Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in New York City

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in New York City? 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

4.7

4.7 (647)

$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

EmeryVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Consistently one of the best restaurants in New York City. Absolutely beautiful and lively space without being pretentious. Staff is warm and helpful, food is divine!

Little Owl

4.9

4.9 (4554)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

West Village

About the restaurant

Nearly 2 grateful decades later the Chef & Owner Joey Campanaro humbly Introduces Little owl's, the Chef's Room, our newest twin dining room, just 1 door down Bedford street, in the Friends Building at Bedford and Grove, accepting reservations for Lunch, Brunch, Dinner and Private Dining. Along with Lisa Komara's expertly chosen wine list, we offer bold-flavored, Seasonal-Mediterranean American cuisine with friendly, professional service. We accept reservations for parties of up to 6 guests, in our cozy dining rooms in the storied West Village. We're a corner gem with a big pork chop and an even bigger heart— serving with love since 2006. From bridal showers, to product launches, you can book fully private, affordable, lunch meetings, dinner parties and brunch events in the Chef's room-up to 24 people. Not all tables are reserved so walk ins are encouraged. To reserve the bar, the best seats in town, please contact the restaurant.

Thank you for being a part of our Little Owl Family!

Top review

Dottie

Dined 3 days ago

Delightful, energetic atmosphere. Superb service. Incredibly delicious dishes — a nice variety.

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Popular dish

Gravy Meatball Sliders

Popular dish

Eggplant Parmigiana

J's On The Bay

4.8

4.8 (87)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Shore Acres

About the restaurant

Welcome to J’s on the Bay, owned and operated by proprietor Chef Joe Salimeni, award-winning graduate of French Culinary Institute and self made owner of this establishment as well as J’s Meal Prep. J’s On the Bay offers Meal Prep for busy customers on the go. From quinoa salads to truffled chicken lettuce wraps, turkey chili and everything in between. They offer weekly delivery to all five boroughs and soon, nationwide distribution.
J’s offers its customers a unique dining experience with its off the cuff combinations of classic ingredients and their unexpected marriages Chef Joe constructs. J’s was first opened in 2014 has evolved over the last 7 years from a homely neighborhood diner to the fine dining restaurant it is today. Through hard work, uninterrupted and meticulous care, and constantly working to push himself and his menu, Joe has turned his restaurant dreams into a reality.

Top review

Deborah EVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Always a pleasure to dine here....Great food and service!

Nougatine at Jean Georges

4.7

4.7 (5961)

$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

TomoVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great service and food is always outstanding. Love how they always have seasonal ingredients featured on their menu. Squash this time, but last time, peas. Those dishes are always a good bet.

Stone Park Cafe

4.9

4.9 (1147)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Park Slope

About the restaurant

A contemporary American restaurant nestled in the heart of Park Slope, Brooklyn, Stone Park Cafe is at the forefront of New York's neighborhood dining trend, focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients served in a comfortable yet polished dining room. To complement the market-driven menu, the restaurant offers an international selection of over 200 wines. Open for dinner & weekend brunch.

Top review

Gail

Dined on Jul 10, 2025

Loved our birthday dinner. The food was awesome and the service was outstanding. A true gem in park slope

The Restaurant at Great Jones Distilling Co

4.9

4.9 (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 on Jun 28, 2025

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.

Perry St

4.8

4.8 (3700)

$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

JennyVIP

Dined on Jul 9, 2025

Fantastic delicious food but quite pricey. Very quiet. Small things could use a refresh like the table lamp was stained, the bathroom paint could be touched up. For this price point and a luxury experience it would be good to pay attention to these small details

The Stone House at Clove Lakes - NY

4.7

4.7 (789)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Castleton Corners

About the restaurant

The Stone House Restaurant sits on its own private island, nestled in the heart of Clove Lakes Park. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Staten Island’s lakes, ponds, trails and wildlife, The Stone House is the perfect setting for your next event. Experience the ambiance of our elegant slate roofed cottage, perfectly situated on the waterfront. With our gazebo and fountains, our lakeside patio boasts gorgeous views and breathtaking scenery that can be the pinnacle of your next catered affair, Lunch, Brunch or dinner.We are passionate about our food & service. We pride ourselves on the unsurpassed quality of our eclectic menu. There’s something to please every palate. Our Chef creates culinary delights with extraordinary texture and flavor combinations you just won’t experience anywhere else.

Top review

Susan

Dined 4 days ago

The Stonehouse is prettier than ever. The food is 5 star. The bartender makes the best drinks 🍸. I had a margarita and my husband had a martini. Both were superb. The staff makes you feel welcome.

Robert

4.8

4.8 (9238)

$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

Catalina

Dined 3 days ago

Food was great and ambiance with view of Central Park is out of this world! Thank you!

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Popular dish

Scottish Salmon

Popular dish

Organic Amish Chicken

Popular dish

Filet Mignon

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