Best restaurants in Upper West Side NYC are Malecon and Barney Greengrass. Whether you want a fancy-tasting menu or classic food, set foot in any of them.
From classic Jewish delis and Dominican standbys to some of the best spots for dim sums or Vietnamese cuisine in Manhattan, UWS makes a must-visit place to satisfy any mood. So, let's explore the best 20 eateries in the Upper West Side of New York City:
1. Broadway Bagel
Broadway Bagel is passionate about its premium coffee and freshly baked hand-rolled bagels.
Their line of breakfasts and handcrafted artisan sandwiches has stayed the same. You can have your perfect way to start the day with freshly made bagels, freshly squeezed orange juice, great breakfast platters, paired with freshly brewed coffee.
Some Popular Options
Everything Bagel
Turkey Bacon Egg and Cheese Croissant
Lox Spread on a Bagel
Whole Wheat Everything
Address: 2656 Broadway
2. Atlas Kitchen
Atlas Kitchen is a Chinese restaurant in New York's Upper West Side that serves classic national dishes with a modern twist, inspired by regions from China.
This stylish eatery is decorated with arty murals that depict mythical figures and geography from the Chinese classic text, The Classic of Mountains and Seas.
Some Popular Dishes
Spicy Dried Tofu
Prawn with Garlic Sauce
Sauteed Chinese Yam
Scallion Pancake
Where: 258 W 109th Street
3. Land Thai Kitchen
Land Thai Kitchen has been an Upper West neighborhood favorite and has a long-standing tradition of serving a careful selection of beloved Thai dishes in a modern setting.
Each and every recipe is crafted using the most fresh and high-quality ingredients possible to bring out the unique flavors of Thai cuisine.
Best Food items:
Crispy Calamari
Pad Thai with Shrimp
Jasmine Rice
Crab Meat Omelet
Address: 450 Amsterdam Avenue
4. Taqueria 86
Taqueria 86 is a Mexican eatery serving Mexican street food in a laid-back decor inspired by the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
The restaurant brings the traditional authentic urban Mexican street style to your mouth with flavors from traditional recipes using fresh, simple, and tasteful ingredients straight from home.
Some Popular Dishes
Burrito Skirt Steak
Guacamole & chips
Elote Asado
Where: 210 W 94th Street
5. Peace Food Cafe
Peace Food Cafe shines brightly marking over a decade of commitment to plant-based culinary traditions and the joy of everyday dining. It is a haven for those in search of nourishment that transcends the ordinary.
The cafe offers an exceptional dining experience by offering daily specials, catering to diverse tastes, including delectable vegan and gluten free choices.
Some Popular Items:
Fluffy Quinoa Salad
Key Lime Pie
Green Thai Curry
Roasted Japanese Pumpkin Sandwich
Location: 460 Amsterdam Avenue at West 82nd Street
6. Barney Greengrass
If you want to find a breakfast restaurant in New York City, consider Barney Greengrass. It has been serving up smoked fish and other delicacies since 1908.
The menu at this Jewish deli is extensive, but the smoked fish is the show's star. Relish in any of the fish dishes in its old-fashioned yet comfortable ambiance. The place is often crowded, but the wait is usually worth it.
Some Popular dishes:
Matzo Ball Soup
Smoked Fish Platters
Canned Salmon
Cheese Sandwiches
Address: 541 Amsterdam Avenue, 86th Street
7. EI Malecon
Malecon serves authentic Caribbean food in the heart of New York. Every dish is prepared fresh when ordered and includes home-style recipes bringing the cultural traditions of Caribbeans.
The menu offers breakfast, lunch,, and dinner, and a drink list that compliments the flavors of the entrees. Options include green plantains, chimichurri, a Cuban sandwich, and eggs with cheese.
Favorite Dishes:
Bistce Encebollado
Sopa De Pollo
Salpicon De Mariscos
Location: 764 Amsterdam Avenue
8. Cibo e Vino
With a focus on Northern Italian cuisine, Ciba e Vino makes every impression a lasting one, making you feel at home from the moment you enter to their warm goodbyes.
It is a quaint place with a warm vibe offering a versatile menu of North Italian foods and baked goods. The restaurant is an elegant spot, combining the sophistication ofa European cafe with casual nature of neighborhood eatery.
Some Popular Dishes:
Tagliatelle Bolognese
Spaghetti Frutti Di Mare
Roasted beet salad
Seared Salmon, Milanese Chicken
Address: 2418 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
9. Flor de Mayo
Flor de Mayo has been serving the Upper West neighbors and the surrounding area a delicious mix of Peruvian and Chinese cuisine for 44 years.
The restaurant provides selections crafted by the chef's skillful touch, seasoned with unique herbs and spices from both cultures. You can also enjoy signature cocktails and flavorful dishes from the fully-stocked bar.
Some Popular Dishes
Lomo Saltado
Plain Whole Chicken
Chinese Style Squid Fried Rice
Broiled Pork Chop
Locations: 484 Amsterdam Avenue and 2651 Broadway
10. Happy Hot Hunan
Happy Hot Hunan offers authentic and delicious tasting Chinese cuisine in Manhattan Valley, New York. It's convenient location and affordable prices make the restaurant a natural choice for dine-in and take-out meals in the Manhattan community.
