The New York Restaurants We Loved in September

For a vibrant celebration of Filipino flavors…

… you have to go to Naks, where every dish tells a story and the flavors are rooted in tradition, but with fresh, modern twists. The inihaw na liempo came smoky and succulent, with just the right balance of char and tenderness that made it impossible to stop at one bite. The kare-kare, with its signature rich and nutty peanut sauce, was pure comfort food — earthy, hearty, and perfectly paired with bagoong (a fermented seafood condiment) to cut through the richness. We ended on a sweet note with their leche flan, which was silky, indulgent, and caramel kissed. Together, the dishes felt like a warm embrace of the Philippines’ culinary heritage, reimagined in a way that felt both nostalgic and refreshing.

— Ervin Balazon, Senior Restaurant Product Manager

This is an NYC classic…

… and one of the best spots to dine with a group, because you can’t just order one or two things when you go to CheLi on St. Marks. The flaming beggar’s chicken was super tasty (and is served via an entertaining tableside preparation) and the yellow lantern beef (super tender and spicy) over silken tofu is the one dish I order every time — texturally perfect and loaded with Sichuan peppercorns.

— Lizzie Takimoto, Writer & Editor, Resy Editorial

I was truly impressed by…

… Kanyakumari’s delivery of bold and coastal South Indian flavors. The Goan clams were fresh and vibrant, with a spicy, tangy kick, while the duck roast from Kochi was rich, perfectly spiced, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. For mains, the fish masala was deeply flavorful with a silky, well-balanced gravy, and the Galvani chicken brought heat and complexity. But it was the goat biryani that was the star — fragrant, generous, and cooked to perfection. It’s a must visit.

— Rajiv Amladi, Senior Tech Program Manager

With a sudden craving for Mexican food…

… my husband and I made a last-minute reservation at Cosme, and our experience was nothing short of spectacular. We ordered their showstopper dish, the duck carnitas, and the meat was so tender, it was practically falling apart. The crispy octopus and grilled scallops al pastor were full of beautifully layered flavors, too. From the food to the service (and the atmosphere), it was such a great experience overall.

— Alexis Yam, Business Enablement & Operations Manager

I always come back…

… for the mock duck pad see ew at Chiangmai Diner in Bushwick. It’s the best plant-based protein I’ve had — super flavorful, with notes of soy and sweetness.

— Elizabeth Ding, Digital Product Ops

Having some withdrawals coming back from Hawaii…

… I headed to Noreetuh in the East Village. It’s a great spot for some musubi and poké that brings a little bit of Hawaii to NYC.

— Liyan Tang, Software Engineer

After a particularly long day…

… a group of friends and I snagged a lovely booth at Eyval and enjoyed a delicious meal paired with much-needed saffron martinis. The barbari and komaj breads are the staples we start with every time we go, and the yellow French bean borani and cardamom chocolate cake were standouts from this visit.

— Kat Hsu, Senior Product Manager

After seeing a show at The Shed…

… I went to Ci Siamo and it was such a great choice. I had the insalata di mare to start (super fresh and bright) and then the tagliatelle with tomato and Buffalo butter, which was absolutely delicious. It’s just an all-around lovely spot with excellent food and a warm, cozy atmosphere that stull buzzes with energy.

— Robert DeFelice, Business Operations Manager

I cannot believe it took me so long…

… to try Atoboy. And that they still serve their four-course prix-fixe menu for $75 per person — what a great deal, especially by NYC standards. It’s not quite fine dining, but the food, the service, and the ambiance are excellent, making it a great spot for a special occasion. The menu was seafood focused, and almost every dish we tried was really special — I’m still thinking about the uni, the stuffed squid, and the sweet shrimp with white kimchi. Definitely go as a group of three or four so you can try the whole menu. I can’t wait to go back to try the fried chicken.

— Amelia Lewis, Product Designer at Tock

It’s worth the trek to the Upper East Side…

All of the dishes we ordered at Tha Phraya were so, so fresh and generous. They’ll have your usual suspects, from Drunken noodles to all types of curries, but their menu is extensive and it’s the specialties you should dive into: I’d highly recommend the pae sa pla tod, a crispy fried branzino that’s beautifully paired with a lovely sour curry.

— Michelle Meng, Integration Project Manager

It’s always a classic…

I love going to Joseph Leonard. On this latest visit, I ordered the graffiti eggplant (served with labneh and pickled peppers), the mussels and fries, and my roommate and I split the burger and a slice of carrot cake — so delicious.

— Santana Williams, Card Membership Marketing Analyst

After seeing it in…

… our guide to new restaurant openings, I really wanted to check out Olmo, and it did not disappoint. The service and food was great, and I really enjoyed the eggplant Milanesa with the homemade tortillas. Also a big fan of their mezcal margarita.

