The Upper West Side is a great place in New York City for food lovers. It has lots of different restaurants with yummy food from all over the world. In the past few years, many new exciting places to eat have opened up in the neighborhood. This article will tell you about the top 6 best restaurants on the Upper West Side. These restaurants have the tastiest food from various cuisines and are perfect for different occasions.
Whether you live in the area or are visiting, the Upper West Side has something delicious for everyone. From a classic bagel with lox to fancy sushi, the restaurants here offer many wonderful food options.
The top 6 restaurants on our list serve food from different parts of the world, like Jewish deli favorites, tasty Dominican dishes, carefully made sushi, and creative Vietnamese food. Each restaurant is special and really good at what they make, so you’ll have a meal to remember.
Come along as we explore the best restaurants on the Upper West Side. Find out about the hidden gems and popular spots that are the stars of the neighborhood’s food scene. Get excited to enjoy mouthwatering flavors, great service, and cozy places that will make you want to come back for more.
1. Barney Greengrass
Address : 541 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024, United States
Open Hours :
Tuesday to Friday : 8:30 am–4 pm
Saturday and Sunday : 8:30 am–5 pm
Open in Google Map : Link
Barney Greengrass is a popular Jewish deli on the Upper West Side that has been around for a long time. When you go inside, it feels cozy and old-fashioned, with comfy seats and pretty pictures on the walls. The pictures show the restaurant’s interesting history.
The food at Barney Greengrass is really tasty and traditional. They have soft bagels, smooth fish, crispy potato pancakes, and yummy eggs with salmon. Each dish is made with care and uses the best ingredients.
Going to Barney Greengrass is not just about eating, but also learning about the neighborhood’s history and culture. It’s a great place to take visitors before exploring nearby museums. You can create happy memories while enjoying the delicious food.
Barney Greengrass has been an important part of the Upper West Side for a long time. The author’s grandma remembers when it was a fancy place where people saved money to eat the best fish. Today, it’s still known for its yummy food and welcomes new people to make their own special memories there.
2. La Dinastia
Address : 145 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023, United States
Open Hours :
Saturday to Sunday : 11:30 am–10 pm
Open in Google Map : Link
La Dinastia is a restaurant that mixes Chinese and Latin American flavors. It’s been a favorite spot in the neighborhood since 1986. People love going there for the tasty and unique dishes.
The most famous dish at La Dinastia is their crispy chicken bites called chicharrones de pollo. They are super crunchy and come with a special green sauce that makes them even more delicious. Everyone who tries them becomes a big fan.
When you enter La Dinastia, you’ll see a mix of people eating there. Some have been coming for many years, while others found out about it recently online. The restaurant has a friendly and welcoming feel, with big booths that are perfect for eating with friends and family.
On the walls, you’ll see old photos of famous people who have eaten at La Dinastia. The fun atmosphere is made even better by the popular rum drinks that many people enjoy with their meals.
3. Sushi Kaito
Address : 244 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023, United States
Open Hours :
Wednesday to Sunday : 5:30–9 pm
Open in Google Map : Link
Sushi Kaito is a fancy sushi place on West 72nd Street. It’s perfect for people who love sushi and want to try something special. The restaurant is known for its creative and carefully made omakase menu, which is a set meal chosen by the chef.
The 13-course omakase at Sushi Kaito is different from what you usually find at sushi places. Each course is like a little work of art, with both classic nigiri sushi and unique cooked dishes. You’ll get to try things like tempura fried fish in a tasty mushroom soup and juicy grilled fish collar. Every bite is full of flavor and shows the skills of the chefs.
What makes Sushi Kaito stand out is how much attention they pay to every detail, especially when making the nigiri sushi. The chefs use big pieces of fish so each bite is satisfying and lets you really taste the flavors. This creates a memorable and special sushi experience.
Sushi Kaito has a small counter with only 10 seats, which makes it feel very exclusive and fancy. You can choose between two omakase menus: a 13-course meal for $98 or a longer 17-course meal for $135. No matter which one you pick, eating at Sushi Kaito will be a highlight of your food adventures on the Upper West Side.
4. Bánh
Address : 942 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025, United States
Open Hours :
Sunday, 12–4 pm, 6–9 pm
Tuesday to Thursday : 6–10 pm
Friday : 12–4 pm, 6–10 pm
Saturday, 12–4 pm, 6–10 pm
Open in Google Map : Link
Bánh is a small Vietnamese restaurant near Lincoln Center that has become very popular. Even though it doesn’t look fancy from the outside, the food is so good that everyone is talking about it. Eating there is like taking a tasty trip to Vietnam.
