The Resy Hit List: Where In New York You’ll Want to Eat in Aug. 2024
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
We’ve designed it to be your essential resource for dining in New York City: a monthly updated (and now expanded!) guide to the restaurants that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Six Things In NYC Not to Miss This Month
- In the City: Don’t miss the special Dishoom pop-up happening over at Pastis on weekdays from Aug. 19 to 30, when London’s famed Indian restaurant serves all of its greatest breakfast hits on this side of the pond. On Aug, 5, catch the Club Soda pop-up at Baba Cool Williamsburg where they’ll be serving up a fun menu of unconventional Chinese food. On Aug. 7 and 8, stop by Chino Grande, is hosting chef Francis Maling of Bad for Business, for a backyard party of Filipino Chino and Latino dishes. Make a Resy over at Hellbender on Aug. 13 and 14 when their sister restaurant, Rolo’s pops over for a collab menu that includes Rolo’s dry-aged ribeye tacos with Calabrian chile butter and “war style” corn ribs. Over at the Times Square Edition’s Paradise Club, you can pair their latest theatrical performance, “Moonrise,” with an impressive three-course spread from award-winning chef John Fraser every Friday and Saturday through the end of the summer. (P.S. Drinks-only tickets are also available.) Find more pop-ups and special events and experiences here.
- In the Hamptons: Stop by the Bonnie’s pop-up over at Fini Amagansett for salt-and-pepper clam rolls, congee hushpuppies, and much more every Friday this month; it’s first come, first served. You also won’t want to miss the special pizza pop-ups happening over at Moby’s: On Aug. 1, they’re hosting Stretch Pizza and on Aug. 17, it’s L’Industrie. Check out our Hamptons guide for more suggestions.
- Last Call For: Silver Apricot, Simone Tong’s inventive Chinese American restaurant in the West Village, which is set to close on Aug. 11. Also, Aug. 31 is your last day to savor the lovely Inaniwa udon pop-up over at Dashi Okume Brooklyn.
- Summer Eating: Each week through the end of this month, Forsythia is showcasing limited-edition suppli from some of the city’s best chefs, including Union Square Cafe’s Lena Ciardullo (July 29 to Aug. 4) and Scott and Angie Rito from Don Angie and San Sabino (Aug. 12 to 18). Better yet, proceeds from the sales of suppli will be donated to the Food Education Fund. Also, order yourself a satisfying, refreshing salad at any of these NYC spots, and follow that up with some must-order ice cream and non-negotiable desserts over at these restaurants. It’s all about balance, friends. Check out more guides on where (and what) to eat here.
- A Pop-Up of Note: Start following Lupe Bakehouse, a cottage bakery from Ridgewood, helmed by a duo of bakers who have previously worked at Leo, Lodi, Apollo Bagels, and From Lucie. They host pop-ups throughout the city — previous stops have included Anäis and Rhodora — serving some of the city’s best pizza (think “New York Neapolitan”), fluffy focaccia, and superb sweets, all using locally milled grains and local produce. Trust us — you’ll want to keep them on your radar. And find more pop-ups on our Resy Events page.
- New Openings: Do make it a point to make a Resy at some of the city’s newest spots before everyone comes back to the city for the fall. We’re talking Le Veau d’Or; Midnight Blue, the new cocktail bar from Martiny’s; the new outposts of Mission Ceviche in Union Square and Parcelle in Greenwich Village; and kaiseki specialist Ikigai over in Fort Greene. And for all the latest new openings in New York, we’ve always got you covered here.
New to the Hit List (August 2024)
Sawa, M. Wells, Eel Bar, Noodle Village, Cosme, Ramen by Ra, and Massara.
1. Sawa Park Slope
Photo by Francesco Sapienza, courtesy of Sawa
Therse days, there’s no dearth of restaurants plumbing the depths of the Levantine region — and doing so exceedingly well — but Sawa, a relative newcomer in Park Slope, stands out. There’s just something about the light but expert touch to the Lebanese cooking there, combined with the light-filled dining room (and the expansive backyard patio) that makes it so inviting and exciting. Our perfect order? Start with the hummus (the optional wagyu beef cheeks are a nice touch) and the baba ghanoush, then make your way into the meze section for a refreshing gem salad sprinkled with bits of halloumi, savory rakakat cheese rolls, rich kibbeh nayeh, and octopus that’s cooked to perfection. Follow it all up with either the whole roasted fish or lamb chops, and you’re set.
Photo by Francesco Sapienza, courtesy of Sawa
2. Penny East Village
Just as they did with the wine bar Claud, Chase Sinzer and Joshua Pinsky took a simple dining concept — in this case, the raw bar and seafood counter — and updated it into a new classic all its own. While they say they were inspired by the dual restaurant concepts that you’ll find in Paris (as with Bistrot Paul Bert and L’Ecailler du Bistrot) Penny is uniquely New York, and the better for it. Stuffed squid, a creamy potato salad with octopus, and confit oysters served with cream cheese and crackers have become new standards all their own. Of course, the wine list is impeccable, but don’t overlook the Suntory, and whatever you do, don’t skip the ice cream sandwich for dessert.
