20 Best Casual Restaurants in New York

Wildair is a relaxed wine bar, known for its fun wines and inventive bar food, including notable dishes like the potato cake with uni and jalapeno relish. The establishment is an offshoot of Contra, offering a casual yet refined atmosphere perfect for those seeking a laid-back setting with high-quality food and drinks. With an emphasis on natural wines and creative small plates, Wildair has become a popular spot for those who appreciate simple, clever food paired with exciting wines.

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Oliver Jansson

Food Enthusiast – Stockholm, Sweden

Perfect blend of casual and refined, with a good selection of natural wines and inventive bar food.Wildair is the perfect blend of casual and refined, with a good selection of natural wines and inventive bar food that will leave your taste buds singing. Owned and operated by the team behind Contra, this charming wine bar is recommended for those seeking great food and drinks in a laid-back setting. Don’t miss the potato cake with uni and jalapeño relish - it’s seriously delicious.

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Atoboy is a restaurant that reimagines traditional Korean family-style dining with a modern twist, serving innovative Korean-inspired cuisine crafted by Chef Junghyun Park. The menu features a variety of beautifully composed dishes that are ideal for sharing, with recommendations including the fried chicken. It's a lively spot that caters well to larger groups, offering a good selection of beers and wines alongside its creative food offerings.

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Mitchell Davis

Voracious Eater – New York, USA

Korean-inspired bistro with beautifully composed dishes.Korean-inspired bistro with beautifully composed dishes in an urban environment. Fixed price menu with many selections to choose from. Worth adding the fried chicken.

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"Wu's Wonton King" is a Cantonese cuisine restaurant known for its lively ambiance and the liberty of bringing your own bottle. The menu offers an array of dishes, from dumplings and noodles to BBQ meats and live seafood, making it a preferred spot for both large groups and solo diners. Not only does it cater to meat lovers with options like roast duck and whole suckling pig, but it also serves a variety of vegetable and tofu dishes, ensuring there's something for everyone.

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Colin Wood

Chef – Sydney, Australia

Down in the LES, a great spot for a larger table, sharing crab, dumplings, whole suckling pig and roast duck. BYO too.Popular and very reliable spot, especially with the hospitality industry for any group or smaller occasion and level of hunger. The go-to for orphans Christmas, and lots of messy fun. Whole roast duck buns, live seafood tanks with crabs and other delights, dumplings, noodles and BBQ meats or order ahead for whole roast suckling pig to share with your BYO wine and table.A great spot for a quick solo lunch or sprawling dinner with friends. Use your napkin.

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Frenchette is a contemporary French bistro known for its ever-evolving menu of rich dishes. The place, opened by Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson in 2018, is appreciated for its signature natural wine list curated by industry veteran, Jorge Riera, and European-inspired bistro classics. The restaurant also features an atmospheric art-deco design with separate spaces for the restaurant and bar, making it a popular spot for many.

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Gaggan Anand

Chef – Bangkok, Thailand

I really like Frenchette in TriBeCa. It's like a home for me, with Jorge Riera and his team. Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson opened the place in 2018, and it’s still great.

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Katz's Delicatessen, a renowned NYC deli, is famed for its colossal pastrami on rye, often regarded as a city staple. This iconic establishment has been serving up quintessential Jewish comfort food for over a century, with a menu that includes a rich matzo ball soup and crunchy pickles. Despite the long wait, customers consistently recommend the Pastrami Reuben, describing it as an unforgettable sandwich experience.

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Oliver Jansson

Food Enthusiast – Stockholm, Sweden

Their signature dish, the colossal pastrami on rye, is often hailed as one of the city’s best.For over a century, this iconic restaurant has been serving up New York City’s quintessential Jewish comfort food. Their signature dish, the colossal pastrami on rye, is often hailed as one of the city’s best. Tourist trap or not, this is a pretty damn good sandwich. Other items on the menu include the corned beef sandwich, a rich matzo ball soup, and crunchy pickles.

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King is a Mediterranean-style bistro that offers a daily-changing menu with a focus on seasonal, simple food inspired by Southern France and Italy. Known for its relaxed, elegant ambiance and white tablecloth service, it's a great spot for leisurely lunches. The restaurant's menu features a variety of dishes, from chargrilled onglet to salad with small delicious leaves, and their dessert offerings are not to be missed.

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Emma Leigh Macdonald

Chef & Writer – New York, United States

Generous, seasonal Italian at its best.The menu changes slightly every day, and it’s always a delight to see what the King kitchen is doing with seasonal updates to classic coastal Italian dishes (always inspiring my own menus in some way). Don’t leave without having dessert.

