All Articles 7 New York City restaurants to try when the top tables are booked

7 New York City restaurants to try when the top tables are booked

Reservations at these hotspots are notoriously cutthroat—you might wind up liking our recs even better.

By Danica Lo21 Feb 2024 6 minutes read
The brick outside of Pastis
Fresh scones at The Commerce Inn
Stop by Pastis for fries or The Commerce Inn for fresh scones
Image: Tripadvisor/Miss Bambi; Tripadvisor/management

New York City has one of the best restaurant scenes in the country. With options ranging from grab-and-go street foods to epic multi-course tasting menus, there’s a cuisine, dining concept, and vibe for nearly any palate or mood. As a lifelong New Yorker, ardent eater, and former food editor, over the years I've developed some pretty strong opinions (loosely held) on my favorite restaurants and what can make or break a dining experience.

Like a lot of food lovers I know, one thing I spend way too much time on is trying—and failing—to make reservations at buzzy hotspots. The good news is there are hundreds of great restaurants to choose from in New York City. So when you can’t get a reservation at that celebrity haunt or TV chef’s latest grand opening, here are seven recommendations you might wind up liking even better:

Instead of Carbone, try Il Cantinori

Three types of pasta at Il Cantinori
The Three Sisters dish at Il Cantinori, featuring three types of pasta
Image: Tripadvisor/johnnnita

For more than a decade, Carbone has attracted an A-list celebrity clientele with its clubby atmosphere and top-notch menu of Italian-American classics. But as one of the most in-demand tables in the country, landing a reservation will take a lot of luck, a pricey broker, or some serious connections—i.e. is your name Jay-Z or Jeff Bezos? Instead, head a few blocks north to the heart of Greenwich Village for lunch or dinner at Tuscan restaurant Il Cantinori, a buzzy, atmospheric neighborhood bolthole where, for more than 40 years, even on casual weeknights, you'll find local celebs, artists, writers, and famous fashion designers tucking into platefuls of fresh homemade pastas and flavorful grilled meats and seafood.

What to order: Make sure to say hello to charismatic co-owner Frank Minieri, who’s on the floor chatting with regulars most evenings, and definitely order dessert—the tiramisu, profiteroles, and cannoli are all divine—and linger over after-dinner drinks while people-watching the late-night dinner crowd; you’re sure to spot some familiar faces.

Travelers say: “Frank will make you feel at home the minute you walk in the door. Whether you are there for business or pleasure or both, Il Cantinori delivers. The food is fresh, well prepared northern Italian food. While they don't have an extensive wine list, what they have works very well with the changing menu. The place is really a gem, very much worth going to and also won't break the bank.”—@670marcg

Instead of Libertine, try Pastis

Burgers, eggs, and fries at Pastis
Lobster, steak, mac and cheese, salad, and fries at Pastis
Burgers, eggs, lobster, and (of course) plentiful fries at Pastis
Image: Tripadvisor/DameTraveler; Tripadvisor/NICHOLAS T

When a reservation is out of the question at the buzzy, bijou West Village bistro Libertine, one of the best places to visit nearby for your French brasserie fix is Pastis, one of the Meatpacking District’s OG hotspots that still attracts a broad swathe of characters—supermodels, photographers, local office workers, fashion students, and savvy international tourists. The restaurant's latest incarnation on Gansevoort Street (it relocated in 2019) embodies much of the late-1990s vibe of its original location, and the menu really hasn’t changed very much in its 25 years.

What to order: The onion soup, mussels, and chicken paillard are still solid lunch and dinner options. Pastis also does a fantastic, unfussy breakfast menu featuring a variety of egg dishes, sweet pastries, and pommes tapées—savory, crispy pan-fried potatoes that are a must-order side.

Travelers say: “My wife and I have never been disappointed here—either for brunch, lunch, or dinner. The ambiance is always festive, the service is great (shout out to Ziva), and the food and drink are perennially divine. I love the fine herbs omelette; my wife cannot get enough of the Eggs Benedict. My wife enjoyed a Bloody Mary with Grey Goose; I enjoyed the St. German Spritz.”—@GradingMachine

Instead of Bangkok Supper Club, try Pranakhon

Inspired by Thailand's capital city's late-night street food traditions, Bangkok Supper Club is one of New York's hottest restaurants and most elusive dinner reservations. Instead of joining the waitlist, why not go a few blocks east to Pranakhon, a bright, colorful, airy space on University Place with a bustling energy and all-day menu that's evocative of the soi (outdoor alleyway) dining culture in Bangkok. Here, the choices are extensive, ranging from familiar favorites like pad thai and green curries to larger-format dishes, including crispy pork belly, whole steamed fish, and braised short rib. It’s no wonder Pranakhon was awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2023.

What to order: My best tip? Go around mid-day, when the restaurant offers a vast menu of lunch specials—I almost always order the khao moo dang, a plate piled high with marinated roast pork, crispy pork belly, Chinese sausage, and an egg.

