Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in New York City

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

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

Nai Tapas Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1016)

$50 and over

Tapas / Small Plates

East Village

About the restaurant

Welcome to Nai – A Galician Dining Experience

Nestled in the heart of the East Village, Nai offers an elevated take on Spanish tapas inspired by Galicia. Chef Ruben Rodriguez brings his heritage, artistry, and deep respect for tradition to every dish, turning simple ingredients into something unforgettable.

Our seasonal tasting menu showcases Galicia’s rich flavors through Chef Ruben’s creative lens. Whether you’re joining us for an intimate dinner, Flamenco performances on Thursdays and Saturdays, or our cozy Happy Hour escape Monday–Wednesday (5–7pm) with half-price sangria pitchers, $6 beers, and $10 house wine, Nai is where food, culture, and hospitality come together.

Reservations are recommended, with limited bar seating for walk-ins. Our curated wine list and seasonal cocktails complete the experience.

Top review

Melody

Dined 3 days ago

Every item we tasted was well balanced and phenomenal. We had a nut allergy in the group and they made a special portion with no almonds to accommodate. Excellent wine pairings. Great discovery.

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Experience

Flamenco Shows Every Thursday and Saturday

Yopparai

4.9

4.9 (516)

$50 and over

Izakaya

Lower East Side

About the restaurant

Yopparai is a well-loved Japanese restaurant and sake bar known for a wide variety of sake paired with traditional Japanese cuisine. We serve traditional Japanese favorites like sashimi, sushi and grilled meat/fish, while also offering signature dishes like homemade tofu, oden, and Japanese-style hot pot. All of our dishes are homemade using a combination of fresh local ingredients and fish and meat sourced from Japan. We offer unique seating in intimate booths on Japanese tatami mats, as well as counter seating in front of our sushi chefs.

If you're celebrating a special occasion, please consider our limited-availability chef's omakase menu. The omakase experience may be booked in advance through Open Table or by calling the restaurant.

Top review

Joe

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Incredible culinary experience with top notch service. Mackerel was amazing.

Finestra

4.9

4.9 (333)

$30 and under

Italian

Upper East Side

About the restaurant

Finestra Restaurant is a Fine Italian Cuisine located on Upper East Side. We are open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, take out and delivery. We feature a full bar and delicious traditional Italian food. Our menu has gluten free, vegetarian and vegan items. We serve the freshest seafood and have specials every day. Every Friday night is Classical Guitar night with Craig Graham, an excellent guitar player. Finestra Restaurant is family-owned and operated.

Our convenient Upper East Side location in New York is close to Sotheby’s, Hospital of Special Surgery, New York Cornell University, Cornell Weil Medical College, Helmsley Medical Tower Hotel and Belaire Guest Facility HSS.

We are looking forward to seeing you soon.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined on Jun 11, 2025

Good and service are great, tables NOT squashed together, very pleasant dining experience

Taiki

4.9

4.9 (138)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Boerum Hill

About the restaurant

Nestled in the Boerum Hill neighborhood, is the best sushi restaurant in Brooklyn, Taiki. Join us for an authentic Japanese sushi experience, with the majority of fish being imported straight from Japan. The head chef, Taiki Minamitani, boasts 18 years of experience as an Itamae (sushi chef). Our selection of wine, sake, signature cocktails, and beer is specifically selected to complement our traditional sushi menu and original kitchen menu. The romantic and cozy setting is perfect for parties, dates, or just drinks with a friend. We hope to see you soon.

Top review

Dominika

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

We love this restaurant. It serves sme of the best sushi in NYC- it's a legit Tokyo like experience. Top quality food with an unpretentious atmosphere. The team is great. It is family friend (there is a $!6 kids meal) and the place is so chill and relaxed. We noticed that a lot of people were ordering takeout and it looked good. We had dinner and drinks. Not cheap but you get what you pay for. This place is great and does not rush you. 10/10.

