When it comes to restaurants, in New York, you are spoilt for choice. Exactly how many there are, is hard to pin down. As in most places, the restaurant sector is in a constant state of flux. With new restaurants opening and old establishments closing or changing hands, daily, it is almost impossible to keep track.
New York´s Food Establishment Inspections department has the best understanding of how many there are. Their latest webpage and search tool state that there are around 27,000 restaurants in the 5 boroughs of New York.
That´s a lot of choice. So, how do you narrow things down when you fancy a bit to eat in The Big Apple? Well, one approach is to visit one that has been photographed and shared on social media, thousands of times. It is safe to say that those restaurants offer something a little extra. If they didn´t, they wouldn´t get talked about so much.
To make it easy for you to do that the Mandoe Media team has gone online, done the research, and crunched the numbers. Below is a list of the most instagrammable restaurants in New York, ranked from the lowest to the highest. Along with a little information about each of them to help you to decide which one is right for you.
Popular at Public Hotels
Instagram Link : https://www.instagram.com/popularnyc/?hl=en
Instagram Followers : 7,432 followers
Hashtag : #Popularnyc 367 posts
Address : 215 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002
This Bronx restaurant serves globally inspired Peruvian food, which is healthy as well as tasty. The food culture of Peru is extremely diverse. It is primarily a blend of Spanish, Asian, and Inca cuisines. When it comes to food, the Peruvians have always been adventurous. Not afraid to incorporate new ingredients into their dishes. So, the light snacks and meals created by the chef at POPULAR, Diego Munoz, are interesting and tasty.
The sticky prawn chow Mein, pisco, ceviche (two types), oysters and Lomo Saltado are particularly popular. As is the pisco and cocktails.
POPULAR has a cool, energetic vibe, which is very Manhattan. The interior is a combination of wood, creams, and large tropical plants, which is nice but rarely photographed. At this restaurant, it is the food and drinks that are the stars.
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/eatwitkat
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/rolalola1
Thai Villa
Instagram Account : https://www.instagram.com/thaivillanyc/
Followers : 6,673 followers
Hashtag : #thaivillanyc 558 posts
Address : 5 E 19th St, New York, NY 10003
Thai Villa focuses on serving dishes that you rarely get to taste outside of Thailand. Instead, they offer meals inspired by the lesser-known cuisines of the country. They offer dishes that were originally created and prepared for royalty. They are on a mission to conserve Thai Royal cuisine and introduce it to new generations.
This beautifully appointed small restaurant has an old-world charm that you rarely find these days. The restaurant’s owner shipped everything from Thailand to ensure they provided New York diners with a truly authentic Thai dining experience. Its calming interior offers large dining booths. There is also a large heated wooden cabin-style outdoor dining area.
Their Shrang Wa Goong, Kaeng Hung Ley, and Kun Tok are the dishes Instagrammers seem to order, share, and talk about the most. Its location near Union Square and a few minutes away from the flatiron building makes it popular with both tourists and locals.
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/theweekendiaries
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Lamias Fish Market
Instagram Account : https://www.instagram.com/lamiasfishmarket/
Followers : 23.1K followers
Hashtag : #lamiasfishmarket 1,094 posts
Address : 47 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
Lamias Fish Market is a multilevel seafood-centric restaurant and oyster bar, which is located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Its stunning, eclectic, artsy, nautical interior took 2 years to create and has been key to it becoming so popular with Instagrammers. The restaurant only opened in 2019, yet it has already made our top ten. That is how special it is.
In creating it Lami Funti pays homage to her Mediterranean roots and her love of seafood and fish. The menu is very fish focused and includes ceviche, oysters, grilled squid, scallops, and fish of the day. All of these are regularly mentioned in the thousands of reviews this restaurant has generated.
Best of all the prices are low for this type of food and the portion sizes are very generous. Every dish is beautifully presented and tastes as good as it looks.
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/mytrecco/
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/gavinhammonnyc/
The Fulton
Instagram Account : https://www.instagram.com/thefultonnyc/
Followers : 25.5K followers
Hashtag : #thefulton 1,711 posts
Address : 89 South St, New York, NY 10038
This beautiful waterfront restaurant is located on Pier 17. The modern menu is built around wild-caught seafood and seasonal cocktails. It has an incredible ambience. with a floor manager that makes sure everything is as it should be. The attention to detail in everything they do is noteworthy.
