The Resy Guide to New York’s Essential Cozy Locales

The coziest dishes: Peppercorn fish stew, golden yolk tofu, Hengyang brine rice noodles, steamed egg with clams, and chairman’s braised pork.

Italians do cozy the right way, and Frankie’s does Italian the right way. It’s the red sauce, we think, or maybe the cloth napkins or the servers that seem like they’ve worked here at Frankie’s since the beginning. Sling your coat over the back of your chair and stay awhile.

The coziest dishes: Spaghetti puttanesca, shrimp fra diavolo, veal chop parmigiano, and a glass of red.

What’s cozier than having dinner in someone’s living room? That’s the vibe at Shaw-Naé’s House, where the welcoming environment and warm service (often from Shaw-Naé herself) are topped only by the excellence of the food. It doesn’t hurt that there are only six tables — we’ve seen bigger gatherings at Thanksgivings.

The coziest dishes: Sugar Daddy wings, smothered turkey wings, baked mac and cheese, collards, and sweet potato pie.

You’re bound to feel right at home the moment you pull up a chair at this Senegalese and French restaurant that’s been a neighborhood staple since 2013. At this cozy and intimate bistro-inspired setting, owners Nilea Alexander and Lamine Diagne serve up delicious Senegalese and French fare that’ll leave you feeling full and satisfied.

The coziest dishes and drink: A steamy platter of thiebou djeun (Senegal’s national dish of jollof rice and fish), the spicy mafe (beef stew cooked with a creamy peanut butter sauce), and steak frites, paired with some café Touba (traditional Senegalese coffee blended with spices).

Billy Durney has perfected the vibes at this destination spot. We could argue that anywhere in Red Hook feels markedly cozier than any other neighborhood, simply by way of its isolated nature (expect to board a train, bus, and/or ferry if you don’t live within walking distance), but Red Hook Tavern is a perfect example of the genre, no matter which neighborhood it happens to be in. Come for a solo dinner at the bar or a date-night excursion with a friend and leave your troubles far away.

The coziest dishes: You’re getting the burger, duh, but don’t sleep on the roast chicken with mash and gravy, whatever pasta they have on the menu when you arrive, and the French onion soup.

This spot blesses Prospect Heights from the same team (and in the same location) as the former Oxalis, now with an à la carte menu and the same gorgeous dining room and patio. There are lots of floor-to-ceiling windows, which bring out the twinkling of the garden lights (and of your dining partner’s eyes, probably), and the staff is friendly and welcoming in a way that isn’t forced at all. It’s an all-day spot, but we’re partial to dinner, where the dishes get a little more elaborate and the cocktails stay flowing.

The coziest dishes: The menu changes all the time (check their Instagram for updates), but recently-enjoyed dishes of ours included silky chicken liver mousse and brioche, fries dusted with herbes de Provence, and a squash and pesto carpaccio.

Park Slope’s trattoria di forever also happens to be one of the comfiest, coziest spots in Brooklyn. Once you peel back that heavy curtain that guards the door, you’ll find yourself in a warmer, better world where you sit next to your neighbors (and actually enjoy it), all while eating supremely good housemade pasta off of mismatched plates.

The coziest dishes: Stewed tripe, paccheri with pork ragu, whole young chicken with fennel salad and mashed potatoes, and a healthy portion of bread and butter.

This handsome hotel brasserie boasts cozy velvet booths and equally cozy, elegant, and comforting French fare. Chef Flossie Gilles, a native of Montpellier, France, and formerly of Le Bilboquet, applies classic French techniques to Parisian bistro favorites – think leeks pavé, salade Niçoise, a vegetarian tagine, salmon en papillote, and profiteroles — plus more contemporary takes like burgers, tuna tartare, and a New York strip. Better yet? They’re open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The coziest dishes: Pain perdu; French onion soup; rotisserie chicken; and the burger.

The coziest drinks: Anything suggested by their longtime server, Rafiel, but do know they have an especially robust list of bourbon, rye, and whiskey. Some standouts include The Macallan 60 in Lalique, of which only 400 bottles were ever produced; an extensive collection of Pappy Van Winkle; and a range of Clase Azul Tequila and mezcal. While they do specialize in some very rare spirits — some of which date back to the 1800s and 1900s — they also have some more approachable, yet still rare, drinks, too.

Pro tip: Snacks are plentiful but if you’re looking for something more substantial, head across the hall to The Gold Room for something a bit heartier.

From the West Village’s dream team behind Via Carota and I Sodi comes an Americana-inspired diner in a charming corner space. The Commerce Inn, complete with its Shaker-inspired menu, thrifted finds that the chefs picked up on their travels, and a warm staff is a perfect chance to settle into a good, old-fashioned, hearty dinner the way our forefathers intended.

The coziest dishes: Spoon bread or hot rolls, lamb pasty, Shaker beans with molasses and ham hock, and country pork chop.

