Best Hidden Gems Restaurants in Gramercy & Flatiron (10010)
9 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Motek
A share-plate Mediterranean menu designed for groups, with dips and grills as the core.
Notable Picks
#1
Motek
8.3
A polished, kosher-style Mediterranean room built for crowd-pleasing shareables, strong bread-and-dips fundamentals, and an all-day cadence that works for both brunch and dinner. The best experience comes from a tight spread: one hummus/pita anchor, one bright salad, and one standout main so the table feels composed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus with laffa/pita, Shakshuka (brunch/lunch), Chicken kebab or shawarma plate
What makes it special: A share-plate Mediterranean menu designed for groups, with dips and grills as the core.
#2
Summer Salt
8.2
A fast-casual taco-and-burrito shop that prioritizes clean, well-seasoned proteins and a reliable build-your-own rhythm. It’s strongest when you go crispy fish or shrimp, then round it out with one side and a simple sweet. Use it as a repeatable weekday Mexican fix, not a linger-long destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja crispy fish taco, Pollo asado burrito, Churros
What makes it special: Fast-casual Mexican that stays consistent on tacos and burritos.
8.1
A quietly high-performing neighborhood restaurant that blends bakery energy with comfort-forward Italian-American plates, and it rewards guests who order with restraint. Go for one signature pasta, one warm starter, and one dessert—when you keep the arc focused, the food tastes more intentional and the meal stays relaxed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagne della Nonna, Rigatoni alla Buttera, Gnocchi alla Romagna
What makes it special: Old-school Italian cooking with a béchamel-forward house lasagne.
Worthy Picks
#4
S&P Lunch
7.9
A lunch-counter style stop built for classic New York sandwiches and a fast, no-drama rhythm. It shines when you keep it old-school—one hot sandwich, one cold sandwich, or a single griddled favorite—then get out before you turn it into a full sit-down project.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tuna melt, Classic egg salad sandwich, Griddled patty melt-style sandwich
What makes it special: A classic NYC lunch-counter menu that prioritizes simple satisfaction.
#5
Tenjou
7.9
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Girls Night Out Approved
An upscale-casual Japanese spot that works best when you order like a balanced bar meal: a few pieces of nigiri, one roll for texture, and something warm to round it out. It’s more flexible than a strict sushi counter, making it a reliable option for mixed groups who still want solid fish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nigiri assortment, Spicy tuna roll, Salmon avocado roll
What makes it special: A flexible Japanese menu where sushi fits into a full meal.
#6
Ampersand
7.6
A cocktail-first New American bar that works best as a “drinks plus a few smart bites” mission rather than a full dinner substitute. The room is built for conversation and repeat visits, especially when you stick to the bar’s strongest lane: well-made cocktails and snackable plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb burger, Fish tacos, Deviled eggs
What makes it special: A cocktail bar where the food is good enough to justify staying awhile.
7.6
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Comfort Food Classics
A Flatiron Chinese spot with a modern dining room and a menu that rewards targeted ordering—one rich centerpiece, one vegetable dish, and one cold starter to balance the table. It’s at its best when you lean into homestyle comfort rather than chasing variety across too many categories.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soup dumplings (xiao long bao), Pan-fried pork buns (sheng jian bao), Wontons in chili oil
What makes it special: Restaurant-forward dumplings with a sit-down, share-the-table rhythm.
#8
Sandwell
7.6
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A small sandwich shop that’s built for repeatable, toasted, sauce-forward handhelds with a ‘one great sandwich’ mindset. It’s strongest when you pick a signature build, skip the extra sides, and treat it like a fast, satisfying lunch loop instead of a long hang.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken pesto burrata sandwich, Turkey meatball sandwich, Seasonal toasted special
What makes it special: A toasted-sandwich specialist with bold sauces and clean execution.
7.5
A small Flatiron Italian spot that’s best approached like a focused pasta-and-gelato mission rather than a full-tilt feast. The win is in the details—one obsessively built pasta or pizzette, then a clean dessert finish—so the meal stays tight and satisfying.
Must-Try Dishes:
House pasta (seasonal), Pizzette, Pistachio gelato
What makes it special: A small, technique-forward Italian menu that stays best when ordered simply.