Discover the Best New Restaurants in Manhattan

by The OpenTable Team

Updated 23 October 2019

The Dutch first called it New Amsterdam, but today Manhattan reigns as the epicenter of culture, finance, and art in North America. Keeping up with the best new restaurants in Manhattan can be challenging with around 24,000 eateries open at any given time. From porterhouse steaks to pastrami on rye, not forgetting perfect New York pizza, Manhattan offers as many iconic dishes as it does vibrant and diverse cuisine. But where are Manhattan’s dining hotspots? Welcome to the Tastemaker 20. This exclusive list brings diners to the best restaurants in Manhattan. Travel to Provence via Lexington Avenue, where natural wine meets the casual cafe-style eatery. Vibrant breakfast joints rub shoulders with upscale grills in the Meatpacking District. Book a table at one of the best new restaurants in Manhattan today.

Le Jardinier - New York

4.7

4.7 (445)

$50 and over

French

Midtown East

About the restaurant

Right on Lexington Avenue in the heart of Midtown East, Le Jardinier is like a breath of fresh air in the bustling city. White and green against natural wood gently urges diners to take a seat and unwind. The menu is highly focused on vegetables and sustainable proteins; very on-trend and likely to be so for the foreseeable future. They showcase seasonal produce through flavor and color, in dishes like heirloom beets with pistachio, and eggless meringues with blueberry and lemongrass. Fresh, light, and always welcoming.

Top review

Jacqueline

Dined 5 days ago

The chef and entire team were flawless. We came to celebrate my mother’s retirement. I’m a long time NYer (23 years!) and my mom lives in Miami and is an avid world traveler/diner. Our cocktails were very inventive and delicious. I wanted a seasonal pumpkin coconut cocktail and it was a great way to start the night. Our server surprised us with an amuse bûche and extra dessert to celebrate her retirement. Another complement to our wonderful server is that he was insightful enough the ask about if I ate gelatin before surprising us with the amusement bûche after I told him about my dietary restriction. The ‘sole for two’ and tagliatelle with shaved truffles was to die for. The atmosphere itself with all the botanical elements is a pure joy, it reminded me a lot of the contemporary art gardens I’ve visited in Brazil designed by Burle Marx. My mom and I were so enamored with the sole she asked if we could come and try the lunch tasting menu before her short NYC trip ended. I know Le Jardinier has a Michelin star but I feel like people are sleeping on how excellent this restaurant is. We’re also going to Carbone and Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi while she’s in town and honestly Le Jardinier deserves just as much fanfare.

Barolo East

4.7

4.7 (1012)

$31 to $50

Italian

Midtown East

About the restaurant

Barolo East is one of Midtown East’s freshest Italian openings. The comforting contrast of white tablecloths and bare brickwork is the perfect backdrop for some classic Italian fare. Discover vibrant gazpacho followed by spinach fettuccini or chicken breast with artichokes. Even the desserts are authentic, ranging from tiramisu to Panna Cotta. A great way to explore the flavors of Northern Italy in the heart of Manhattan.

Top review

Wright

Dined 2 days ago

Host was flexible in seating request. They had excellent gnocchi, good meat dishes, though special was more expensive than expected (should have asked price), and dessert was good, but not a souffle as listed by the waiter, more of a chocolate lava cake. Very busy, so fairly loud environment and slow service. Small, but nice bar at entrance.