In New York City, fantastic restaurants open every day, and with star-powered newcomers and buzzy neighborhood spots from some of the city’s most acclaimed chefs, 2024 has been no exception. Whether it’s a cozy South of France-inspired neighborhood gem or a buzzy New Orleans-style seafood and cocktail spot, the best new restaurants in NYC are ones you’ll want to return to again and again.
Some of 2024’s standouts include a laid-back, wood-fired pizza joint in Carroll Gardens, a Peruvian seafood favorite’s second location in Gramercy Park, and an innovative Southeast Asian destination with killer views of Central Park on the Upper West Side.
And since there’s plenty to choose from, consider this your 2025 bucket list.
Snag a table by booking your reservation on OpenTable for one of the top 12 best new NYC restaurants.
Read on to discover the best new restaurants NYC 2024.
For an uptown French charmer at one of the best new restaurants in NYC in 2024: head to Chez Fifi (Upper East Side)
Tucked away in an Upper East Side townhouse, this charmer from Joshua and David Foulquier of two-MICHELIN-Starred Sushi Noz is an instant NYC French classic. Named for the brothers’ late mother, the space is dressed with wooden walls, floral drapes, and mirrors galore—the perfect setting for a knockout meal of refined French classics like foie gras jus and escargot a la bourguignonne.
For top-notch pizzas from an acclaimed team at one of the best new NYC restaurants: hit up F&F Restaurant and Bar (Carroll Gardens)
Come to F&F Restaurant and Bar for top-notch pizzas from acclaimed chefs Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli. Settle into the new sit-down space with wood-paneled walls and whimsical murals for a compact menu of standout pies—get the Partanna with red onion, Calabrian chili, pecorino, oregano, and orange blossom honey. Add in Italian-forward wines and cocktails, and it’s easy to see why this cozy restaurant earned a spot on the New York Times’ list of the city’s best pizza places.
For a transportive Southeast Asian experience at one of the top new restaurants in NYC: visit Twin Tails (Upper West Side)
With mirror-paneled walls, amber glass chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows with killer views of Central Park, dining at Twin Tails is a fully immersive experience. Settle into the glam space for a feast of inventive, Southeast Asian-inspired dishes like beef shank khao soi, green curry escargot, and lemongrass ribs. Add in clever drinks—stellar zero-proof cocktails and a negroni riff with tamarind Aperol—and you have all the ingredients for a fancy night out.
For cozy French- and Italian-inspired family feasts at one of the best new NYC restaurants: book at Zimmi’s (Greenwich Village)
Zimmi’s is where you go for French- and Italian-style dishes inspired by chef Maxime Pradié’s family recipes. The intimate, 40-seat space is all old-school charm—think checkered tablecloths, blown-glass light fixtures, and carved wood furnishings. Grab a seat by the window to dig into Pradié’s refined menu of hits like tielle sétoise (octopus and tomato pie) and pissaladière (caramelized onion and anchovy tart). Don’t miss the knockout desserts—get the saffron and yellow Chartreuse soufflé.
For playful French-Caribbean fare at one of the best new restaurants in NYC: head to Chez Omar (West Village)
This West Village newcomer takes its cue from Paris bistros but leans into the flavors of chef Omar Watlers’s native Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. You can’t go wrong with anything from the raw bar or standout dishes like steak au poivre with pimento sauce and a jerk-roasted Cornish hen. Decorated by Walter’s sister, the vibrant space is all garnet walls, hand-painted floral murals, and Jamaican street art to match the restaurant’s joyful spirit.
For New Orleans-inspired seafood and cocktails in Brooklyn: book at Strange Delight (Fort Greene)
Strange Delight’s all-star team brings the magic of New Orleans to Brooklyn. From the mirrored dining room to chef Ham El-Waylly’s stellar seafood menu, this white-hot neighborhood spot is an exciting homage to that city’s most iconic restaurants. Dishes such as chargrilled oysters with smoked garlic butter and blackened swordfish belly with Creole mustard cream complement top-notch cocktails, like a rum-forward take on the classic Sazerac and Ramos gin fizz service for two.
