Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Manhattan

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Manhattan? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Wano

4.9

4.9 (59)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Midtown East

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Midtown, WANO New York is a vibrant beacon of contemporary Japanese Izakaya culture, bringing a slice of Tokyo's spirited dining scene to the Big Apple.
At WANO, every dish tells a story, crafted with the finesse of traditional techniques and the flair of modern innovation. Our Izakaya is a celebration — of flavors that sing, of company that warms the heart, and of the Izakaya tradition that pulsates through the city's veins.

Top review

CarikeVIP

Dined on Apr 30, 2025

Was a work dinner, nice and friendly Waitor, good food.

The Lobster Club

4.8

4.8 (375)

$50 and over

Japanese

Midtown East

About the restaurant

The Lobster Club, a Japanese Brasserie by Major Food Group, is a fixture within Midtown Manhattan's iconic Seagram Building. Designed by architect Peter Marino in collaboration with MFG, the dynamic space reflects an outstanding – perhaps extravagant - interpretation of Japanese cuisine. Using classic techniques like tempura, gyoza, yakitori and robata, along with a focus on Teppanyaki and Sushi, The Lobster Club sources fish directly from Tokyo's Tsukiji market to ensure the highest level of quality. Everything on the menu is designed to be shared, encouraging a spirit of informal fun.

Top review

KellyVIP

Dined on Apr 30, 2025

Excellent! Beautiful bar, great music playing and everything taste delicious!

Planta - NYC NoMad

4.8

4.8 (21)

$31 to $50

Vegan

NoMad

About the restaurant

At PLANTA, we see plants differently.

Led by Founder and CEO Steven Salm and Co-founder and Executive Chef David Lee, PLANTA was born in 2016 to expand the accessibility and acceptability of plant based dining; dining as it should be — an unguilty pleasure. Creating a premier hospitality collective of 100% plant-based restaurants, PLANTA reimagines, reinvents, and revitalizes, providing flavorful proof that the power of plants can change the world.

Top review

HelenVIP

Dined on Apr 6, 2025

My friends and I enjoyed a wonderful Sunday lunch at Planta. The warm vibe, beautiful space, delicious and healthy food, and friendly and professional team made for a perfect weekend meal! I highly recommend. We'll go back again.

BKK New York

4.8

4.8 (14)

$30 and under

Thai

Midtown

About the restaurant

BKK New York is a contemporary Thai restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, inspired by Bangkok Street food. BKK creatively combines the cultures and flavors of Bangkok and New York City, with fresh takes on NYC staples, like the BKK Hot Dog with Chiang-Mai pork sausage and a brisket sandwich with Thai spicy beef jus. Thai comfort food and classic dishes abound, such as Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Green Curry and Kra Pow Gai Kai Dow to name a few. Executive Chef Teerawong "Yo" Nanthavatsiri, leads the way with unique and innovative twists on Thai and New York dishes, alongside rising stars Joy Andeggplant and Prik Pimploy.

BKK's cocktail menu features a variety of playful, ingredient-forward cocktails and mocktails that also pay homage to Thai and New York items, along with Thai beer on tap, and a comprehensive wine selection. Raw and textured design elements such as neon lights, fluted glass panels and white brick walls mirror the lively atmosphere of Bangkok's street food scene.

Top review

JillVIP

Dined on Apr 25, 2025

Food was mostly excellent. Service was very good. Some dishes were less interesting than others.

Bubo

4.7

4.7 (4)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Midtown East

About the restaurant

Bubo combines the elegance of an old world cocktail lounge with the warmth of a local speakeasy. It is an intimate space for dinner and pairing courses with our constantly evolving mix of international wines, artisanal cocktails and craft beers. Our small dishes, all enjoyed at the bar or the hidden back-room lounge, are inspired by the cuisines of the Mediterranean region. Our cuisine focuses on organic ingredients which are baked, skillet cooked, roasted, or grilled to perfection. Please contact the restaurant to book parties of 8 or more.

Top review

Sylvester P.

Dined on Jan 16, 2025

A small and an intimate space to celebrate any special occasion.

