6 Restaurants In NYC Ranked ‘Best Of Best’ Among Tourists

NEW YORK CITY— There are a few casual restaurants in New York City that tourists shouldn’t miss, according to a travel platform’s ranking based on diner reviews.

Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards represent the “best of the best” in several categories. In the casual dining category, six of the 18 restaurants on the list are in New York City.

“These restaurants might be casual, but there’s nothing casual about how much travelers love them,” Tripadvisor said, pointing out that “really good food and really good vibes are a winning combo.”

Only 18 restaurants made the cut in the casual dining category. In New York City, tourists raved about:

No. 2: Sicily Osteria, 328-330 W 46th St.

Sicily Osteria, situated near Times Square, is praised for its authentic Italian cuisine featuring homemade pasta and fresh seafood, which many travelers find offers good value. The atmosphere is described as cozy and romantic, making it a popular choice for various occasions.

“There is no shortage of Italian restaurants in Manhattan, but as a native Manhattanite I must say that this is my favorite Italian place," one reviewer wrote.

No. 7: Piccola Cucina Estiatorio, 75 Thompson St.

Piccola Cucina Estiatorio, in the heart of SoHo, serves high-quality Italian cuisine with generous portions, and at reasonable prices.

“A small place with great service, high-quality product, everything fresh with creativity in the preparation of the dishes,” one reviewer wrote.

No. 9: Altair Restaurant, 351 W 38th St.

Located in Midtown Manhattan, Altair remains popular for its atmosphere, often described as relaxed and beautifully decorated.

“We enjoyed a wonderful anniversary dinner at Altair,” a review read. “The restaurant is airy, the food expertly prepared and delicious, and service excellent.”

No. 11: Piccola Cucina Osteria, 196 Spring St.

Chef and owner Philip Guardione opened the restaurant in January 2013 to bring the real taste of Sicily to SoHo. Friendly service and a buzzy atmosphere come together in a typical Italian restaurant setting, complemented by home cooking. Fully renovated in 2021, the location has a warm and cozy feel.

“Lovely food and big portions, ended up in here by accident but it was a great choice,” one reviewer wrote.

No. 12: Boucherie West Village, 99 7th Avenue South.

Boucherie West Village is a French restaurant celebrated by travelers for its classic cuisine, stylish atmosphere and delicious cocktails.

“They have a wonderful French cuisine menu and the cocktails are delicious,” a review read.

No. 23: Harriet's Lounge, 60 Furman St., Brooklyn.

The DUMBO restaurant's rooftop setting makes it a popular spot for enjoying drinks and small plates while taking in the city views, particularly around sunset.

“The view is absolutely breathtaking and the crab sushi rolls were delicious,” one reviewer wrote.

Tripadvisor said the “best of the best” title celebrates the highest level of excellence in travel. It’s awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from Tripadvisor users over 12 months. Out of the site’s 8 million listings, fewer than 1 percent achieve this milestone.