Instead of The Polo Bar, try Oceans

Dynamite roll at Oceans with edamame in the background
The Dynamite Roll at Oceans
Image: Tripadvisor/management

Ralph Lauren's signature restaurant The Polo Bar boasts rave reviews for its all-American, ingredient-led menu—which sounds delicious, if you can get a table. For far less fuss, Oceans, housed in an expansive, light-filled corner space on Park Avenue South, complete with an extensive selection of private dining rooms, will satisfy any protein cravings, whether from land or sea. Offering a full range of sashimi, nigiri, and rolls, along with raw and chilled seafood and shellfish—a la carte, in plateaus, or on Instagram-worthy two- and three-tier towers—cooked fish dishes, and a range of steaks, Oceans is a more contemporary and refined downtown take on large-scale beige midtown dining.

What to order: Grab a seat at the bar for after-work cocktails and hand rolls or host a group of friends and family over epic towers of king crab legs and lobster—this place is a reliable, upscale crowd-pleaser with something for everybody.

Travelers say: "This was our first visit here and it was outstanding. I loved the elegant ambiance and the great bar. We were seated immediately and I must say the service here is the best that I have encountered anywhere. Our server was terrific and other members of staff were just as friendly and attentive. The black cod was delicious as was the little gem Caesar. My husband had sushi and a lobster roll. Wines by the glass are reasonable with a good selection. I would recommend this restaurant highly and can’t wait to go again." —@141Dini

Instead of 4 Charles Prime Rib, try Strip House

21 layer chocolate cake at Strip House
Don't miss the No. 1 chocolate dessert in America at Strip House
Image: Tripadvisor/tomast2

I can count on two hands the number of steakhouses in town that feel quintessentially New York—one of them is 4 Charles Prime Rib, which is exceptionally difficult to reserve, and another is Strip House. Opened in 2000, these days Strip House boasts three locations—two in New York City and one in Las Vegas—but my favorite is the original on 12th Street. Here, the clientele are mostly locals and the walls are covered in framed photographs of celebrity guests, old Hollywood stars, and burlesque performers. The menu features many of the usual suspects—roasted bacon, iceberg wedge salads, rib-eye steaks, lobster tails, black truffle creamed spinach, macaroni and cheese—all done exceptionally well.

What to order: The most important thing to remember when visiting? Order the Strip House signature 24-layer chocolate cake for dessert—Food Network named it the No. 1 chocolate dessert in America, and I can confirm it lives up to the hype.

Travelers say: “Came here craving some well cooked beef, and I was not disappointed! The atmosphere definitely has a vibe of an old-school steakhouse. The server taking care of us was very good, attentive and knowledgeable as well. I had the NY strip with a blue cheese crust, which was perfectly cooked and divine! The Strip House potatoes au gratin was also excellent! We will definitely be back to this place!”—@FlavourSeeker

Instead of Hutong, try Uluh

Peking duck, mapo tofu, fried chicken and more at Uluh
Peking duck, mapo tofu, fried chicken and more at Uluh
Image: Tripadvisor/PandasGZ

New York City is one of the best places in the world outside of China to eat Chinese food, and for an immersive, elegant experience, Hutong is one of the nicest group dining spots in midtown. But if you happen to be further downtown and without an advance table booking, consider heading to Uluh in the East Village for lunch or dinner. While technically a tea house—and, thus, offering an extensive list of elaborate tea-based beverages—Uluh also serves a contemporary take on classic dim sum and Sichuan cuisine in a dining room decorated in a style that can best be described as elegant-Hypebeast-lite.

What to order: For first-timers, it’s a good bet to choose from the menu’s “signature” and “Uluh Ten” sections. Highlights include spicy boneless pork trotters, crab tofu, and the lobster dry pot—if you can stand the heat—and make sure to order the ice jelly with osmanthus for dessert to cool your palate.

Travelers say: “Dan Dan noodles, vegetarian Mapo Tofu, Crispy duck, sautéed eggplant, sautéed pea shoots with garlic, wontons in chili oil....it was all perfection. Portions are big, by the way.”—@MissPerpetualMotion

Instead of Via Carota, try The Commerce Inn

Blueberry pancakes at The Commerce Inn
Tables outside the entrance of The Commerce Inn
Blueberry pancakes and the entrance at The Commerce Inn
Image: Tripadvisor/management

Dedicated Via Carota diners know that the best way to score a table at the ultra-popular Italian restaurant is to walk in at an odd hour—4 p.m.-ish, more or less. But if you happen to be confronted with a 90-minute wait, why not head around the corner to The Commerce Inn, which is owned and operated by the Via Carota team. The Commerce Inn is a tavern, bar, and restaurant situated on one of the most beautiful streets in the West Village and steeped in a distinctly rustic aesthetic. The menu features hearty, American heritage-inspired dishes such as pickled beets, roast chicken, marrow bone, and pot pies. If you arrive with a plus-one, consider grabbing one of the handful of two-top booths in the cozy tavern room—it feels like stepping back in time.

What to order: The innovative cocktail program includes a variety of milk punch. Don’t miss the spoon bread. If you’re in the neighborhood on a weekend, a Commerce Inn brunch of kedgeree and fluffy buttermilk pancakes is one of the best in town.

Travelers say: “Cozy place…but very loud. Service was very good as was food. Cocktails and wine were good. Servings were ample. Will happily return.”—@NCtravelerWS

Danica Lo
Danica Lo is a writer based in New York. She was previously the chief content officer of Tatler Asia, digital editorial director of Food & Wine, digital director of WWD, executive editor of Epicurious, and editor at large of Glamour. Danica is a former Wilhelmina model and her first book was published by HarperCollins.