment with old-world accents and very Instagram-able throughout the restaurant. We pride ourselves with fresh locally sourced ingredients for our Authentic & Modern Mexican fare.

Best Happy Hour around from 3pm to 8pm from Tuesday to Friday. The strong & delicious cocktails and amazing service will keep you coming back week after week for any of our numerous events. Follow us on Instagram to stay in the loop.

If you'd like to make a reservation at our other location ( Fresco's Cantina ) located at 12-14 31st Ave Astoria, NY 11106 - Please call (347) 808-7338.

Thank you!

Top review

Kerstti

Dined on Jan 10, 2025

Always a great experience, everything I came back the food is more delicious!

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Flushing, NY | Chinatown of Queens

4.8

4.8 (849)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Flushing

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

Osvaldo

Dined on Jan 1, 2025

Great food, was too hungover to even enjoy it personally but family loved it and will definitely be back.

Discover more

Experience

Prix-Fixe BBQ Courses for Everyone: Starting at...

Tiny's Cantina

4.8

4.8 (40)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Park Slope

About the restaurant

Join us at Tiny's Cantina for contemporary cuisine rooted in Mexican flavors and traditions while celebrating innovation, impeccable ingredients and housemade tortillas. Our full bar is agave and spirit-focused, bringing some of Mexico's most prized tequila and mezcal state-side and straight to your table.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

The food was delicious and the service was great. I took a gamble on the mushroom tacos and they paid off.

The Brazen Tavern

4.8

4.8 (118)

$30 and under

American

Midtown West

About the restaurant

This rustic New York City tavern conjures images of days of old, of Hamilton and Washington sitting around the fire, while Lafayette picks up the tab at the bar. The Brazen Tavern's unique location between Times Square and Hell's Kitchen means easy access and appeal for theatergoers, neighborhood residents, and international visitors alike. Everyone feels at home and alive at the Brazen, where Irish-inspired food, mouth watering whiskeys, and great craic await.

Top review

Kris

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

We had a wonderful brunch on Saturday! The food was delicious and the bartender/server were super friendly.

Rise Bar - Drag Brunch

4.8

4.8 (115)

$30 and under

American

Hell's Kitchen

About the restaurant

SUN DEC 15TH-- If you are having difficulty booking for 12:15, we may be sold out. Try booking a reservation at our sister bar's Drag Brunch, The Red Stache, for an equally as fabulous show!
Rise Bar is an LGBTQ+ bar located in Hells Kitchen Manhattan serving the gay community with entertainment and cocktails. Providing a safe place for LGBTQ+ and their allies.

PLEASE NOTE: Rise Bar is a 21+ establishment

Top review

Jonathan

Dined on Dec 22, 2024

The food was delicious and drink amazing. The space is big and music is energetic! The environment is a safe space for everyone and staff is great and very attentive!!

Moody Tongue Pizza

4.8

4.8 (18)

$31 to $50

Pizzeria

East Village

About the restaurant

Moody Tongue Pizza showcases an a la carte menu highlighting Tokyo-Neapolitan style pizzas as well as a rotating seasonal selection of MICHELIN starred Moody Tongue Brewery's award-winning beers. A curated list of wines and specialty cocktails is also available.

Please note: for large parties (7+ guests) or private parties, please e-mail newyork@moodytongue.com for assistance with your reservation.

Top review

Rico

Dined on Jan 5, 2025

Great team & amazing service. Delicious recommended pairings. We will be back for sure. Special thx for Nicole & Jose!

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