The interior is bright, crisp, modern and, at the same time, classically elegant. Its walls are decorated with an artsy and interesting mural which was inspired by Jules Verne´s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. There is also an expansive patio area for patrons to enjoy.
The list of favorite dishes includes warm octopus paired with mozzarella, fried shrimp, crab lettuce cups, sashimi, arugula avocado salad and many, many more suggestions. For dessert, the strawberry potted plant dessert or the fig tart with honey ice cream are both extremely popular choices. The wine list is extensive, and the waiters always know which to recommend for the dishes you have chosen.
Jean-George Vongerichten, the world-renowned chef, and the man behind The Fulton, clearly understands what it takes to create a beautiful restaurant. He and his team deliver just the right amount of theater as well as stunning food and drink.
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/bonvoyagejg/
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/cityhuntress/
Le Coucou
Instagram Account : https://www.instagram.com/lecoucou_nyc/
Followers : 73.2K followers
Hashtag : #lecoucounyc 3,018 posts
Address : 138 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10013
If you were to describe Le Coucou NYC in just a few words – French elegance is the phrase you would use. When you go in the door, it is like stepping into a high-end Parisian restaurant. The décor is rich and opulent, without being overwhelming creating a warm yet sophisticated space in which to dine. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a wonderful view for diners while giving the dining area a light and airy feel.
The menu, which has been created by the acclaimed Paris chef Daniel Rose, is full of classic French dishes. Including Carnette Sainte-Baume (duckling), Sole Véronique, tout lapin (rabbit), Filet basquaise and many other delights. Dishes that it is now quite hard to find cooked well. Sadly, even in France itself.
If you love fine dining and French food, you really cannot go wrong with Le Coucou NYC. Sitting at a well-laid table, with fine linen, and elegant glasses and being served by highly attentive, impeccably dressed, and knowledgeable waiters is a simple delight that so few restaurants provide, these days.
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/bygeorgiagrace/
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SERRA by Birreria
Instagram Account : https://www.instagram.com/eatalyflatiron/
Followers : 217k followers
Hashtag : #serrabybirreria 4,709 posts
Address : 200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010
SERRA by Birreria is a stunning place to dine, regardless of the time of year. They have a glass roof, which is closed when it gets cold, so guests are kept nice and cozy in this floral-themed space.
The food is Italian-inspired, with dishes like Parmigiano Reggiano® DOP potatoes, calamari, Liuzzi burrata, Raclette, pork shoulder and fresh gnocchi being among the most popular. They also have a wonderful selection of cheeses and charcuterie meats to choose from.
To keep things fresh, the chef uses seasonal ingredients to create new dishes throughout the year. The décor is also changed to reflect the seasons, which is one of the reasons so many people post about this restaurant on Instagram.
SERRA is the perfect venue for special celebrations, especially if you want to invite a large group of guests. There are several soft seating areas, so everyone can enjoy a casual drink before dining.
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/emmahonohan/
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Grand Central Oyster Bar
Instagram Account : https://www.instagram.com/nyoysterbar/
Followers : 2,627 followers
Hashtag : #grandcentraloysterbar 5,618
Address : 89 E 42nd St Ste LEVEL, New York, NY 10017
Often described as the ultimate experience for seafood lovers, the Grand Central Oyster Bar is one of New York´s iconic restaurants. It opened in 1913 and apart from the occasional renovation to refresh the décor, has not changed since.
The Grand Central Oyster Bar offers you the chance to dine in an authentic oyster bar, set in a beautiful space. The stunning vaulted Guastavino tiled ceilings are softly lit, which helps to create a crisp, deceptively modern-looking space, which is somehow still warm and inviting. But be aware that the vaulted ceilings create a whispering gallery, which means that no matter how quietly you say something, diners across the room will be able to hear you.
It is popular with tourists, which is one reason it appears so highly on our list of Instagrammable NYC restaurants. But it is a big space, and the bar seats are set far enough apart for it not to feel too crowded.
Their menu features 25 types of fish, oysters, and shellfish. Unusually, they still offer a seafood platter that comes with a whole lobster and their famous stews are also popular. Their chef selects the ingredients for the day at 3 am and it is delivered at 7 am, so there is no doubt that everything you are eating is fresh.
