Unearth The Voyage
New York City’s restaurant scene just got even more exciting. Some of the city’s most talented chefs have been recognized with major honors, from Michelin stars to prestigious James Beard awards. Whether you love Korean fine dining, fresh sushi, or classic soul food, these award-winning spots represent the absolute best of what NYC has to offer right now.
1. Atomix (NoMad)
Husband-and-wife team Junghyun JP and Ellia Park have created something truly extraordinary. Their restaurant was crowned number one on the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list. Even more impressive, it currently sits at number 12 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, making it the only U.S. restaurant in the top 50.
The experience centers around a highly choreographed Korean tasting menu served at a sleek counter. Each course arrives on custom ceramics, with the team explaining every detail. Expect complex, modern Korean flavors paired with exquisite plating that looks like edible art.
Getting a reservation is notoriously difficult. The intimate counter seating means limited spots, and foodies from around the world are all competing for the same tables.
2. Sushi Sho (Midtown East)
Tokyo legend Keiji Nakazawa brought his acclaimed Sushi Sho concept to New York with sky-high expectations. Remarkably, he exceeded every one of them. The restaurant earned two Michelin stars in the 2024 New York guide, then was elevated to the ultra-rare three-star tier in 2025.
Only a handful of restaurants share this distinction. Sushi Sho now stands alongside Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernardin, Per Se, and Jungsik at the very top of New York’s dining hierarchy.
The omakase format is wonderfully intimate, with just a handful of seats surrounding the chef. You’ll experience a meticulous progression of nigiri and small plates, each one perfectly timed. Bookings are handled via Tock and the restaurant’s own website, though securing a spot requires both luck and persistence.
3. Jungsik (TriBeCa)
Modern Korean fine dining pioneer Jungsik was already famous before December 2024. That’s when something historic happened: the restaurant was promoted from two to three Michelin stars. This made it New York’s first new three-star restaurant in over a decade.
Even more significant, Jungsik became the first Korean restaurant in the entire United States to reach three stars. Chef Yim Jung-sik reimagines Korean flavors through a contemporary, almost sculptural lens that’s unlike anything else.
Think tiny, precise bites showcasing luxurious seafood and seasonal ingredients. Everything is served in a polished, minimalist dining room that manages to feel welcoming rather than stiff or intimidating. The tasting menu takes diners on a journey through Korean cuisine’s past, present, and future.
4. Joo Ok (Koreatown)
Formerly a two-star restaurant in Seoul, Joo Ok made the bold move to Manhattan’s Koreatown in 2024. The gamble paid off immediately when it earned one Michelin star in the 2024 New York guide. By 2025, it had climbed to two Michelin stars.
Located on the 16th floor above 32nd Street, the space feels like stepping into an elevated Korean home. City views stretch out beyond the windows, creating a peaceful backdrop for the deeply considered tasting menu.
The kitchen leans heavily into fermentation techniques, seasonal ingredients, and subtle, layered flavors. Nothing shouts for attention; instead, each dish reveals its complexity slowly. Chef Shin Chang-ho’s approach emphasizes restraint and balance, letting high-quality ingredients speak for themselves through careful preparation.
5. César (Downtown Manhattan)
Chef César Ramirez, long associated with the legendary Brooklyn Fare, struck out on his own and immediately rocketed into the top tier. At the 2024 Michelin ceremony, his new restaurant César was awarded two stars right out of the gate. It retained that status in the 2025 guide.
The menu is intensely seafood-driven, showcasing dishes like raw hiramasa with fennel and miso or turbot with white asparagus. Precise sauces elevate each plate without overwhelming the delicate fish.
Expect a polished, minimalist room that puts the focus squarely on the food. The long tasting menu requires a serious time commitment, usually clocking in at several hours. Reservations are extremely tight, with tables booking out weeks in advance for this already-iconic downtown destination.
6. Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare (Hell’s Kitchen)
A long-time fine-dining temple, Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare has been a New York institution for years. After relocating to Hell’s Kitchen, it re-emerged in the 2024 New York Michelin Guide with two stars. Those two stars were confirmed again in 2025, proving the magic survived the move.
The counter-style tasting menu blends French and Japanese influences with surgical precision. There’s an intense focus on seasonal seafood, with each course highlighting peak ingredients prepared with both classical technique and creative flair.
Reservations via Resy and OpenTable show active service dates, though actually securing a seat remains challenging. The restaurant maintains a still-fierce demand despite having been around longer than many of its newer competitors. Its staying power speaks volumes about consistent excellence.
7. Bar Miller (East Village)
With just eight seats, Bar Miller might be the coolest omakase counter in all of New York City. The Michelin inspectors clearly agree with that assessment. It was among the eight new one-star restaurants in the 2024 New York guide and kept its star for 2025.
What makes Bar Miller different? A strong commitment to sustainable American seafood, even down to using domestic rice instead of imported Japanese varieties. This locavore approach gives the omakase experience a distinctly American personality.
The experience is intimate, chef-driven, and heavily booked weeks in advance. Chef Adam Aamann works right in front of diners, explaining each piece and the story behind the ingredients. The official site and OpenTable listing confirm regular dinner hours, though snagging a reservation requires serious planning and flexibility.
