The 13 best places to eat in FiDi

What is it? A fine dining restaurant that soars above the FiDi neighborhood, run by Kent Hospitality Group.

Why we love it: Chef Charlie Mitchell has accomplished much with his time in the kitchen, earning Brooklyn's Clover Hill its first Michelin star—and making history as the first Black chef to do so in NYC—and winning a James Beard Award just a few years later. But he's since taken his aspirations skyward at Saga, taking over the two Michelin-starred kitchen in the wake of James Kent's passing, one of his mentors. He's retained the prestige by doing Saga his way, folding in his Detroit roots, married with French technique and a penchant for Japanese ingredients. It all boils down to dirty rice with hamhock dashi, hokkaido scallops and a riff on potato salad that just earned him another accolade: one of Food & Wine's "Best New Chefs." 

Time Out tip: This is one of the more spendier dines in New York, as the six-course tasting menu comes in at $215, the ten-course option $315. Save up your coins now. 

Address: 70 Pine St 63rd Floor, New York, NY 10005

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 5–9:30pm

What is it? Gregory Gourdet's jewel box restaurant on Printemps' ground floor explores the culinary exchange of France's colonial period, with heavy emphasis on the formerly owned territory of Haiti. 

Why we love it: When Gregory Gourdet (you know the one, Top Chef alum, James Beard Award winner, et al.) was first approached to tackle all five concepts inside the whopping 55,000-square-foot French luxury retailer, Printemps, it was pretty much a given that the anchoring restaurant would be, well, French. But he smartly did so with an eye on history, exploring the cuisine at Maison Passerelle through France's once held territories, from West Africa and the Carribean to Vietnam and Laos. And as Gourdet has explored his Haitian roots at Portland's Kann to great success, the Caribbean island leaves the longest lasting mark here, too, as plantains puff into pillowy breads with swipes of epis butter, ribeyes are rubbed and aged in Haitian coffee grounds and a truly excellent duck with an ever-so crisp and caramelized skin, finishes with a soft goodbye kiss of tamarind. 

Time Out tip: Not done yet with the evening? Waltz through the golden door to the Red Room Bar. If you find a seat near the entryway of Printemps' jaw-dropping Red Room, take it. There' no better way to admire the wave sof golden, red and orange tiles that branch thirty feet to the ceiling than with a Haitian coffee negroni in hand. 

Address: 80A Broadway, New York, NY 10005

Opening hours: Tue–Sun noon–2pm, 5–10pm

What is it? The first fine dining restaurant from the mind of the late James Kent continues to deliver on seasonal cuisine with a wordly bent.  

Why we love it: Housed in the stellar landmark Art Deco tower, 70 Pine Street, Crown Shy follows in the footsteps of the late great James Kent (NoMad, Eleven Madison Park). Now that executive chef Jassimran Singh has taken over the reins, dinner looks a little like glistening sashimi that floats in tom kha broth and scallops top with bits of chicharron. Now don't be shy, as fine-leaning as this place may seem (and is), the R&B and hip-hop tracks that float through the cavernous hall grounds it all. 

Time Out tip: An oldie but a goodie, pastry chef Renata Ameni's satsuma ice cream with toasted marshmallow is still on the menu to this day. Order it to see why. 

Address: 70 Pine St, New York, NY 10005

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 11:30am–2pm, 5–9:30pm; Thu, Fri 11:30am–2pm, 5–10pm; Sat 5–10pm; Sun 5–9:30pm

What is it? America's first fine dining institution still lives on in FiDi, going strong 200 years down the line.  

Why we love it: Delmonico's serves as part of New York's, or rather America's, living history. Once a pastry shop and confectionery, the Delmonico brothers flipped it into a fine dining restaurant way back when, making it the first of its kind in the country. Its lore had so much appeal that restaurants also named Delmonico began sprouting around town, attempting to ride the coattails of the original. But there can only be one, and this Delmonico's continues to have staying power with icy martinis and a mastery of steaks, with best in show going to the signature ribeye. 

Time Out tip: Chef Charles Ranhofer once tended to the Delmonico's kitchen back in the 1860s. Many of his dishes still live on here, and possibly at your favorite spot, too, as he is credited with creating the Baked Alaska, the Chicken à la Keene and the Eggs Benedict. 