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/uenoasako/
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La Mercerie
Instagram Account : https://www.instagram.com/lamercerieny/
Followers : 94K followers
Hashtag : #lamercerie 8,084 posts
Address : 53 Howard St, New York, NY 10013
La Mercerie is tucked away inside the Roman and William Guild furniture store. It serves thoughtfully prepared classic French dishes that have been reimagined and created by the celebrated Parisian chef Marie-Aude Rose. She has two diplomas from lÉcole FERRANDI and has spent years working in Michelin-star restaurants, so the quality of the food is not in doubt.
The space is chic, bright, airy, and decorated with an eclectic, yet perfectly blended mix of high-end tables, chairs, furniture, and fixtures. All of which are laid out on a beautiful wooden floor under a glossy, highly reflective ceiling. There is also the chance to dine outside on their patio. Or to hire the private dining room downstairs.
Guests use vintage French cutlery to eat off interesting plate ware that is sourced from across the world. All of which is available to buy from Roman and William.
Many describe La Mercier as a bakery and café, as well as a restaurant because of its pastry counter loaded with dainty, freshly cooked French pastries. Quiche, buckwheat crepes with seafood in Nantua sauce and salmon croissants are on the list of patron’s favorites. Alongside, more substantial dishes like duck confit, Niçoise salad, Bourguignon and velouté soup.
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/jackymchui/
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/urbangreengardens/
Cantina Roof Top
Instagram Account : https://www.instagram.com/cantinarooftop/
Followers : 74.4K followers
Hashtag : #cantinarooftop 9,317 posts
Address : 605 West 48th St. New York, NY, 10036
This modern Mexican Hell´s Kitchen rooftop restaurant is an exciting place to eat authentic Mexican food, with a twist. It is the brainchild of the owner and nightlife guru Pedro Zamora and inspired Chef Saul Montiel. They have taken an NYC rooftop and turned it into an exciting and vibrant space where you can enjoy contemporary Mexican cuisine and street food, including several classic “Fondas'' dishes.
This comfortable, simply decorated, yet colorful rooftop offers great city skyline views, which only get better once night falls and iconic buildings turn on their lights. The climate-controlled retractable roof guarantees the perfect dining experience.
There are plenty of lounge spots for you to enjoy a pre-dinner drink with friends and family. Something that helps to make it a good venue for group dining. The DJ and small dance floor help too.
The food is the star here. It is colorful as well as tasty, which is part of the reason diners cannot resist taking snaps and posting them on Instagram. People particularly enjoy the guacamole-tasting platter, carne asada and sangria salad.
Plus, of course, there are great drinks prepared by Mixologist Daniel Barragan. Their bottomless mimosa is a big favorite.
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/shahedak/
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/ggmarjo530/
Beetle House NYC
Instagram Account : https://www.instagram.com/beetlehousela/
Followers : 59.2K followers
Hashtag : #beetlehousenyc 9,673 posts
Address : 308 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003
At the Beetle House NYC, every day is Halloween. As you can guess from the name, Tim Burton´s movies are the inspiration behind the zany, spooky interior.
The food, drinks, and staff are all movie-themed, so wherever you look there is something interesting to see, photograph and share. Patrons love the spooky atmosphere and the fact that it is usually busy. The place has an incredible buzz, and the food is good.
They serve American classics, including burgers, mac & cheese, great steaks as well as fish and seafood dishes. The Edward Scissorhands burger is particularly popular. Alongside spooky cocktails like the Coco Skellington and The Beetle´s Juice.
Now that you know where the most instagrammable restaurants in New York are, all you need to do is to visit them and maybe take a few snaps yourself to share online. It is a great excuse to get out more and treat those special people in your life to a meal out in a restaurant that offers something a little different.
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/sporto_mckenzie/
Image Credit : https://www.instagram.com/nicktheghosthost999/
In conclusion
New York City offers a diverse and constantly changing array of dining options, with an estimated 27,000 restaurants in the five boroughs. To navigate this overwhelming selection, one approach is to visit a restaurant that has been popularized on social media. Hopefully, this piece will make it easy for you to choose the perfect spot for your next meal. Whether you're looking for a trendy brunch spot, a cozy cafe, or a fancy dinner location, these restaurants are sure to impress. So, go ahead and make a reservation, snap a picture, and share your experience with your friends and followers.
