Best Restaurants in Lower Manhattan Right Now
Which restaurant in Lower Manhattan is the best?
Are you looking for the best restaurants in Lower Manhattan? Then you’ve come to the right place – because I’ll show you the hottest Italian, Mexican, French and American places where New Yorkers hang out. The choice of restaurants in Lower Manhattan is huge – so there’s bound to be something for you!
To help you quickly and easily see which spot is near you, find all Lower Manhattan restaurants on an interactive map.
By the way: you’ll find many more New York City spots in our Loving New York travel guides!
My Favorite Restaurants in Lower Manhattan
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01
Drift In
Sea Food Restaurant in West VillageOur Highlight
The Drift In is one of my latest new discoveries in New York: it’s located right on the Hudson River promenade in the West Village. They serve oysters and the best lobster roll in town – no wonder, the team behind the Drift In is the same as at my beloved PILOT Brooklyn and GRAND BANKs. Just great!
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02
Eataly
Other Restaurants in Financial DistrictOur Highlight
In 2010, Eataly was opened in New York by master chef Mario Batali. The pizza is very remeniscent of pizza and the wine selection is huge. You will also find a large selection of ecellent pasta, salads, and sandwiches. In terms of price, it has to be said in advance that a pizza starts at $15 and can cost $25. Nevertheless, this Italian food market is for me one of the most beautiful and best in the city!
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03
Gelso & Grand
Italian Restaurant in Little ItalyOur Highlight
The Gelso & Grand is a successful mix of a restaurant (with excellent pizza), a bar and a small outdoor area. It is not only super stylishly furnished, but also has typically Italian good espresso. The audience is colourful: from families with children to couples and business espresso guests.
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04
Grand Banks
Sea Food Restaurant in TribecaOur Highlight
Water, a great view of Manhattan and a great atmosphere – the location is simply the best. You are sitting on a historic ship called F/V Sherman Zwicker on the Hudson River and can enjoy New York from the water when the weather is fine. The place also serves great drinks and seafood.
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05
Industry Kitchen
American Restaurant in Financial DistrictOur Highlight
The restaurant offers typical American cuisine with modern influences. Fresh ingredients form the basis for the dishes. Salads, pizza and freshly grilled meat combined with first-class wines make a visit to the Industry Kitchen highly recommended. Beer lovers and cocktail fans will get their money’s worth here, because the selection is great.
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06
Manhatta
French Restaurant in Financial DistrictOur Highlight
The restaurant Manhatta is one of the best restaurants in town and is perfect if you are looking for a restaurant for a special occasion. Not only is the food here at the highest level – so are you! Located on the 60th floor, it offers you a magnificent view of the city!
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07
Pier A Harbor House
Sea Food Restaurant in The BatteryOur Highlight
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The Pier A Harbor House extends over two levels and also offers a large outdoor area. The restaurant area has been completely restored and shines in new splendor. On the second floor you will also find the cocktail bar. Here you will find seafood dishes, sandwiches and tacos on the menu. Prices range from about $15 to $25 and cocktails cost about $12 to $15. Happy Hour is from Monday to Friday from 15.00 to 19.00.
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08
Super Taste
Asian Restaurant in ChinatownOur Highlight
Here it can quickly get crowded, the shop is really super small. Super Taste is probably the best place to visit in Chinatown NYC if you are looking for some authentic and great quality noodles. The amazing food is reason alone to visit but with the amazing prices on offer, this is a no-brainer to get a quick and delicious bite to eat on your way through Chinatown.
Make sure to try the pork belly bao – one of our favorites!
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09
The Dutch Restaurant
American Restaurant in SoHoOur Highlight
Unlike the name The Dutch suggests, there are no Dutch specialties, but American cuisine. Besides salads and pasta, there is a large selection of meat and fish dishes. On weekends, there is also plenty of time for brunches – and there is a lot on the menu.
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10
Trinity Place Bar and Restaurant
American Restaurant in Financial DistrictOur Highlight
A very unique restaurant in New York’s Financial District is Trinity Place. Why? You eat in the vault of a converted bank! You can eat really good Irish-American food in a great ambience at Trinity Place.