You can’t have a list of cozy restaurants without at least one ramen spot, and Takumen happens to be a great one. It’s a small space in LIC with plenty of low lighting and kitchen aromas that are more than tantalizing enough to draw you in, whatever borough you’re coming from.

The coziest dishes: Any of the ramens, obviously; we’re partial to the ban-ban chicken and the spicy goma-miso. Plus, get some wings to share (trust us).

Greenpoint always delivers when it comes to spots that make us feel like we live just around the corner and come there all the time, even if it’s our first visit. And it’s true: We’d pay lots of money to be able to experience Achilles Heel for the first time. Between their comfy bar seats, quaint space, and menu of creative small plates, it’s a spot worth returning to again and again.

The coziest dishes: It changes all the time, but if the fried chicken sandwich is on, make sure to order it. Other favorites recently have included heirloom tomato panzanella, mushrooms confit, and a healthy pour of whatever wine your server recommends.

For comfort food that makes you forget all about the long train ride home ahead of you (unless you’re lucky enough to live close by), Rolo’s fits the bill. It’s a favorite of chefs and food-obsessed people alike, with a sprawling menu of wood-fired dishes, plenty of carbs, and plates made for groups. Do come with friends and gather ‘round one of their tables.

The coziest dishes: Any of the wood-fired polenta breads to start, then the housemade mortadella, the famous two-sheet lasagna verde, and the double cheeseburger if you can score one (they only serve a few each night).

We’re partial to Cafe Spaghetti when it comes to warmer days spent on the patio, but Swoony’s (from the same team) is ideal when the weather turns cool and we want to be warmed by a really good burger. It’s cool enough to still feel buzzy and exciting, but not so cool that you’ll be annoyed. Try to score one of the half booths, and definitely order a round of martinis your way.

The coziest dishes: That burger with thousand island and American cheese, creamy lobster orzo, clams casino, and mussels with pasta shells.

Right on the outskirts of Chinatown, Cervo’s sits pretty in a long, narrow, and seductive space dominated by a zinc bar (the best seats in the house, in our opinion). The Portuguese-Spanish Lower East Side enclave is the ideal place for getting tipsy off sherry, natural wine, and a luxe seafood-leaning eating-with-your-hands kind of dinner for two, amid a well-heeled crowd that may or may not be here to catch a late-night movie at the Metrograph next door (do follow suit).

The coziest dishes: Louisiana white prawns à la plancha, spicy mussels escabeche, and the saucy half chicken with piri piri and French fries to sop up those juices.

If you can’t make it upstate this year to stay in a cabin, Blackbarn might be the next best thing. There’s plenty of unfinished wood and a vaulted ceiling, all of which makes us feel as though we could light a fire and cozy up with our latest read. The menu fits the bill, too: Think tavern fare with plenty of showstoppers.

The coziest dishes: Eight-hour barbecue beef ribs, the tomahawk for two with black garlic sauce, gruyere souffle, and truffle ricotta gnocchi.

First off, nothing spells comfort like Lyonnais bouchon food. Second, Daniel Boulud has planted his latest New York French restaurant in the old Augustine space, which just happens to be one of the prettiest dining rooms. Think tiled mosaic floors, large mirrors, leather banquettes, flower chandeliers, stained ceilings, and warm lighting that has that je-ne-sais-quoi hue that makes everything (and one) look just that much more beguiling.

The coziest dishes: The offal-y salade Lyonnaise; quenelles de brochet; and the namesake gratin dauphinois are not to be missed. And do go hard on the all-star cast of desserts.

What was once an old carriage house on a quiet stretch of Gramercy is now a Japanese-style cocktail destination spread out on two floors. Enter Martiny’s, where Takuma Watanabe of Angel’s Share fame presides over the bar to the tune of jazz and cocktail shaking of the highest order. Pro tip: Book the lounge for a seat on the second floor, with its skylight, plush sofas, and antique furnishings.

The coziest drinks and dishes: The martini and Tea Ceremony cocktails are exquisite, but you shouldn’t overlook the food. The cheeky tartare with its snowy Parmesan and seaweed cow print, the tiny river crabs, or most of the rest of the dishes on their ever-changing menu take bar food to a whole other level.

Because at night, this Cobble Hill favorite practically glows with its strings of marquee-esque lights. June is one of those natural wine bars that feels effortlessly warm, thanks to a genuinely caring and knowledgeable staff that’ll walk you through the more than 200-bottle natural wine selection from France, Austria, and beyond.

The coziest dishes: The menu changes with the seasons, but the brie toast with blueberry jam, seared scallops with saffron corn puree, and peach galette à la mode on the current menu all sound mighty fine.

Ruled by a warm front of house and an open kitchen that’s in full reign of its live fire domain, this cheerful, no-frills Williamsburg steakhouse dressed up in brick walls and a wood-paneled ceiling is an absolute delight that still packs a punch more than a decade after opening. Do get lost in the wine list as you plot out just how much food you should order (sharing is caring, come with a group).

