The Resy Hit List: Where In New York You’ll Want to Eat in July 2024

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.

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.

This second outpost of the wildly popular Jackson Heights seafood spot of the same name is your go-to for fiery aguachiles, refreshing ceviches, satisfying seafood tacos, savory shrimp cocktails, and so much more. One benefit of this new space is a covered backyard patio, perfect for an al fresco meal. Another is the fact that it takes reservations (the original is walk-in only). You can’t go wrong with whatever you decide to order, but should you need some guidance, we’re happy to guide you toward the aguachile negro (with just a touch of soy sauce), any of the shrimp cocktails, and the taco gobernador, filled with melted cheese, chopped shrimp, and chunks of New York strip steak.

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. 

Six years in, Sofreh remains perpetually packed, and for good reason: It’s one of the city’s best restaurants, period, but also one of the best restaurants for its distinctly thoughtful, modern interpretations of Iranian cooking. Everything, from the seemingly simple yet complex dips and the fragrant tahdig to the showstopping dried lime and beef stew, will leave a lasting impression. That’s why it’s so rewarding to see the restaurant and chef-owner Nasim Alikhani receiving their kudos — and expanding, too: Sofreh Cafe, selling tahini date banana bread, sabzi, and rose doughnuts (weekends only) opened not long ago near the Barclays Center.

A longtime stalwart for Taiwanese food in New York is this standalone corner spot in Elmhurst that’s always bustling — for good reason. Everyone’s favorite staples here include the crispy pork chop, fly heads (a garlic chive stir fry with pork and fermented black beans), three cup chicken, and the stinky tofu, but might we also suggest the blood rice cake and oyster pancake? Oh, and the clams with black beans, the drunken chicken soup made with rice wine, and the intestines stuffed with sticky rice (trust us).  Whatever you order, you’re sure to be more than satisfied. Just note it’s cash only — and BYOB. And it’s truly excellent.

Walk-ins mostly, but reservations are accepted for larger parties. Call (718) 429-4818 for reservations. 

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).

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.

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.

P.S. Be sure to check out The Unapologetic Experience tour in D.C.

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.

If there is such a thing as a near-perfect all-day café, Agi’s Counter might just be it. And that’s thanks to chef and owner Jeremy Salamon’s thoughtful, measured cooking that blends culinary traditions from Hungary, Austria, and the Jewish diaspora, passed down from his grandmothers. That means palacsinta (crepes) with salted butter, poached pineapple, and soft cream for breakfast; chilled borscht for lunch; spanakopita babka for brunch; and semolina dumplings and morels in a flavorful chicken broth for dinner. Whatever you do, don’t sleep on the cheesecake, topped with berries and sitting in a pool of olive oil.

Lola’s is the kind of restaurant that seems to defy categories, and honestly, that’s a good thing. Chef and owner Suzanne Cupps draws from a variety of influences, ranging from South Carolina to the Philippines, for this menu with plenty of little surprises, from the fluffiest of naan with a savory carrot-accented yogurt to butter leaved bundles of crispy tilefish and melt-in-your-mouth short ribs. Whatever the occasion, Lola’s is sure to be a fit for it, whether you get a perch at the chef’s counter to catch all the action in the kitchen or a lovely spot at the long bar in the front.

In just a few years, Ursula has become one of the city’s standards for New Mexican-inspired cuisine. Now in a bigger space in Bed-Stuy, there’s even more to try, like a green chile fried mushroom “sangwich,” a duck carnitas tostada with mole negro, a green chile cheeseburger made with a blend of lamb and beef, and a vegan eggplant tamal with blue corn masa. And then, of course, there are the breakfast burritos, served in the daytime Wednesdays through Fridays and for brunch on the weekends. We highly recommend all of them, but do be on the lookout for any special burrito collabs in the works, too.

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.

It’s only been three months since San Sabino opened in the West Village, and already this sequel to Don Angie follows in the footsteps of its next-door sibling. Yes, reservations are tough to come by (pro tip: they’re released a week in advance, including the day of the reservation you’re looking for, at 9 a.m. sharp) but if you are lucky enough to get one, you won’t be disappointed — especially if you love seafood. As you’ve come to expect from chefs Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli, the menu is a celebration of Italian American classics, all with some unexpected twists: Think capocollo blended with octopus for a new take on carpaccio; anchovy-crusted and chile-crisp-topped steak that resembles a Japanese katsu; and a much-discussed shrimp Parm.

There’s never a bad time to head to one of the city’s most exemplary Chinese restaurants for a veritable feast. Specializing in cuisine from China’s Jiangnan province, home to Shanghai, CheLi delivers familiar classics like xiaolongbao and crispy duck as well as dishes you likely haven’t seen elsewhere, like one composed of steam eggs with tangerine and crab meat, or salted yolk fried pumpkin. No matter what you order for the table, you won’t be disappointed, but here’s our advice: Don’t sleep on the Longjing shrimp — poached shrimp in a sweet, savory tea sauce that’s presented with dramatic effect, thanks to some dry ice.