Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Manhattan

OpenTable

Updated March 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!

Estela

4.8

4.8 (570)

$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

Jesus

Dined 2 days ago

The food and service at Estela was excellent. Staff were all attentive and friendly. Plates were great for sharing and the menu, though not large, provided an excellent variety of foods and flavors. Everything we ordered was delicious, but the Endive salad was the all star! Truly a must have.

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

TimVIP

Dined on Mar 13, 2025

I love this place. Service is excellent. Food is great. My favorite restaurant in the city.

Contour

4.8

4.8 (153)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Midtown West

About the restaurant

The classic cocktail culture of New York City is revived at this all-day gastro lounge, located inside The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park. Contour is expressed in the fluid, Matisse-inspired lines that adorn the ceiling; the easy, steady flow of drinks, energy and conversation; and the experience itself, which transforms throughout the day. Small plates showcase locally sourced ingredients, and cocktails, in their preparation and presentation, are beautifully refined. The social rhythm of the city and Matisse-inspired design is weaved through Contour’s three spaces including a marble bar and two unique lounge spaces.

Top review

Cindi

Dined on Mar 8, 2025

Magical atmosphere & beautiful view, set on Central Park South, topped off with extraordinary food and a fabulous staff. A wonderful experience.

L’Adresse NoMad

4.8

4.8 (255)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

NoMad

About the restaurant

L’Adresse Nomad pulls inspiration from European culinary traditions and modern American techniques, fusing ingredients and flavor profiles from both food cultures into a dynamic menu of approachable and thoughtfully crafted dishes, all complemented by L’Adresse’s innovative bar program specializing in benchmark classics and signature offerings inspired thereof.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

We really enjoyed the menu and ambiance. The server was attentive and had answers for any of our questions. Highly recommend.

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Experience

Free Flow Bubbles Experience

Experience

Social Hour at the Bar

Giorgio's of Gramercy

4.7

4.7 (2702)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Gramercy Park

About the restaurant

Our patio, is open for dinner and drinks Sun-Wed 5-9pm and Thur-Sat 5-10pm! Take-out, delivery and catering services are also available Mon-Fri 12-3pm, Sun-Wed 5-9pm and Thur-Sat 5-10pm.

Giorgio's of Gramercy is one of Zagat's top rated restaurants in the Gramercy Park neighborhood. Our eclectic American menu will not disappoint. The philosophy at Giorgio’s of Gramercy is to serve quality food using only the freshest of ingredients at great value. We offer menus that are creative, yet simple.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Always a staple. Good sauce and pasta. Lasagna was a little runny and left more to be desired.

BG - Bergdorf Goodman

4.7

4.7 (4760)

$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

JohnVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Spectacular as usual! Setting, service and food all exemplary...

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Truffle Chicken Salad Sandwich

Bistro Verde - Nordstrom New York City

4.7

4.7 (338)

$30 and under

American

Midtown West

About the restaurant

The health and safety of our employees and community is our priority. We are working hard to keep our communities safe. We are open for dine-in service and to-go orders with Curbside Pickup. Call (212) 295-2185 to place your order.

Top review

MarvinVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Bistro Verde is a hidden gem with an outdoor view and surprisingly great food!

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Experience

Weekend Brunch 11am-3pm

Experience

Wine Wednesdays

Experience

Happy Hour at the Bistro Verde!

Robert

4.7

4.7 (9109)

$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

GERINVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Best view in Manhattan NYC. Delicious salmon and wagyu burger.

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Popular dish

Scottish Salmon

Popular dish

Organic Amish Chicken

Popular dish

Diver Sea Scallops

The Restaurant at Great Jones Distilling Co

4.7

4.7 (508)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 5 days ago

Great service and awesome food and drinks obviously. Very recommended

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Experience

Jazz Brunch at Great Jones Distilling Co.

Butter Midtown

4.6

4.6 (5928)

$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

MauraVIP

Dined on Mar 18, 2025

I brought friends from Minneapolis and we were all so happy with the food and service.

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Popular dish

Raspberry Beignets

Popular dish

Gnocchi "Mac & Cheese"

Popular dish

Thick-Cut Veal Bacon

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