The Citiblog

Photo: Anixi

Each year, CITITOUR names its top new restaurants in New York City, based on various online rankings. While there are many more worthy of a mention, we managed to narrow it down to our Top 20 for 2023. We wish them all much success in the future.

1. Anixi

Anixi is a vibrant restaurant in Chelsea offering bold Mediterranean flavors with a twist. All of the dishes prepared by Chef and Restaurateur Guy Vaknin are made from plants. Following the success of Beyond Sushi, Willow, and Coletta, Anixi represents the evolution of plant-based cuisine. At Anixi, guests will discover fresh baked breads, hot and cold mezze, hearty salads, shish kebabs and more. Read more

Photo: Bar 56/Michael Grimm

2. bar56

Located in the heart of DUMBO, bar56 is an elegant spot offering a menu of 56 wines by the glass along with playful bites, all just steps away from the Brooklyn Bridge. Chef Vincent Cortese is known for his seasonal plates for sharing such as Fried Artichokes with roasted garlic labneh and urfa; Potato Croquettes with speck and taleggio; and Langoustine with Sorrento lemon. Read more

Photo: Cafe Carmellini/Evan Sung

3. Café Carmellini

Chef Andrew Carmellini brings a fine dining experience to Manhattan at Café Carmellini, located in a landmark building at 250 Fifth Avenue, part of the luxurious new Fifth Avenue Hotel. Located in the heart of NoMad, Chef Carmellini is putting his personal touch on classic Italian and French dishes. After 30 years of cooking, it is also the first restaurant to bear his name. Read more

Photo: Figure Eight

4. Figure Eight

Figure Eight, a New-American-Chinese restaurant, is celebrating the rich culture of the Atlantic coast through a Chinese-American lens. Restaurateur Emmeline Zhao’s experience growing up in North Carolina provides a unique Southern perspective. The 40-seat restaurant, housed in the former space of the iconic Pearl Oyster Bar, is offering dishes family-style. Read more

Photo: Fossetta

5. Fossetta

The Lower East Side is home to a new wine bar and all-day dining destination, Fossetta. It is the collaboration of long-time friends Julie Park, Joshua Even, and Chef Charlene Santiago. Together, they also operate Williamsburg’s popular Cafe Colette. At Fossetta, look for fun, ambitious and flavor-packed dishes like Smashed Eggplant with garlicky tomato confit and Fried Pig Ear. Read more

Photo: HAAM

6. HAAM

The flavors of the Caribbean come together at H A A M, a plant-based Caribbean eatery inspired by Chef/Owner Yesenia Ramdass’s Dominican heritage and her husband Randy’s Trinidadian background. Short for 'Healthy as A Motha,' the concept originated as a cloud kitchen in Queens, but after gaining popularity through pop-ups, they opened this brick-and-mortar location. Read more

Photo: Cititour.com

7. Hoseki

Down the escalator on the lower level of Saks Fifth Avenue you will find Hoseki, New York City’s upscale sushi experience. It is located in an area of Saks known as the vault. Hoseki stands for “little gem,” so it’s only fitting that this lovely sushi counter is located adjacent to Sak’s jewelry department where Chef Daniel Kim is offering an exciting 12-course omakase. Read more

Photo: Kobo by Nai

8. Kobo by Nai

Kōbo is the latest offering from Chef Ruben Rodriguez’s Nai Restaurant Group which includes Amigo, Nai, and Emilia. At Kōbo, Rodriguez explores his Spanish roots and love of Italian and Mediterranean flavors. Look for dishes “to share” like Caponata over homemade foccacia topped with cured sardines; Croquette, an adaptation of his mother’s cod croquettes made fresh daily; among others. Read more

Photo: Lin & Daughters

9. Lin & Daughters

At Lin and Daughters, Becky Lin says dumplings are more than just comfort food. She says while working as a child in her family restaurant, Lin’s Kitchen, dumplings became a sign of “love and unity” as the family created memories through the act of dumpling making. The restaurant is dedicated to Lin's father, a former chef, and her two daughters. Read more

Photo: Lupetto/Nicole Franzen

10. Lupetto

Restaurateur Mark Barak takes the wraps off Lupetto, a stylish wood-fired Italian steakhouse in the heart of NoMad, just steps away from Madison Square Park. Lupetto, which mean “little wolf” in Italian, is inspired by rustic hearth cooking. Chef and partner Michael Berardino leads the culinary program with a selection of wood-fired meats, house-made pastas, and Neapolitan-style pizza. Read more

