The New York Restaurants We Loved in 2025

This was definitely one of my top five meals of 2025…

… and maybe one of my top meals, period, in a long time? Al Di Là Trattoria is the coziest Park Slope gem with the most heartwarming food — it reminded me of a winter version of LaRina. Their seppia and oxtail appetizer (or cuttlefish and oxtail over polenta) was something I’d never had before and it was amazing. The pastas were definitely the highlight, especially their fall special, a squash tortelli — it was probably the best tortelli I’ve ever had and I honestly could’ve had a second order. The hanger steak was exceptional, too and it doesn’t end here: desserts are definitely worth the stay. I finally got to order an affogato because it was decaf (genius and delicious), and the pear and chocolate chip cake was also just so, so good.

— Felicity Lin, Resy Benefit Management Manager

Ok, so…

… Diner being a fantastic restaurant isn’t new, but what you might not know is that they’ve got a new chef behind the line who is turning out some destination-worthy dishes. Don’t panic, you can still get their perfect burger and fries, but maybe make an extra trip for the seasonal stuff. This summer, I had a super memorable meal on their patio eating grilled blowfish tails with blistered Sungold tomatoes in a silky and spicy habanero sauce, plus perfectly cooked swordfish skewered with tender squid and grilled chayote in sauce Américaine.

— Lizzie Takimoto, Writer & Editor, Resy Editorial

It’s become a tradition for my wife and I…

… to celebrate our birthdays at Atomix, and each time gets better than the last. My hot take is that the bar seating is better than the main dining room because of the intimate nature of the space and the drink pairing. We enjoyed an array of seasonal dishes, like pickled anchovy on kimchi milk toast, poached chicken with noodles in a pine nut broth, and steamed egg custard with lobster and salmon roe. Everything was paired perfectly with a lovely cocktail or wine. The service, as always, was attentive and fun. Our favorite restaurant and so deserving of all the new accolades they get each year.

— Charles Zhao, Director of Restaurant Product

I keep thinking about my dinner…

… at Le Chêne, chef Alexia Duchêne’s wildly ambitious, anachronistically French restaurant on Carmine Street. New York has no shortage of brasseries and bistros, but most are content to play the hits — the steak frites, the roast chicken, the Dover sole for two. Not so with this passion project from a wife-and-husband duo so committed they moved upstairs.

The pithivier, an architectural pastry marvel stuffed with pork farce and eel, is positively Gothic in presentation. On my visit, there were perfectly seared scallops with vadouvan sabayon and meaty, fatty o-toro served in a smoky tomato water. Much of the menu shifts constantly, although the impeccable bread and butter are soothing constants. The mains are often quite rich, but it’s essential to save room for dessert. I still dream of the warm quince clafoutis dusted with flaky salt and served with a goblet of tangy goat’s milk ice cream.

Le Chêne feels like the sort of place I’d go back to for an anniversary, although I’d be equally tempted to catch up with a friend over fries (skinny, extra-crunchy, mandatory) and an ice-cold cornichon martini at the horseshoe-shaped bar in front.

— Diana Hubbell, New York Writer, Resy Editorial

You could think…

… Le Chêne is but one more new French restaurant in a year full of them, but Alexia Duchêne’s brainchild stands apart with a cool, downtown confidence. Its biggest-ticket item — and easily, one of my favorite bites of the year — is the pithivier terre et mer, an audacious pairing of puff pastry, pork farce, potato gratin, and smoked eel, finished with an electric sweet-and-sour condiment that traces back to Duchêne’s British side. The rest of the menu follows the same instinct for whimsy: a one-bite-wonder of a sweet shrimp tartelette, and œufs mayo with a playful nod to tuna melt, animated by the deep orange of Mimolette. Even the sweet-salty bruléed plum clafoutis, served with aged goat’s milk ice cream, converts the dessert-averse. The wine list is broad, the pours relaxed. Le Chêne plays in a “go big or go home” register, a mood only amplified by the colorful Basquiats glowing against the dimly lit room.

— Mehr Singh, New York Writer, Resy Editorial

They always say, “you never forget your wedding day”…

… but in my experience, it’s really more like a whole wedding weekend, filled with memories of all the wonderful meals we shared with loved ones. Because nothing makes me happier than knowing my friends and family are happy — and well fed.