The restaurant is also known for its varieties of taste and freshest ingredients alongside its friendly atmosphere and excellent service.
Some Popular Dishes
Hunan Pickled Vegetables Hot
Kung Pao Chicken
Fried Peanuts Hot
Hunan Spicy Chicken
Where: 969 Amsterdam Avenue
11. Metro Diner
Metro Diner serves American comfort food standards delivered in a traditional art deco-styled diner setting.
Whether it's burgers for breakfast or pancakes for dinner, Metro Diner is the place to eat in New York, which celebrates giving way to what guests crave.
Some Popular Dishes
Fried Chicken and Waffle
Chicken Pot Pie
Altamonte Springs
Avocado Toast
Where: 2641 Broadway
12. Leyla
Leyla is a Turkish healthy restaurant in New York City's Upper West Side. Turkish cuisine is very healthy when consumed as part of a fitness regime.
It combines key elements of Turkish ristic-haute cuisine with a world take on the finest Mediterranean recipes. The dining room here is elegant and inviting, with warm wood accents and plush seating.
Some Popular Dishes
3 Cheese Pide
Lamb Shank
Slow Cooked Short Rib
Merguez Pide
Where: 108 West 74th Street
13. Red Farm
Red Farm brings a greenmarket sensibility to modern and inventive Chinese food and super-charged dim sum complemented by modern and rustic decor. The menu takes a clean and fresh approach to Chinese food.
Chef Joe Ng and Ed Sochonfeld await you with their rotating seasonal menu. From dim sum to seafood, to noodles order anything, and they freshly prepare and serve on your plate. Make sure to try their Sichuan Chicken and Mushroom Dumplings.
Signature Dishes:
RedFarm Pastrami Egg Roll
Crispy Duck Salad
Berkshire Pork Belly
Shrimp-Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
Area: 2170 Broadway
14. Bánh Vietnamese Shop House
Bánh Vietnamese Shop House offers delicious selections of dishes where you can order traditional dishes like homemade Pho as well as homemade sandwiches.
This restaurant celebrates the country's vibrant culture through food. You can delight in a rotating selection of dishes from different regions of the country, all of which are finger-licking good and full of seasonal ingredients and flavors.
Some Best Foods
Bun Oc Moc- Samil Tomato Soup
Banh Bot Chien- Taro Omelet
Banh Dap- Smashed Rice Cake
Address: 942 Amsterdam Avenue
15. Jacob's Pickles
Jacob's Pickles has quickly become a New York staple for those in search of a good meal. Being warm and inviting, guests travel daily to its doors for a taste of home, something more than other trending hotspots.
This is the place where faces light up when the plate arrives, where people feel excited to try new and old favorites in a space they feel like home.
What's Special?
Biscuits and Gravy
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Sausage Gravy Smothered Chicken
Homemade pickles
Address: 509 Amsterdam Avenue, 0.6 miles from Central Park
16. Hummus Place
Hummus Place is the favored Manhattan spot, serving fresh, affordable, and delicious Mediterranean food to the Upper West Side. Their menu is certified Kosher and mostly vegan and gluten-free.
This place offers a large selection of dishes created using the chickpea. It also has a unique environment and menu, using fresh ingredients, to create healthy and vegetarian-friendly dishes highlighting Middle Eastern flavors.
Some Famous Dishes:
Tabouli Salad
Eggplant Sandwich
Labane Cheese
Pita Bread
Corn Tortillas
Address: 305 Amsterdam Avueye
17. Tessa
Tessa offers a diverse mix of modern Mediterranean dishes in a stylish brick and wood space with a 1st-floor bar. It is a modern American restaurant blending the many flavors of the country.
Focusing mainly on Italian and French fare, they offer a contemporary menu showcasing the TESSA signature style. Also, this place always welcomes private events for any occasion.
Some Specials:
Cacio E Pepe
New York Strip Steak
Shrimp Scampi
Burrata
Address: 349 Amsterdam Ave, New York
18. The Consulate UWS
The Consulate UWS is a homey restaurant offering international cuisine and all-day dining. It also houses a cocktail bar and a wide selection of handcrafted cocktails.
Enter any time of the day; this Upper West Side restaurant truly has something for every taste. Or start earlier with a European breakfast of Nutella French Toast with fresh strawberries.
Must-try Dishes:
Wild Mushroom Gnocchi
Korean Barbecue Streak
Consulate Burger
Short Rib Cavatelli
Location: 519 Columbus Avenue
19. Mille-Feuille Bakery & Cafe
Mille-Feuille Bakery & Cafe provides artisanal French pastries handcrafted using only the finest ingredients. It is a rare authentic family-owned craft bakery dedicated to pleasing your palates.
You can enjoy authentic Frech pastries, a great coffee and cappuccino, freshly baked croissants, and homemade cakes. All the pastries here are made in small batches using traditional French methods.