3. Cafe Mado Prospect Heights
Crown Heights is blessed with two destination-worthy all-day cafes (see also Agi’s Counter), and trust us when we say this newcomer from the same team behind Oxalis and Place des Fêtes is worth seeking out, whether you’re just popping in for some coffee and pastries in the morning, a mid-day meal of sandwiches, or a full spread of small plates for dinner. A few of our favorites include the pissaladière; grilled mushroom toast with egg yolk; grilled Sungolds with arbol chile if they’re available; pickled bamboo with clams and bay leaf; and the fries with herbs de Provence. Save room for dessert, too.
4. Bungalow East Village
This newcomer from acclaimed chef Vikas Khanna is proof positive that the city’s reverence for Indian cuisine continues to grow. Reminiscent of the clubhouses found throughout India during the British Raj, Bungalow invites you in with all your senses. Khanna’s cooking thoughtfully and elegantly represents lesser-known regions of India. You can’t go wrong with whatever you order, but do take note of these non-negotiables: yogurt kebabs, crisp on the outside and filled with creamy hung yogurt, paired with a fermented purple cabbage puree; and a stunning spice-roasted pineapple with a coconut sauce. Cocktails aren’t an afterthought, either; try the Chai Pani, which took more than two months to perfect.
P.S. Here are some tips for how to get a table.
5. M. Wells Long Island City
If you haven’t yet been to M. Wells — or it’s simply been a while since your last visit — we implore you to get there as soon as you can. That’s because on Dec. 31, New York’s most loved unconventional steakhouse and bistro is closing its doors. That means just a few more months for you to savor the brilliance of chef Hugue Dufour’s cooking. Right now, that includes liver mouse banh mi and mortadella mille-feuille, as well as artichoke stuffed cabbage and Montreal smoked-meat ravioli. Come cooler months, you’ll definitely want to tuck in for a bowl of their incredible French onion soup. But whatever you do, don’t delay in paying this pioneer a visit.
6. Eel Bar Lower East Side
Should you be in search of some excellent bar fare, bookmark this newcomer from the same folks behind Cervo’s, The Fly, and Hart’s. More Basque-leaning than its sibling restaurants, Eel Bar has all the classic and contemporary-style tapas you’d want, from gildas and fried mussels on the half shell to potato salad with trout roe and marinated peppers and anchovies. Save room for the meatballs and fries and/or the Roquefort-and-anchovy-anointed cheeseburger. And do consider pairing all of it with one of their prepared vermouths, whether you opt for a wet martini or a Sharona with manzanilla sherry.
7. Crown Shy Financial District
The late chef Jamal James Kent’s legacy extends far beyond his own restaurants or his signature dishes — it lives on in the many chefs and servers of kitchens and dining rooms throughout the city (and beyond). And truly, how lucky are we that we still get to share in that? While each of his restaurants is well worth a visit — including the dazzling culinary heights of Saga and the unforgettable views and cocktails at Overstory — we have a particular soft spot for Crown Shy, his first solo venture that wowed us when it first opened in 2019 and continues to do so. Don’t overlook the classics, like the pull-apart olive bread, gruyere fritters, grilled citrus-marinated chicken with hot sauce, or the satsuma orange ice cream. And don’t forget to say a little toast to the chef, too, while you’re at it.
8. Bánh by Lauren Chinatown
Four years after becoming a pop-up sensation for their pandan chiffon cake and bánh bò nướng, Bánh by Lauren, helmed by Gramercy Tavern vet Lauren Tran, finally has a brick-and-mortar location to call its own, and we couldn’t be happier. Their storefront is located right in the heart of Chinatown and the Two Bridges neighborhood, across the street from one of our other all-time favorite restaurants, Golden Diner, making it an ideal pre- or post-brunch stop, if you are so inclined. You can’t go wrong with whatever you decide to order, from the aforementioned signature sweets to a savory scone with Chinese sausage, cheddar, and chives, or a quintessentially near perfect chocolate chip cookie. Don’t forget to pair it all with an utterly refreshing Lime Drip, an iced coffee accented with sweetened lime.
Walk-ins only.
9. Noodle Village Chinatown
Xialongbao are all the rage in the city this summer, thanks to the arrival of a certain Taiwanese restaurant chain in Times Square, but should you find it challenging to snag a table, might we suggest this Manhattan Chinatown stalwart? Noodle Village has some of the city’s best soup dumplings, with supremely thin, delicate wrappers and juicy fillings, plus a menu filled with Hong Kong-style specialties like shrimp wonton mein soup and pork claypot rice. Whatever you order, you can’t go wrong.
Walk-ins only. More info here.
