The East Village has the lion’s share of incredible restaurants, from on-the-go options to Michelin-starred gems. The biggest challenge? Weeding through the long list of options. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, allow me to share a roundup of the best restaurants in the East Village from a local’s perspective.
Best Restaurants in the East Village
Table of Contents: Where to Eat in the East Village
Table of Contents: Where to Eat East Village
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +3 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Málà Project
Website: Málà Project
Location: 122 1st Ave., New York, NY 10009
Málà Project is a Sichuan haunt best known for dry pot. Dry pot is slightly similar to the popular hot pot fad taking NYC by storm. Dry pot is just as customizable at hot pot, but without the simmering broth.
The ingredients are already cooked (in a broth of your choice) and brought to the table ready to eat. If you haven’t tried it before, there’s no better place than Málà Project to dip your toes into the world of dry pot.
This popular East Village restaurant allows you to customize your dry pot with an endless combination of meats, seafood and vegetables. Pick your ingredients and let the chef do the hard work for you (everything will be wok fried with the restaurant’s secret sauce, made with 24 herbs and spices cooked over six hours).
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the East Village when I’m craving authentic Chinese cuisine with punchy flavors. The hot pot is a mandatory order, but I usual pair mine with warm Dan Dan noodles as well.
Momofuku Noodle Bar
Website: Momofuku Noodle Bar
Location: 171 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003
A true powerhouse in the culinary world, David Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar probably needs no introduction. The restaurant’s ramen makes an appearance on our roundup of the best ramen in New York City, but that’s only half the story.
From exciting appetizers to excellent entrees, this East Village restaurant serves a constantly rotating roaster of noodles, ramen and daily dishes. For a proper introduction, start with the hand rolls (I love the mushroom), transition to pork buns and then take a deep dive into the noodles.
The only non-negotiable at Momofuku Noodle Bar are the steamed buns, apart from that, the adventure is up to you, it’s hard to have a bad meal at this gem.
Soothr
Website: Soothr
Location: 204 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003
First things first, it’s pronounced “sood” which loosely translates to “recipe” in Thai. Logistics aside, Soothr is a modern Thai noodle restaurant that made headlines after catching the eye of the Michelin Guide.
Homey vibes reminiscent of the busy streets of Bangkok, the menu is full of tempting options, but the noodles is where they shine (I’m partial to the duck and dry crab noodles). Bring a group of friends and tackle the menu en masse, start with the eggplant salad and some zippy cocktails before picking a slew of boldly-seasoned mains.
If authentic Thai cuisine is new to your palate, go with the Chicken Khao Soi (Northern-style curry) otherwise opt for the Nam-Tok Moo (spicy pork blood soup) instead.
Evil Katsu
If you’ve never danced with Japanese-style curries, consider this a formal invitation. Evil Katsu opened by three chefs from Michelin-starred Casa Mono. The team is on a mission to bring proper curry to the East Village and they deliver.
Using fine-dining techniques, every dish is carefully curated with balance in mind. The curry is deeply aromatic with zippy spices and everything is made to order, you can taste the difference.
Hanoi House
Website: Hanoi House
Location: 119 St Marks Pl, New York, NY
In New York City Vietnamese eateries are a dime a dozen, but Hanoi House feels special. Walk by any random evening and there’s bound to be a line outside this popular haunt. The draw? The pho, no doubt.
A passion project of Sara Leveen and Ben Lowell (veterans of Buddakan and Upland), Hanoi House has received praise from critics and locals alike. The aromatic broth, expertly stewed for 24 hours until it meets Chef John Nguyen’s high standards, infuses the perpetually-packed East Village restaurant with comforting vibes few can resist.
I highly recommend the house special, Dac Biet, which comes with filet mignon, brisket, oxtail, bone marrow and crispy breadsticks. It’s hard to think of a more comforting meal in the neighborhood.
Thursday Kitchen
Website: Thursday Kitchen
Location: 424 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009
Hailing from a coastal city in Seoul, Thursday Kitchen is Chef Kyungmin “Kay” Hyun’s opus magnum. A veteran of the city’s premier fine dining restaurants, Chef Kay is heavily influenced by Spanish cuisine. In many ways, this East Village restaurant is best billed as comforting Korean cuisine moonlighting as Spanish tapas.
Narrowing down the tantalizing menu will be the second-hardest part of the night (scoring a table being the first). If you’re looking for suggestions, start with the edamame dumplings and ugly potatoes before moving on to the kimchi paella and truffle mac and cheese.
Raku
Website: Raku
Location: 342 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003
Considered some of the best udon in the city, Raku is a quaint Japanese restaurant that was opened by Chef Norihiro Ishizuka in 2016. By the time Ishizuka graced the neighborhood with his noodle shop, he was leaning on sixty years of culinary experience at several lauded restaurants.
Massive bowls of silky noodles drowned in the chef’s signature dashi broths, it’s easy to find yourself craving a bowl within a week of visiting. The East Village restaurant is bare-bones in the best way possible, the minimalist decor keeps the focus on the food, exactly where it should be.
Nowon
Website: Nowon
Address: 507 E 6th St, New York, NY
Nowon is a Korean-American restaurant named after Chef Jae Lee’s hometown in Seoul. Locals from all five boroughs make pilgrimages to this East Village restaurant in search of the best burgers in New York City.