Address: 56 Beaver St, New York, NY 10004

Opening hours: Mon–Thu noon–3pm, 5–10pm; Fri noon–3pm, 5–11pm; Sat 4–10pm; Sun 4–9pm

What is it? Daniel Boulud's lovely hometown of Lyon takes center stage in the former Augustine space.

Why we love it: Daniel Boulud has been sharing the intricacies of French cooking with the people of New York since the early 90s. But at Le Gratin, Boulud takes us back to the source, and we mean all the way back to his hometown of Lyon. And what better way to explore the gastronomic capital than in a dining room replete with mosaic tiled floors, chandeliers and roomy banquets that all breathe "effortlessly romantic." Boulud's version of hometown cooking includes French dumplings pulled hot and bubbling from the oven, elegant duck breasts and the rather excellent gratin dauphinois.

Time Out tip: Nothing make us happier than a steak frites happy hour, wouldn't you agree? The steak frites are moderately cheaper than at dinner ($30 over $49), with the option to swap out the cow for moules or poulet. But the mini martinis are a steal for $8.

Address: 5 Beekman St, New York, NY 10038

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 11:30am–10pm

What is it? John Fraser's modern-day brasserie on the ground level of The Wall Street Hotel is a moody find where raw bar specialties and king crab pastas reign supreme.  

Why we love it: Chef John Fraser's version of a brasserie has a certain swagger to it. Turquoise window wells and golden palm frond sconces light up the martinis at the bar, while the dining room's tropical peacocks and jungles scapes feel transformative. Look toward the mother-of-pearl-lined raw bar for the starting line, as oysters pair with tomato-verjus mignonettes and clams are lashed with fiery Scotch bonnet peppers. Then move on to the cooked version of the stuff, particularly the Jonah crab tagliatelle with toothy, flaky flesh folded in. As for a wine, ask for a recommendation from the staff; there are over 200 of them after all. 

Time Out tip: French onion soup meets French onion dumplings at La Marchande. Comté cheese-filled dumplings float at the bottom of this impossibly rich mushroom consommé. Take a nibble for that salty and soft cheese, a spoon of the unctous liquid, and repeat.

Address: 88 Wall St, New York, NY 10005

Opening hours: Daily 5–10pm; Lunch Mon–Fri noon–2:30pm; Bar noon–10pm; Breakfast Daily 7–10:45am; Weekend Brunch Sat, Sun 11am–2:30pm

What is it? Marcus Samuelsson travels to southern part of Manhattan for his latest restaurant, located inside the "dynamic" and "beautiful" Perelman Performing Arts Center. 

Why we love it: Marcus Samuelsson's footprint now traverses the entirety of Manhattan: starting with his longstanding restaurant that exalts Black excellence in Harlem (Red Rooster), a stop over in Chelsea that seamlessly blends his Ethiopian and Swedish heritage (Hav & Mar) and now his love letter to New York, seated on the island's tip (Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson). Metropolis screams of Afro-futurism, as the strips of light panels overhead feel like the opening scene of a Black Panther movie. The food is just as forward-thinking, as steak tartare comes with injera chips and potato gnocchi gets a fold of teff flour. 

Time Out tip: Even with his name on the marquee of the restaurant, Samuelsson is always ready to share the spotlight. Throughout the year, Metropolis hosts Subway Series, where up and coming chefs take over the kitchen for one night. Talent has included chefs in the pop-up sphere as well as a lineup of female powerhouses.

Address: Located in, Performing Arts Center, 251 Fulton St, New York, NY 10007

Opening hours: Dinner Tue–Sat 5–10pm; Lunch Tue–Thu 11:30am–3pm

What is it? A father and daughter run pizzeria whose perfectly chewy Neapolitan pies earned them world-renowned cred.

Why we love it: Yes, we have many opinions about the classic NYC slice that folds. But a wood-fired pie with blistered edges straight from the motherland of Naples? Yeah, we've got thoughts on that one too. And all of them are pleasant when it comes to Kesté Pizza e Vino, as pies are blessed by the hands of certified pizza master Roberto Caporuscio (seriously, the man was a former dairy farmer and currently serves as president of the U.S. branch of the Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani). The margarita serves as a good foundational base: crust that has that chew, a lightly sweet sauce and just enough mozzarella to tie it all together. Start here and then branch with pies that are layered with basil cream and prosciutto. 

