OK!'s Guide to New York's Must-Visit Restaurants, Bars & Cafés

In a city where a new restaurant seems to open every week and hidden neighborhood gems are tucked around nearly every corner, deciding where to eat can feel impossible. Luckily, OK! has done the hard work for you.

We've rounded up our favorite restaurants, bars and cafés across New York City—from stylish cocktail spots and buzzing brunch destinations to cozy cafés and unforgettable dinner reservations.

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, planning date night or simply looking for your next great meal, this guide is your shortcut to some of the city's most delicious hotspots.

If you're looking for a spot that offers the best of both Italian and Japanese cuisine, Aqua is worth adding to your NYC dining list. Located right on Broadway in the heart of the Flatiron District, the stylish two-in-one destination is home to Aqua Roma and Aqua Kyoto, letting diners choose between handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood and comforting Italian classics, or beautifully presented sushi, sashimi and contemporary Japanese dishes—all under one roof. There's also an extensive cocktail, wine and sake selection to complement whichever menu you're craving. During the warmer months, grab a table outside for some of the best people-watching in the neighborhood as Broadway buzzes around you.

The restaurant has also attracted a few familiar faces, with Jenna Bush Hager and members of the TODAY show crew recently spotted enjoying lunch there. By day, Aqua has a relaxed, easygoing feel that's perfect for a leisurely meal, while evenings bring a livelier atmosphere, making it just as suited to a fun night out as it is to a casual afternoon in the heart of Flatiron.

OK! Dish Pick: PARMIGIANA DI MELANZANE - A fresh take on an eggplant Parmigiano served with creamy burrata for a lighter, fresher spin on the Italian classic

OK! Drink Pick: AQUA TONIC - A vibrant, aqua-hued twist on the classic gin and tonic, this fruity, refreshing cocktail is as eye-catching as it is easy to drink. It's the perfect sip for a warm summer evening.

Stepping into Giulietta feels like you've been whisked away from Midtown Manhattan straight to the Italian coast. Inspired by an endless Italian summer, the restaurant is filled with warm Mediterranean touches, vibrant citrus accents and even a lemon tree growing inside, creating the kind of atmosphere that instantly transports you to Capri. The menu is just as inviting, featuring fresh handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, beautifully prepared seafood and classic Italian favorites, alongside refreshing spritzes, Italian wines and signature cocktails that are made for lingering over.

Just steps from Grand Central Terminal, Giulietta is perfectly positioned for everything from an elevated business lunch to a leisurely catch-up with friends after work. While it's an easy choice for the lunchtime crowd, the restaurant really shines once the sun goes down, when the buzzing dining room and stylish interiors create a fun, energetic atmosphere that feels more like a summer evening on the Amalfi Coast than the middle of Midtown. Whether you're stopping in before a Broadway show, after work or simply craving a little Italian escape without leaving New York City, Giulietta delivers all the charm of Capri—no passport required.

OK! Dish Pick: THE GIULIETTA GARLIC BREAD - Grilled focaccia layered with gooey mozzarella and rich lemon butter, this irresistible starter is made for sharing. Trust us—it's the first thing every table should order.

OK! Drink Pick: A PROPER VESPER - This Italian-inspired take on the classic Vesper blends gin, vodka and Cocchi Americano before finishing with blood orange amaro for a citrusy, bittersweet twist. Sophisticated and seriously sippable, it's a standout cocktail for martini lovers.

Mission Ceviche is the kind of restaurant that instantly transports you from Union Square to the streets of Lima. The space has a fun, lively energy without feeling over the top, making it just as good for a casual weeknight dinner as it is for celebrating with friends. The menu is packed with fresh ceviches, delicate tiraditos, flavorful sushi rolls with Peruvian influences, perfectly grilled seafood and meats, plus hearty classics like lomo saltado. And if you're not ordering a pisco sour, you're doing it wrong.

One of the best parts? The night doesn't have to end when dinner does. Hidden away inside the restaurant is an intimate speakeasy-style cocktail bar that's worth seeking out, whether you're continuing the evening with another round or just looking for a more tucked-away spot to unwind. Recognized as New York's finest Peruvian restaurant, It's one of those places that feels like a fun discovery, and exactly the kind of restaurant you'll find yourself recommending long after you've left.

OK! Dish Pick: CLASSIC CERVICHE - With so many standout ceviche options on the menu, start with the classic. Bright, fresh and perfectly balanced, it's the ideal introduction before working your way through the rest.

OK! Drink Pick: MARGARITA AL PASTOR - A creative twist on the classic margarita, blending taco spices with sweet pineapple for a bold, unexpected sip. If the signature pisco sour isn't your style, this flavorful cocktail is well worth ordering.