Our first stop after city hall was to head directly to Jing Fong for dim sum (my favorite kind of brunch), followed later by a banquet with family and friends at Taiwanese Gourmet in Elmhurst, where we celebrated two of our friends’ birthdays. We made sure we had all our favorites, like their pitch-perfect crispy pork chop and blood sausage, to ginger scallion lobster and fiery fly’s head, and we surprised our friends with the yellow cake with dark chocolate frosting from Bar Bête (which required some assembly on our part, but was well worth the effort).

The next day, we had dinner at Semma with our immediate families, and it was just so sweet to be able to share a meal there, especially with my mom, whom they took such special care of. And lastly, there was the party we threw over at Ammazzacaffè. All together, we grazed from a massive antipasti spread, filled up on sunchoke salad and pasta, had a slice or two of kaya toast cake from Four Corners Co., and sipped on martinis and Manhattans on a stormy Sunday.

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

I couldn’t stop going…

… to Kisa this year, and I’ll probably do the same next year. There’s something incredibly satisfying about a massive platter of banchan with a filling protein for $32; dining out in NYC has gotten pricey, so I’ve come to especially appreciate a spot that feels cozy, accessible, and above all, delicious. I also love that the team is always willing to accommodate dietary restrictions, like my husband’s shellfish allergy, or my aversion to raw fish during my pregnancy. The team is making their own soju now, and it’s delightfully smooth and balanced. Oh, also: the bean latte machine by the door brings me so much joy. If I could have one in my home, I absolutely would.

— Oset Babür-Winter, New York Writer, Resy Editorial

There are few places I love…

… just as much during the day as I do at night, and Kisa is one of them. The vibes are always lively and the service, straightforward — just choose your protein and you’re off to the races. The simplicity of the concept is contrasted by the dynamic flavors on the plate: To accompany mains like crisp katsu chicken and tender spicy pork, there’s a constant rotation of some of the best banchan in town that range from classic kimchi to spicy braised chicken wings.

— Lizzie Takimoto, Writer & Editor, Resy Editorial

One of my happy places this year…

… was Crevette. I took my husband there, out-of-towners, went with Resy friends, and each visit knocked me out. The food is just so dialed in, a perfect balance of excellent standby dishes and seasonal delights, all set against a gorgeous dining room. I’m especially excited to visit post-honeymoon-in-Spain — Crevette dabbles in some Basque cooking, and I’ve been craving a certain mushroom dish ever since.

— Noëmie Carrant, Senior Writer & Editor, Resy Editorial

I first visited…

… Raoul’s five years ago, under circumstances that were identical to my mother’s: via a blue motorcycle, on a date with a Chicagoan (40 years apart, different guys — we checked).

On a Tuesday this year, my partner and I were sitting near the fish tank, and I passed a tarot reading while teetering down the spiral staircase from the bathrooms. I ordered the same thing I always do: the crab beignets, an endive salad, the steak au poivre, and I found myself savoring life’s constants. Like how Raoul’s has made the best steak in Manhattan since before I was born. And how place-specific it is to crave an au poivre-soaked fry, cut with watercress. And how, if I can replicate my mom’s date from the ‘80s night by pure coincidence, not everything in New York changes. (Though I will confess, we took an electric Niu scooter this time. Still blue.) I love that some things are suspended from the march of time. And I love that Raoul’s is among them.

— Rachel Rummel, Contributing New York Editor, Resy Editorial

Gotta say, there’s no place I’d rather be…

… than tucked into the back bar at Lei. Vibrant wines awash the scene, and bright beautiful dishes (like the fried cheese with five-spice, and the chilled celtuce with red wine vinegar) complete the setting. I’d sit there for ages, and will continue ducking in there pre-Peking duck dinner around the corner, and post noodles nearby. And Inga’s Bar in Brooklyn Heights has the same “I-want-to-be-a-regular-here” vibe, with colorful chicory salads, well-crafted cocktails, and one splendid steak au poivre (and fries forever!).

— Michael Harlan Turkell, New York Contributor, Resy Editorial

Some of my favorite moments this summer…

… have been randomly rolling up to Lei’s teeny-tiny bar seats outside and just running through a couple of the by-the-glass options. To be on Doyer Street on a balmy evening, watching people stroll by, while I sip on new-to-me Champagne that I can probably only afford a single glass but will likely order two? Chinatown forever, baby!