8. Café Boulud (Upper East Side)
After relocating to Maison Barnes on the Upper East Side, Café Boulud returned to the Michelin map in 2024 with one star. It continues to hold that star in 2025, marking a triumphant comeback for this Daniel Boulud establishment.
This is Daniel Boulud in classic mode: polished French cooking with seasonal and global influences. The menu changes regularly to reflect what’s fresh and available, but the technique and attention to detail remain constant.
Everything is served in a refined but not stuffy room that feels comfortable rather than intimidating. Lunch, brunch, and dinner service are all active according to the restaurant and booking platforms. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to experience world-class French cuisine, Café Boulud delivers without pretension or fuss.
9. Corima (Lower East Side / Chinatown edge)
Chef Fidel Caballero’s Corima is not your typical Mexican restaurant. This progressive spot earned its first Michelin star in 2024 and appears again as a one-star restaurant in the 2025 guide, cementing its place among the city’s most exciting dining destinations.
The menu highlights northern Mexican flavors while weaving in Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish influences. This multicultural approach creates dishes you’ve never tasted anywhere else. Ultra-talked-about sourdough Sonoran tortillas have become a signature item that diners specifically request.
Corima’s own site and active Resy bookings show the restaurant going strong. The chef is even spinning off a new Park Slope spot on the back of this momentum, proving that Corima’s innovative approach has serious staying power beyond just critical acclaim.
10. Nōksu (Herald Square)
Hidden inside a subway station entrance near Herald Square, Nōksu is one of New York City’s most unusual high-end counters. You’d never expect to find Michelin-starred dining in this location, but that’s exactly what you get. It earned one star in 2024 and remains starred in the 2025 list.
With just 15 seats, Nōksu serves a seafood-forward, Korean-inflected tasting menu. The kitchen employs precise techniques and dramatic plating that make each course feel like performance art. Dry-aged squab basted like Peking duck is one showstopper mentioned in the Michelin write-up.
The restaurant’s website confirms current tasting menus and reservations, though booking this tiny space requires advance planning. The unexpected location adds to the appeal, making dinner at Nōksu feel like discovering a delicious secret.
11. Shota Omakase (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
Over in Williamsburg, Shota Omakase joined the Michelin club with one star in 2024. It kept that star for 2025, proving this Brooklyn destination can hold its own against Manhattan’s finest.
Expect an Edomae-style omakase filtered through a modern lens. Binchotan-seared fish delivers that perfect smoky char, while playful small dishes keep the experience from feeling too formal or traditional. The tight, counter-focused room creates intimacy between chef and diner.
Chef Shota Nakajima brings serious credentials but keeps the atmosphere approachable. The restaurant’s site and Michelin entry both show current hours and booking details, with reservations available through standard platforms. Williamsburg locals no longer need to cross the bridge for world-class sushi; they’ve got it right in their own neighborhood now.
12. Yingtao (Hell’s Kitchen)
Yingtao is a tasting menu restaurant that reframes Chinese flavors through a French-leaning, fine-dining lens. This unique approach caught Michelin’s attention, earning the restaurant one star in 2024. It retains that star in 2025, solidifying its reputation.
Located in Hell’s Kitchen, the restaurant pairs intricate plates with a hip, music-driven atmosphere. This isn’t your grandmother’s Chinese restaurant; expect bold creativity alongside respect for traditional techniques and flavors.
The official site and recent reviews confirm the restaurant is very much open and operating at full capacity. Chef King Phojanakong brings a distinctive voice to New York’s Chinese fine-dining scene, which has exploded with talent in recent years. Yingtao stands out by bridging cultures and cuisines in ways that feel fresh rather than forced or gimmicky.
13. Bridges (Chinatown)
Opened in 2024 in a former dim-sum space at Chatham Square, Bridges picked up its first Michelin star in the 2025 guide. This makes it one of the city’s newest starred darlings and a restaurant everyone is talking about right now.
The menu is small but wildly ambitious. It draws on European influences, particularly from France and the Basque country, with creative dishes that surprise and delight. Cured tuna with black trumpet mushrooms and a Comté-custard savory tart were highlighted by Michelin’s write-up.
Recent Resy listings and the restaurant’s own site show daily dinner service with strong demand. Despite being brand new, Bridges has already become one of those reservations that book out almost immediately. Chef Chris Ying and the team have tapped into something special at this Chinatown location.
14. Sylvia’s Restaurant (Harlem)
Here’s a very different kind of best, one rooted in history and community rather than tasting menus and Michelin stars. In 2024, Sylvia’s Restaurant in Harlem received the James Beard Foundation’s prestigious America’s Classics Award. Only six restaurants nationwide were honored that year.
Founded in 1962 by Sylvia Woods, the Queen of Soul Food, this Harlem institution has been serving fried chicken, ribs, and smothered pork chops for over six decades. The lively dining room hosts gospel brunches and live music, creating an atmosphere that’s as nourishing for the spirit as the food is for the body.
The restaurant’s own site and OpenTable page show it very much alive, busy, and central to neighborhood life. Sylvia’s represents culinary excellence measured not in stars but in generations of satisfied customers and cultural impact.