Photo: Nar

11. Nar

Nar, a symbol of happiness and prosperity in Turkish, has arrived in Flatiron. The restaurant, led by a team of Turkish chefs, is showcasing fresh ingredients from Union Square Market and Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. Spices and aromatics are imported from Turkey and all of the dishes meet Halal standards. Assorted mezze and kebabs are offered along with larger plates. Read more

Photo: Neeloo/OnBrand Productions

12. Neeloo

Neeloo, a Mediterranean spot by partners Christophe Moser and Claudio Angelli in Williamsburg, offers a menu inspired by Moser’s upbringing in the South of France. Moser is joined by his son, Sean, who steps in as Sous Chef after honing his skills at Gramercy Tavern, Zou Zou’s, Olmsted, Peasant, and Saraghina Caffè. Look for shared plates with a New American and Mediterranean twist. Read more

Photo: Púsù

13. Púsù

Translating to “uncut gems” in Chinese, Púsù seeks to embody the allure of raw and natural elements in a serene and unpretentious atmosphere. The restaurant boasts a spacious, open-air layout with a minimalist designed to evoke the "harmonious coexistence of nature and the modern world" with dishes influenced by Northwestern, Hangzhou, and Cantonese cuisines. Read more

Photo: Rua/Michael Tulipan

14. Rua

Inspired by the famed floating markets of Thailand, Rua Thai in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill brings a playful touch to authentic Thai cooking. Visitors will discover Thai cuisine inspired by the dishes Chef Kornpon Theeraumpornkul’s family sold in the market along with modern takes on Thai favorites like Mama Tom Yum Grilled River Prawns and Massaman Short Rib. Read more

Photo: Salty Lunch Lady's Little Luncehonette

15. Salty Lunch Lady's Little Luncheonette

Dria Atencio always dreamed of opening up her own sandwich shop and now that dream is a reality. After earning her chops as a line cook at Sorella, Atencio took her cooking and baking skills on the road with several popular pop-ups. Now she has her own place called the, Salty Lunch Lady’s Little Luncheonette, in Ridgewood, Queens. Read more

Photo: Shoto Omakase

16. Shota Omakase

Chef/Owner Cheng Lin (Sushi Seki, Blue Ribbon, ITO Tribeca) oversees this 16-seat Edomae-style omakase experience. The 18-course omakase changes daily using the finest ingredients and honoring the traditions of Edomae - an emphasis on marinating, curing, and aging. Chef Lin sources his seafood from the Toyosu Market in Japan, using the traditional Ike-jime and Shinkei-jime techniques. Read more

Photo: Eiji Ichimura/Melanie Dunea

17 Sushi Ichimura

Legendary Japanese sushi chef Eiji Ichimura (Uchu, Ichimura at Brushstroke) returned to New York City’s dining scene at Sushi Ichimura in Tribeca. Ichimura, who received two Michelin stars while at Brushstroke, offers his signature edomae-style omakase. The 20-course menu consists of seasonal appetizers, delicately aged nigiri sushi and temaki, as well as his signature triple-layered otoro, finished with seasonal desserts. Dishes are served on 200-year-old ceramic plates. Read more

Photo: Swoony's/Justin Belmondo

18. Swoony's

Chef Sal Lamboglia has opened a second restaurant in Carroll Gardens called Swoony’s in the same location where Lamboglia’s father once worked in the early 2000’s. With the overwhelming success of Cafe Spaghetti, he is highlighting the charming Brooklyn neighborhood as a major food destination with classic American bistro fare including steakhouse classics and fresh seafood. Read more

Photo: The Good Good/Philip Wolak

19. The Good Good

The Good Good is a cocktail bar and bistro created by three long-time friends - Lesly Bernard and sisters, Juliet and Justine Masters - who share a passion for creating memorable NYC venues. The menu is inspired by the trio’s Caribbean heritage and features modern takes on comforting dishes like Spicy Jerk Mushrooms, Hot Fatali Honey Fried Chicken, Codfish Fritters, among others. Read more

Photo: Three Maples/Liz Spano

20. Three Maples

Three Maples is the collaborative effort of three friends - chefs Matthew Lief, Michael Felix, and Maria Dela Cruz. The three worked together at Landhaus - a Smorgasburg and Berg’n favorite – before opening this new spot in Bed-Stuy. The food is a reflection of their cultural backgrounds - Mexican, Korean, Filipino, and Jewish. Read more

*Cititour’s top new NYC restaurant picks are based on each restaurant’s performance in reviews from sources such as Google, Yelp, Resy, OpenTable and others to determine this year’s winners. The top two averages are used to help identify the winners.

Here’s to more Happy Eating in 2024!