— Chadner Navarro, New York Writer, Resy Editorial

Fair is foul and foul is fair…

I’d like to give a brief eulogy for Foul Witch (2023-2025). More than a few times, I landed at JFK on an icy winter weeknight, with a simple goal to get to Manhattan in time to sneak in to the bar before closing at Foul Witch. Every time, I made it. And every time, I remember how much I loved sitting there, just me and the weird neon lava lamps and the giant mound of butter. The amaretto tortellini broke my brain, like a punk rock remix of the flavors of my Italian American childhood. The Sorana beans with salsa verde got me through some tough times; I don’t know if this makes sense to anyone else, but for me, they always felt emotionally fortifying. Just sitting at the bar, watching the wood fire and the kitchen churn out pasta after pasta (“double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble”) is a memory I’ll hold onto, because Brandon Hoy and Carlo Mirarchi created something special and fleeting at Foul Witch. A brief candle, if you will.

— Paolo Lucchesi, Resy Editor-in-Chief

When an Italian neighborhood gem…

… meets Michelin-star service, you get a dynamic I didn’t know I needed: Rezdôra. The dining room is what you’d expect from a Manhattan establishment: small but mighty, with the team fitting tables into nooks and crannies you didn’t even realize were there. But it all feels intimate and not crammed — perhaps thanks to the wax candles that are burning everywhere.

All of the food was outrageously good, but among the dishes I’d go back for again is the divine and poetically-named Grandma Walking Through Forest In Emilia: every bite of this mushroom purée-stuffed cappelletti verdi made us regret not ordering more. The I Bianco Neri was our surprise underdog of the night — think Jonah crab tossed in tomato sauce and chives with a squid ink marbled pasta. It was so tasty (and I don’t normally opt for seafood). For dessert, the apricot torta with black pepper ice cream was moist, rich, and dense, with the ice cream balancing it perfectly — an incredible duo.

— Celine Chan, Social Media Manager

I had a lot of really exceptional meals this year…

… so to pick just one was a real challenge, but I have to hand it to Stefano Secchi and his team at Rezdôra for a special evening in August that truly stands out. In their private room, they hosted 16 diners to a special collaboration with Hosteria Giusti, an iconic restaurant visiting from Italy, and proceeded to serve us course after course of some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had. Maybe my summer trip to Italy made me crave the cuisine even more, but each dish, made just feet from the dinner table, was absolutely delicious. Gnocco fritto, fresh-cut tagliatelle al ragù, cotechino, tortelloni, and some other ingredients that traveled secretly into New York. It was truly a night to remember.

— Aaron Ginsberg, Chief Partner Officer

I was so excited to learn that…

… chef Cosme Aguilar from Casa Enrique was opening up a new restaurant focused on Mexican seafood. Quique Crudo’s quite tiny in comparison to Casa Enrique, but is filled with the same love and care that chef Cosme puts into his food. You know the meal is a knockout when you have to order a second order of the crab tostadas before your dessert course, or you catch yourself sopping up every last bit of every single sauce with tortillas (which are plentiful). Make sure to save enough room for some dessert, ideally both — the cheese ice cream and dulce de leche are truly incredible.

— Lala Liban, Senior Hotel Program Management Manager

One of the best steaks I’ve ever had…

… was at a Mexican seafood spot. Yes, there is an off-menu NY Strip at Quique Crudo, and it is absolutely worth lining up early and bellying up to the bar in order to claim one (there are only two-or-so steaks available every night). That isn’t to say you should ignore the plentiful seafood options chef Cosme Aguilar has in stow — Quique’s got some of the best raw bar dishes in town, from incredibly sweet scallops in an aguachile negro to a pristine lobster ceviche. I ate way too much (and well) my first time there, and I can’t wait to go back.

— Noëmie Carrant, Senior Writer & Editor, Resy Editorial

I’ve been wanting to check them out…

… since their pop-up days, so when I finally made it into HAGS this fall, I was hyped. I loved the stylish-yet-cozy feeling, especially the fact they didn’t cram too many tables in. The menu descriptions made me smile, I loved the heart lights on the tables, and the bathroom supplies ensure you’re covered for anything. My friend is vegetarian, so we really appreciated the options for both an omnivore and a vegan tasting menu. The whole procession of seasonal dishes was excellent, but the courses that stuck with me the most were the first and the last. The first was a Carolina gold rice brioche topped with tomato butter and served with a shot of tomato-cucumber water. The last was a kohlrabi ice cream that was truly delicious.

