New York Dearest
The guide, $35

The Best of New York · Eat · Iconic and old New York

The best iconic restaurants in New York.

Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 15 places.

Some restaurants in this city have been around longer than most of us have been alive. I’m not talking about the trendy spots that open with a PR team and close six months later. I’m talking about the places where the walls have stories, the staff has seen things, and the food hasn’t changed because it never needed to. These iconic New York City restaurants are the real deal and every local needs to try them at least once. Let’s dig in.

Antonina PattizI went to every one · how I decide

Best iconic restaurants in New York, 2026

  1. Delmonico’sRestaurant · Financial District
  2. Fraunces TavernRestaurant · Financial DistrictFraunces Tavern holds historical significance that can’t be beat.
  3. JG MelonRestaurant · Upper East SideFormer mayor Michael Bloomberg calls these the best burgers in New York City.
  4. Katz DelicatessenRestaurant · Lower East SideKatz is officially the oldest deli in NYC serving the best pastrami sandwiches in New York.
  5. Keens SteakhouseRestaurant · MidtownContrary to what the name suggests, Keens Steakhouse is best known for incredible 1.5-pound mutton chops (the restaurant averages 400+ orders a week).
  6. Lombardi’s PizzaRestaurant · SoHoLombardi’s makes some of the best pizza in New York City.
  7. Minetta TavernRestaurant · Greenwich VillageThe burger strikes a delicate balance between simplicity and sophistication, it’s a personal favorite of mine.
  8. Nom Wah Tea ParlorRestaurant · ChinatownOpened in 1920 (more than 100 years ago), Nom Wah Tea Parlor is the oldest dim sum restaurant in NYC.
  9. Peter LugerRestaurant · WilliamsburgPeter Luger has earned the loyalty of stalwart locals for dishing out some of the best steaks in New York.
  10. Russ & DaughtersRestaurant · Lower East SideIt seems that Russ & Daughters attracts mostly tourists these days (the lines are too long for locals), but it’s still worth a detour.
  11. Wo HopRestaurant · ChinatownGenerous portions, fair prices and efficient service, there’s a reason Wo Hop’s iconic red booths and flickering fluorescent lights have been the backdrop for many late night meals.
  12. Barney GreengrassRestaurant · Upper West SideThey churn out some of the best lox in New York City and the Upper West Side is lucky to have them.
  13. Grand Central Oyster BarRestaurant · MidtownHell, at this point most would agree the Grand Central Oyster Bar is as much a NYC institution as Grand Central Station itself.
  14. John’s of Bleecker StreetRestaurant · Greenwich VillageJohn’s holds a special place in the heart of locals.
  15. Tavern on the GreenRestaurant · Central ParkHistoric and picturesque, the building originally served as a sheepfold before transforming into a dinning venue for New York’s high society.

On the map

Where they are.

10 neighborhoods, Financial District and Lower East Side most of all.

Chinatown

Financial District

Greenwich Village

Lower East Side

Midtown

Central Park

SoHo

Upper East Side

Upper West Side

Williamsburg

Best iconic restaurants in New York, 2026

The seal

If you're on this list, this is yours.

I went, and I said in my own words that it's worth your time. Nobody paid for that and nobody can. The seal says so, and it links back here, so anyone who sees it reads the whole list and how I decide.

Put it on your site, in the window, on the menu. Keep it linked when it's on the web and keep the words on it. That's the whole ask.

The code. Paste it where the seal should sit.

<a href="https://newyorkdearest.com/rankings/iconic-restaurants-in-new-york/">
  <img src="https://newyorkdearest.com/rankings/iconic-restaurants-in-new-york/badge.svg"
       alt="Best iconic restaurants in New York, New York Dearest, 2026"
       width="240" height="240">
</a>

How it looks

Best iconic restaurants in New York, New York Dearest, 2026

On a light site

Best iconic restaurants in New York, New York Dearest, 2026

On a dark site

The files

SVG, lightSVG, darkPNG, lightPNG, dark

SVG for the web, the 1200 px PNG for print and social. Both carry the year.

Is one of these yours? and I confirm it's you and send the files.

The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 15 Iconic New York City Restaurants Every Local Needs to Try.