Osteria 106

4.9

4.9 (738)

$30 and under

Italian

Upper West Side

About the restaurant

If your preferred dining hour is not available on line, please feel free to call or email for availability. Please also note that for parties of 5 & more, you must please call us for availability. We look forward to seeing you!

PLEASE NOTE BEFORE BOOKING…we reserve all rights to limit table time as necessary. Please do also note “allotted table time” in your booking, it is very much appreciated.

GRAZIE!

OSTERIA 106, AN AUTHENTIC ITALIAN DINING SPACE IN MANHATTAN'S UPPER WEST SIDE.
OUR HOPE IS TO BRING A RELAXED, COMFORTABLE & TRULY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE TO OUR GUESTS, PRESENTING A FRESH APPROACH TO THE
FAMILIAR LANDSCAPE OF ITALIAN CUISINE.

Top review

JoeCVIP

Dined on Jun 23, 2025

Consistently good food and service

Sobre Masa

4.9

4.9 (10)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Bushwick

About the restaurant

Sobre Masa is a contemporary Mexican restaurant located in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Our menu is designed to be enjoyed family-style, highlighting authentic and modern Mexican cuisine.

Our kitchen is centered around housemade nixtamal and tortillas, crafted daily from heirloom corn sourced directly from small farms across Mexico.

Our beverage program features a thoughtful selection of Mexican spirits from across the country, alongside riffs on classic cocktails.

The kitchen is led by Oaxacan Chef Zack Wangeman, whose cooking is rooted in nostalgia, seasonality, and respect for heirloom ingredients—showcasing the depth of Mexican cuisine beyond the plate.

Top review

Karun

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

The food was amazing. The staff were very helpful and knowledgeable- overall it wasn’t just a meal but an experience.

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Experience

Chef Kaelin Ulrich – Seasons of My Heart in NY

F&F Restaurant and Bar

4.9

4.9 (40)

$31 to $50

Pizzeria

Carroll Gardens

About the restaurant

F&F Restaurant & Bar is the highly anticipated first full-service restaurant from the universally acclaimed F&F Pizzeria. The menu by legendary chefs Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli features all-new pies and craveable fare perfect for sharing, along with expertly prepared cocktails and an array of wines from their celebrated cellar.

This is the quintessential neighborhood restaurant—a place fit for everything from a celebration to a nightcap, where guests dine in a warm tavern setting surrounded by artworks from the likes of Julian Schnabel and Ron Gorchov.

F&F Pizzeria, the original slice shop, is located just up the block.

Top review

Lily

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

We had a delicious early dinner here with our two young daughters. The chicken scarpariello and cucumber salad were our favorites. Loved the guanciale and leek pie too. A perfect 50/50 martini. We appreciated being able to have a very grown-up meal that was kid-friendly as well. I can see how that vibes would get even better after the early bird family-friendly reservation slots -- will be back for a date night w/o the kids!

Aquarelle

4.9

4.9 (239)

$31 to $50

Seafood

East Village

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Lauren

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

Came for my friends birthday and had the best experience!! Amazing ambience, service and food. Will be back soon.

Botte Bar

4.7

4.7 (48)

$30 and under

Italian

Astoria

About the restaurant

Welcome to Botte Bar, a cozy small size Italian restaurant specializing in Roman cuisine and traditional Italian cocktails located at 25-07 Broadway in Astoria, Queens. It is our pleasure to serve you delicious, inspired Italian dishes from Rome.

We offer a selection of cicchetti (small plates), and a large selection of pastas, appetizers, salads, seafood and meat dishes and a selection of rotating specials. We handpicked our selections of Italian wine to complement our menu.

We have a full bar with a signature cocktail menu, where you can also enjoy a full dinner.

Top review

JhoanVIP

Dined on May 1, 2025

Very small spot, but super cozy. Food is great and so are the drinks. Everything tastes super fresh and the employees are very friendly. Their happy hour menu is really good too, with a few appetizers, oysters and drinks

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