— Devorah Lev-Tov, New York Writer, Resy Editorial

I can’t say which of my meals…

… at Swoony’s was the top meal of 2025 for me, but that’s what makes them my overall top pick of the year: their consistency. It’s a neighborhood spot as much as it is a restaurant for a special night out.

My girlfriend and I love to start with their spinach and artichoke dip before we get the burger and the short rib au poivre to split. It’s the perfect order: every dish is cozy, well executed, and strikes that perfect balance between simple and elevated in both flavor and presentation. Speaking of simple and elevated, the only way to end a meal here is with their vanilla soft serve. Pair it with a fernet, too, for good measure.

— Dane Zunich, Business Operations & Enablement Manager

I recently visited…

… Terroir, a Tribeca staple, and it was amazing. My friend and I shared the smash burger and the seasonal raviolo doppio (filled with honeynut and delicata squash), and both were absolute standouts. The service was exceptional and the team is incredibly knowledgeable about their extensive wine list (they offer over 100 different wines by the glass). Save it for a date night or a casual dinner with friends.

— Caroline Ramirez, Chief of Staff

I’m so thrilled…

… that Ops is finally in Manhattan — I moved uptown a few years ago, so the Brooklyn location stopped being in my rotation. In the East Village, I fell in love all over again, especially with their pissaladière, which has just the right amount of onion for my liking (read: a whole lot of onion). Paired with the house martini, it’s the ultimate comfort meal, ideally enjoyed at the bar, because the staff is excellent company.

— Oset Babür-Winter, New York Writer, Resy Editorial

There’s a reason…

… Kiko was just included on Esquire’s 2025 list of the Best New Restaurants in America. It’s got some very special and tasty bites, like a sweet potato croquette, a fantastic little gems salad (with natto dressing and shio kombu), and the star of the show: the half Sasso chicken, which I’ve thought about many times since eating there on my last visit. Also, I can’t complain that Kiko is located across the street from my favorite pub in NYC, The Ear Inn.

— Shane Gilligan, Product BD Manager

What was supposed to be a happy hour catch-up…

… with friends turned into one of my favorite dinners of the year. We went to Francie for some drinks and light bites and were seated by the open kitchen. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a beautiful bouquet of herbs and an intoxicating smell. With one question — “Should we get the duck?” — our evening switched gears.

Get the duck, we did, and it arrived on a bed of flowers and herbs with lightly browned, crispy skin. It was served with parsnip and Swiss chard (stellar sides), and we couldn’t say no to some fries. And just when we thought we were done being dazzled, out came the canard au citron dessert: a lemon meringue pie in the shape of a rubber duckie in a “bubble bath” foam. A night of two ducks I’ll never forget.

— Adrianna Harris, Partner Success Manager

It was my last meal of 2024…

… and I’ve since gone repeatedly to Rule of Thirds throughout 2025. I usually go with the same friend: we’ve dubbed it “our catch-up restaurant.” Whether we’re seated in the vast dining room or posted up at the bar with a front-row view of the kitchen action, it never disappoints.

When I went in late September for weekend brunch, we ordered our usual teishoku (Japanese breakfast) along with an expertly made Kettl matcha latte. The staff had us try the summer corn salad — corn and miso pudding, red crab, Meyer lemon kosho, crispy quinoa — a perfect combination of flavors and texture. I still think about that dish every so often, and I already can’t wait for my next meal there.

— Coralie Kwok, New York Writer, Resy Editorial

I loved everything about…

… Len Len, from the vibe and the service to the food, this new Thai restaurant in Flatiron checks all the boxes. My favorite dish was the roasted chile eggplant dip, but I also loved the chicken green curry. For dessert, definitely get the Thai tea crème brûlée — it was divine and super unique.

