Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in New York State

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in New York State? 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!

Meritage - Scarsdale

4.9

4.9 (598)

$31 to $50

American

Scarsdale

About the restaurant

Since 2004, Meritage Restaurant has combined the warmth and comfort that you expect from your favorite neighborhood restaurant with an exciting New American menu sourced from local purveyors. We present only the freshest seasonal ingredients all year round.

Our attention to detail in the kitchen, along with the welcoming atmosphere created by our long term staff allows customers to feel at home. This is what has enabled us to grow and prosper for the past Eighteen years.

Meritage Restaurant
1505 Weaver St
Scarsdale, NY 10583
10583 10804 10543 10801 10709 10707 10528 10605 10606 10530 10502 10706 10710

Outside dining is available upon request

Top review

BethVIP

Dined on Mar 10, 2025

Excellent food, excellent service. Really enjoyed our dinner.

Ciro's Italian Restaurant - Kings Park

4.9

4.9 (969)

$31 to $50

Italian

Kings Park

About the restaurant

If you're interested in authentic Italian cuisine, a warm, welcoming, family orientated atmosphere and first class service, Ciro's is the place to be. Ask about any of our delicious freshly made entrees or chef specials. Reservations are always recommended. Catering options are also available for on-site dining or at a location of your choice. Our establishment is the perfect place for special occasions, business meetings or just a night out on the town. Make your reservations today, Ciro's looks forward to serving you!

Top review

Carmella

Dined 6 days ago

This is a real gem on Main Street in Kings Park. Everything was fantastic and the service was great. You are NEVER DISAPPOINTED when you dine at Ciro’s. Also, the desserts were so delicious.

La Fontanella - Pelham

4.9

4.9 (460)

$30 and under

Italian

Pelham

About the restaurant

La Fontanella

115 Wolfs Lane, Pelham, N.Y. 10803 | (914) 738-3008

La Fontanella is conveniently located in Pelham, New York and has now been in business over 20 years serving its customers only the best, most authentic Italian-Adriatic cuisine. The building has been recently renovated, offering the most relaxing, elegant ambiance in Westchester with a new full-service granite bar. Whether you're in the mood for a quick lunch, a full course dinner, an evening snack, or something in between, La Fontanella offers outstanding Italian cuisine, a great wine list, extended bourbon and scotch selections , along with a full bar, and exceptional service.

Top review

JosephVIP

Dined on Mar 4, 2025

Still one of the best restaurants in Westchester! Incredible food and efficient service. A quiet atmosphere that allows pleasant conversation without shouting!

Grotta Di Fuoco

4.9

4.9 (446)

$30 and under

Italian

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Grotta di Fuoco, which translates to Fire Cave, is an industrial, rustic space with subtle lighting, raw steel, reclaimed wood, and concrete finishes. Step inside, descend below street level, and enter our vision of a cave. As for the fire, our focal point is a wood burning oven right next to the bar. You can sit close enough to feel the warmth, hear the crackle, and smell the scent of food being cooked, all while being entranced by the open flame. While Long Beach is rocking during the summer with the beach, Boardwalk, events, and outdoor dining, winter is when Grotta heats up. Open year round, the off season is the perfect time for out of towners to come to the West End for an unforgettable meal. We hope to see you all soon!

Top review

TonyVIP

Dined on Mar 7, 2025

We have been there many times. I ordered the pasta special and it was amazing.

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4.9

4.9 (36)

$30 and under

Italian

New Rochelle

About the restaurant

Award - Winning 2024 Diner's Choice. Marcello's is a family style dining restaurant offering exceptional value to its guests throughout fresh dishes of Italian cuisine. Great for families friends and gatherings. Check out Pelham favorite spot for pizza, pasta(Gluten-free Options), beer, wine and cocktails. Everyone favorite happy hour specials - Monday to Friday 11-4pm offering 2 course pre fixe and drink specials.

Top review

KBArch

Dined on Mar 8, 2025

Perfect neighborhood Italian. Bustling and friendly little place. Excellent wood fired pizza. They now have cocktails.

Season

4.9

4.9 (497)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Glen Head

About the restaurant

A seasonal American Bistro owned & operated by Chef Joe Marchisotta. Coming from some of the best kitchens in NYC, Chef Joe is merging fine dining and a casual bistro to create an elevated dining experience you can't wait to come back to. A small space with a great vibe and a warm, passionate staff that is ready to serve up the best dinner around.

Top review

SvetlanaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Tasty traditional Italian food, generous portions, strong drinks👌🏼

Uncle Franks

4.9

4.9 (186)

$31 to $50

Italian

Wantagh

About the restaurant

Uncle Frank's is a neighborhood cocktail and pizza bar in Wantagh, NY, by the same brothers-in-law of Blackbird Kitchen and Cocktails, and Rustic Root. With our wood-fired pizza oven, we're putting out house favorites like our Caccio e Pepe pizza, and charred pineapple cocktails. We can't wait to serve you all in the coming weeks!

Top review

KarenVIP

Dined on Mar 2, 2025

Always great food and friendly service. Best wings!

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Experience

Happy Hour

Il Villagio Trattoria Italiana

4.9

4.9 (51)

$31 to $50

Italian

Malverne

About the restaurant

Your go-to Italian spot in Malverne, serving classics in an upscale setting.

Top review

EleanorL

Dined 4 days ago

This is a favorite of my family for many years; always consistent with a great, accommodating staff!

A Taberna

4.8

4.8 (284)

$31 to $50

Portuguese

Island Park

About the restaurant

A Taberna Restaurant & Bar is located in Island Park, New York and serves authentic Portuguese, Mediterranean, and continental cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere. Its extensive menu offers something for everyone.
The menu at Atabernarestaurant.com ; is divided into three different categories: fish and seafood, poultry, and meat. Some of its menu items include frango de churrasco, bife a portuguesa, Seafood platter, Paella and much more. With such a wide array of menu options, you will not have any trouble finding your next favorite dish at Atabernarestaurant.com .

Top review

Michele

Dined on Jan 27, 2025

Everything was wonderful! The sangria is devine! We were not rushed at all.The service was fantastic and the staff were all so kind and attentive.

Rothchilds Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (122)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Great Neck

About the restaurant

Created by his children and grandchildren, Rothchilds Coffee & Kitchen is a celebration and a dedication to the memory of Walter Roth. Our patriarch was a much loved and well-known personality in Great Neck, and his love of family was only matched by his love of great food.

The family has been rooted in Great Neck since the 1960s, and Rothchilds Coffee & Kitchen has been designed as a neighborhood restaurant, with the décor and menu inspired by the diverse and vibrant community of Great Neck and the surrounding towns. The intimate and casual atmosphere serves as a gathering place to celebrate food, friends, family, and community.

Top review

Peter

Dined 4 days ago

As usual Rothchild’s was a wonderful experience…..Food was plentiful and prepared perfectly….Drinks were large….Service was perfect….

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