Best Special Occasions Restaurants in Midtown East (10022)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Aquavit
Polished, modern Nordic tasting menus with two Michelin stars.
Notable Picks
#1
Aquavit
8.9
Aquavit is a two-Michelin-star Nordic restaurant delivering precise, seasonal tasting menus in a sleek, quietly luxurious dining room. Chef Emma Bengtsson’s cooking leans on Scandinavian classics like gravlax and Swedish meatballs, reworked with modern technique and elegant plating for serious special-occasion dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Toast Skagen with shrimp and trout roe on brioche, Swedish meatballs with pommes purée, cucumbers and lingonberries, Chef’s tasting menu seasonal fish course (often North Sea cod or Arctic char)
What makes it special: Polished, modern Nordic tasting menus with two Michelin stars.
8.7
Family-owned since 2008, Club A pairs dry-aged USDA Prime steaks with deeply personal hospitality from Bruno Selimaj and his family. The room skews old-New-York cozy, and generous portions plus frequent prix-fixe offerings make it one of Midtown East’s more value-forward steakhouses.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime Porterhouse Steak for Two, Bone-In Rib Eye, Five Cheeses Truffle Mac
What makes it special: High-volume, family-run steakhouse where regulars praise both steaks and warmth.
#3
Hutong
8.7
Award-winning Northern Chinese restaurant serving fiery dim sum and signature tableside Flaming Peking Duck in a glamorous Art Deco setting inspired by 1920s Shanghai. The elegant space in the Bloomberg Building draws a sophisticated crowd for both power lunches and evening cocktails.
Must-Try Dishes:
Flaming Peking Duck, Ma La Chili Prawns, Dan Dan Noodles
What makes it special: Tableside flaming duck presentation and stunning Art Deco interior evoke 1920s Shanghai glamour
Long-running Midtown East Spanish spot focused on deeply flavored paellas, from socarrat-crusted house specials to inky arroz negro. Tapas like croquetas, gambas al ajillo and patatas bravas make it a go-to for groups looking to share plates and sangria near the office core.
Must-Try Dishes:
Socarrat Paella, Arroz Negro, Patatas Bravas
What makes it special: Specializes in paellas with true socarrat, backed by a deep tapas menu and years of Midtown East regulars.
8.5
The 1977 original has evolved into a high-volume cathedral of dry-aged beef, with steaks butchered and aged on site and a deep, steak-friendly wine list. Crowds, multiple dining rooms, and an attached grill give it a bustling, clubby feel that still anchors the Midtown power-dining circuit.
Must-Try Dishes:
USDA Prime Dry-Aged Porterhouse, Bone-In Rib Eye with S&W Umami Dry Rub, Creamed Spinach
What makes it special: Decades of high-volume service make this a benchmark Midtown steakhouse institution.
8.0
The beloved West Village institution brings its farm-to-table Italian approach to corporate Midtown with housemade pastas and produce from their rooftop garden. The Neapolitan pizzas and La Sagra prix-fixe dinner offer accessible seasonal Italian dining steps from Grand Central.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni Arrabbiata, Soppressata Pizza with Hot Honey, Pappardelle Verde
What makes it special: Farm-to-table Italian with rooftop garden ingredients from flagship West Village location
Worthy Picks
7.6
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Birthday & Celebration Central
Family Friendly Favorites
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Since 1954, this whimsical café has drawn crowds for extravagant desserts and, more recently, Guinness World Record–holding fries. Regular fries accompany burgers and sandwiches, while the World’s Most Expensive Fries deliver a champagne-and-truffle spectacle for serious fry obsessives or big spenders.
Must-Try Dishes:
World's Most Expensive Fries, Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Waffles, Frrrozen Hot Chocolate
What makes it special: Iconic dessert café where Guinness-certified luxury fries headline the splurge.