Chef Paul Carmichael has quickly become one of New York’s most exciting chefs right now. Since Momofuku appointed him to a leadership position last year, the chef debuted Caribbean tasting-menu restaurant Kabawa and intimate wine and daiquiri bar next door, Bar Kabawa in the East Village.
And in just the few short months since the openings, Kabawa soared to a 4th place debut on The New York Times’s annual 100 Best Restaurants list—a testament to Carmichael’s culinary prowess. After years in Sydney, Carmichael now has his feet firmly planted back in NYC.
When he’s not busy running his two new spots, Carmichael has a roster of favorites he likes to frequent in the city. We recently caught up with him for all the details.
Read on for where Paul Carmichael likes to eat in NYC, and then book them all on OpenTable.
Estela (NoHo)
Ignacio Mattos’s intimate, MICHELIN-Starred NoHo darling has been packing diners into its cozy space for years with signature dishes like ricotta dumplings and natural wine.
Why Paul loves it: “That room feels really good, and I think Ignacio’s approach to cooking is very unique. I’ve been going there since it opened, and on every trip I came back to New York over the last 10 years, I’d pop in and have a bite.”
Roberta’s (Bushwick)
Long before wood-fired pizza became ubiquitous across the city, Roberta’s was slinging pies in a sprawling Bushwick compound that felt like a secret.
Why Paul loves it: “Roberta’s is nostalgic for me because when I lived here back in the day, when Roberta’s opened, I used to go there. They’ve got great pizza and nice little bites.”
Foul Witch (East Village)
Don’t let the name fool you. This neighborhood gem in the East Village serves approachable, comfort-driven dishes in a casual setting.
Why Paul loves it: “I think Foul Witch is an underrated neighborhood restaurant here in the East Village, and the food’s always super tasty. It’s approachable, and it’s stuff that you want over and over again.”
Chambers (Tribeca)
With a curated list, Chambers treats wine like the main character, but the food plays perfect supporting actor—simple, elegant dishes designed to let the wine shine.
Why Paul loves it: “Impeccable wine list. I love Chenin Blanc, and it might be the best Chenin Blanc selection in the city. I like the simplicity of the menu, and it’s definitely a menu made for wine.”
Chez Fifi (Upper East Side)
The MICHELIN-starred Sushi Noz team is behind this French bistro with a Basque-meets-Parisian fare menu and a wine cellar with 3,500 bottles.
Why Paul loves it: “The chef there, Zack Zeidman, is someone I call one of my sons. He used to work with me when he was a wee little lad, and I love his approach to food. He’s a very detailed human.”
Demo (West Village)
Executive chef Quang Nguyen and sous chef Dina Fan turn out inventive seasonal dishes like wax beans with bottarga at this sleek West Village spot.
Why Paul loves it: “The two chefs there, Quang Nguyen and Dina Fan, are part of this group I call my kids in the city, and they all worked with me in 2010. They do an incredible job with the food, and I just like going. The room feels nice. It’s always packed.”
Wildair (Lower East Side)
Showstopping desserts, inventive small plates, and rare natural wines define this neo-bistro from Fabián von Hauske-Valtierra and Jeremiah Stone.
Why Paul loves it: “Wildair is just a fun little wine bar with incredible desserts and really tasty food. The dishes there change a lot.”
Frankies Spuntino (Carroll Gardens)
Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo’s Carroll Gardens mainstay still makes some of the city’s favorite Italian dishes like cavatelli with hot sausage and meatballs.
Why Paul loves it: “I like homey sort of things, and I think Frankies does a really good job of making Italian American food that is memorable and super simple. They’re not trying to reinvent the wheel in any sort of way. It’s actually like a craveable, nostalgic thing.”
Gage & Tollner (Downtown Brooklyn)
Stepping into Gage & Tollner is stepping into Brooklyn history. The restored 19th-century dining room serves up serious steaks and even more serious cocktails.
Why Paul loves it: “I celebrated my birthday at Gage & Tollner. I went and had a good steak. I usually sit at the bar. The bar is incredible with really good cocktails. And the best bit of Gage & Tollner is that there’s Sunken Harbor Club [a cocktail bar] right upstairs. The bartender downstairs, Gary, is incredible. I just love being in that place.”
Le Veau d’Or (Upper East Side)
James Beard Award winners Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr restored this historic French spot and now do a three-course prix-fixe that honors the hits of the French culinary canon.
Why Paul loves it: “Le Veau d’Or is another spot where I felt really welcomed—small, little restaurant. Classic cocktails [that are] off the charts.”
Alexis Benveniste is a big fan of Persian food, sushi, and finding hidden gems she can recommend to her friends. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The MICHELIN Guide, Bloomberg, and New York Magazine. You can find her on Instagram at @apbenven.
