Where we're snacking in NYC - Q2 in Review
Let's dive into summer with some great new spots!
🔥 The Buzziest New Openings
NYC's food scene never sleeps and neither do we. Here's what's new, what's buzzy, and what we actually think is worth your time (and money). These are the spots that everyone is talking about. We’ve been, and we have some thoughts. Scroll down to read our honest reviews of all of them and where we have our eyes on for Q3!
10. Confidant (Industry City) - The first full-service restaurant in Industry City in Brooklyn! Opened a few weeks ago by two Roberta’s alum and has great reviews. The space is beautiful and the menu is modern American. Get the prawn pot pie and dry-aged duck!
9. Pavlo Mochi (East Village) - A mochi shop from MasterChef Ukraine winner Pavlo Servetnyk. Each mochi is hand-rolled and made fresh, plus the flavors rotate and are really fun. They aren’t your typical ice cream or red bean mochi because they’re filled with cream!
8. Comal (LES) - A tiny Mexican spot that just opened in the former Gem Wine space. They’re serving house made tortillas to compliment their dishes like the special smoked chicken and don’t sleep on the swirl ice cream for dessert.
7. NADC (SoHo) - If you’ve been to Austin, Texas then you probably already know about the burger from NADC. Chef Philip Frankland Lee and pro skater Neen Williams opened this shop and they serve a sick wagyu patty burger with house sauce and jalapeños. We really loved it!
6. Cactus Wren (LES) - Southwestern cuisine infused with French techniques, we’re intruiged. The menu features dishes like langoustine beignets, cactus shaped jalapeño cornbread and shrimp toast. The team behind Cactus Wren comes from the Michelin-starred 63 Clinton so you know the food will definitely be tasty. Their take on caviar service was a highlight. It comes as a 7-layer dip and with homemade tortillas.
5. i’m donut? (Times Square) - The viral brioche donuts from Japan opened their first ever US location and they live up to the hype. The line is worth waiting in. Get any of the cream filled, pb&j, strawberry and we surprisingly loved the chicken teriyaki.
4. Lei Wine (Chinatown) - Natural wine bar with Chinese inspired bites and really memorable dishes. This was a speecial new spot tucked away on Doyer Street and we want to go back already. If you need an intimate dinner with standout bites, go here!
3. Bánh Anh Em (East Village) - From the team behind Bánh NYC, this walk-in-only Vietnamese spot is making everything in-house, including the bread and pho noodles. We lined up just after 5pm for the first seating at 6. Must-orders: pork belly bánh mì, fried chicken curry bánh mì, sticky rice, dumplings, beef pho, and the coconut cream coffee.
2. Salt Hank’s (West Village) - A one-item shop from TikTok creator Salt Hank. Prime rib French dips on Frenchette baguettes, get the crispy fries to decorate on top of the sandwich (Hank’s way). Usually sells out by 2pm, but oh my god it is so good.
1. Santo Taco (SoHo) - From Cosme cofounder Santiago Perez. This new Mexico City–style taco shop inside the old La Esquina takeout space is already drawing lines. Get the steak trompo, every single taco is amazing though.
👀 What We’re Watching
We’re keeping tabs on these upcoming openings and under-the-radar spots that might be on the brink of blowing up.
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