The New York Restaurants We Loved in March

She’s like my new favorite sweater…

Gertrude’s is cozy, comfy, and cute, and whether you dress her up or down, she always makes you feel good. For the casual days, it’s the Reuben-style burger and a plate of plump and crispy latkes with trout roe for me, and when I need to impress, the raw bar offerings are always on point. Also, who doesn’t love spaetzle for every season?

— Lizzie Takimoto, Writer/Editor, Resy Editorial

My new favorite sleeper hit…

… is Cotra in Gowanus. The space is cozy but stylish, the service is great, and the food seriously delivers. We warmed up with the comforting and light miso soup, then moved onto the scallop carpaccio and goma hamachi — both super fresh and well-balanced. The Washugyu strip loin steak was perfectly cooked and packed with flavor, but the real surprise was the creamy and earthy matcha pie. If you’re reading this, Cotra team, please, I beg you, make the matcha pie available on Uber Eats for delivery! (It’s absolutely worth trekking to Gowanus for.)

— Max Berney, Lead User Researcher

On a mission to savor the spring weather…

… and get lost after a day in the office, I found myself some 20,000 steps later at a cheery bistro table outside of Dame. A grilled oyster with green chartreuse hollandaise hit the table first, followed by the squid and scallion skewers and poached leeks with gribiche and anchovies. Initially, I passed on their signature dish, but had to revise my order when the group next to me each received a plate of fish and chips. Best decision I made all week. The Dame team was also incredibly accommodating when my optimistic al fresco moment didn’t last through sundown.

— Kaylin Foard, Senior Experiential Product Analyst

I don’t consider myself much of a sweets person…

… but that notion always goes out the window whenever I’m at Bar Bête. Why? Because their yellow cake with chocolate frosting, topped with flakes of Maldon sea salt, is one of my favorite desserts in the city, period.

Everything that comes before that slice of cake is incredible, too, especially their take on leeks vinaigrette: a plate of leeks topped with hazelnuts, golden raisins and parmesan vinaigrette that’s close to perfection. No meal there is ever complete without the duck fat potatoes and tuna toast.

The night we happened to be there, there was a partial power outage, but the amazing staff carried on and, save for the dimmer-than-usual lighting, and the fact that all the kitchen staff donned headlamps to cook, you never would’ve noticed anything different because they’re all such pros.

— Deanna Ting, New York and Philadelphia Editor, Resy Editorial

Nothing says “Friday night” like…

… a dimly lit, local spot with great drinks and a decadent menu. I’m talking hand-written signs, candle-clad tables, warm-and-friendly waiters, and that irreplaceable neighborhood coziness. Ladies and gentlemen: Bar Mercer.

It opened in 2025 and somehow already feels nostalgic. It’s the kind of joint where you feel an urge to kick back and put your feet up on the table. The type of restaurant where suddenly, you’re Carrie Bradshaw, laughing with friends and making bar food sexy again. A place where you could eat pigs in a blanket at 7:30 p.m. and find yourself sipping your fourth martini in the same seat at 1 a.m. Where you forget your post-dinner plans because the booth is so damn cozy and the lights are so damn amber.

As for the food? Our favorite bite was the ever-popular burger, with crispy onions and a sesame seed bun. (Pro tip: It may not be on the menu, but you can always ask if it’s possible to have it!) We also loved the pigs in a blanket, because how could you not? Washed down with cocktails and a crumble shared with three spoons, this is the kind of meal that makes you say, “I love New York.”

— Amy Schwartz, Restaurant Marketing Analyst

For a mom of two who doesn’t usually get a night out…

… Crevette came through as the absolutely perfect date night spot on a Saturday night. The atmosphere was straight-up romantic, thanks to long candles on each table and the buzz of diners enjoying their weekend night. At our corner table (the best seat in the house), my husband and I enjoyed the Sicilian sashimi and the bluefin tuna crispy potato so much that we ordered more of both later on. The seafood rice, harissa octopus skewer, and Spanish tortilla were also great, but the other standout were the fries — they were a perfect “dessert” alongside my martini.

— Stephanie Cohen, Director of Sales

A capital D dinner on a school night…

… what a rush! We started with the Paraiso house salad at Lola’s, where the croutons were pretzels — I repeat, the croutons were pretzels. Don’t skip the Union Square bento — loved getting that for the table — and the crispy chicken thighs — an already great dish made even greater when dipped in the accompanying coconut vinegar. We’ll be back!

— Tess Gostfrand, Senior Travel & Lifestyle Services Manager

Nothing spells comfort food…

… like Peruvian Chinese food. Flor de Mayo was a regular in my rotation when I was an Upper West Sider (alongside Chino-Latino places like La Dinastia and La Caridad 72), and there’s very little that can beat an XL plate of their pollo a la brasa paired with fried rice. Both are textbook examples of perfect cooking — the rotisserie chicken always tender, incredibly seasoned, and with perfectly crispy skin; while the mixed fried rice breathes wok hei in every bite.

