Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in New York City

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

Café Mars

4.9

4.9 (89)

$50 and over

Contemporary Italian

Park Slope

About the restaurant

Café Mars is an unusual Italian restaurant. Come see what we mean!

For parties larger than 6 please email info@cafemarsbk.com to help craft your hassle free dining experience!

Top review

TimVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding Italian spot with inventive and delicious food.

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Experience

Global Italian: Chicago?!

Experience

Large Party Pre Fix Reservation (5-6 guests)

Omakase Shihou (Shiro) - Midtown

4.8

4.8 (74)

$50 and over

Japanese Speciality

Midtown East

About the restaurant

Shiro Omakase - Midtown, located in the newly renovated private dining area on upper level of Tenzan Midtown offering a traditional omakase experience with modern touch to New Yorker in the heart of Midtown.
Experience will takes 1 hour 30 minutes. Please inform the restaurant if you will be late. We have grace period 15 minutes.

Top review

SarahVIP

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Exceptional service and the food was amazing. One of the best dining experiences of my life. Thalia was amazing and made the dinner even more special.

Moody Tongue Pizza

4.8

4.8 (18)

$31 to $50

Pizzeria

East Village

About the restaurant

Moody Tongue Pizza showcases an a la carte menu highlighting Tokyo-Neapolitan style pizzas as well as a rotating seasonal selection of MICHELIN starred Moody Tongue Brewery's award-winning beers. A curated list of wines and specialty cocktails is also available.

Please note: for large parties (7+ guests) or private parties, please e-mail newyork@moodytongue.com for assistance with your reservation.

Top review

Rico

Dined on Jan 5, 2025

Great team & amazing service. Delicious recommended pairings. We will be back for sure. Special thx for Nicole & Jose!

NAR Modern Turkish Cuisine

4.7

4.7 (19)

$50 and over

Turkish

NoMad

About the restaurant

Embrace the vibrant flavors of modern Turkish cuisine at our charming restaurant. From traditional classics to innovative creations, every plate tells a story.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Nov 29, 2024

Great overall experience!! Good food, better staff.

Zaab Zaab - Brooklyn

4.6

4.6 (5)

$30 and under

Thai

Williamsburg

About the restaurant

Zaab Zaab’s co-owners proud natives of Queens, opened their restaurant in the heart of Elmhurst’s Little Thailand in April of 2022 just before Songrkan, or Thai New Year. The destination for authentic Isaan cuisine from Northeastern Thailand has received numerous accolades, including a 3-star review from Pete Wells of The New York Times, and being listed two years in a row on the NYT’s 100 Best Restaurants in NYC as well as being nominated as a semifinalist in the Best Restaurateur category for the 2024 James Beard Foundation Awards. Zaab Zaab is also recognized as a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant.   Wei and Chunton a proud Thai-American who has been in the restaurant business for decades have been working together since 2018, when they opened a restaurant in Sunnyside, Queens, which was destroyed in a five-alarm fire.

Top review

stefano

Dined on Dec 20, 2024

One of the best and original Thai restaurant where I has been! Great Quality at good prices! Absolutely to try

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Experience

Brunch in Thailand

Saar Indian Bistro

4.5

4.5 (562)

$31 to $50

Indian

Theater District

About the restaurant

SAAR is a modern Indian bistro in Midtown Manhattan helmed by celebrated Tandoor Master Chef Hemant Mathur and his wife, acclaimed Chef Surbhi Sahni. The 64-seat restaurant and bar showcases authentic regional comfort food in a cozy, eclectic setting inspired by Chef Mathur’s home city of Jaipur. The menu features a unique combination of traditional home cooked and Indian street foods, reflecting the essence of India’s broad multicultural influences – including elements from British, Persian, and Jewish cuisine. Service includes lunch and dinner.