10. Mắm Lower East Side
Photo by Ben Hon for Resy
We’ve been longtime fans of Mắm since their early pop-up days in the pandemic, and we can confidently say chefs and owners Jerald and Nhung Dao Head are serving some of the best, heartfelt Vietnamese cooking in the city. We can’t think of a better way to spend a summer day (or night) than gathered with friends at their Chinatown spot, sharing everything on the menu. The bountiful platters of bún dau mam tôm are back (rejoice!) and they’ve also recently introduced an entirely vegan dish, nấm cuốn, which comes with mushrooms, three ways, and a fermented soybean sauce. The menu changes all the time, but if you see tofu on there, order it immediately; they make all theirs in house, and it’s incredible.
Photo by Ben Hon for Resy
11. King SoHo
Ever since it opened in 2018, King has always held a special sort of magic and we can think of no better place to spend some time lingering over a leisurely weekend lunch, or enjoying a warm summer night out in Soho. Dignified and oh-so-chic but never pretentious, King serves the kind of food that epitomizes your ideal summer meal: light, fresh, elegant, and satisfying. Heirloom tomato salad with bottarga and purslane, or roast golden chicken, anyone? The French- and Italian-influenced menu changes all the time but you should know that standbys like the panisse and finochietta to start are non-negotiables, and you can’t go wrong with an order of their fresh housemade pasta.
12. Dhamaka Essex Market
Dhamaka was a standout hit when it first opened in 2021 for its unapologetic way of looking at Indian cuisine: drawing a spotlight on lesser-known regions and dishes, and preserving overlooked traditions and ingredients. Instead of sticking to its tried-and-true standards, the restaurant continues to push Indian cuisine forward with an ever-evolving menu. Right now, that means an Amritsari fish fry with cod and chickpea flour; a dahi waali bhindi with okra and Rajasthani red chile; and a can’t-miss roasted cauliflower with smoked yogurt and garlic. Under the helm of executive chef Chintan Pandya and chef de cuisine Neel Kajale, Dhamaka continues to thrill.
13. NARO TERRACE Rockefeller Center
The skating rink at Rockefeller Center has transformed into one of the city’s loveliest outdoor patios this summer, and should you find yourself in or around Rock Center, you should take advantage of the season and grab a seat here. You’ll find the same excellent, refined, and sophisticated interpretations of Naro’s traditional Korean cuisine on the terrace, albeit with an à la carte menu that’s a bit more casual and relaxed. Think icy beef tartare with Korean radish; a Korean fried chicken sandwich; and tuna bibimbap. No order is complete without dessert, either, and the mango bingsu for two or the strawberry and cream popsicle should do the trick nicely.
P.S. Naro is hosting Seoul-based chef Tae-Jun Eom for a special one-night-only collaboration on Aug. 14. Get your tickets here.
14. Cosme Flatiron
Enrique Olvera’s stunner still possesses the magic that made it such a hit nearly a decade ago. From cocktails that never fail to satisfy to a menu of mainstays and seasonal specials that never disappoint, it’s got it all. If it’s your first time, or it’s been a while, consider ordering the classic duck carnitas for the table and the corn meringue for dessert, of course, but also don’t sleep on the dover sole al pastor served with luscious pineapple butter or the softshell crab with sikil p’aak and sorrel. Pro tip: While ideal for date night, Cosme has plenty of larger tables, too.
15. Ramen By Ra Noho
Ramen — in this weather? The answer is a resounding yes, because Rasheeda Purdie’s ramen renditions with a decidedly breakfast-style twist transcend any season. Whether you opt for a smoked bacon, soy-marinated egg, and parmesan cheese ramen or a gravlax one topped with cream cheese foam, crispy capers, and dill, you simply can’t go wrong. Pro tip: Do book a Resy if you can; it’s a tiny five-seat counter at Bowery Market.
16. Oma Grassa Fort Greene
New York has many excellent pizzerias, but this one stands out to us for the simple fact that’s it’s got everything you’d want in an ideal sit-down pizza restaurant: excellent sourdough pies, but of course; a homey, cozy vibe; and a truly superb wine list curated by chef Adam Baumgart, who previously cooked at Prune, Diner, and Houseman. The pies are distinctively New York in style, baked in electric ovens, topped with everything ranging from the classics (marinara, anchovy, and pepperoni to name a few) to the not-so-expected (asparagus with pea shoots and spring onions, or mussels fra diavolo).
17. TATIANA, By Kwame Onwuachi Lincoln Center
There are many explanations for why Tatiana topped so many of last year’s best of lists but these may be the two biggest reasons: It’s a restaurant with a clear, distinct point of view — a biography, if you will, of chef-and-partner Kwame Onwuachi — and one that’s a joy to dine at. That winning combination of powerful narrative and good vibes gets further amplified by the creatively crafted dishes on the menu, from a bright honeynut piri piri salad and egusi soup dumplings to braised oxtails and a pastrami suya.