— Noëmie Carrant, Senior Writer/Editor, Resy Editorial

If you’d like to try Palestinian home cooking…

… Qanoon in Chelsea has you covered. We had some classic starters, like baba ghanoush, hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush, and kofta, and paired these with two very delicious mains: the musakhan (sumac chicken, a standout for us) and makloubeh (lamb over rice), which you should absolutely have with a bottle of their Palestinian cabernet sauvignon. Save room for the knafeh for dessert.

— Alberto Guerra, Revenue Operations Manager

It was a team dinner to remember…

… over at Pitt’s, when our NYC editorial team of three (shoutout to Resy contributors Ellie Plass and Tae Yoon) gathered for a mid-week feast. We ordered nearly everything on the menu and had so much fun catching up with one another outside of the office, inside the cozy space that was once the much-loved Fort Defiance. Our favorites included the Gouda pimento with fried saltines; cold meatloaf tea sandwich; veal sweetbreads over yellow-eye peas; lamb rump frites; and the yams with brown butter vinaigrette. The pancake soufflé is also a must, but we highly suggest you also add a bright Pixie pie to your dessert order, too.

— Deanna Ting, New York and Philadelphia Editor, Resy Editorial

As someone who’s been to many KBBQ spots in the city…

… I was truly blown away by Howoo. The ambiance, service, impeccable attention to detail and ingredients, and the quality of meat all made the experience here a 10/10.

— Kou Pang, Product Marketing Manager

I was headed to MSG and in need of a pre-game drink…

… (the Knicks were playing the Bulls), and was super satisfied with Nomad Tea Parlour’s lineup. The cocktail menu has a great balance of familiar and fun, including a lychee martini that was actually delicious, a Midori sour of sorts finished with chile oil, and a super solid martini. Plus, their happy hour starts at 3 p.m., so …

— Lizzie Takimoto, Writer/Editor, Resy Editorial

Didn’t think I’d spend five hours…

… at Bamonte’s when a friend and I bellied up to their bar. What was supposed to be a drinks only hang turned into a we’re-three-martinis-deep-and-therefore-need food dinner of sorts, where fried calamari with marinara and veal parm (pro tip: you can and should get it topped with vodka sauce) were exactly what we needed — that, and chamomile tea, too (those martinis are a boozy doozy). Shoutout to our lovely film-loving bartender who looked after us.

— Noëmie Carrant, Senior Writer/Editor, Resy Editorial

The latest from the Golden Diner team…

… is a very fun concept in the heart of Rockefeller Center. Introducing Golden HOF, which balances the perfect amount of casual and dressed-up. The space is so spacious (there’s even an open kitchen), and the cumin Szechuan fried chicken was delicious — the zest and spice on the crispy skin was so good. Definitely get the cucumber salad with the gochugaru vinaigrette — it was such a refreshing combo with the fried chicken.

— Felicity Lin, Resy Benefit Management Manager

The star of the show…

… during our meal at Hildur was the charred cabbage in a beurre blanc sauce topped with trout roe — it was so bright and vibrant. But there was plenty else to love at this new DUMBO opening: starting with the brown bread service with cultured butter and smörgåskaviar (a Swedish fish roe spread) and a chicories salad, before moving onto our entrées, which consisted of the black trumpet mushrooms over a sprouted barley frumenty (a type of porridge) and some classic Swedish meatballs topped with tart and tangy lingonberries. Dessert was the perfect end with a Swedish princess cake (very cute and tasty) and a panna cotta (that night’s special) with yogurt, rhubarb, and spruce oil — truly a perfect combination.

— Jessica DeGeorge, Restaurant Success Manager

As a Sixty Three Clinton fan…

… I immediately added Cactus Wren to my “want to go” Resy List when I first heard of its opening, and it did not disappoint. It was the perfect spot for an intimate surprise birthday celebration. The staff was so lovely and welcoming, and the food was just the right amount of special and comforting. I already plan to go back for our favorites of the night: the crab omelet and the Maryland shrimp toast.

— Kat Hsu, Product Manager

Even if you’ve been a few times…

… never say no to dinner at I Sodi, especially when you’re able to snag a reservation through Notify. We started the meal off with their crispy artichokes (so good) and then obviously ordered a smorgasbord of pastas, including the cacio e pepe, the lives-up-to-the-hype lasagna, the onion pasta, and chestnut ravioli.

Pro tip: Always save room for the tiramisu; it’s a 10/10.

— Lindsey Block, Product Designer

The perfect way to unwind after work…

… is an early dinner at American Bar. They have tons of great appetizers to choose from, and this time around, we got the tuna tartare and the lump crab cakes. This is always my go-to spot for a great salad and a side of french fries — they never disappoint. Also, if you have room, do not skip the cookie and ice cream sandwich for dessert.

