Dining in Manhattan: A Guide to the Best Restaurants

Choosing where to eat could be overwhelming, but with a plan in place to savor the experience, you'll find flavorful fulfillment at the best restaurants in Manhattan.

Best Restaurants With a View

Photo Credit: Kris Tamburello

Located in a renovated printing factory in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen, the glass-enclosed lounge and open-air deck at Print are the perfect vantage points for viewing a sunset over the river and the surrounding metropolis. Specializing in farm-to-table cuisine, the menu changes with the seasons. The more casual atmosphere of the Cantina Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge is reflected in its menu: tacos, guacamole and margaritas. Open-air views of the midtown Manhattan skyline are interrupted in the autumn as the venue's retractable glass roof is put in place to protect patrons from inclement weather.

Best Restaurants for Family Fun

Give your kids a musical treat they won't forget when the whole family eats out at Ellen's Stardust Diner in Times Square. Talented singing waiters serve your food and perform kid-approved favorites from Broadway shows and popular movies. The lines to get in are often long, but the restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to midnight, so the adventure fits in fine with sightseeing. For a quieter meal, step into Fred's, a cozy neighborhood restaurant with photos of dogs lining the walls. Fred's is conveniently around the corner from the Children's Museum of Manhattan.

Best Restaurants for Business Meetings

You put on your modern-day armor of business attire when you venture into the city for business negotiations. But don't let the outfit stop you from enjoying the classic fare that has fueled generations of Manhattan business folks—a steak dinner. Book a table for your meeting at the Standard Grill in the heart of the Meatpacking District under the High Line. The restaurant has been providing dignified surroundings and well prepared meals for generations. Harry's Cafe & Steak is equally experienced in catering to business customers at its long-time location in the Financial District. Harry's signature baked clams are the ideal appetizer before the corporate talk starts in earnest.

Best Restaurants for Quiet Romance

Take your loved one on a stroll along the tree-lined streets of historic Greenwich Village. Tucked in among the stately brick houses, boutiques and quirky shops, Little Owl offers Mediterranean cuisine, fresh seafood and a carefully curated wine list. Make sure you have a reservation because there are only 32 seats in this charming little establishment. In Manhattan's Lennox Hill neighborhood, your romantic evening will be accompanied by delightful background music at Mimi's Italian Restaurant & Piano Bar. Red checkered tablecloths and classic Italian cuisine set the tone for amore.

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