15 NYC Restaurants That Actually Live Up to the Hype

While you could just type 'restaurants' into your Google Maps, that really isn't going to give you the lowdown on all of the hidden gems of the city. I've eaten at a number of restaurants over the last 26 years, so I have some street cred in the space and wanted to share some of my favorites with you.

Whether you're currently living in New York City or planning a trip in the future, here is a list of the best restaurants in NYC that you'll want to make a reservation at ASAP. I'll also update this list every so often with my new favorites so you always have access to the best cuisine while you're in New York City.

Mamma Mezze

You can't go wrong with Mediterranean food in New York City and Mamma Mezze does it exceptionally well. Located in NoMad, this restaurant transports you straight to Greece with an al-fresco style experience. To clarify, it's not outside but it has tons of natural light and a stunning orange tree right in the center. Some menu highlights include the lemon-oregano chicken skewers and the branzino. Plus, you can't go wrong with the crispy cauliflower and whipped feta to start — trust me. Oh, and if you have a sweet tooth, you need to save some room for the Nutella babka sundae.

Meduza Mediterrania

Speaking of Mediterranean food, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were spotted at this West Village restaurant and it's one of my favorites in New York City. Upon walking in, you're surrounded by hanging succulents and wooden tables and chairs. It's very chic, upscale and suitable for a special occasion. On the menu, some popular bites include the wagyu carpaccio and black truffle cacio e pepe. After your meal, it's just steps away from The High Line so you can take in the beautiful city scenery as you digest.

Delos Greek Restaurant

If you can't tell, I love Mediterranean and Greek food and Delos is one of my top favorites. It's conveniently located between Times Square and Rockefeller Center perfect for a dinner in the city before seeing a Broadway show. The vibe is upscale, but still somewhat laid back so you can wear clothes as if you were going to the theater or stop by for happy hour after work. The menu is filled with dips, seafood, entrees, soups, salads and desserts. To start, you can't go wrong with the smoked eggplant spread and for a main the grilled chicken with mustard sauce is a must-try. It's worth noting that the hospitality at this restaurant is unmatched — they will make you feel like family as soon as you step foot inside.

Michael's of Brooklyn

If you plan on leaving Manhattan, then it's worth it to make a trip to Michaels of Brooklyn. This old-school Italian restaurant serves up everything from chicken scarpariello and chicken parm to spicy rigatoni vodka and cheese ravioli. The hospitality is top notch at this restaurant and you won't find classic Italian food quite like this anywhere else in Brooklyn.

Yoshoku

I had to include some of my favorite afternoon teas on this list because a trip to the city isn't complete without one. The Waldorf Astoria is home to a Japanese-inspired afternoon tea with a mix of savories and sweets. You'll find egg and cucumber sandwiches, yuzu and houjicha scones and an assortment of desserts including a cherry blossom entremet and pistachio raspberry cookies. The presentation of this afternoon tea is stunning and highlights all of the items in a culinary-forward way. This tea takes place Wednesday through Sunday and you'll want to make a reservation in advance.

MO Lounge

There's no such thing as too many afternoon teas and Mandarin Oriental near Columbus Circle has one of the best tea services at its MO Lounge. I would be doing a disservice if I didn't mention how spectacular the view is. There's a view of Central Park and Billionaires' Row that is picturesque and unlike anything else you'll see in NYC. As for the tea service, it features teas from The Rare Tea Company and there is a carefully curated assortment of sandwiches, scones and sweets put together by Chef Ron Paprocki. The truffled egg salad and the cucumber and boursin sandwiches are some of the best I've ever had and warrant a return back in the future.

Jack & Charlie's No. 118

There's no shortage of restaurants in the West Village and Jack & Charlie's No. 118 needs to be on your radar. This new American restaurant features everything from housemade pastas to fish and meats. I highly encourage you to order the black truffle mafaldine, salmon teriyaki and finish with the flourless chocolate cake sundae. The vibes in here are old school New York with a touch of modern decor for a truly unique dining experience.

Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung is not only in New York, but if you find yourself in the Times Square area then it is worth a trip. It's dimly lit with lots of tables and even robots making their way around the restaurant handing off delivery orders. One of the greatest parts of Din Tai Fung is they have a window where you can watch them making the dumplings by hand. This isn't your average restaurant since you receive a piece of paper and a pen to select what you want to order which is then handed off to your server. Personally, I don't mind it as I can make sure I'm ordering exactly what I want, but it's good to have a game plan before going in because it can be overwhelming. Some menu highlights include the chicken xiao long bao, the spicy chicken wontons, the noodles with sesame sauce and chocolate mochi long bao.

Lolita

If you're craving Mexican food during your visit to New York City, then you have to check out Lolita. Inside you'll find a bar and vibrant bohemian decor that brings the restaurant to the next level. The vibes are immaculate in this restaurant and the food is even better from the appetizers to the desserts. For starters, you'll want to order the hot queso frito and sweet plantains followed by the grilled carne asada. If you happen to be there on the weekend, they have a weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas and all day happy hour.

Cafe Maud

Don't let the name fool you — Cafe Maud is anything but your ordinary cafe. Yes, it has your coffee and caffeinated drinks, however, there's also a robust food menu and it's not just croissants. Depending on the time of day, you can get your hands on everything from a chia yogurt power bowl to whipped roasted eggplant. The decor inside is very cute and trendy with orange and green accents and succulents. Keep in mind there are two locations on the Upper East Side and in the east village.

See No Evil Pizza

This one of a kind pizzeria is located inside of a train station — yes, you read that right. Once you enter the train station on West 50th Street, you'll enter a small pizzeria tucked into the corner with an 80s punk vibe. As the name suggests, it is known for its pizzas but there are other menu items including appetizers and salads. I ordered the chicken and ricotta meatballs to start which were delicious and then my party shared the bank robber pizza which had prosciutto, figs, burrata and parmigiano.

Miriam

Miriam has several locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn serving up its popular Middle Eastern menu that includes everything from chicken shawarma tacos to schnitzel. I went to the location in Brooklyn on 5th avenue that was very casual with warm and exceptional service. If you plan on going to the brunch service, I highly recommend making a reservation in advance because it is extremely popular and books up quickly.

Giulietta

New York is home to some of the best Italian food and Giulietta is a new spot that opened steps away from Grand Central Station. You'll find an old school car on the outside and when you step inside you'll find a bar and a lemon tree serving as decor at the center of the restaurant. The menu is filled with pizza, pasta, salad and dessert. I recommend ordering the eggplant parm, garganelli and rigatoni for your main entrees. Looking for tableside preparation? Be sure to order the chocolate mousse as it is prepared tableside for those Instagram videos. There's even an outdoor spritz bar where you can go for happy hour or just enjoy a drink before heading home from work.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

If you're craving finger-looking good barbecue, then you'll want to head over to Dinosaur BBQ. You'll find the best pulled pork, chicken and fix-ins to satisfy those cravings in just a few bites. It's the perfect spot to hang out with friends and connect over some delicious comfort food.Looking for a quick bite in New York City? Check out Nocca or Price St Pizza/