— Erika Greengarten, Restaurant Success Manager

This quaint little spot feels like it’s been on Eldridge street for years…

Good Guy’s casually chic space channels the best bars of Spain and France, with expertly honed drinks you won’t find anywhere else. Pro tip: Put your name on the waitlist next door at Attaboy on your way in for the ultimate double dip.

— Lizzie Takimoto, Writer/Editor, Resy Editorial

This is exactly where I want to spend my Friday night…

At Bridges, the lively, Art Deco-meets-Lower East Side ambiance was the perfect backdrop for the European bistro food, and the perfect combination of classy and fun. The small plates menu (which focused on seafood and vegetable dishes) was reminiscent of chef Sam Lawrence’s previous experience at Estela, but with even more boldness — like the Comté tart, which tasted like a next-level and savory take on a cheesecake. The sea urchin custard was an explosion of creamy, savory, and oceanic flavor in every spoonful, and the cured tuna contrasted perfectly with the unexpected tang of the dates hidden underneath.

All in all, chef Lawrence’s first solo venture remains effortlessly cool and timeless — and the cozy dining room, serious wine list, and killer martini made me want to stay all night long.

— Juliette Sibley, Marketing Chief of Staff

For your next special occasion…

… head to Zimmi’s. My parents and I loved it for a family birthday dinner. My favorites were the artichoke soup with foie gras, the lamb stew with olives and potato, and the special of the night, a pork dish that was served with a decadent Swiss chard gratin.

— Alex Larson, GTM & Strategic Initiatives Manager

I had an incredible experience…

… at Torrisi. To start, we had the cucumber salad, which was a super refreshing start to a decadent meal. Out of all of the appetizers, my standouts were the octopus nha trang, the hams and zeppole, the off-menu bao bun, the charred clam boule, and the yellowtail crudo. I loved their classic tortellini but the the cavatelli with Jamaican beef ragù was the star of the show. And don’t skip the cheesecake for dessert!

— Emily Lyons, Senior Experiential Marketing Analyst

If you find yourself in Flatiron…

… and aren’t sure where to go, I’d highly suggest checking out Opto, which took over the longtime home of Periyali. It’s helmed by the same owner as Periyali, but now has chef Alex Tubero (formerly of Amali, Ad Hoc, Legacy Records, and Union Square Cafe) leading the kitchen. With a menu firmly rooted in the Mediterranean, Opto has many dishes you’d come to expect, and they’re all done exceptionally well. A seemingly simple gem lettuce salad gets dressed in a savory sesame-anchovy vinaigrette that balances the dill, scallions, and cucumber that comes with it. Pastas like the Sardinian macaroni al pomodoro are made in house and cooked to al dente perfection. Fresh fish is tender and light. And for dessert, the decadent chocolate mousse is a must, as is the lemon torte.

— Deanna Ting, New York and Philadelphia Editor, Resy Editorial

Bonus: If you’re a pizza bagel like me…

… (my mother is Italian and my father is Jewish), you’re going to feel right at home at Judy’s in Asbury Park, NJ. It’s worth a trip out of the city to the shore thanks to Top Chef alum David Viana, who marries not-your-average Italian with Jewish traditions, by incorporating Philly style with a little Jersey bada bing. Favorite bites: the roast chicken Savoy with schmaltzy potatoes, the latke with green apple relish, and the chicken and broccoli gnudi — a pasta dish inspired by the Jewish tradition of ordering Chinese food on Christmas eve. For dessert, finish with a Leave The Gun, Take The Cannoli cocktail, which actually tasted like a cannolo.

— Adrianna Harris, Restaurant Success Manager

Bonus: Tucked away in Rhinebeck, N.Y.…

… lies {pretty to think so}, a great experience with an amazing ambiance, impeccable service, and delicious food (of course).

We started off with a half dozen of their fresh and delicious oysters (including two of their special caviar oysters), which perfectly opened the meal, especially when paired with some cocktails (my wife and I liked The Spy Who Shagged Me and Into the Fold). The duck confit and lobster risotto were incredible entrées, but it was the second courses that stole the show: the bone marrow beef tartare and the kabocha soup. The tartare was served with the crispiest potatoes meant to be used as chips, and the combination of the beef, marrow, and potatoes made the drive up to this quaint little town worthwhile. I would drive back up to Rhinebeck for the sole purpose of dining here again.

— Edwin Rivera, Sr. Software Engineer

Noëmie Carrant is Resy’s New York-based senior writer and editor. Some of her other favorite meals this month took place at Ping’s for dim sum, Ceres for pizza, and Popina for pasta. Follow her on Instagram. Follow Resy, too.