Time Out tip: Kestè has a pretty strong gluten-free program, with pizza, calzones and even arancini up for grabs. 

Address: 77 Fulton Street New York, NY 10038

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11am–10pm; Fri, Sat 11am–10:30pm

What is it? Adam Pomerantz, the cofounder of Murray’s Bagels, brought his traditional hand-rolled method to FiDi back in 2007.

Why we love it: Leo's makes their bagels the old-fashioned way: kettle boiled and baked in small batches throughout the day. That last part means there's bound to be at least one variety that's fresh out of the oven at all times. Anything you could possibly want on a bagel, you can find at Leo's. Choose your schmear and/or a salad (tuna, egg, chicken). Go for a chicken cutlet or cold cut sandwich. Or maybe you want an omelet (get the L.E.O. with lox, eggs and onions), a baconeggandcheese, smoked fish or a B.L.T. You can't go wrong. 

Time Out tip: Whatever you do, don't miss the freshly squeezed orange or grapefruit juice.

Address: 3 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 6am–4pm; Sat, Sun 7am–5pm

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What is it? The first Uyghur restaurant in Manhattan goes to chef Abdul Ahat Bakri. As of 2020, FiDi is home to a range of Central Asian foods that you'd likely have to travel to Queens to experience.

Why we love it: Uyghur food is still relatively rare in New York, even more so in Manhattan. But that all changed with the introduction of Caravan Uyghur Cuisine. Chef Abdul Ahat Bakri gives us the full range here: puff pastries, noodles that he hand-ulls and stir-fries and lamb cooked every which way, on naan, kebabs and stirred into soups. It's an easy sell for lunch but it is also a wonderful late-night hang for something special.  

Time Out tip: If the special braised lamb is on the menu, order it. 

Address: 60 Beaver St, New York, NY 10004

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–9pm; Fri 5–10pm; Sat, Sun 11am–10 pm

What is it? A long-running Irish saloon whose 19th-century grit and sawdust-strewn floors is lightly deceptive, as the FiDi bar is one of the world's most awarded cocktail lounges. 

Why we love it: It's easy to rub shoulders and clink Guinesses with the overflowing FiDi crowd at The Dead Rabbit before stumbling home for the night. But it's best you leave with a little something in your belly, and this hare has just the thing. The Scotch eggs are a classic, with jammy eggs encased in sausage, as is the burger, be it the dry-aged or the smashed variety.  

Time Out tip: Make a reservation for The Parlor upstairs for more serious cocktailing and less revelry (aka noise) over the eventual crowds that find themselves here.

Address: 30 Water Street, New York, NY 10004

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–2am; Fri, Sat 11am–3am

What is it? A tiny little espresso and food store that has packed a punch since 2023.

Why we love it: Founded and helmed by Sicily-native Silvia Lombardo, the shop's walls are lined with Italian dry goods, and the food case is filled with sandwiches, pastries and beloved arancine the size of a softball. The menu also features salads, focaccia, pasta, and meatballs. Perfect for when you need a snack, a grab-and-go lunch or even some sides or a main for your at-home dinner. 

Time Out tip: With three indoor tables (and two outside when the weather is nice), dining in is certainly an option—though the space is snug. But everything about bottega is easy and ready to go.

Address: 85 Beaver St, New York, NY 10005

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8am–7:30pm; Sat, Sun 9am–5:30pm

What is it? A colonial-style tavern and museum where America's founding father once hung his hat. 

Why we love it: Fraunces Tavern is an actual landmark for Revolutionary War buffs, as George Washington himself celebrated the departure of the last British troops in 1783. It all makes an excellent place to drink in the history while getting a little bit drunk. Wander the maze-like tavern inside to find the nook that speaks to, be it the dim, whiskey-tinged den, the Dingle Whiskey Bar, or the room where it happened, aka the lively piano bar on the second floor. Food? They've got that too, with oysters Rockefeller, Scotch eggs and tavern burgers. Most of the bigger bites exist if you are sat at The Independence Bar, but small bites can be had at each bar if you just want a nibble.

Time Out tip: Monday to Friday from 4 to 7 pm calls for $1.50 oysters and $9 beers. Or go for the raw oyster special, a three-oyster and oyster stout combo for $15. 

Address: 54 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004-24

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–midnight; Fri, Sat 11:30am–1am; Sun 11am–midnight