Fall is always an exciting time in New York City, especially because there are so many new restaurant openings. Many tasty newcomers have opened in the last few months and they’re absolutely worth a visit. From buzzy nightlife boîtes to unique omakase destinations, here’s where you should eat before the year is over.
1. Jean’s
If you’re looking for a delicious bite surrounded by beautiful people, Jean’s is where you’ll want to be. This new NoHo restaurant occupies what was once legendary nightlife space Butter and the energy here is similarly magnetic and celeb-friendly, with the added bonus that the food and cocktails are outstanding. Jean’s serves the freshest possible ingredients, with all of its own produce grown just 90 miles away. For appetizers, the Thai chicken salad will become one of your favorite salads in the city, and the burger is extraordinary – maybe it’s the fondue cheese on top that elevates it into another culinary dimension.
Eating at The Bazaar by José Andrés isn’t just a meal but an experience with bold flavors and beautiful visuals. The menu, which has Spanish and Japanese notes, is extensive, so opting for the tasting menu is a great way to taste an array of dishes and the restaurant’s biggest hits. The cotton candy foie gras is a playful and delicious way to kick off your dinner, and you have to try the Po Boy José, a crunchy and buttery bite made with fried baby squid and kewpie mayo. Mocktail drinkers, The Bazaar really knows what they’re doing here. While in a lot of places mocktails are just sugary fruit concoctions, their Firefly cocktail is an earthy and spicy drink, as complex as your favorite alcoholic cocktail.
3. Omakase at 11 Tigers
There’s no shortage of omakase spots in New York City but only one place serves a Thai-inspired one — 11 Tigers in the East Village. Here the bar counter becomes an interactive dining experience led by sushi master Tony Lee where just eight guests get to try this culinary union of flavors. While 11 Tigers has been open for over a year, the omakase just started this fall. Tom Kha soup is delicious, but have you ever had it with a lob of uni in it? That’s one of the great dishes here, and you’ll love their Angry Tiger dish which is lightly smoked scallops sitting in garlic butter in a ceramic tiger; a luxurious bite in a bold vessel. Choose between 11 courses for $79 or 14-course $97 and settle in for a bar side meal that will show you a whole new side of omakase.
Perusing an exhibition then enjoying a warm beverage and a bite is the ideal fall or winter activity. At ‘The Reverso Stories’ exhibition by Swiss watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre you can do all three in one spot; immerse yourself in the iconic design and history of their Reverso model, then enjoy pastries by World’s Best Pastry Chef Nina Métayer who was inspired by the Golden Ratio. There are four different pastries, all visually stunning, which feature the ingredients from the Vallée de Joux including hazelnuts, honey, pine, chestnuts and blackcurrants. Pair with a coffee or tea, and discuss which of the rare watches you just saw is your favorite.
5. Blue Moon at Fandi Mata
There’s a new dinner and a show that’s perfect for date night at Fandi Mata in Williamsburg. “Blue Moon” takes place on the last Thursday of every month and features acrobatics, theater, and art, created by the minds behind House of Yes and Paradise Club performances. While performers contort and fly above you, you’ll enjoy mezze, roasted cauliflower and braised short rib.
6. Trust Bae
This new omakase experience is the perfect blend of Filipino and Japanese flavors in a neon-lit intimate venue in Nomad. Spanning 16 courses during which you’ll chat and joke with Chef Frances Tariga and her team, you’ll enjoy everything from shrimp to uni to rich chutoro re-imagined with ingredients like kalamansi, adobo and Calabrian chili butter. There’s smoke, there’s flames but most of all there are great flavors during this dinner.
7. The Osprey
So far, this list is very dinner-focused but if you’re looking for a beautiful spot to enjoy breakfast, The Osprey at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn is calling your name. Helmed by Chef Dan Churchill in a new partnership, the menu showcases his Australian heritage and a plant-forward menu. Famous for their breakfast culture, you can’t go wrong with the Big Aussie Brunch which includes eggs, bacon, hash cake and beans. If you’re vegetarian, the falafel breakfast bowl is a colorful and varied way to start the day featuring macadamia dukkah, spiced cauliflower, avocado, currants and, of course, falafel. The space is sunny and leafy, putting a smile on your face on even the dreariest of days.
8. Neeloo
This new Williamsburg restaurant marries New American and Mediterranean flavors with colorful and creative dishes. Their fluke crudo tastes like summer with blood orange, strawberries and Californian pistachio and their American Wagyu Sirloin is a rich bite dresses up with leeks, foie gras and Sauternes jus. The space is warm and inviting, perfect to catch up with friends over a glass of wine.
9. Everdene
Located on the third floor of the Virgin Hotel, Everdene is an indoor/outdoor (though in the fall and winter mostly the former) rooftop restaurant serving new American cuisine. This is a great lunch spot where you can enjoy salads seafood towers and sandwiches. Their fried chicken sandwich is especially tasty served with a gochujang glaze and cabbage slaw. Pair with a bees knees cocktail for a fun NoMad afternoon with friends.
Also located in NoMad, The Press Club Grill re-imagines many retro dishes for the palette of today’s patrons. Your typical Crab Rangoon is doughy and fried but here it gets an elegant remix served on top of a delicate dough shell with sweet and sour sauce. You also can’t go wrong with a classic Beef Wellington; we’ve loved this dish for decades for good reason. The welcoming booths are ideal for a group to sip martinis and try some classic dishes with a 2023 spin.