Helmed by top chefs, these new restaurants put a great spin on your meal experience. Check them out and visit whenever you are in the neighborhood. A variety of cuisines and price points are included so enjoy!
Same Same (Hell’s Kitchen) This distinctive new wine bar is from the team behind Monkey Thief that was previously housed in the space. The venue serves a frequently rotating menu of well-selected wines from underrepresented regions around the globe offered by the glass and select bottles. The shareable food menu is by chef David Sullivan previously of Manhatta and Ai Fiori. Plates have been designed to pair with the beverage program. Just steps from Broadway, it is an ideal destination before or after the show!
Cuna (East Village) This restaurant at The Standard is from Mexico City based chef Maycoll Calderon. Known for his internationally recognized projects in Mexico, including speakeasy Hanky Panky ranked No. 35 on North America’s 50 Best Bars, Calderón brings his contemporary perspective on Mexican culinary traditions to New York. Cuna reflects his belief that every dish has an origin story, honoring both the ingredient and the people behind it. The menu combines seasonal Mexican inspiration with a New York sensibility, sourcing from Union Square Greenmarket and nearby farms to create a cuisine rooted in origin, seasonality, and storytelling.
Frita Batidos (Williamsburg, Brooklyn) The Ann Arbor cult-favorite Cuban-inspired restaurant from Chef/Owner Eve Aronoff, opens the first New York City location. This beloved restaurant serves Cuban-inspired street food, with a menu centered around Eve’s interpretations of “Fritas” – Cuban style burgers traditionally made with spicy chorizo, topped with shoestring fries on a soft egg bun, and “Batidos”—tropical milkshakes, traditionally made with fresh fruit, crushed ice and sweetened milk. Frita Batidos emphasizes fresh, high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, served with care in a welcoming atmosphere to create a community gathering place.
Narkara (Union Square) This new Thai restaurant from Kinnaree Hospitality Group has opened at 5 E 17th Street. Drawing inspiration from the Mekhong Delta region, it spotlights the rich, lesser-explored flavors of Northern and Northeastern Thailand. The 150-seat venue features artistry from renowned Thai artisans, including custom bamboo installations and contemporary woven art blending tradition with modern design. The dining experience is elevated with custom-made tableware from esteemed Northern Thai ceramic studios. Chef Sakdiphat Mokkasak, who brings 16 years of experience cooking in notable NYC Thai establishments will helm the kitchen.
Shifka (NoHo) The new pita shop from the team behind Sami & Susu, the Michelin-Bib Gourmand Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar on the Lower East Side. After years of guest requests, the Sami & Susu team is finally bringing back its beloved pita sandwiches as the star at Shifka, which offers an all-day menu of pita sandwiches, dips, bowls and rotating soft serve ice cream. A vibrant addition to NoHo, Shifka features a blue tiled storefront with expansive windows that open to the sidewalk, a walk-up counter that overlooks the lively kitchen, and various high-top and banquet seating nooks.
Cafe Susanne (Williamsburg, Brooklyn) James Beard award-nominated designer Matthew Maddy, known for projects like Celestine, Public Records and Lilia, opens Café Susanne, a community-centered, all-day cafe, in Williamsburg at Domino Park. Named after a preeminent female artist and family friend from Maddy’s childhood, Cafe Susanne will provide a community gathering space for artists, creatives and community residents alike with a selection of coffee, tea and pastries during the day. A curated selection of New York sourced wines, local craft beers and low ABV beverage program from Milos Zica will be available in the afternoons, alongside signature bar snacks and a house caviar program. Nestled on the edge of Domino Park with breathtaking views of the Brooklyn waterfront.
Terra (Sheepshead Bay) This newly opened modern European restaurant is inspired by longtime best friends and Sheepshead Bay natives Oleg Rybak and Dmitry Khavko’s. They have a shared passion for exceptional food, wine, and spirits. As the only casual fine-dining spot in the local culinary scene, Terra provides an upscale yet approachable experience that the neighborhood has been missing. To bring their vision to life, they enlisted celebrated, award-winning chef Dima Martseniuk to create a refined menu that blends European tradition with modern creativity, and Wine Director-General ManagerGuillermo Lesassier to curate an extensive international wine list of over 600 varietals to pair with any dish. “Each dish is designed for conversation, plated with precision, inspired by heritage, and finished with a sense of surprise”, says Chef Dima.
House of Domes (South Village) The new Tuscan-Italian restaurant from the team behind Duomo 51 and Ramerino Italian Prime. Guests enter through a casual glass-domed terrace bar and lounge, perfect for a cocktail or a light bite, before reaching an intimate main dining room, set for longer meals and meaningful conversation. Open 7 days a week for lunch, brunch, and dinner, House of Domes’ menu offers simple, yet elevated Tuscan-Italian cuisine brought to life with fresh, seasonal ingredients and house-made pastas crafted daily. Standout offerings include: Oratta for lunch; Fettuccine al Ragu D’Agnello for dinner; and Tagliata di Manzo for dinner. The cocktail program blends timeless classics with seasonal creations such as The Dirty Italian and the Emerald Garden.
Arvine (West Village) Adrien Falcon and Chef Joe Anthony aka Arvine Hospitality are proud to announce the opening of Arvine. This modern restaurant brings approachable, yet elegantly prepared American cuisine and drinks to the heart of the West Village. Arvine is dedicated to creating a dynamic neighborhood spot defined by seasonality, creativity, and warmth, offering a new standard of top-tier hospitality in a casually sophisticated setting. Arvine’s food and beverage programs are in constant, creative movement, each one informed by the best of the season and designed for discovery. The menu highlights contemporary American dishes such as Spicy Grass-Fed Bison Tartare; Chile-Garlic Charred Kingfish; and Diver Scallops Baked in Kombu. Arvine will feature a wine list brimming with accessible, yet upscale hidden gems, alongside a modern cocktail program that reflects the kitchen’s spirit.
The Parliament (Midtown) The Modern American restaurant is located on Lexington Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. It just opened on 11/10 at The Benjamin Royal Sonesta Hotel. This is a spot that checks all the boxes for delicious menu choices, a creative beverage program, stylish contemporary décor, and top-notch service. The kitchen is helmed by Executive Chef Rakmin Lee who brings a wealth of impressive experience to The Parliament. His menu features refined, yet approachable all-day dining that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
And just across the river:
Dream360 (Rutherford, NJ) — LV Hospitality is thrilled to announce the official grand opening of a bold new dining and entertainment destination located within American Dream, the world-class shopping and entertainment complex just minutes from Manhattan with mass transit available. Dream360 is set to become the ultimate hotspot for locals and visitors alike to eat, play, and celebrate in style, with a total occupancy of 1,300 across over 400 seats. Anchoring Dream360’s state-of-the-art sports bar are two flagship concepts that include Sekai Hibachi and Top Golf Swing Suites.
Top photo: Bigstock Copyright: Rido81
