Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Manhattan

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Manhattan? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Restaurant at Great Jones Distilling Co

4.9

4.9 (513)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

NoHo

About the restaurant

The Restaurant at Great Jones Distilling Co. is proud to serve classic favorites reinvigorated by modern technique, and enriched by the flavors of sumptuous local ingredients. Enjoy a unique dining experience that pays homage to a bygone era of the city’s past, and find the best of New York on every plate.

Join us every Saturday for Jazz Brunch!

Top review

Caroline

Dined 3 days ago

Fun place for brunch. Family loved the cocktails and shrimp n grits

Discover more

Experience

Jazz Brunch at Great Jones Distilling Co.

SAINT RESTAURANT BAR & SPEAKEASY

4.8

4.8 (107)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

East Village

About the restaurant

Located 136 Second Avenue, the artfully-designed SAINT offers new American dishes with a globally inspired modern twist. Nestled in the heart of the grit and the glam.

The Speakeasy opens at 9PM Friday and Saturday.

Please, call or text the restaurant if you have any questions. We never use AI and you will always be chatting with a live person who actually works inside the restaurant. Large groups or special events can email EVENTS@saintny.com

Top review

Joline

Dined on May 24, 2025

I really recommend the restaurant, so good food and a really nice vibe. Celebrated a friends birthday and it was a magical and memorable experience<33

Estela

4.8

4.8 (630)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

NoHo

About the restaurant

One of the most celebrated restaurants in the United States, Estela is an intimate downtown bistro from chef Ignacio Mattos that can be experienced in many ways, whether it’s a thrilling dinner in the dining room, a leisurely weekend brunch with friends, or a late-night drink at the bustling bar. Since opening in 2013, the restaurant has served several signature dishes that are now considered New York City classics, while always offering guests something new to try.

Estela holds one Michelin star, among many other major accolades.

Top review

rolfVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Amazing food, but comes at a price. Noise level is too loud for my taste

Nougatine at Jean Georges

4.7

4.7 (5957)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Upper West Side

About the restaurant

Nougatine is the more casual sister of Jean‑Georges, with a very lively bar scene at night. The restaurant attracts a mix of celebrities, socialites, and movers and shakers in the business world. Adjacent to the formal Jean‑Georges dining room, Nougatine serves the signature and seasonal dishes of Chef Jean‑Georges for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 365 days a year. The menu is more casual than that offered at Jean‑Georges but still market driven, utilizing only the freshest and finest ingredients. In addition to providing gorgeous views of Central Park, the newly renovated dining room by Thomas Juul‑Hansen features a bustling, immaculate open kitchen. Tones of brown and cream mingle to create an elegant space that is soothing by day and exciting by night.

Top review

AmyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent spot for a meal prior to a performance at Lincoln Center! Food and Service were fantastic! Don’t skip the Tuna Tartare!

Robert

4.8

4.8 (9196)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Columbus Circle

About the restaurant

Robert is a modern American restaurant housed within the Museum of Arts and Design with an amazing view of Columbus Circle and Central Park. Enjoy dinner and a bottle of fine wine from our collection in our beautifully designed dining room. Have a seat in our lounge next to our baby grand piano and sip one of our cocktails.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We had a wonderful lunch, with great service. We recommend the pre fixe lunch.

Discover more

Popular dish

Scottish Salmon

Popular dish

Organic Amish Chicken

Popular dish

Filet Mignon

Perry St

4.7

4.7 (3695)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

West Village

About the restaurant

Chef Jean-Georges brings relaxed elegance to the West Village with Perry St - awarded three stars by the New York Times.

Jean-Georges’ son, Cedric Vongerichten, helms the kitchen, creating dishes that reflect his own keen instinct for balancing flavor and texture with an exquisite blend of French, American, and Asian influences and ingredients. The menu is inspired by the season, centering on the local market at Union Square.

Please visit us http://www.perrystrestaurant.com for menus and more information.