— Leonard Mazzone, Senior Software Engineer

For a perfectly spicy meal…

… go to Spicy Moon. My wife and I decided to try half the menu (scallion pancakes, spring rolls, crabless Rangoon, three kinds of noodles) and everything tasted great and came out so quickly. We absolutely loved the wontons in chile oil — they were incredible and my absolute favorite dish we had, alongside the mapo tofu.

— Joe Khammar, Global Dining Business Enablement Director

The antipasti truly stole the show…

… at Misi. The charred marinated peppers and artichokes were deceptively simple yet bursting with flavor. We grabbed seats at the kitchen counter, giving us a front-row view of the team at work. The service was excellent, and the warm, lively ambiance made it the perfect spot for a relaxed Sunday night dinner with a friend.

— DJ Catrow, Director of Product Design

I had an unforgettable meal…

… at Maison Close in SoHo. My favorite dish of the night was easily the seared foie gras, which was perfectly caramelized on the outside and silky on the inside — definitely pair it with a glass of Sauternes (a perfect match) and enjoy it while it’s hot. The truffle pasta was so aromatic, and the lamb chops were perfectly tender and juicy. Everything was so well balanced.

— Yan Feng, Senior Resy iOS Engineer

If you can’t get into Theodora…

… their sister restaurant, Miss Ada, really delivers. There’s some similarity in both menus, but each stands on its own. I’d highly recommend all of the skewers, especially the kofta and halloumi ones.

— Nish Junankar, Senior Software Engineer

For an incredible birthday experience…

… trust in Coqodaq. The atmosphere, the hospitality, and the food all worked together for an evening of celebration, generosity, and fun. The highlights of the night were the golden nuggets paired with incredible Champagne. Highlights the next morning were the leftover gochujang-glazed fried chicken and banchan. This is definitely a restaurant that rewards over-ordering, so you can take things home and reminisce the next day.

— Jerome Noel, Resy Regional Manager, New York City

This spot is so effortlessly cool…

At I Cavallini, the wine list is beautifully curated and the food is just as impressive. Honestly, I couldn’t pick a favorite because everything was so fresh and delicious. Standouts included the fluffy focaccia; the mussel panzanella salad; a perfectly simple bucatini with sungolds; and black cod with clams, corn, and saffron. Okay, so maybe the standouts are everything we ordered … and of course, the tiramisu to finish. It’s a must.

— Jessica DeGeorge, Partner Success Manager

What a perfect send-off…

We got to say our goodbyes to Olmsted , and their final menu was everything I hoped for. The food was just incredible — the beer-battered delicata squash rings and Long Island fluke crudo were standout dishes. A fittingly beautiful last meal from a restaurant that will be so missed.

— Max Berney, Director of UX Research for Tock and Resy

Bonus: Anyone who knows the northern Jersey dining scene…

… knows just how much of a hotbed Montclair is. And anchoring it all is Walnut Street Kitchen, helmed by chef Beverly Lacsina, where we celebrated my wife’s birthday right when they’d just dropped a new menu.

We started on a real high note with the crostini, which were topped with sesame- and gochujang-whipped ricotta, corn, some local honey, and scallions. We also had to get the chicken-fried oysters — a staple of the menu and a must on every visit — and the black garlic risotto with oyster mushrooms and soy-pickled shimeji mushrooms, which the kitchen graciously prepared as a smaller appetizer portion for us (all in the name of trying new dishes, of course). For entrées, we had the new bone-in breaded pork chop with a side of smoked gouda mac & cheese and the braised shallot galette, before finishing with a proper WSK classic: the Thai iced tea-ramisu. I cannot say enough good things about chef Beverly and her team — WSK is one of my staple restaurants, so if you’re in Montclair, know that you can’t go wrong there. Oh, and they have a BYOB policy, too.

— Edwin Rivera, Senior Software Engineer

Bonus: My friends and I spent a leisurely afternoon…

… on the patio at Minnow At The Galley Ho to celebrate my fiancé’s milestone birthday. It was so nice to enjoy the waterfront views, and the service there was so kind and welcoming. The next time I find myself on the North Fork, I’ll definitely return.

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

Bonus: If you find yourself close to the Metro-North Harrison station…

… Café Deux is a cute little French bistro that’s perfect for a light brunch. We enjoyed a beautifully cooked Wagyu burger, a very filling miso-glazed salmon bowl, and my daughter dug into the yummiest French toast. I’d love to go back and try the dinner menu.

— Sarah Showers, Software Engineer, Consumer Web

More New York staff picks, right this way.

Noëmie Carrant is Resy’s New York-based senior writer and editor. Some of her favorite meals this month included the family-style prix-fixe at The Tyger and devouring a Rowdy Rooster sandwich by herself after drinks at schmuck. Follow her on Instagram. Follow Resy, too.

The views expressed in this article reflect personal experiences of American Express employees at the applicable restaurants — not American Express — and do not constitute professional business advice.