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Crown Shy is a destination for diverse cuisine inspired by global flavors, presenting a feast for all senses. The restaurant is helmed by James Kent, formerly of Eleven Madison Park, and serves remarkable new American dishes, including customer favorites like grilled quail, glazed farro, and maitake. The establishment features a trendy atmosphere, complete with an open kitchen, and is located in an art deco landmark tower in the financial district, making it a perfect spot for a fun night with friends.

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Junghyun Park

Chef – New York, USA

Amazing new American cuisine by James Kent, in the Financial District.At Crown Shy chef James Kent, who used to work at Eleven Madison Park, is cooking some amazing new American cuisine. It’s located on the ground floor of an art deco landmark tower in the Financial district. On the 63rd floor is restaurant Saga, also by James Kent, which is a restaurant more into fine dining.

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Llama San is a restaurant specializing in Peruvian fusion cuisine, known for its flavorful dishes and particularly its ceviche, which is highly recommended by customers. It's a spot often underrated, yet consistently delivers on taste and quality. They are open for dinner seven days a week from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

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Mimi Lan

Chef/ Consultant/ Foodie – Jacksonville, USA

This little place has big taste! Peruvian fusion dishes done well.

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Thai Diner is a casual eatery where Thai and American cuisines blend in an unexpected yet delightful manner. The restaurant offers a variety of inventive, playful, yet approachable dishes, with the egg sandwich with cheese, sai oua herbal sausage, and Thai basil wrapped in roti being a standout. While it respects Thai traditions, Thai Diner is known for its fun twists on classic Thai dishes, making it a must-visit for lunch.

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Oliver Jansson

Food Enthusiast – Stockholm, Sweden

Thai and American cuisine come together in a deliciously unexpected way at Thai DinerThai and American cuisine come together in a deliciously unexpected way at Thai Diner. With a menu full of inventive and playful dishes that are still approachable, this casual eatery is a standout in the crowded New York City food scene. Don’t miss out on the heavenly egg sandwich with cheese, sai oua herbal sausage and Thai basil wrapped in roti. One of my favorite brunch items in town!

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Fulgurances is a dynamic and innovative restaurant known for its original chef residency program, the first of its kind globally. It boasts a talented kitchen team complemented by a professional service and wine crew. The restaurant also provides a variety of magazines for its customers, ensuring an engaging dining experience.

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Aaron Rosenthal

Chef, Consultant, Teacher – Paris, France

One of the most dynamic, and innovative restaurant concepts. The original chef residency program in the world. The Fulgurances team are able to source some serious talent in the kitchen with a wonderful professional service and wine team

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Semma offers an authentic exploration of Southern Indian cuisine, offering dishes rarely seen outside of local homes and neighborhoods in the region. With Chef Vijay Kumar, a native of Tamil Nadu, at the helm, the menu is a showcase of precise and bold flavors, unusual ingredients, and stunningly delicious dishes. From casual comfort food to Michelin-level dishes, Semma brings the deeply personal and authentic moments of Southern Indian farm-life unapologetically to the plate.

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Robert Dentice

Food | Wine Connoisseur – LA | NYC, United States

Michelin level Southern Indian Cuisine Stunningly precise and delicious flavors from Chef Vijay Kumar. Casual comfort food utilizing fantastic ingredients and skillful technique.

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L'Industrie Pizzeria is a bustling spot in Williamsburg, known for serving some of the best pizza slices in NYC. The pizzeria stands out for its blend of classic and creative pies, with a special mention for its mastery in crafting paper-thin crusts using natural fermentation and high-hydration techniques. Don't miss out on their signature burrata slice, a delightful balance of cool burrata and tangy tomato sauce, which can be enjoyed at the bar or on their spacious sidewalk patio.

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Oliver Jansson

Food Enthusiast – Stockholm, Sweden

This renowned pizza joint delivers a delightful blend of classic and creative pies.When it comes to pizza in New York City, L’Industrie reigns supreme. Nestled in the vibrant Williamsburg area, this renowned joint delivers a delightful blend of classic and creative pies. What sets them apart is their mastery in crafting paper-thin crusts using natural fermentation and high-hydration techniques.Don't miss out on the burrata slice. A beautiful interplay of temperatures as the cool burrata perfectly balances the tangy tomato sauce. If you're not able to score a seat at the bar, you can enjoy your slice in the bustling ambiance of the spacious sidewalk patio.

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Pastrami Queen is a low-key venue known for its top-notch pastrami sandwich. It's a favorite among die-hard pastrami enthusiasts, who appreciate its non-touristy vibe and the tender, juicy meat piled high on rye bread. The restaurant, which has been serving kosher food since 1956, prides itself on preparing meals from scratch every day using only the finest quality ingredients and kosher meats.

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Hani AlMalki

Writer @BedouinFoodie – Dubai, UAE

My Favorite Pastrami SandwichI love Pastrami Queen and it is not a touristy place. Hard core pastrami lovers will agree that it is excellent. They are located uptown.

