Best Special Occasions Restaurants in Lower East Side (10002)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Katz's Delicatessen
Historic, hand-carved deli sandwiches served in a bustling, old-school room.
Notable Picks
8.9
Since 1888, Katz's has defined the classic New York Jewish deli, stacking hand-carved pastrami and corned beef onto rye in a cacophonous, counter-service room. Locals and visitors come for huge, smoky sandwiches, reliable late-night hours, and an only-in-NYC atmosphere that feels unchanged for decades.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pastrami on rye, Reuben sandwich, Matzo ball soup
What makes it special: Historic, hand-carved deli sandwiches served in a bustling, old-school room.
#2
Dirt Candy
8.9
Dirt Candy is Amanda Cohen’s Michelin-starred vegetable tasting-menu restaurant, where seasonal dishes like asparagus lasagna reimagine pasta through a high-end, all-veg lens in a sleek Allen Street dining room. Open since 2008 and now firmly a Lower East Side institution, it’s the most upscale, reservation-only way to experience lasagna-inspired flavors in ZIP 10002.
Must-Try Dishes:
Asparagus lasagna from the seasonal tasting menu, Carrot pizza bite from the tasting progression, Potato sundae dessert
What makes it special: Michelin-starred vegetable tasting menu where dishes like asparagus lasagna show how far plant-based cooking can go.
#3
Comal
8.7
Comal is a Mexico City–influenced restaurant from chef Gaz Herbert, turning the former Gem Wine space into a moody room for modern Mexican plates and serious cocktails. Recent press praises dishes like lengua al pastor and mussels with corn custard, making it a downtown choice for small celebratory dinners and chef-driven date nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Potato Mil Hojas with Spot Prawn, Crab Tostada with Eggplant, Mussel with Corn Custard
What makes it special: Modern Mexican plates with serious technique in a gallery-like room.
#4
Cervo's
8.6
Cervo's is a seafood-focused Spanish and Portuguese-inspired spot where fried shrimp heads, Manila clams in Vinho Verde, and piri-piri chicken anchor a tight, shareable menu. The long bar, back dining room, and Canal Street patio keep it in heavy rotation for Lower East Side dates and small-group dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy shrimp heads, Manila clams with garlic and Vinho Verde, Half chicken with piri piri and fries
What makes it special: Spanish-leaning seafood, strong vermouth program, and patio people-watching.
#5
Maison Nur
8.5
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Girls Night Out Approved
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Maison Nur is Nur Khan’s French-American fine dining room on the Bowery, pairing chef Richard Farnabe’s polished cooking with dramatic art, plush seating, and a club-adjacent vibe. Opened in 2025, it’s built for big nights out where cocktails, multiple courses, and dressed-up guests all feel part of the show.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mushroom Mille Feuille with Foie Gras, Colorado Rack of Lamb, Parmesan Wrapped Spaghetti
What makes it special: French-American fine dining wrapped in a plush, nightlife-adjacent space.
#6
Wildair
8.4
Wildair is a natural wine bar from the Contra team where high-top seating, inventive small plates, and a deep wine list have drawn crowds since 2015. It’s a downtown favorite for low-key birthdays and anniversaries that still feel special but not overly formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Tartare with Potato Crisp, Pommes Darphin with Santa Barbara Uni, Pissaladiéclair
What makes it special: Natural wine and inventive plates that defined casual fine dining downtown.
#7
Bar Contra
8.3
Bar Contra reimagines the former Contra space as a cocktail-first bar with serious small plates from the Wildair team and drink guru Dave Arnold. It’s ideal for celebratory nights where inventive cocktails and shareable snacks feel more fun than a formal tasting menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Maine Scallop with Walnut Condiment, Chicken Wing Stuffed with Stilton and Pork Sausage, Mushroom Tartlet with Scallop Mousse and Black Truffle
What makes it special: Serious cocktails paired with chef-driven small plates in a tight space.