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

4.8

4.8 (515)

$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

Yen-Yen

Dined 3 days ago

I brought my partner here on a surprise date since he enjoys whiskey. Even though I do not drink, he said the whiskey was amazing. According to him, the flavors and proportions were perfect. We came for the ambiance and the live jazz Saturday brunch and had a great time. The food was delicious although there is only one appetizer and one entree option for vegetarians. We had a great time and plan on coming back for another Saturday brunch + jazz with visiting friends that we know will love this place.

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Experience

Jazz Brunch at Great Jones Distilling Co.

SAINT RESTAURANT BAR & SPEAKEASY

4.7

4.7 (109)

$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

Jorge

Dined 2 days ago

The restaurant was a fun vibe, with a 90 min bottomless special. The food was great and the music was great!

Estela

4.8

4.8 (640)

$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

Beth

Dined 5 days ago

Culinary alchemy. Delicious and different flavors.

Nougatine at Jean Georges

4.7

4.7 (5958)

$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

DrKathyVIP

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

I enjoyed dining at Nougatine by Jean George for a Friday dinner. As I entered the lovely restaurant, I was greeted by a wonderful hostess Natalia who took me to a table and she was so lovely to speak with about the restaurant. My servers were Mert and Liam and they very professional and courteous to me. They were very efficient in taking my order. They also served me complimentary mini appetizer which was a delightful surprise. The back server Deniz was nice too. I enjoyed the Pea soup and the Shrimp salad with avocado. The service was excellent and the food was so fresh and delicious. Thank you to the entire staff at Nougatine for making my time there so enjoyable.

Robert

4.8

4.8 (9216)

$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

Bedour

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing food and service,, enjoy the complementary sweets Thanks

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Popular dish

Scottish Salmon

Popular dish

Organic Amish Chicken

Popular dish

Filet Mignon

Perry St

4.8

4.8 (3697)

$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

LisaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent food and our server, Marcus, was exceptional!

Butter Midtown

4.6

4.6 (5982)

$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

Katrina

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Attentive & welcoming staff greeted us. Was VERY EXCITED about EVERYTHING on the menu. From our drinks to dessert it was an absolute treat we were celebrating a birthday & engagement Could not have asked for a better experience.

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Popular dish

Raspberry Beignets

Popular dish

Gnocchi "Mac & Cheese"

Popular dish

Thick-Cut Veal Bacon

BG - Bergdorf Goodman

4.8

4.8 (4840)

$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

Paula

Dined 6 days ago

Dining at Bergdorf Goodman was an unforgettable experience! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting. The menu offered a delightful array of dishes, each bursting with flavor. The staff was attentive and friendly, truly the best!

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Truffle Chicken Salad Sandwich

ABC Kitchen

4.6

4.6 (6567)

$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

Hal

Dined 4 days ago

From the outside it looked z as bandied and we were early for a 12:15 lunch. But certainly not inside. The wait staff was very attentive throughout our meal. We had stuffed artichoke and tuna tartare as shared appetizers and we shared a turkey burger and fries. Lastly we had cherry pie. We left nothing. All was delicious and we look forward to returning for dinner or who knows what. Excellent!!

L’Adresse NoMad

4.7

4.7 (284)

$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

Christian

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

Fantastic birthday celebration dinner this week. Service was attentive but not overly intrusive. Food was outstanding (crispy salmon starters and scallop entree was a highlight). Dessert was fun too (Smyrnika) and different than the standard tiramisu / cheesecake fare. Lastly, birthday recognition was TOP NOTCH! Got a small sip of sparkling wine as well as a tiny birthday cake with candle, which made the dinner extra special. Will definitely be back

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Experience

39$ Lunch Pre-Fixe Menu

Experience

Free Flow Bubbles Experience

Experience

Social Hour at the Bar | 4 PM - 6 PM

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