The coziest dishes: Start with the grilled sardines and prawns before delving into mains — while steak is the usual draw (the ribeye is excellent), the lamb saddle, pork porterhouse, and sweet tea–brined chicken shine just as bright.

The oldest Spanish restaurant in New York has been reborn and it still very much reigns supreme with its distressed ceilings, well-worn wooden bar, and Don Quixote theme. Niftily located inside the Chelsea Hotel since 1930, El Quijote is all dimmed lighting and thrown cocktails, but the sunny Spanish menu is guaranteed to brighten your day, too. Pro tip: Do book the Cervantes Room for a private dining experience for six to 10 guests.

The coziest dishes: The tortilla de patata; pan con tomate; prawns à la plancha; and the excellent paellas, studded with seasonal veggies or chicken and seafood.

Behind a bright red door at the foot of the Williamsburg bridge (Manhattan side), Kings Co. Imperial hits you with the smell of sizzling dumplings in the air. Tiled floors, moody lighting, and lazy Susan-topped tables set up the rest of the stage, so slide inside one of the booths with a good group of friends and let a most delicious Chinese feast begin.

The coziest dishes: A round of egg drop soup, followed by some mock eel, fiery mapo tofu, dan dan mian, and wok-seared pea shoots should get you started.

With a tiled pizza oven that keeps its surroundings more than snug, Ops has been leading the pack of Brooklyn sourdough pizza aficionados since it opened in 2016. And in true Bushwick fashion (read: a converted garage space made extra cozy), Ops puts on a spell with its bricked-up interior and a warm staff who’ll happily guide you through their no-wine-list, tell-us-what-you-like, we’ll-pour philosophy. Their new location in the East Village is just as excellent, but we prefer the cozy vibes found at the original Bushwick restaurant.

The coziest dish: The Juno pie, an Ops standby, which comes topped with broccoli rabe, ricotta salata, provolone, and potatoes, and to which you should absolutely add sausage.

Sure, PDT may be New York’s worst-kept speakeasy secret, but there’s still nothing like dialing the Crif Dogs pay phone (IYKYK) and being given access to this wood-paneled, basement-level cocktail den. Best seat in the house: a quiet booth or at the bar, and preferably by Paddington, the watchful taxidermied bear who’s always dressed for the season.

The coziest dishes: A basket of too-hot tater tots with a cheffy hot dog, just because.

Rooted in the Venezuelan dishes his mother used to cook for him, Ivo Diaz’s Casa Ora is like stepping inside your elegant abuela’s warm living room. Expect sky-high plants, soft banquettes, and midnight blue walls that are lined with a plethora of framed paintings, photographs, maps, and other trinkets that call back to Venezuela, or a sense of home.

The coziest dishes: The hallaca — a steamy pork tamale traditionally eaten for Christmas — to start, and then any dish with rice and beans, for Casa Ora’s are excellent.

It’s in the name, folks, but what makes this corner fixture especially so is the sense of community that pervades the space. Dreamt up by the team behind the Meat Hook — Williamsburg’s favorite hip butcher shop just one block over — Cozy Royale doles out incredible meats and comfort by the spoonful, with dishes pulled from the owners’ childhoods.

The coziest dishes: For dinner, start off with the bone marrow with cherry ‘nduja jam or the oysters Rockefeller, before diving into the dry-aged burger (come early; they serve these in limited quantities!) or steak frites. Cozy Royale crushes brunch, too (chicken and waffles for the table, anyone?).

Edged right along the cobblestones of Bond Street, Il Buco, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, retains the charm from its old antique store days. Here, the cucina is rustica, the wine flows, and the 200-year-old cellar inspired a chilling short story by Edgar Allan Poe. Simply put, Il Buco is a little Tuscan haven where three-hour-long dinners unravel in the blink of an eye.

The coziest dish: Truly, any of the pastas will satisfy, but the risotto is something else, too.

New York’s most unique sandwich spot has expanded into a fantastic sit-down restaurant with just a few lucky tables. The bar is our favorite spot here, as it gives us ample opportunity to chat with the servers. Foxface is perfect for a night of eating adventurously, while still keeping the feeling cozy and special. Pro tip: They’ve also got an incredible $95 four-course prix-fixe menu these days that you don’t want to miss.

The coziest dishes: The menu changes often, but some recent favorites have included barbecue boer goat, kangaroo tartare, and a white asparagus gelato.

When M. Wells closed its permanent location, we were devastated – but not for long. Luckily, they’ve been popping up at On The 7 wine bar in their old home neighborhood, serving up a rotating menu on Sundays and Mondays. There’s something about that twice-a-week set-up that lends something cozy and fleeting to this experience — a blink-and-you-miss-it cozy, if you will.

The coziest dishes: It changes all the time, but past dishes have included cod cacciatore, foie gras–stuffed duck, and red pesto trofie.