Le Jardinier - New York

4.7

4.7 (460)

$50 and over

French

Midtown East

About the restaurant

Le Jardinier is an approachable yet refined hyper-seasonal restaurant from Michelin-starred Chef Alain Verzeroli. Rooted in classic French technique, Verzeroli has created a menu where seasonality a prominent role: local, seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs, and greens are complemented by sustainable proteins. The wine list features over 350 references, and has an international focus drawing heavily on the French regions of Champagne, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. Cocktails utilize high quality craft spirits, fortified wines, fresh herbs, and house made tinctures and bitters.

Top review

JudyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

From the time we sat down until we left we had an incredible experience. A beautiful bottle of old vintage wine was chosen with expert help from Christopher our sommelier. Our meal was served by Griffin who orchestrated every course perfectly. The food was artistically presented and was a superb blend of flavors to please the palate. Since it was my birthday, a special dessert was presented with a candle and good wishes. To say we had a wonderful time is an understatement.

Lucky Cat

4.7

4.7 (12)

$30 and under

Izakaya

Midtown East

About the restaurant

The Lucky Cat is situated in Midtown NYC, a vibrant center of Japanese business and culture. Our large beckoning cat, an emblem of Japan's Maneki Neko tradition, warmly welcomes everyone. The restaurant is operated by chef and partner Koji Kagawa, embracing the 'Izakaya' concept—an informal Japanese gastropub typically frequented after work for drinks. Our menu offers authentic dishes served in a tapas style, perfect for sharing. Come and unwind with us! Irashaimase!

Top review

hrb18VIP

Dined on Mar 22, 2025

Good service and good food. Great to go with kids although certain time on weekend, they start DJing so loud music.

YAKINIKU TORAJI

4.6

4.6 (201)

$50 and over

Japanese

Midtown East

About the restaurant

Toraji is a “yakiniku” style BBQ restaurant.
Since our first shop has been established in 1995 in Tokyo, Ebisu area, we came a long way.
Starting with “namuru” and “kimchi” Korean style steamed and pickeled vegetables, continuing with tongue, ribs and/or outside skirt, finishing with cold noodles or “pibimpab”korean style mixed rice .
bowl. We are comited to provide you the “yakiniku” you want for the days you feel like having a “yakiniku”.
We as pro won`t do any compromise in terms of ingredients, taste or service, Toraji will continue to promote the right way the yakiniku culture, bringing taste, happiness and health to our customers.

Top review

AvishanVIP

Dined on Feb 11, 2025

Best food, best service. Best Restuarant in New York! Arigato

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Il Pesce - Eataly NYC Flatiron

4.5

4.5 (196)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Gramercy Park

About the restaurant

Il Pesce is a walk-in only restaurant that offers a true counter-to-table experience - we cook what we sell, and we sell what we cook. Our chefs will be serving the same fish you see at our fishmonger counter! All our seafood is responsibly sourced by suppliers who help ensure that our seafood is caught in ways that consider the long term vitality of the species and the ocean.

Top review

Paul

Dined on Apr 17, 2025

Very interesting and delicious dishes. I my view the interesting aspects enhanced the essential tastes of the ingredients instead of hiding them. Although hardly a quite venue, there was an attractive buzz, and my companion and I had no problem carrying out a conversation.

Tucci

4.5

4.5 (14)

$50 and over

Italian

Greenwich Village

About the restaurant

Tucci is a labor of love that honors the Tucci family's legacy, serving refined modern Italian cuisine and family recipes in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant features the distinctive Tucci touch across two levels of dining. The main floor boasts intimate handcrafted banquets, velvet drapes and floor-to-ceiling windows, making the perfect atmosphere for a sublime evening. The lower level dining and cocktail lounge has brick and stone arches dating back to the 1800s, as well as a massive, exquisite handmade bar to complement specially curated cocktails and private dining areas that resemble Tuscan wine cellars. The restaurant is ideal for special occasions and events of all sizes.

Top review

Raffaele

Dined 4 days ago

The food and ambiance was excellent as advertised

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