For knockout small plates at a standout new wine bar: head to Demo (West Village)
The wine bar concept is not exactly new, but at the super-buzzy Demo it feels fresh, thanks to former Wildair chef Quang “Q” Nguyen’s playful, European-inspired menu that includes lobster au poivre with miso frites and a crab casino with Ritz crackers. Snag a seat at the glossy red chef’s counter or in an espresso-toned booth in the softly lit dining room and linger with a glass of natural wine from fellow Wildair alum Jacob Nass’s pitch-perfect list.
For a glam French-inspired restaurant at an iconic city landmark: visit Grand Brasserie (Midtown East)
Dressed in scarlets and gilded Beaux Arts and Art Deco-style accents, Grand Brasserie leans into its iconic setting inside Grand Central Terminal. Tuck into one of the cozy scarlet booths to dig into an all-day menu of luxe, French brasserie classics like caviar service, fancy seafood towers, and lobster frites. Get them 365 days a year in a massive, 400-seat dining room that retains original early-20th-century features like soaring ceilings and glittering chandeliers.
For clever cocktails and innovative bar snacks from an acclaimed team: try Bar Contra (Lower East Side)
This buzzy new spot is the brainchild of Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske Valtierra, the duo behind the now-closed MICHELIN-Starred Contra. Reimagined as a super cool cocktail bar, the restaurant goes all in on whimsical small plates like a potato and strawberry sundae and a sausage-stuffed chicken wing served in a cozy, brick-lined space. Tuck into one of the olive green booths to enjoy them with clever cocktails like a passionfruit lowball from partner Dave Arnold (Existing Conditions).
For a Top Chef alum’s Thai- and Filipino-inspired hotspot: go to Pig and Khao (Upper West Side)
The food at this Southeast Asian spot, which just debuted a new Upper West Side location, is just as lively as its bright decor. Top Chef alum Leah Cohen focuses on a menu that lets Thai and Filipino influences shine through. The Khao Soi and Sizzling Sisig are memorable, as are the Jello shots, cocktail tastings, and bottomless drafts, so come prepared to party.
For innovative takes on Thai classics in a vibrant space: try SAPPE (Greenwich Village)
Blending eclectic decor with innovative takes on Thai classics, this restaurant is already becoming a staple, just like its sibling restaurant Soothr. Walk through the bright yellow exterior and get comfortable in the neon-lit space. Then, choose from a range of grilled skewers, including ox tongue and okra along with larger dishes like braised pork ribs. Pair it with a cooling Thai tea slushie.
For a Peruvian spot where seafood is the star: head to Mission Ceviche (Gramercy Park)
This beloved Peruvian spot opened a new location in 2024, and it’s Mission Ceviche’s largest footprint yet—complete with a dedicated ceviche and sushi bar. Definitely get one of the ceviches like the octopus with cilantro oil and capers and then choose from dishes in the expansive menu’s Nikkei and Chifa sections, the latter of which spotlights Chinese Peruvian food. Wash it all down with a refreshing Pisco cocktail.
New York City never stops changing, but that means there’s always an opportunity for amazing new restaurants and 2024 cemented the city’s all-star status. From the charming French-inspired Chez Fifi to the vibrant Southeast Asian flavors of Twin Tails and the innovative concepts at Bar Contra, these new restaurants in 2024 in NYC offer something for every craving and occasion. But don’t just read about these must-book restaurants—experience them for yourself.
Make an OpenTable reservation now and kick off 2025 with a bang (and a delicious meal).
These best new restaurants in 2024 in NYC are sure to book up quickly
For more about NYC’s dining scene, check out these guides:
Alexis Benveniste is a big fan of Persian food, sushi, and finding hidden gems she can recommend to her friends. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The MICHELIN Guide, Bloomberg, and New York Magazine. You can find her on Instagram at @apbenven.
