Tucked away in an Upper East Side townhouse, this charmer from Joshua and David Foulquier of two-MICHELIN-Starred Sushi Noz is an instant NYC French classic. Named for the brothers’ late mother, the space is dressed with wooden walls, floral drapes, and mirrors galore—the perfect setting for a knockout meal of refined French classics like foie gras jus and escargot a la bourguignonne.

Come to F&F Restaurant and Bar for top-notch pizzas from acclaimed chefs Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli. Settle into the new sit-down space with wood-paneled walls and whimsical murals for a compact menu of standout pies—get the Partanna with red onion, Calabrian chili, pecorino, oregano, and orange blossom honey. Add in Italian-forward wines and cocktails, and it’s easy to see why this cozy restaurant earned a spot on the New York Times’ list of the city’s best pizza places.

With mirror-paneled walls, amber glass chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows with killer views of Central Park, dining at Twin Tails is a fully immersive experience. Settle into the glam space for a feast of inventive, Southeast Asian-inspired dishes like beef shank khao soi, green curry escargot, and lemongrass ribs. Add in clever drinks—stellar zero-proof cocktails and a negroni riff with tamarind Aperol—and you have all the ingredients for a fancy night out.

Zimmi’s is where you go for French- and Italian-style dishes inspired by chef Maxime Pradié’s family recipes. The intimate, 40-seat space is all old-school charm—think checkered tablecloths, blown-glass light fixtures, and carved wood furnishings. Grab a seat by the window to dig into Pradié’s refined menu of hits like tielle sétoise (octopus and tomato pie) and pissaladière (caramelized onion and anchovy tart). Don’t miss the knockout desserts—get the saffron and yellow Chartreuse soufflé.

Strange Delight’s all-star team brings the magic of New Orleans to Brooklyn. From the mirrored dining room to chef Ham El-Waylly’s stellar seafood menu, this white-hot neighborhood spot is an exciting homage to that city’s most iconic restaurants. Dishes such as chargrilled oysters with smoked garlic butter and blackened swordfish belly with Creole mustard cream complement top-notch cocktails, like a rum-forward take on the classic Sazerac and Ramos gin fizz service for two.

The wine bar concept is not exactly new, but at the super-buzzy Demo it feels fresh, thanks to former Wildair chef Quang “Q” Nguyen’s playful, European-inspired menu that includes lobster au poivre with miso frites and a crab casino with Ritz crackers. Snag a seat at the glossy red chef’s counter or in an espresso-toned booth in the softly lit dining room and linger with a glass of natural wine from fellow Wildair alum Jacob Nass’s pitch-perfect list.

Dressed in scarlets and gilded Beaux Arts and Art Deco-style accents, Grand Brasserie leans into its iconic setting inside Grand Central Terminal. Tuck into one of the cozy scarlet booths to dig into an all-day menu of luxe, French brasserie classics like caviar service, fancy seafood towers, and lobster frites. Get them 365 days a year in a massive, 400-seat dining room that retains original early-20th-century features like soaring ceilings and glittering chandeliers.

This buzzy new spot is the brainchild of Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske Valtierra, the duo behind the now-closed MICHELIN-Starred Contra. Reimagined as a super cool cocktail bar, the restaurant goes all in on whimsical small plates like a potato and strawberry sundae and a sausage-stuffed chicken wing served in a cozy, brick-lined space. Tuck into one of the olive green booths to enjoy them with clever cocktails like a passionfruit lowball from partner Dave Arnold (Existing Conditions).

Blending eclectic decor with innovative takes on Thai classics, this restaurant is already becoming a staple, just like its sibling restaurant Soothr. Walk through the bright yellow exterior and get comfortable in the neon-lit space. Then, choose from a range of grilled skewers, including ox tongue and okra along with larger dishes like braised pork ribs. Pair it with a cooling Thai tea slushie.

This beloved Peruvian spot opened a new location in 2024, and it’s Mission Ceviche’s largest footprint yet—complete with a dedicated ceviche and sushi bar. Definitely get one of the ceviches like the octopus with cilantro oil and capers and then choose from dishes in the expansive menu’s Nikkei and Chifa sections, the latter of which spotlights Chinese Peruvian food. Wash it all down with a refreshing Pisco cocktail.