For a Brooklyn neighborhood favorite that's earned its reputation over two decades, make your way to Miriam in Park Slope. While the beloved Mediterranean restaurant has since expanded to other locations across New York City, this is where it all began—and it still has the warm, welcoming feel that made locals fall in love with it in the first place. Whether you're grabbing brunch after a stroll through nearby Prospect Park or settling in for a relaxed dinner, the atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between cozy and lively.

The menu is inspired by the flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean, with standout dishes ranging from silky hummus and fresh mezze to shakshuka, kebabs, Spanikopita and perfectly cooked schnitzel, alongside plenty of vegetarian options and fresh salads. Portions are generous, the cocktails keep flowing and the friendly neighborhood service makes you want to linger a little longer. It's the kind of restaurant that feels like a true neighborhood institution—and one that's worth heading to Park Slope for.

OK! Dish Pick: LAMB SHAWARMA TERRACOTTA - Tender lamb served over majadra rice with slow-roasted tomato, harissa, yogurt sauce and almonds. Packed with flavor and generously portioned, it's a dish you'll be thinking about long after you've left.

OK! Drink Pick: LIL CUKE - A crisp blend of Lillet, cucumber purée and fresh mint, this refreshing cocktail is made for summer. It's also Miriam's signature bestseller—and after one sip, it's easy to see why.

If there's one restaurant that perfectly captures Williamsburg's effortlessly cool dining scene, it's 12 Chairs. The popular Israeli-Mediterranean spot has become a neighborhood staple thanks to its laid-back atmosphere, consistently great food and the kind of menu that makes you want to order for the whole table. While there's also a bustling Manhattan location in SoHo, the Williamsburg outpost has its own neighborhood charm, making it the perfect stop after browsing local boutiques or walking along the waterfront.

The menu is packed with comforting Israeli favorites, but there are a few dishes you simply can't skip. The signature shakshuka is a standout, with perfectly baked eggs in a rich, spiced tomato sauce, while the Moroccan fish delivers bold North African flavors in every bite. Another must-order is the Yemenite chicken soup, a deeply comforting bowl infused with fragrant Middle Eastern spices that's especially popular on cooler days. Whether you're stopping in for a leisurely brunch, a long lunch or dinner with friends, 12 Chairs is one of those places that feels relaxed, welcoming and unmistakably Brooklyn.

OK! Dish Pick: YERMANITE CHICKEN SOUP - Fragrant, comforting and packed with warming Middle Eastern spices, this soulful bowl is a must-order—especially when New York's temperatures start to drop.

After Eden is one of the Lower East Side's most exciting new openings—and one of its most unique. By day, the Orchard Street space transforms into Café Eden, a relaxed Vietnamese café serving single-origin Vietnamese coffee alongside standout specialty drinks like the traditional cà phê phin, rich cà phê muối (salted coffee) and a tropical jackfruit latte. Pair your coffee with one of the house-made pastries, including the fish sauce caramel kouign-amann or flaky French-Vietnamese pâté pastries, before the space completely changes personality after dark.

Come evening, After Eden embraces its old-school Lower East Side roots with dim lighting, vintage-inspired interiors and one of the most inventive cocktail menus we've come across in New York City. The drinks blend Southeast Asian flavors with classic New York cocktail technique, resulting in unforgettable creations like the signature Pho-tini, which captures the aromatic flavors of Vietnam's iconic noodle soup in cocktail form. Equal parts neighborhood institution in the making and destination bar, After Eden delivers two completely different experiences under one roof—and excels at both.

OK! Drink Pick: DRINK MO' WATAH!- Made with gin, Singani 63, stone fruit, Japanese yuzu, grenadine and thyme syrup, it's bright, refreshing and packed with unexpected layers of flavor and is the perfect example of the inventive, boundary-pushing cocktails that you can expect from After Eden.

Most comedy clubs ask you to settle for mediocre food in exchange for a great show. The Stand proves you can have both. While it's become one of New York City's premier comedy clubs—regularly attracting surprise drop-ins from some of the biggest names in stand-up—it's also a legitimately excellent restaurant that's worth visiting even if there isn't a comedian on stage.

The menu is a major step above your typical comedy club fare, with standout dishes like the steak frites, spicy rigatoni vodka, tuna tartare, French onion soup and one of the city's best burgers. Pair it all with craft cocktails or a glass from the thoughtfully curated wine list before settling in for a show where you never know who might walk through the door. From comedy legends testing new material to A-list comics making surprise appearances, The Stand delivers one of the best nights out in New York—and the food is every bit as memorable as the laughs.

OK! Dish Pick: THE STAND BURGER: It may seem like the obvious choice, but trust us—this is one of NYC's standout burgers, and it's miles above anything you'd expect from a comedy club.

OK! Drink Pick: THE PATIO SHOW: A refreshing mix of Gin, watermelon, cucumber, mint, citrus and feta that's as creative as it is delicious. It's the perfect summer cocktail and a great introduction to The Stand's surprisingly impressive drinks program.