The menu features three burgers: Legendary Cheeseburger, Dry Aged Steak Burger and the Smoked Truffle Burger. I’m partial to the Legendary Cheeseburger (smashed double patties, kimchi special sauce, roasted kimchi, American cheese, pickles and onions), the fermentation from the kimchi really kicks it up a notch.
Ferns
Website: Ferns NYC
Location: 166 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009
Part-bar, part-eatery, Ferns is one of the most popular restaurants in the East Village for cocktails and delicious food. The well-curated menu offers elevated pub fare, like wild boar sloppy joes and fried chicken sandwiches served alongside fresh salads. If brunch is more your speed, opt for the fried chicken biscuit (the hot honey + ranch combo is heavenly) or the memorable BLT.
Cafe Mogador
Website: Cafe Mogador
Location: 101 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
Celebrating more than 40 years in the neighborhood, at Cafe Mogador you’ll find an exciting lineup of breakfast classics with a Mediterranean twist. If you’re playing it safe, stick with the eggs Benedict or buttermilk pancakes (both delicious).
Serving some of the best brunch in the East Village, you’ll find an array of breakfast classics like eggs Benedict and Middle Eastern staples like malawach (Yemeni flatbread, egg, grated tomato, Yemeni hot sauce, & labne).
If you’re not into the brunch scene, pop in for dinner or casual appetizers and cocktails. Don’t sleep on the beautiful mezze platters (the tahini is worth the trek alone).
Noreetuh
Website: Noreetuh
Location: 128 1st Ave., New York, NY 10009
Admittedly, it’s hard to compare New York City to island life, but that doesn’t stop Noreetuh from trying. Specializing in elevated Hawaiian fare, Noreetuh is your best bet if an 11-hour fight to Oahu is out of the question.
Start the night with an order of musubi before diving into the sea of entrees. If you’re playing it safe for the night, the chicken teriyaki bowl is an easy choice. Otherwise, opt for the peekytoe crab fried rice (smoked kanpachi, salmon roe and mentaiko).
For dessert, don’t sleep on the bruléed Hawaiian pineapple, it’s absolutely divine. Food aside, the wine menu at this restaurant in the East Village is nothing to scoff at. Featuring more than 90 bottles, Noreetuh is a constant companion on Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” list.
B&H Dairy
Opened in 1938, B&H Dairy has been charming the neighborhood for more than eight decades. Known for legendary matzoh ball soup, this shoebox diner is the only place to be when the craving for Yiddish comfort food strikes ( think crispy latkes, oversized knishes, and soft pierogis).
If you’re visiting for breakfast or brunch, the challah French toast is non-negotiable. A favorite with families and post-bar revelers in search of a hangover cure, it’s an iconic way to kick off the weekend.
Little Ruby’s Cafe
Website: Little Ruby’s Cafe
Location: 198 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003
Established in 2002, Little Ruby’s Cafe is a neighborhood staple that blends traditional breakfast offerings with an Australian touch. Standout menu items include the popular avocado toast and spicy sausage breakfast sandwich. You can’t go wrong with either.
Take note: Ruby’s is first-come, first-served only. Reservations are not accepted, visit during weekdays to avoid long lines.
Bowery Meat Company
Website: Bowery Meat Company
Location: 9 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003
Specializing in all things meat, Bowery Meat Company (BMC) has made a name for itself as one of the best restaurants in the East Village by offering an elevated twist on the classic burger.
As can be expected from a steakhouse, the menu houses all the usual suspects: hearty steaks alongside creamy mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables.
The only thing missing? Burgers. For reasons unbeknown to me, this iconic NYC burger doesn’t show up on the menu, but you can still order it if you’re sitting at the bar (which is first come first served).
Made with top-quality Wagyu beef, the patty is topped with aged Vermont cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and tomato aioli — a holy trinity that seamlessly blends into one perfect sauce. The burger is a perfect reflection of the restaurant’s commitment to innovation, you can (really) taste the difference.
Good to Know: Bowery Meat Company makes an appearance on our list of the best burgers in New York City.
Electric Burrito
Website: Electric Burrito
Location: 81 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003
Since opening in 2021, Electric Burrito has taken the neighborhood by storm. Specializing in California burritos (filled with french fries), this popular neighborhood haunt is one of the most affordable dining options in the East Village.
Supper
Website: Supper
Location: 156 E 2nd St, New York, NY 10009
Anyone in the mood for a cozy Italian dinner should head straight to Supper. The brainchild of Frank Prisinzano, the owner of Lil Frankie’s (an iconic NYC pizza joint in the Lower East Side), Supper is perfect for pastas and traditional Italian dishes.
Something to note: Like every other Frank Prisinzano establishment, this East Village restaurant is cash only.
Best East Village Restaurants (Post Summary)
- Soothr
- Mala Project
- Hanoi House
- Ferns
- Nowon
- Thursday Kitchen
- Ruby’s
- Raku
- Electric Burrito
- Bowery Meat Company
- Noreetuh
- B&H Dairy
- Suki
- Cafe Mogador
- Momofuku Noodle Bar
- Supper
East Village Neighborhood Guides
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East Village Bakeries: 10 Top-Notch Bakeries in the East Village
Best Bars in the East Village: 15 Exciting Bars in the East Village (You Won’t Soon Forget)
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Unbelievable Brunch Spots in NYC: 18 Prime Brunch Spots in New York City Worth the (Inevitable) Wait
Map of the Best Restaurants in the East Village
And there it is, the best restaurants in the East Village according to yours truly. I hope you enjoyed the list. Let me know if you think I missed a spot.
Cheers!
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