In a city the size of New York, it’s impossible to cover all the great restaurants in one concise guide. While there are plenty of popular spots that you’ve probably heard all about, there are certainly twice as many underrated options that you’ve never thought to visit. Here are a few delicious choices in New York City that you probably don’t know as well.
Potlikker – For Home Cooking
Potlikker’s name is unusual, but the home cooking that inspires its menu will give you a cozy sense of nostalgia. The fresh fare is inspired by classics that will take you back to the family dinner table. The menu is subject to change, but common features include a pork chop sandwich, fried chicken sandwich, and Midwest burger. Lunch and brunch are cash only, so come prepared. Closed Mondays, Potlikker is an underrated gem you’ll be glad you tried.
Rubirosa Ristorante – For Heirloom Italian Recipes
Rubirosa Ristorante is a family run Italian-American gem on Mulberry Street between Prince and Spring. The homey atmosphere is well-known to the restaurant’s dedicated regulars, but this delicious option doesn’t get nearly the press it deserves. The pasta and pizza menu is brimming with traditional choices. Don’t miss the classic pizza. This simple tomato and mozzarella option is fashioned using a 50-year-old family recipe.
Image by Chuck Taggart via Flickr
Jack’s Wife Freda – For Innovative Options
Take one look at the Instagram account for Jack’s Wife Freda, and you’ll instantly get a sense of the cozy, comfortable vibe this restaurant promotes. First-time visitors are sure to get lost in the decadent offerings on the fresh, imaginative menu at this lesser-known restaurant. Options like the rosewater waffle with Lebanese yogurt, mixed berries, and honey syrup are not only inventive, they’re downright mouthwatering. Wines, beer, coffee, and fresh light beverages like mint lemonade and fresh cantaloupe juice grace the menu as well, offering a delightful alternative to water or soda.
Image by Ahmed Hashim via Flickr
Morning Star Restaurant – For Classic Diner Fare
Conveniently situated across from the Hudson Hotel, the understated exterior of the Morning Star Café doesn’t do justice to the diverse choices inside. The extensive menu makes this the perfect option when your party can’t agree on what to eat. Enjoy banana pancakes, a T-bone steak, a tuna salad wrap, and chicken parmesan all from one place. Visitors who snag a sought-after room at the Hudson Hotel can make the Morning Star a convenient staple in their vacation dining habits.
Image via Morning Star Restaurant Facebook
Hundred Acres – For Seasonal Favorites
If you’re looking for fine dining that the rest of New York may not have discovered yet, try Hundred Acres. This restaurant offers several dining experiences, from the bar to the interior dining room to the back garden. The menu features farm fresh dishes and seasonal menus that change appropriately with what’s available. Recent dishes on the menu include beer battered green tomatoes with Texas Pete mayonnaise, grass-fed hanger steak, and jalapeno grits.
Image by Hundred Acres
If you’re looking for a fresh new option to try in New York City, these choices cover a range of tastes.