Each dish at Bánh is special and full of flavor. The bún bò bơ has yummy beef on top of fresh noodles that taste really good together. If you want something to hold in your hand, try the pork belly bánh mì sandwich. It has tasty meat, crunchy veggies, and herbs that smell great. Another crispy and delicious dish is the bánh chưng chiên, which is filled with juicy pork and fried until it’s golden and crispy.
The food at Bánh is so tempting that the author even rides their bike along the pretty Riverside Park just to go eat there. You can tell that the restaurant uses the best ingredients and cooks everything in a way that’s true to Vietnam. It’s definitely worth making a trip to try it.
Bánh has a relaxed and friendly feel, making it a great spot to eat with friends or on a casual date. But since it’s getting so popular, it’s a good idea to go during times when it’s not too crowded. That way, you won’t have to wait in a long line to enjoy the yummy food at this Upper West Side favorite.
5. Mama’s Too
Address : 2750 Broadway, New York, NY 10025, United States
Open Hours :
Saturday to Sunday : 12–11 pm
Open in Google Map : Link
Mama’s Too is a pizza place on the Upper West Side that makes some of the best slices in the city. It’s a small and cozy spot near Central Park that has quickly become a favorite among people who live nearby and anyone who loves great pizza.
The most famous slice at Mama’s Too is the square pepperoni. Each bite is like a little piece of heaven. The crust on the bottom is super crispy, the sauce is a little tangy and garlicky, and there’s a ton of pepperoni on top that gets nice and crispy in the oven. It’s a slice that you won’t forget!
If you like regular triangle slices better, the plain slice at Mama’s Too is also really good. It’s light and crispy, with just the right amount of cheese and sauce. What makes it extra special is the fresh basil they add on top, which gives it a nice burst of flavor.
But the most unique and amazing slice at Mama’s Too is the cacio e pepe one. It’s based on a famous Italian pasta dish and combines the cheesy, peppery flavors of cacio e pepe with a yummy pizza. It’s a creative and tasty twist that shows how much the restaurant loves making great pizza.
Sometimes they might not have all the slices available, but don’t worry! You can always order a whole pizza with your favorite toppings. Whether you want a classic pepperoni or the special cacio e pepe, you can get your pizza fix at this awesome spot on the Upper West Side.
6. Absolute Bagels
Address : 2788 Broadway, New York, NY 10025, United States
Open Hours :
Saturday to Sunday : 6 am–7 pm
Open in Google Map : Link
When it comes to bagels, Absolute Bagels is the best of the best. This simple-looking bagel shop makes what many people (including the author) think is the yummiest bagel in all of New York City – the plain everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, and you don’t even need to toast it!
The bagels at Absolute Bagels are really special. They’re soft and chewy, with a little bit of sweetness and a tasty malty flavor that makes them different from other bagels. The everything bagel is the star, covered in lots of savory toppings that go perfectly with the creamy scallion cream cheese.
The person who makes these amazing bagels is Sam Thongkrieng. He learned how to make them really well at a famous place called Ess-A-Bagel before opening his own shop. You can tell he puts a lot of care into every bagel he makes, using the best ingredients and following traditional recipes.
Don’t let the plain look of Absolute Bagels or the fact that they only take cash stop you from going. Even though there might be a long line sometimes, that just shows how much people love these bagels. The line moves pretty fast, and trust me, the bagels are totally worth the wait. Come to Absolute Bagels and try the best bagels on the Upper West Side!
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Conclusion
The Upper West Side has so many different kinds of yummy food to try. From the classic Jewish deli food at Barney Greengrass to the fancy sushi at Sushi Kaito, there’s something for everyone. If you like bold flavors, check out the Chinese-Latin American dishes at La Dinastia or the tasty Vietnamese food at Bánh. And don’t forget about the amazing pizza at Mama’s Too or the best bagels in the city at Absolute Bagels.
The restaurants in this part of New York City are always changing and getting better. Each place has its own special style and really good food. Whether you want a casual meal with friends, a romantic dinner, or a fun time with family, the Upper West Side has lots of great choices for any craving or occasion.
Use this guide to help you find the top 6 restaurants that people who live here and visit love the most. But don’t stop there – keep exploring and trying all the other amazing places to eat in this exciting neighborhood. With every new dish you try, you’ll discover new flavors, make happy memories, and fall even more in love with all the incredible food on the Upper West Side.