Restaurants

18 Best Restaurants In Midtown East NYC You Should Try

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You don't need a passport to travel the world to indulge in culinary delights from worldwide. Craving Thai street food? Homemade pasta? Juicy steaks?

No problem! Midtown East restaurants have them all. Whether you're a solo diner seeking a quiet corner or a group of friends celebrating a special occasion, Midtown East has a restaurant to match your mood and budget. To make it easier for you, below is the curated list of eateries worth a try:

1. Atomix

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Atomix is more than an average restaurant in Midtown East NYC. It's gained quite a lot of buzz for its unique approach to dining. 

Once the door opens at 5:30 pm, the tables fill up quickly with the patrons who dive deep into Chef ParK's 10-course tasting menu. It's chef-driven menu is fully inspired by Korean traditions nd techniques where guests can indulge deeply.

Address: 104 E 30th Street

2. Hutong New York

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Hutong brings award-winning occasionally fiery Northern Chinese cuisine to Midtown with signature cocktails and an extensive wine list.

Their brunch, lunch, dinner, and Shangai Bar and lounge menu offers fiery dishes and expertly crafted artisan cocktails. The restaurant features a glittering and sleek interior, with a separate dining room and bar/lounge.

Address: 731 Lexington Avenue

3. Empellon

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Empellon is all about pushing culinary boundaries. It serves contemporary American cuisine with Mexican influences and a distinct New York City point of view.

The restaurant's lunch and dinner menu focuses on innovation and seasonality in an upscale environment. Also, their beverage list focuses on signature margaritas and craft cocktails, with an emphasis on the use of artisanal spirits.

Address: 510 Madison Avenue

4. OBAO Midtown East

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Obao garners attention with its flavorful menu highlighted by dishes such as Pad Thai, Pad See Lew, and Drunken Noodles. Guests frequently go for their noodle dishes, pairing them with spring rolls.

The menu also includes various entrees, including Green Curry and Crab Fried Rice, and unique appetizers like Vietnamese Chicken Wings and Crispy Spring Rolls. Diners can also enjoy monthly specials like Duck Red Curry alongside Thai and Vietnamese-inspired cuisine.

Address: 222 E 53rd Street

5. Aquavit

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Aquavit offers exquisite seasonal Nordic cuisine in a unique restaurant setting located in Park Avenue Tower at 65 East 55th Street between Park and Madison Avenues.

They respect their tradition as a sign of excellence and conviction to try newer techniques and ingredients. This restaurant transforms the Nordic cuisine with extraordinary care.

Address: 66 E 55th Street

6. Nerai

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NERAI offers a complementary twist on Greek dining featuring a vivacious bar, energetic dining rooms, and a beguiling private event space. 

You can enjoy flavorful seafood-focused dishes and extraordinary drinks, stripped down to their simple essence, and then presented beautifully. With two floors of dining, it also offers incredible rooms for your private events.

Address: 55 E 54th Street

7. Allora

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Allora is a fine-dining Northern Italian restaurant in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The restaurant serves dishes like Caesar salad and Bronzino, which are prepared table-side.

It further offers an abundance of daily specials with over 300 wines from all over the world and a steak that will rival any steakhouse. The restaurant also offers vegetarian friendly, vegan, and gluten free options.

Address:  145 E 47th Street

8. Totto Ramen

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Totto Ramen is known for its variety of flavorful ramen dishes, including Totto Paitan, Spicy Paitan, Miso Paitan, and Spicy Miso Paitan, which are among the most popular choices.

This ramen restaurant also features Japanese appetizers like Fried Chicken Bun and Shumai, and rice bowls such as Teriyaki Fried Chicken Don. Also, their beverages include traditional options like Ramune and Japanese Green Tea.

Address: 248 E 52nd Street

9. Sea Fire Grill

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Sea Fire Grill has perfected the classic steakhouse with Benjamin Steakhouse and moved beyond beef to conquer the seafood market.

