In a food-crazed city, the West Village still manages to be the epicenter of all things culinary. Seemingly every single charming, tree-lined block brings another hip restaurant, with tiny spaces typically filled to the brim with gorgeous people. Plus, there's a little bit of everything: from authentic French fare to Italian eateries practically made for carb-lovers.If you want to see what makes New York (and its culinary scene) so great, there's no doubt this 'hood should be your first stop. Just make sure your stomach is empty!
Pó
This Italian place checks a lot of boxes: cool lineage (co-founded by Mario Batali) beautiful space (elegant and cream-toned), tons of food (those portions!), and an accessible cost (those prices!). Nope, nothing to disagree with here. It may just be the perfect spot.
Pó, 31 Cornelia Street (between Bleecker Street and W. 4th Street); (212) 645-2189
Waverly Inn
The gnocchi is heavenly, the burger is divine. But you don’t come here for the food, not really. It’s all about the ambiance, the dark wood, the Edward Sorel murals, and yeah, the celebrities. There’s a “no photos” policy for a reason.
Waverly Inn, 16 Bank Street (at Waverly Place); (917-828-1154)
Fish
The food is delicious, but it’s the special deals that make Fish irresistible. There’s all-you-can-eat blue crabs for $22 every single day, or a half-dozen oysters and a drink (beer or wine) for $9. Yes, please. Another memorable aspect of this unassuming gem? Its surprising southern touches, like grits alongside red snapper or hushpuppies and collard greens with catfish.
Fish, 280 Bleecker Street (at Jones Street); 212-727-2879.
RedFarm
This unassuming, cozy Chinese restaurant, situated inside a small townhouse with wooden rafters and banquettes, is easily one of the best in the city. The menu is of the Chinese-fusion variety, consisting of traditional recipes that have been spiced up and revamped. While they don't take reservations for parties of eight people or less, the likely wait you'll encounter at this hot spot is well worth it.
RedFarm, 529 Hudson Street (between West 10th and Charles streets); 212-792-9700.
The Place
It takes a lot to be called one of the most romantic restaurants in the West Village, but the fireplace, candles, and twinkly lights at The Place are all conspiring to make you lean in to your dinner mate. Well, that and the Mediterranean/new-American food, like pappardelle with a duck confit ragu, or a leg of lamb with crumbled feta on top.
The Place, 310 West 4th Street (between Bank and West 12th streets); 212-924-2711.
Mas (farmhouse)
There’s mas as in “more” in Spanish, but this place is mas as in the stone farmhouses in the south of France. Ingredients come from organic farms around New York City, so the menu changes daily, “following nature’s lead,” as they put it. You can depend on foods found on a farm, like chicken and duck. Also consider the farmhouse’s sister restaurant, Almanac, which opened this past November with a hyper-seasonal menu that rotates according to what's freshest when.
Mas (farmhouse), 39 Downing Street (at Bedford Street); 212-255-1790.
Tartine
A BYOB in the wildly expensive West Village! If that doesn’t grab you, the classic French fare definitely will. There’s broiled escargot, steak au poivres, mussels and french fries, and so much more. The line can be nuts for dinner, so brunch and lunch are a deliciously good bet; if you must go in the evening — fret not. The staff is more than happy to uncork your wine while you wait.
Tartine, 253 West 11th Street (at West 4th Street); 212-229-2611.
Fedora
The jaunty name suggests a jazzy throwback restaurant, and that is what you will find at this tiny sliver of a spot. Aside from the dark and dreamy decor, there are amazing cocktails and big ol' portions of delicious classics, like crisped duck breast, braised lamb shank, and wagyu sirloin flank steak.
Fedora, 239 West 4th Street (between Charles and West 10th streets); 646-449-9336.
Buvette
This French-Italian gastropub is a cozy spot to hang with friends, especially for lunch. The bright, intimate space plays host to tiny shared plates, like the series of tartinettes (one with stracchino and sun-dried cherry tomatoes), or rabbit pot pie.
Buvette, 42 Grove Street (between Bleecker and Bedford streets).
Takashi
Step right up, adventurous eaters. This restaurant is theoretically Japanese and Korean, but really, the cuisine is just meat. There is a spare rib and a burger, sure, but also beef tendon, beef testicles, and even beef brain cream. And then there’s the Tongue Experience, which is not your college boyfriend’s psychedelic band. You’ll just have to eat it to believe it.
Takashi, 456 Hudson Street (at Barrow Street); 212-414-2929.
Morandi
Restauranteur Keith McNally tends to be French-obsessed, but Morandi is his Italian venture. In his typical style, the menu is a creative and fun take on the cuisine, like meatballs with pine nuts and raisins (alla siciliana), or salmon with Meyer lemon yogurt (all’ortolana). Plus there’s a whole section just for fried items. We approve.
Morandi, 211 Waverly Place (between Seventh Avenue South and Charles Street); 212-627-7575.
Market Table
The walls at Market Table are almost entirely windows, so you feel like you’re dining with the beautiful populace of downtown New York. The food is American, seasonal, and local. The coolest example? The Stony Brook Farms whole hog special — the restaurant gets a hog of its own every week, and serves daily specials featuring different cuts.
Market Table, 54 Carmine Street (at Bedford Street); 212-255-2100.
Kin Shop
Give the pad see ew a break. Chef Harold Dieterle creates his own interpretations of Thai dishes, putting the unique flavors of the cuisine to good use. Imagine a tilefish curry with green papaya, or roasted mushroom drunken noodles. As a bonus, the space is simple and pretty, with abstract green paintings hanging on every wall.
Kin Shop, 469 Sixth Avenue (between West 11th and 12th streets); 212-675-4295.
Joseph Leonard
Unlike some restaurants in the West Village that want to be hipper-than-thou, Joseph Leonard actually aims to be welcoming and warm. With only seven tables and a straightforward menu of strip steak and roasted chicken, you might just feel like you’re at a dinner party with your new best friends. Plus, this spot is only one of the feathers in the cap of impresario Gabriel Stulman, who also owns Perla, Fedora, Bar Sardine, and Jeffrey’s Grocery (which is right across the street!).
Joseph Leonard, 170 Waverly Place (at Grove Street); 646-429-8383.
Minetta Tavern
In between Mad Men binges on Netflix, put on a pencil skirt and go to Minetta Tavern, which looks like the kind of place Don Draper would swill a cocktail. One of Keith McNally’s many Francophile restaurants, this one is fancy French, with oxtail and foie gras terrine and filet mignon au Roquefort on the menu.
Minetta Tavern, 113 MacDougal Street (between Bleecker and West 3rd streets); 212-475-3850.
The Clam
As you might have guessed, The Clam has many, many clam dishes. They have clam pizza, clam sliders, and clam dip in addition to the more typical fare, like linguine. But there is more to offer here than bivalves: The restaurant gives an overall beautiful experience, from the ambiance to the service.
The Clam, 420 Hudson Street (at Saint Luke's Place); 212-242-7420.
Aria Wine Bar
Spanish cuisine shouldn’t have all the tiny-plate fun. The most exciting dishes at this wine bar are the Italian tapas, but if you happen to be one of those people who hates sharing, all the pastas are only $12. Yep, just 12 bucks for tortellini with lobster, or mac and cheese with black truffles. And just think, we haven’t even gotten to the wine yet.
Aria Wine Bar, 117 Perry Street (at Greenwich Street); 212-242-4233.
Ramen Thukpa
Ever had Tibetan food? “Thukpa” means noodle soup in Tibetan, but while a pic of the Dalai Lama will smile down at you from the wall, there are also Japanese and Chinese influences on this menu. Every dish is under under $10, so consider this a break from the many fancypants restaurants of the West Village.
Ramen Thukpa, 70 Seventh Avenue South (at Barrow Street); 212-929-2188.
Tertulia
Since most restaurants in the West Village are constantly cramped, this Spanish restaurant and its castle-like high ceilings are a welcome relief. Once you’re transported to Asturias by the interior, enjoy the tapas and shared plates. The eatery frequently combines heavy meats like Iberico ham and smoked pig cheek with sharp flavors like sea salt, spice, or lime aioli.
Tertulia, 359 Sixth Avenue (at Washington Place); 646-559-9909.
The Little Owl
Everything here is adorable, from the size of the restaurant to the glowing lighting to the name. And the sweet little menu! There is a pork chop with dandelion greens and Parmesan, or a strawberry and arugula salad. With all this charm, it’s the West Village at its best.
The Little Owl, 90 Bedford Street (at Grove Street); 212-741-4695.
Pearl Oyster Bar
There are many oyster bars in New York City, but how many are named after an opera-singing grandma? Chef Rebecca Charles and her family spent summers in Maine, and her food is New England-inspired, which basically means it's very simple and very delicious. Many dishes are dependent on the market of the day, but the scallops and lobster roll are never a mistake, either.
Pearl Oyster Bar, 18 Cornelia Street (between West 4th and Bleecker streets); 212-691-8211.
Murray’s Cheese Bar
Its cheese shop may be iconic, but you don’t have to just go for the pairing classes — although, those are awesome, too, now that you mention it. The accompanying restaurant features an array of grilled cheeses, mac and cheese, and yes, many tasting platters that come in themes like "it's all gouda" or "funkmaster." And, if the latter doesn’t make you giggle in delight, this isn't the place for you.
Murray’s Cheese Bar, 264 Bleecker Street (between Morton and Leroy streets); 646-476-8882.
Sushi Nakazawa
It takes a lot for a sushi restaurant (or any new restaurant) to make a stink upon opening, but a chef from the Jiro Dreams of Sushi documentary certainly helps. Chef Daisuke Nakazawa’s 20-course omakase promises straight-up “euphoria,” so book it now for your next birthday dinner.
Sushi Nakazawa, 23 Commerce Street; (212) 924-2212.
Corner Bistro
This spot calls itself the “last of the bohemian bars in West Greenwich Village,” but you don’t just go for the sight-seeing. It also has one of the most best burgers in town. With half a pound of beef, it approaches a Katz’s Deli sandwich in city lore, and it only costs $9.75. Just get in line now.
Corner Bistro, 331 W. 4th Street (at Jane Street); 212-242-9502.
Blenheim Hill
This restaurant brings a whole new meaning to farm-to-table, because it actually has its very own farm. Up in the Catskills, Blenheim Hill tends to its cattle, grows its greens in a hydroponic greenhouse, and gets it all ready for consumption by you. The theme carries over to the space's interior, decorated with rustic wooden walls, farm equipment, and tools.
Blenheim Hill, 283 West 12th Street (between West 4th Street and Eighth Avenue); 212-243-7073.
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