— Richa Mehra, Senior Product Manager

Tucked away on a quiet corner of Brooklyn Heights…

… Inga’s Bar is an unassuming neighborhood gem that always feels lively and welcoming. The staff couldn’t be nicer, and the space has a warm, easy energy that keeps me coming back. The menu changes with the seasons, but the burger — hands down the best I’ve had in New York — is always there. I always pair it with a glass of orange wine and settle in for what feels like a perfect neighborhood dinner.

— Meredith Plaine, VP of Dining Membership

You might go to…

… Sushi Lin for a cozy and reasonably priced omakase experience, but, if you’re like me, you’ll return for the ethereal, perfectly creamy milk pudding. Fluffy, chilled, and sprinkled with sesame seeds and a drizzle of not-too-sweet syrup, this treat is one-of-a-kind in the city, and the perfect ending to a train of ultra-fresh sushi bites.

— Lizzy Briskin, New York Writer, Resy Editorial

A real highlight this year…

… was my meal at Atoboy. From start to finish, every dish was so beautifully executed and delicious. My favorites were the shrimp-stuffed squid and the pork galbi. The service was excellent, and for a four-course prix-fixe, $75 is a steal.

— Amelia Lewis, Senior Product Designer

Laid-back, a little chaotic, but somehow perfect…

… schmuck. feels like stumbling into the coolest house party in the city. My favorite drink was the Blanka, a wild salad-style cocktail with fennel, mustard vinaigrette, and pecan that weirdly worked beautifully.

— Dan Snitzer, Resy Credit Benefit Management

There’s nothing like…

… finally doing something you’ve always dreamed about, and having it actually live up to the hype. That’s what happened when me, our fearless editor, Deanna, and a friend headed to Bemelmans Bar this past summer. Almost 10 years ago, as a baby New Yorker, I had fantasized about one day sitting in those hallowed halls, ordering (and actually liking) a dirty martini and maybe some oysters amid the twinkle of the piano. That’s exactly what we did and it was perfect, a word we don’t use lightly here.

— Ellie Plass, New York Writer, Resy Editorial

This stretch of Bed-Stuy…

… is quickly becoming one of my most-relied on food neighborhoods, between Daphne’s, Little Grenjai, and Dolores. Now well into their second year, Daphne’s has hit their stride — there’s always a selection of creative but well-edited pastas, plus seasonal starters and a solid wine list. And it’s one that morphs to fit your occasion, whether it’s a first date or an early weeknight meal.

— Lizzie Takimoto, Writer & Editor, Resy Editorial

In a year of so many standout new restaurant openings…

… the one I kept returning back to is Ha’s Snack Bar. There are always new and exciting dishes to look forward to, like the snails with tamarind butter, shrimp with caramelized fish sauce, and a peppery salad with rau ram. Oh, and the desserts! The team is slated to open their next restaurant soon and I can’t wait to see what new magic they cook up.

— Alex Larson, GTM + Strategic Initiatives Manager

I celebrated my birthday…

… with the butcher’s feast at Cote this year, and had the best time. As part of the $78 prix-fixe, you get four cuts of top-quality beef, banchan, a savory egg soufflé, two delicious stews, and a cup of soft serve to finish. The service is top-notch and the dining room is beautiful, making it a perfect restaurant to celebrate something special.

— Amelia Lewis, Senior Product Designer

Brunch was such a delicious meal…

… at I Sodi. We started with their croquettes special — basically cheesy goodness — before delving into their iconic lasagna (which lived up to the hype) and the lemon pappardelle (which brought brightness to the meal). The space was filled with light — it was such a wonderful place to spend a Sunday.

— Josephine Shapiro, Senior Global Dining Strategy Manager

One of my favorite meals of the year…

… was at Howoo. The banchan and meat cuts were great, and I loved the energy of the expansive dining room — especially the large tables that allow for some elbow room.

— Tae Yoon, Resy Editorial Contributor

Bonus: One of my favorite meals of the year…

… took place at Stissing House — they’re so deserving of all the praise I’ve seen them receive. Located in an inn-like building in the middle of Upstate New York, they serve seafood that, to me, easily rivals that of any restaurant in the city. Their wood-fired mackerel in particular was so well prepared, I can’t imagine myself enjoying another take better than it. Also, they have some of the kindest staff I’ve ever interacted with — everyone was so nice.

— Harkirat Anand, Technical Product Manager

More New York staff picks, right this way.

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.