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11
Ampia Restaurant & Rooftop
Rooftop Restaurant in Financial DistrictA trip to New York is an awe-inspiring experience, especially as you find yourself surrounded by buildings that stretch toward the sky in a way that few cities can match. That’s the charm and the appeal of Ampia, one of the best rooftop restaurants in NYC.
Located in the Financial District, it features lovely little greenhouses that allow for an intimate evening out even when amongst so many titans of industry.
Given the limited number, you’ll do best to reach out and reserve a greenhouse ahead of time. That effort is worth it because you’ll know you’re setting yourself up for a wonderful Italian-inspired dinner. We’re suckers for the self-named Ampia, a bright salad of Rocket Arugula and Maine Lobster with a Lemon Vinaigrette.
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12
Angelica Kitchen
Vegetarian Restaurant in East Village
Fresh, vegan food has been served here since 1976. Many of the ingredients are organically grown and Fairtrade certified.
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13
Bobwhite Lunch and Supper Counter
American Restaurant in Alphabet City
Bobwhite counters are known for their fried chicken, which is particularly juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The Coleslaw is sensational and the chicken is served with a homemade spicy BBQ sauce and honey. The menu is small and manageable, but if you’re hungry for good Southern fried chicken, there’s no way around it.
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14
Bowery Meat Company
Steak Restaurant in Lower Manhattan
As the name of the restaurant suggests, you will find plenty of meat on the menu. The Bowery offers you a festive five-course menu on the holiday. The menu is a real treat for the palate: in addition to a sweet apple and chestnut soup, a colourful salad with walnuts and pears, you can look forward to a roast turkey and a traditional pumpkin pie.
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15
Cuba
Other Restaurants in Greenwich Village
New Yorkers love the restaurant, especially because of its authenticity. The Cuban music, Latin American interior, excellent mojitos and friendly Cuban staff make this restaurant a must-go. The cuisine is absolutely recommendable. Everything is to the point and it tastes great. My tip: the Churrasco. With it a good wine or a glass of sangria.
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16
Da Nico
Italian Restaurant in Little Italy
Especially in summer Da Nico is a popular restaurant because of the many outdoor seating possibilities. The backyard is very romantically designed and invites you to linger. The service is exceptionally friendly and the food is fabulous.
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17
Decoy
Asian Restaurant in West Village
Here you get the best Peking duck in town. The restaurant is well known beyond the city limits.
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18
Dirt Candy
Vegetarian Restaurant in Lower Manhattan
Dirt Candy is a vegetarian restaurant that actually has a Michelin Star to recommend it! Making it one of two NYC vegetarian restaurants to have such an honor. And the five-course dining experience you’ll receive at Dirt Candy will leave no doubt in your mind as to why they received a Michelin Star.
They change their five courses seasonally so that even people who come often can experience some variety. But currently, every course is representing different veggies. For instance, their first course at the moment is based on carrots, so you’ll be treated with “Carrot Mille Feuille”.
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19
Dos Caminos
Mexican Restaurant in Meatpacking District
Dos Casminos is especially known for its spicy guacamole and the very good sangria. The charm that the restaurant exudes in each of the 5 locations is absolutely authentic Mexican and provides a successful change after a long working day or a strenuous sightseeing day.
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20
El Vez
Mexican Restaurant in Battery Park City
This chic local spot is a very popular place for after-work cocktails. With great food and a nice atmosphere it is worth a visit, especially in the warmer months where you can sit outside. The portions are generous and the prices (main course from $15) are reasonable. Make sure to order a portion of chips and guacamole before you start your main course – the best in town!
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21
Harajuku Sushi & Crêpe
Japanese Restaurant in Financial District
On the one hand you will find delicious sushi and on the other hand fresh crêpes. The crêpes are filled with avocados, shrimps, pork, eggs and much more. The ingredients are always fresh and you can taste that. Besides savoury crêpes there are also sweet ones. These are filled with chocolate, ice cream, fresh berries and/or homemade Matcha chocolate truffles.