Top review

josephVIP

Dined 3 days ago

this is simply the best restuarant south of 14th street, beautiful people, food & environment with the kindest, warmest people - special thanks to you Hilary !!!!

Butter Midtown

4.6

4.6 (5976)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Midtown West

About the restaurant

BUTTER is located in Midtown Manhattan. Executive Chef, Alex Guarnaschelli offers traditional American fare highlighted and enhanced by subtle global influences with the grace notes of seasonality.

Please note that in accordance with the guidance provided by the City of New York, BUTTER will require proof of Vaccination for Covid-19 as well as a form of Identification for every guests who enters and stays on the premises.

BUTTER accommodates PRIVATE EVENTS for groups of 20 to 250. For more information please visit our website listed below.

Top review

BethVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Very comfortable space, delicious food and wonderful service. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner.

Discover more

Popular dish

Raspberry Beignets

Popular dish

Gnocchi "Mac & Cheese"

Popular dish

Thick-Cut Veal Bacon

BG - Bergdorf Goodman

4.7

4.7 (4827)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Midtown West

About the restaurant

Sophistication on the Seventh Floor of Bergdorf Goodman with afternoon into evening Central Park views. BG is a modern interpretation of the aristocratic social salon. Like a Park Avenue residence from the age of cosmopolitan glamour. Well-appointed and bright, the drawing room atmosphere is an intimate conversational setting for lunch, tea and early supper or cocktails. The light and sparkling menu is a modern take on classic New York fare.
All Day menu served Mon - Sat from Noon-6 PM , and Sunday from Noon -5 PM
*Enjoy Afternoon Tea service Mon-Sat from Noon:-5:00 PM and Sun from Noon-5:00 PM, reservations required.

Top review

AndyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great service and food Sat at bar and everyone was fantastic! Always a treat to come to BG!

Discover more

Truffle Chicken Salad Sandwich

ABC Kitchen

4.6

4.6 (6562)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Gramercy Park

About the restaurant

Since opening in 2010, situated steps away from the Union Square Greenmarket, abc kitchen has celebrated community and local producers. Specializing in seasonal American cuisine with Jean-Georges’ signature touch (spice, acidity and Asian flares sprinkled throughout), abc kitchen is a Jean-Georges restaurant that partners with a diverse network of farmers and purveyors including Norwich Meadows Farm, Eckerton Hill Farm, Bodhi Tree Farm, Lani’s, and many more.

The restaurant’s regularly rotating food and beverage menus showcase organic ingredients, ranging from fresh greens to meats and fruits. Set amidst rich natural woods, abc kitchen offers a cozy ambiance that invites guests to savor celebrated seasonal dishes and local harvests in a warm and inviting setting.

Top review

AurélieVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Had a great team dinner! Lovely food, lovely service. The weather was so nice that we were sitting outside 🩷🧚‍♀️will come back

L’Adresse NoMad

4.7

4.7 (283)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

NoMad

About the restaurant

L’Adresse Nomad draws inspiration from European culinary traditions and modern American techniques, blending ingredients and flavor profiles from both to create a dynamic menu of approachable, thoughtfully crafted dishes. This culinary experience is complemented by L’Adresse’s innovative bar program, which features both timeless classics and signature cocktails inspired by them. The restaurant offers an all-day dining experience, with dedicated brunch, lunch, and dinner menus.
For special occasions and group gatherings, L’Adresse Nomad also features a Private Dining Room, accommodating up to 18 guests in an intimate and stylish setting. Perfect for celebrations, business dinners, or private events, the space offers customizable menu options and dedicated service to ensure a memorable experience.

Top review

Marli

Dined on Jun 3, 2025

Food was amazing and great service! Will be back soon

Discover more

Experience

39$ Lunch Pre-Fixe Menu

Experience

Free Flow Bubbles Experience

Experience

Social Hour at the Bar | 4 PM - 6 PM

Explore Diners' Choice best of Manhattan