B/J New York List

6 places in New York · by Brian · updated October 21, 2026
Photo: rubirosanyc.com

1. 1

   Rubirosa

   Italian-American pizza · NoLita, 235 Mulberry Street

   Get: Tie-Dye pizza, the vodka pizza, the rigatoni

   Our fave place in the city.

   Critics: 78% liked it, from 8 reviews (2021 to 2026). Slipping: the recent write-ups are worse than the old ones. Read Michelin Guide (via Resy) 2022, Michelin Guide 2022, MICHELIN Guide 2021, Time Out New York 2026.

   The crowd: 4.4 of 5 on OpenTable (384 ratings).

   Also on the list: Where locals eat in New York.

   235 Mulberry Street, 10012, New York · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Crown Shy

   New American · Financial District, 70 Pine St

   Get: gruyère fritters, pull-apart olive bread, mafaldine with rock shrimp and chorizo, roasted short rib

   A step above good.

   Critics: Read The Infatuation 2022, Time Out New York.

   The crowd: 3.9 of 5 on Tripadvisor (89 ratings).

   70 Pine St, 10005, New York · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   The Polo Bar

   American · Midtown East, 1 E 55th St

   Get: Polo Bar burger, corned beef sandwich, popovers, salmon tartare

   Worth going (if you can get in!)

   Critics: 62% liked it, from 5 reviews (2015). Gone quiet: nothing new written in three years. Read The Infatuation, Time Out New York, Bloomberg 2015, HuffPost 2015.

   The crowd: 4 of 5 on Yelp (679 ratings).

   Also on the list: Where the famous eat in New York.

   1 E 55th St, 10022, New York · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Seahorse

   Union Square, 201 Park Ave S

   Get: the crudos, sea urchin with caviar toast, Dover sole or seared tuna au poivre

   Critics: Read Food & Wine (via Yahoo) 2026, Time Out New York 2026, The Infatuation 2025.

   The crowd: 4.4 of 5 on OpenTable (29 ratings).

   201 Park Ave S, 10003, New York · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Lure Fishbar

   Seafood · SoHo

   Get: the lobster roll, raw bar/sushi

   Glossy SoHo seafood spot styled like a yacht, known for sushi, lobster rolls, and a lively bar scene.

   Critics: Read The Infatuation 2022, Time Out New York.

   The crowd: 4.7 of 5 on OpenTable (3,469 ratings).

   142 Mercer St, 10012, New York · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Balthazar

   French brasserie · SoHo, 80 Spring St

   Get: onion soup, steak frites, escargots, raw bar/oyster towers

   Classic SoHo brasserie with mirrors and bustle, known for French onion soup, steak frites and a famous bakery counter.

   Also on these lists: Breakfast and sandwiches in New York, Where the famous eat in New York.

   80 Spring St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing