The Big Apple will always leave you in awe. Towering skyscrapers reflect the sun’s blinding rays, people scramble through busy streets, sophisticated cafes spread the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and many more. Thus, you can find a lot of interesting stuff, especially when it comes to food. Star-rated restaurants, newly-open cafes, and cute bakeries await your visit. However, if you don’t feel like waiting in long queues or just chasing the trends, these hidden gems restaurants in New York City are for you.
From family-run businesses to sumptuous restaurants, these places stay off people’s radar. Only a few have heard about these food spots. Nonetheless, they will give you an incredible culinary experience! Here are the 10 amazing hidden gems restaurants in New York for you to try.
Hidden Gem Restaurants in New York City – Summary
- Sonnyboy
- Cafe Cluny
- Rintintin
- Suited
- El Sabroso
- Sakagura
- Sushi Mercer 295
- Lee Lee’s Baked Goods
- Le French Diner
- Gaia Italian Cafe
Sonnyboy
A decent breakfast is much needed to start your fantastic adventure in New York City. If you think that poached eggs, french toast, and hot coffee are lovely, head to Sonnyboy. This Australian eatery delivers a fresh idea of what a perfect brunch looks like. They offer a classic brunch menu like poached eggs, egg benedict, french toast, and the best-selling folded eggs. Besides that, Sonnyboy turns into a bar at night, offering delightful cocktails.
Sonnyboy holds its elegant composure in the middle of the Lower East Side’s streets. The restaurant has a small indoor seating area with calming wooden interior and warm ambiance. Additionally, it has an outdoor seating area to enjoy brunch while looking at the bustling street. Although Sonnyboy looks busy, it is still one of the hidden gem restaurants in New York City.
Address: 65 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002, United States
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday (5 – 11 PM), Friday – Saturday (9 – 12 AM), Sunday (9 – 10 AM)
Cafe Cluny
Visiting West Village makes you feel like you are entering a movie. The gaudy Federal-styled buildings and the half-cobblestone streets look dreamy. After a long walk through the alleys, would it be great to have some food? Then, stop at Cafe Cluny. The small restaurant is tucked inside an earth-colored building, giving out heartfelt and comforting vibes. It is one of the most interesting hidden gem restaurants in New York City, especially in West Village.
Cafe Cluny is a classic Western restaurant offering a myriad of tasteful dishes. Thus, you can recognize a French touch in the menu, as one of the founders comes from France. Cafe Cluny has everything you might crave, from delightful short ribs to filling club sandwiches. Moreover, the restaurant is famous for its brunch dishes. You can order a healthy granola mix or a flavorful omelet.
Address: 284 W 12th St, New York, NY 10014, United States
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday (9 AM – 10 PM); Saturday – Sunday (10 AM – 10 PM)
Suited
Getting a glance at the glamorous NYC Financial District can be a good idea. You can enjoy the sight of towering skyscrapers, classic old buildings, and famous statues like The Charging Bull and Fearless Girl. Also, you might want to have a cup of coffee and a bagel like what the businessmen of Wall Street grab. Then, head to Suited. This aesthetically-pleasing cafe shows you how to start the day at the Financial District.
From the large windows of the cafe, you can see its white-dominated interior and bright display cabinets. Have the best dose of a morning latte, crafted by an American coffee expert Andrew Fazio. Moreover, you can also order brunch fares, ranging from muffins to full breakfast. Although Suited looks like a big deal in the Financial District, not a lot of people know about the place. It stays as one of the hidden gem restaurants in New York City.
Address: 45 John Street, New York, NYC
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday (7:30 AM – 5 PM); Saturday – Sunday (8:30 AM – 4 PM)
Rintintin
New York City is incredibly diverse and this restaurant gives a hint about that. Rintintin brings the Mediterranean to this dazzling American city. Whether you are craving some fresh Greek salad topped with olive oils or a warm socca, you can have it in Rintintin. Moreover, it is a well-loved brunch spot for the locals. Start the day with some egg toast or tuna carpaccio in this hidden gem restaurant in NYC.
Rintintin is small, intimate, and unique. It has a small dining area decorated with quirky posters, pictures of the Mediterranean Sea, and wine bottles. As the sun goes down, Rintintin displays a different vibe with its flickering neon lights. So, if you are looking for a humble wine and dine spot to enjoy with your travel buddies, Rintintin is worth checking out.
Address: Elizabeth Street, Nolita, New York City
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday (11 – 1 AM); Saturday – Sunday (11 – 2 AM)
El Sabroso
This restaurant in New York City fits the word ‘hidden gems’ perfectly. It is tucked inside the freight elevator entrance in Garment District. People would easily miss the restaurant as it looks like any ordinary freight entrance. However, you can find tasty and affordable food as you enter the restaurant.
El Sabroso offers delicious Ecuadorian dishes at a surprisingly affordable price. Try out pollo guisado or chicken stew and costillas al horno or baked ribs, all topped with an indulgent amount of rice. A plate of meals only costs $6. Therefore, El Sabroso becomes locals’ favorite for its cheap price and generous portion. Moreover, it is open for a quick lunch. It has a small dining area with metallic tables and stools.
Address: 265 W 37th Street
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday (8 AM – 4 PM)
Sakagura
It is always a fun thing to hunt for hidden gem restaurants in New York City! Well, Sakagura invites you to do one. This Japanese restaurant is hidden in the basement of the 211 E. 43rd St. building. As the elevator takes you down, you will be charmed by the scene of a cool Japanese restaurant. The interior is dimly lit and adorned with bamboo decorations. You can see an extensive display of sake or Japanese liquor in the bar. Also, don’t be surprised if we tell you that Sakagura has over 300 varieties of Sake!
Sakagura serves classic Japanese dishes. You can expect the freshest sushi, the most delicious cold soba, and a surprisingly tasteful donburi. Also, make sure to order its signature braised pork belly. This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, so make sure to mark your schedule!
Address: 211 East 43rd Street, B1, New York 10017
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday (Lunch 11:30 – 2 PM); Monday – Saturday (Dinner 5:30 – 10 PM)
Sushi 295 Mercer
We have mentioned about a hidden Japanese restaurant. Well, here goes another one! Sushi 295 Mercer features a small parlor in the Mercer Street. Although it is small, this restaurant brings the freshest sushi. All ingredients are imported from Japan and New Zealand, offering a top-notch quality. Thus, it is one of the must-visit hidden gem restaurants in New York City.
Sushi 295 Mercer brings the best out of classic sushi. You can find fresh nigiri with umami sushi rice, classic salmon rolls, and many more. Moreover, Sushi 295 Mercer serves top-quality take outs. So, if you want something delicious to bring during your trip, you can grab some sushi at Sushi 295 Mercer.
Address: 295 Mercer St, New York, NY 10003
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday (12 – 9 PM); Saturday (4 – 9 PM)
Lee Lee’s Baked Goods
New York City has a lot of spectacular dessert shops and cute cafes. However, Lee Lee’s Baked Goods shows a different facade. Founded in 1988, this bakery is humble and authentic. It is tucked in the streets of Harlem. From the outside, the bakery looks lovely with its small display and wood-colored setting. You can head to this small bakery to get some hearty pastries.
Lee Lee’s Baked Goods offers a heartwarming experience. The interior looks adorable with floral wallpaper, old photos, and a small display cabinet. It offers several choices of buttery pastries and delightful cookies. However, their signature is the rugelach. This Polish cakes are really good with its crunchy dough and cinnamon toppings. Therefore, Lee Lee’s Baked Goods is one of the hidden gem restaurants in New York City for you to visit.
Address: 283 W 118th St, New York, NY 10026, United States
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday (11 AM – 7 PM); Sunday (12 – 5 PM)
Le French Diner
There is nothing wrong with craving French food in the Big Apple. For an authentic one, head to Le French Diner. This small restaurant looks nothing like a sumptuous eating spot. Instead, it looks like a bookstore or a humble ice cream shop. However, once you enter, you will find an aesthetically-pleasing dining area with less than five seats. Also, there is a bar displaying fantastic European wines. Therefore, Le French Diner is one of the most interesting hidden gem restaurants in New York City.
Le French Diner offers a generous choice of French dishes for you to enjoy. Have some tasty escargots or fresh oysters to start your meal. Then, order the restaurant’s best-selling dish, which is crispy octopus. Also, make sure to have some wine to pair with your delicious meal.
Address: 188 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, United States
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (5.30 – 11 PM)
Gaia Italian Cafe
Are you craving some Italian food when traveling to New York City? Then, head to Gaia Italian Cafe. Staying off the radar, this restaurant is relatively quaint and offers a lot of special delights. It offers hearty home-cooked Italian food, ranging from tasty gnocchi to fresh-baked pizza. Moreover, the restaurant is located quite hidden on the E. Houston entrance, making one of the hidden gem restaurants in New York City.
Address: 226 East 3rd Street, New York, NY, United States, New York
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday (11 AM – 5 PM); Sunday (3 PM – 7 PM)
New York City’s hidden gem restaurants and food spots are awesome to explore! Are you thinking about doing a hidden gem food-hunt for your next trip to New York? Or maybe you want to have a local friend to show you the secret spots? Well, we got something for you!
JoinMyTrip connects travelers worldwide through curated small group trips where you can explore, make friends, and travel together. The trips are designed by passionate travelers or experienced locals worldwide, whom we call TripLeaders. It is a safe and fun way to meet new travel buddies, as everyone in the platform are going through background checks and verification. Whether you want to explore NYC’s hidden gems or going for a beach vacation in Southeast Asia, we got everything you need!
So, what are you waiting for? Travel with JoinMyTrip today!