Top review

Nicole

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

Reasonably priced. Food is very favorable. Drinks were. The service was great

Genesis House Restaurant

4.3

4.3 (64)

$50 and over

Korean

Meatpacking District

About the restaurant

The Restaurant at Genesis House offers an exceptional culinary experience featuring distinctly Korean cuisine. The seasonally changing menu transports diners to the heart of Korea, delivering beautifully balanced flavors and unique local and imported ingredients that not just satiate the appetite, but stimulate the senses.

For the duration of the STARSCAPE installation at Genesis House, the exhibit will close to the public at 7PM and restaurant guests will have exclusive access 7 PM to 10 PM. Diners will be escorted directly into the exhibit at the end of their meal. Guests with daytime reservations will have the opportunity to bypass the public queue after their dining experience. Reservations are highly recommended, and a minimum food & beverage purchase of regular menu items is required.

Top review

RichardVIP

Dined on Jan 1, 2025

Highest recommendation. The space is striking, service is superb as is the food. The only negative is that I wish the menu was more extensive. Overall, this is a gem.

Margaritaville - Times Square

4.1

4.1 (177)

$30 and under

American

Garment District

About the restaurant

Paradise has come to the heart of New York City. At Margaritaville New York you can enjoy a tropical oasis in the middle of The Big Apple. Slip into the island state of mind at our bar while you sip on your favorite margarita or one of our signature frozen concoctions, enjoy a Cheeseburger in Paradise, or try our other coastal-inspired foods.

Top review

Rossy

Dined 3 days ago

We had a great time! Food was ready in fast and it was delicious! The Mango berry drink I ordered was amazing. 2nd time at Margarita Ville. Totally recommend.

NOFLEX NYC

4.1

4.1 (26)

$31 to $50

Lounge

NoMad

About the restaurant

✦ The First Media Art Lounge ✦ ✶ Restaurant & Bar ✶ NOFLEX® NYC is a contemporary Korean restaurant & bar in New York City. It is managed by Next Dining, a distinguished hospitality group from Korea. The restaurant offers inventive Korean cuisine made with fresh ingredients and diverse flavors. The space's ambiance is unparalleled, with a 72-foot LED wall and vibrant lighting that will transport you to Seoul. You can enjoy an impressive selection of cocktails, wine, sake, soju, and more while grooving to lively music and nightly DJ performances. NOFLEX® NYC is a must-visit spot for an unforgettable night out in the city, with its unique blend of food, drinks, and entertainment.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Dec 1, 2024

So amazing dining lounge with a beautiful space and gorgeous servers! I loved their cocktails and Korean dishes too! Absolutely recommend!

SUSHIDELIC

3.7

3.7 (9)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Little Italy

About the restaurant

SUSHIDELIC isn’t your average sushi spot; it’s an innovative, immersive kawaii adventure that leads you on a psychedelic journey! We're redefining the sushi experience for the new generation.

Bringing Tokyo culture to the heart of NYC’s SoHo District, SUSHIDELIC is the brainchild of visionary Japanese artist Sebastian Masuda, known as the "King of Kawaii." Kawaii culture has evolved into a global phenomenon, captivating both kids and sophisticated adults alike.

Discover a journey where each bite and moment celebrates creativity. Colorful surroundings complement unique flavors, sparking joy and excitement. Lose yourself in a sensory adventure that defies expectations, as every dish offers delightful intricacies.

Choose your culinary adventure at SUSHIDELIC: enjoy our diverse à la carte menu, selecting from a variety of individually crafted dishes, or immerse yourself in our Omakase-style "PURE Imagination" menu, featuring expertly curated courses by Executive Chef, Reina Tange.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

I brought my neice for her 8th Birthday and it was a super special experience! Really made me feel like I got to show her a tiny piece of Tokyo. Obviously it is a themed restaurant so that is what you are there for. The food is ok but also plated so fun and creative that it made every dish that came out something to look forward to. The server was above and beyond in her hospitality and her costume was amazing! Highly recommend for a special occasion.

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