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Zero Otto Nove is a restaurant specializing in Neapolitan wood-fired-oven pizza and housemade pasta, masterfully prepared by Chef Roberto Paciullo. The menu features a variety of dishes, from the classic Margherita pizza to unique creations such as “La Riccardo”, made with butternut squash puree, smoked mozzarella, spicy pancetta, and basil. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of pasta dishes, including the casserole-like pasta al forno, and the tenderized veal scaloppini with grilled zucchini ribbons and fontina.

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Pauliina Siniauer

Journalist – Helsinki, Finland

The true Little Italy of New York is in the Bronx. Take a stroll down Arthur Ave, visit over 100 years old Madonia Bakery, have pizza in Zero Otto Nove, shop grocery in the Arthur Avenue Retail Market and have a beer in the Bronx Beer Hall that is located inside. Cin Cin!

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Ba Xuyên is a straightforward Brooklyn storefront specializing in Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches. The restaurant is particularly known for its Bánh Mì Thịt Nguội, which features pork meat cooked in four different ways, accompanied by pickled carrot, cucumber, daikon, coriander, and jalapeño in a perfectly carved rice flour baguette. In addition to their savory sandwiches, Ba Xuyên offers a refreshing milk tea to complement your meal.

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Maria Nilsson

Foodie, Stockholm – Stockholm, Sweden

Bánh Mì in Sunset Park with pork meat cooked in four different ways.Bánh Mì Thịt Nguội at Ba Xuyen in Sunset Park. Pork meat cooked in four different ways, pickled carrot, cucumber and daikon, coriander and jalapeño in a perfectly carved rice flour baguette. And milk tea.

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Tian Fu Cuisine is a go-to spot for cold Sichuan noodles. The noodles are generously garnished with chili oil, black vinegar, garlic, and a rich amount of Sichuan pepper. Nestled in a cozy basement beneath a grocery store, this restaurant offers a warm and inviting atmosphere.

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Maria Nilsson

Foodie, Stockholm – Stockholm, Sweden

Additive cold Sichuan noodlesAdditive cold Sichuan noodles with chili oil, black vinegar, garlic and a lot of Sichuan pepper of course. In a small Basement under a grocery on Flushing Main Street.

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"Uma's" is a notable spot for those seeking the robust and hearty flavors of Uzbek cuisine. The restaurant's menu boasts popular items like Manti and Pelmeni, traditional dumplings that are a must-try for all food enthusiasts. Despite its low-key atmosphere, Uma's consistently delivers on taste and quality, making it a worthwhile destination for lovers of Russian and Uzbek dishes.

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Eric Gutierrez

F&B Broker/Foodie/NYC – New York, United States

Uma's serves awesome low key Russian/Uzbek food in New York. Different dumplings that are popular items here called Manti and Pelmeni. Worth a try!

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Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao is a popular destination for Northern Chinese cuisine, particularly known for its dumplings. This Flushing-based restaurant has been recognized by Michelin for its Shanghainese food for nine consecutive years, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts. Whether you're a local Chinese immigrant seeking a taste of home or a Western diner eager to try recommended dishes, Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao offers an authentic culinary experience.

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Pauliina Siniauer

Journalist – Helsinki, Finland

The largest Chinatown of New York City is in Flushing, Queens. Totally worth of the culinary trip. Be sure to visit New World Mall’s food court. For the dumplings, head to the Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao. Anthony Bourdain was here too, that explains the lines.

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"Mama's TOO!" is renowned for its top-notch pizza pies, often considered among the best in New York. Customers highly recommend the Hot Soppressata with honey pizza, noting its almost caramelized, super crunchy texture, and abundant flavor. Visit "Mama's TOO!" for an unforgettable pizza experience, where each slice is crafted to perfection.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney – Palma, Spain

This was the best slice of pizza we've ever had (of that style of pizza, we don't want to offend any Italians!)Almost caramelized, super crunchy, lots of flavor!This one was a Hot Soppressata with honey pizza.

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Di An Di is a lively neighborhood restaurant that specializes in contemporary Vietnamese cuisine. The food, atmosphere, and service are highly recommended by guests, who particularly enjoy the friendly service and the fun environment. The restaurant offers a diverse menu, with options to cater to various dietary requirements, ensuring a welcoming dining experience for everyone.

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Mimi Lan

Chef/ Consultant/ Foodie – Jacksonville, USA

Very good Vietnamese food, fun atmosphere, and friendly service. This place was so happening for a reason. The food is very good, the atmosphere fun, and the service is friendly. We enjoyed it thoroughly even though we didn’t have a reservation so they sat us in the waiting area with some low stools while we decided to order some apps and ended up eating the whole dinner there in the cramped space. But their friendliness made it enjoyable.

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