the shuklas.

ANEESH & ASH’S NEW YORK LIST

NYC, according
to us.

The pizza worth crossing town for. The ramen we always recommend. And a few very good places to end up after dinner.

34 places. Four tiers. Plenty of opinions.

A New York style cheese slice on a paper plate
NEW YORK, ONE BITE AT A TIME

THE SHORTLIST

Where we’d send a friend.

How the tiers work
01

Tier 1If you visit NYC and don't go here, I'll be personally offended.

02

Tier 2If you visit NYC and have time, you should go here.

03

Tier 3If it sounds good to you.

04

Tier 4If you're in the area.

From our 2025 guide. These are our original notes; menus, prices and opening details may have changed.

34 places

Tier 1 · Do not miss01

PJ Clarke's on the Hudson

FiDi

This pub was under my work. Go here on a sunny day and you can see the statue of liberty. In the summer they serve a good frose. Tier 1 only in the summertime / weather is good ha

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Tier 1 · Do not miss02

Emmy Squared

East Village

This pizza place serves Detroit style pizza, my favourite kind! They also won some awards for their burger but naturally, I haven't tried that.

Menu / website Find on Maps
Tier 1 · Do not miss03

Joe's Pizza

East Village

There are many Joe's pizzas, but the one on 14th street is the best and open really late

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Tier 1 · Do not miss04

Koloman

Nomad

Great french/austrian food, nice vibes and next to a Milk Bar

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Tier 2 · Make time for05

Ivan's ramen

Lower East Side

This is my favourite ramen place in the City. There's a Chef's table episode on Netflix about the owner which is worth watching beforehand. Best dish: triple pork, triple garlic mazemen

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Tier 3 · If it sounds good08

Café China

Midtown

This is the cheapest, michelin starred restaurant that I've ever been to. You can walk out of here paying less than $20 each. The food is super spicy.

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Tier 3 · If it sounds good09

Milk Bar

Lots of places

Dessert place. You've got to try a slice of the crack pie or the soft serve (tastes like cornflakes) - these might contain nuts though

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Tier 3 · If it sounds good10

Laughing Man Coffee

TriBeCa

My favourite coffee place near me - it's owned by Hugh Jackman.

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Tier 3 · If it sounds good16

Dirt Candy

Lower East Side

IMO, the best trendy vegetarian restaurant in the city. They have fun menu items like broccoli hot dogs (actually tasty)

Menu / website Find on Maps
Tier 3 · If it sounds good17

Dhamaka

Lower East Side

This is our favourite Indian restaurant, the food is really spicy though, not for the faint hearted...

Menu / website Find on Maps
Tier 3 · If it sounds good18

Piggyback

Midtown

Closed · kept for the memories

Great pan-asian food, more of a group sharing small plates setting. They have the best lamb dish in the city IMO

Closure report ↗
Tier 3 · If it sounds good19

Los Tacos #1

Various

Great, cheap tacos, standing only

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Tier 3 · If it sounds good20

Via Carota

West Village

Celebrity famous spot for Italian food, actually really tasty

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Tier 4 · In the neighborhood22

Khe Yo

TriBeCa

Closed · kept for the memories

Best unusual restaurant near my old place. Laotian food.

Closure report ↗
Tier 4 · In the neighborhood23

The Odeon

TriBeCa

Best American restaurant near my old place

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Tier 4 · In the neighborhood24

The Blond

SoHo

This used to be my go-to place to go out. You have to get in before 10pm, there's no door policy before then as it's just a hotel bar, after 10pm it's pretty much impossible to get in. Apparently celebs go out here, but I haven't seen any myself

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Tier 4 · In the neighborhood25

Tompkins Square Bagels

East Village

This used to be my go to bagel place. The bagel's here are huge and they have the best selection of toppings in the city. Oddly, they have a birthday cake cream cheese

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Tier 4 · In the neighborhood26

Barney Greengrass

Upper West Side

Classic jewish style bagel place. This was Bourdain's favourite bagel place. They do a really good bagel with smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and onion

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Tier 4 · In the neighborhood27

310 Bowery Bar

Bowery

Fun dance-y bar. Used to go here all the time

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Tier 4 · In the neighborhood29

Mr Purple

Lower East Side

Great rooftop bar, good fun on a night out. More of a tourist spot

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Tier 4 · In the neighborhood31

Hole in the Wall

Murray Hill

This restaurant is across the road from us, they have good coffee and a good broccolini pasta

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Tier 4 · In the neighborhood32

Bravest

Murray Hill

This is our local pub, they have good food and reasonably priced-ish drinks. Avoid the Labatt (terrible beer, they only serve it because they're a Buffalo Bills bar)

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Tier 4 · In the neighborhood33

NY Bagels and Cafe

Murray Hill

Our local bagel place, busy, fresh and reasonably priced. I get a bagel here very week

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Tier 4 · In the neighborhood34

Pelicana Chicken

K-Town and others

Great for spicy fried chicken - korean style. In a food court with some seating

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