This seafood restaurant offers locally sourced, contemporary American seafood where consistency in execution highlights the fish itself is a priority. It also features a sleek and energetic bar, and elegant dining rooms featuring a roaring fireplace.

Address: 158 E 48th Street

10. The Smith

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The Smith is a staple, go-to spot for after-work drinks, quick, and comforting dinners, and group celebrations in unique seating. Their menus feature a selection of familiar bistro dishes using local products and purveyors.

Patrons can also choose from their hand-picked wine list and full raw seafood bar. You can go for a drink after work, business dinners, a quick bite after a movie, and families for Sunday brunch and more. 

Address: 956 2nd Avenue

11. Sparks Steak House

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Sparks Steak House is a family-owned and operated eatery, located in midtown Manhattan, a five-minute walk from Grand Central Station.

The restaurant is well known for excellent steaks, seafood, fresh vegetables, and satisfying salads, alongside a huge wine list. The menu highlights include Prime Sirloin Steak and various potato dishes such as Hash Brown Potatoes and Baked Potato. It also offers seafood options and a selection of desserts like New York Cheesecake.

Address: 210 E 46th Street

12. Chola

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Chola Coastal Indian has been considered among the top upscale dining destinations of the Upper East Side for 26 years.

Steeped in tradition and culinary excellence, the restaurant has added new dishes to its menu, uncovering the culinary excellence and the original recipes beloved by billions. Their dishes are made in-house ensuring a rich tapestry of authentic Indian flavors. You can also have well-curated international wine list, Indian beers, and cocktail program.

Address: 232 E 58th Street

13. KJUN

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KJUN is Chef Jung's life story through food that serves lunch and dinner in Midtown. It also serves Korean Cajun soul food for dining, catering, and private events.

The dishes evolved from the Chef's personal experience in Seoul and the United States, drawing inspiration from mentors and chefs. It provides guests with a unique global comfort food with standout dishes being kimchi jambalaya, crawfish bibimbap, and galbi grillades and grits.

Address: 154 E 39th Street

14. Her Name is Han

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Her Name is Han creates a place where local people and international visitors can find the perfect home-cooked meal, prepared to bring the flavors of their mother's cooking.

The restaurant uses only traditional Korean ingredients and recipes to produce what can be called Korean soul food. Its mission is to create a nostalgic space where guests can enjoy an authentic Korean meal, feeling the comfort of eating at home.

Address: 17 E 31st Street

15. Barolo East

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Barolo East offers Northern Italian cuisine that includes handmade pasta and daily specials, which differentiates them from others.

Their rustic decor with contemporary details and friendly staff help create a cozy ambiance where guests can unwind and simply enjoy what the chef has prepared. Also, the bar area features a vast variety of liquors and cocktails. The wine selection here is extensive allowing for many options in choosing the perfect way to have your meal.

Address: 214 E 49th Street

16. Le Botaniste

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Le Botaniste was the first organic, plant-based, and carbon-neutral restaurant in New York City. The restaurant offers guests delicious, satisfying, plant-powered organic meals good for the body and sustainable for the planet.

This place grew from a desire to offer a health-focused, eco-friendly, organic menu that is above all else delicious. Bontaniste follows its concept of quick, healthy, and easy-going comfort foot, focusing on quality, freshness, and local traceable ingredients.

Address: 666 3rd Avenue

17. Wokuni

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Wokuni is a Tokyo Ichiban food, that continues to serve quality food that will delight the guests, building the bond stronger.

Growing from its strong origin, they oversee the process through professional culinary eyes, from when the fish is cultivated until it is served to our guests. The cuisine they serve is quality seafood showcasing the Japanese food culture to the world.

Address:  327 Lexington Avenue

18. Point Seven

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Point Seven's menu is a modern take on American fare with seasonal ingredients and unexpected flavor combinations. They are open for lunch and dinner with brunch on select days.

Dining at Point Seven is an experience that's more than just a meal; it's a chance to savor delicious food, soak up the stylish ambiance, and enjoy impeccable service. It's definitely worth adding to your list of must-try restaurants in Midtown East NYC.

Address: 200 Park Avenue