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22
Hudson Eats
Japanese Restaurant in Battery Park City
In the Hudson Eats you can enjoy a great view of the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty. The restaurants are more in the upscale segment, so not really low budget, but even here there are a few alternatives to save a little money. You can find for example the Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar, Umami Burger and Dos Toros Taqueria. The architecture inside is also very impressive. Not only culinary is a visit to Hudson Eats worthwhile.
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23
J.G. Melon
Burger Spot in Greenwich Village
Time seems to have passed without a trace here, as the pub still exudes the glamour of the old days – and there is one of the best burgers in town.
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24
Jack's Wife Freda
Vegetarian Restaurant in Lower Manhattan
The trendy café is a magnet for lovers of healthy, authentic cuisine. One could describe it as: “South African Israeli Jewish Grandmother Cuisine”. At Jack’s Wife Freda, the cuisine is predominantly vegan, kosher and, of course, low-calorie.
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25
Keens Steakhouse
Steak Restaurant in Lower Manhattan
The Keens is a veteran of the New York steak scene. It was opened ready in 1885. The interior of the restaurant – there are two large fireplaces, lots of dark wood & thick red carpet – lets you slip back into times long past. Not to mention the massive “wall decoration”! A curiosity is the collection of historical pipes on the ceiling. Meanwhile it is the largest in the world!
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26
Locanda Verde
Italian Restaurant in Tribeca
The Locanda Verde is an Italian restaurant in the heart of Tribeca / New York and not far from the National Memorial. It is fantastically furnished, has a large bar and a really special atmosphere. Like all New York restaurants it is a little loud, but that’s part of it – we didn’t mind it at all.
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27
Mission Chinese Food NYC
Asian Restaurant in Chinatown
Mission Chinese Food in NYC is a trendy and hip restaurant in Chinatown, Manhattan. The restaurant is heavily influenced on Sichuanese style cuisine and is geared towards millennials. This place with its electric funk atmosphere and dim lights is the place to be if you are looking for a cool evening hangout with amazing food. Be sure to try their Mapo Tofu!
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28
Motorino
Italian Restaurant in East Village
In the small and cute restaurant there are very, very tasty pizzas. The base is nice and crispy and the tomato sauce tastes especially good. If you like, you can also take your order with you.
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29
Neapolitan Express
Italian Restaurant in Financial District
Mainly delicious pizza is served here, but there are also many other Italian dishes. Our recommendation: truffles and artichokes. The truck is available at different locations in Manhattan, like Battery Park, Water Street and Midtown.
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30
Nobu
Japanese Restaurant in Financial District
The restaurant is considered one of the pioneers of Japanese cuisine in New York. Here you get first-class sushi and extremely courteous service in an exclusive atmosphere. The aim of the interior design is to represent the beauty of the Japanese landscape. Birch trees in the middle of the room, a beautiful wooden floor and unique decorative elements on the walls.
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31
Nom Wah Tea Parlor NYC
Asian Restaurant in Chinatown
This vintage dim sum parlor dates back to the 1920s and is a great place to stop and grab a bite to eat. With an extensive menu that includes tea beer and wine, it is one of the local favorites to grab some authentic Chinese food. We recommend making a reservation online as it can get busy here during lunch and dinner. Make sure to try the house special roast pork buns – delicious!
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32
Pepolino
Italian Restaurant in Tribeca
Inconspicuous on the outside and always well attended inside: the Italian restaurant Pepolino is one of our latest discoveries. It has a family atmosphere and the food is fantastic.
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33
Petite Boucherie
French Restaurant in West Village
Petite Boucherie is a small relaxed French restaurant with sensational steak fries and a great Wagyu truffle burger. But they can also do steaks and have nice selection of wines.
Best Restaurants in Lower Manhattan on the map
A map with all restaurants in Lower Manhattan can be found here – just click on “FULL MAP” if you want to see more. You can click on each restaurant on the map to find out everything you need to know.
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