Best Trendy Restaurants in Midtown East (10022)
10 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.
#2
The Grill
8.9
Major Food Group’s reboot of the old Four Seasons Grill Room leans into theatrical, mid-century glamour while serving sharply executed steaks and continental classics. Prime rib carved tableside, pasta a la presse, and meticulous service make it a destination for big nights and power dinners alike.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime Rib, Pasta a La Presse, The Seagram Crab Cake
What makes it special: Old-school power-room setting married to high-wire, tableside steakhouse theater.
#3
Nerai
8.7
Opened in 2013, Nerai delivers refined, seafood-focused Greek cooking in a multi-level townhouse with soft, nautical-inspired design. High-volume, cross-platform reviews highlight precise execution on dishes like grilled octopus and lobster pasta, polished service, and a serious Greek wine program that make it a destination for both business dining and special occasions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Htapodi Sti Skara (grilled octopus with Santorini fava), Astakomakaronada (lobster with squid ink linguine in Metaxa bisque), Orzotto Thalassino (saffron seafood orzotto with octopus, shrimp, mussels)
What makes it special: Modern island-inspired Greek seafood with fine-dining polish and deep wine list.
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.
#5
Hutong
8.5
Hutong delivers high-drama Northern Chinese cooking in a dark, Art Deco-inspired room above Lexington Avenue. Signature dishes like the Red Lantern soft-shell crab, Roasted Peking Duck, and Ma La chilli prawns pair with cocktails for a clubby, fashion-forward Midtown crowd.
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
8.4
The Lobster Club is a loud, art-filled Japanese brasserie where sushi, yakitori, and the cult Wagyu Truffle Sando share space with a deep sake and cocktail list. The Basquiat-and-Warhol-adorned room feels designed for celebrations, client dinners, and high-energy nights out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wagyu Truffle Sando, Classic maki set, Fried rice with wagyu or lobster
What makes it special: Pop-art-splashed Japanese cooking with one of Midtown’s buzziest rooms.
Inside Tiffany’s flagship, Blue Box Café serves fashion-world daytime dining with French-accented dishes like Egg in a Shell with caviar, avocado-ricotta tartines, and elaborate set breakfast and tea services. The jewel-box room is pure Tiffany blue, built for milestone outings and social-media-ready brunches.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast at Tiffany’s set with pastries and Egg in a Shell, Egg in a Shell with caviar, Tiered afternoon tea tower
What makes it special: Iconic Tiffany-branded daytime dining with Daniel Boulud’s polished French-leaning brunch in a jewel-box dining room.
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
This women-owned trattoria offers fresh housemade pasta and curated Italian wines in a cozy upper-level space between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. The intimate setting proves ideal for business lunches and casual date nights, with daily happy hour featuring $12 spritzes drawing neighborhood regulars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe, Quattro Formaggi Pasta, Nutella Tiramisu
What makes it special: Women-owned neighborhood trattoria with fresh housemade pasta and accessible pricing
#10
The Naked Pig
7.8
The Naked Pig is a lively after-work bar and weekend brunch hub with bottomless drink deals, stuffed caramel French toast, and churro pancakes. TVs, loud music, and big booths make it feel more like an upgraded sports bar than a formal restaurant, but the brunch plates overdeliver for the price.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheddar Biscuit Benedict, Stuffed caramel French toast, Huevos Rancheros with house-cut fries
What makes it special: Bottomless brunch-focused bar with big-format comfort dishes and plenty of space for groups.