📍Added in April: If breakfast is your priority, Okonomi is a must-visit for its ichiju-sansai, a traditional Japanese meal featuring a delightful array of fresh fish options like salmon, tuna, and local white fish. Alongside the fish, you’ll get miso soup, steamed rice, and three sides: Savor the vibrant pickled beets, blanched greens, and the standout Japanese sweet potato, my personal favorite. Round off your meal with another cup of freshly brewed hōjicha, and you'll be set to seize the day.

📍Added in April: Miss Lily’s embodies both NYC and Caribbean culture, making it a beloved institution. Their menu is ideal for sharing—and perfect for after-work gatherings or group dining. While most folks opt for jerk chicken, I encourage exploring the menu in full, trying my favorites like curry shrimp or vegetable curry, best enjoyed with an ice-cold Red Stripe. So while we’re counting down the days until consistently warm weather, pop in with coworkers or friends and hold a lime.

📍Added in April: The buzz of an NYC diner is my type of morning rush: contagious, comforting, and a little chaotic. That’s what I like about Montague Diner in Brooklyn Heights, the newest venture from the team behind Margot. While classics like pancakes and sandwiches are available, don't overlook the creative high/low pairings such as "mozzarella sticks + orange wine." Early risers score the best seats, so arrive as early as 6 a.m., or secure a reservation online to guarantee your spot.

📍Added in April: Che, nestled in Bed-Stuy, serves up hearty and artfully presented plant-based cuisine that rivals West Coast offerings. Seasonal delights like beet toast and millet porridge, sweetened with tropical fruits, grace the menu. And what’s an NYC morning without a scrumptious breakfast sandwich? Theirs, featuring scrambled eggs, pimento cheese, pickled green tomato, and arugula on pillowy brioche, is a standout contender for any "best" list.

📍Added in April: Wine bars are still proliferating in this city, with even more focus on thoughtful food menus. If I were still dating in NYC, Gem Wine would be my top pick for a first date. Here, communal tables and warm lighting set the stage for refreshing twists on wine bar classics. Picture sourdough with marmite butter or a schnitzel made with seasonal mushrooms—both must-order dishes that promise a memorable dining experience, whether you decide on a second date or not.

A&A, a Bed-Stuy institution, crafts the perfect doubles. This handheld delight features two pieces of flat, fried bread, curried chickpeas, and a flavorful blend of tamarind sauce and peppah sauce, a must-have condiment made with Scotch bonnet peppers, garlic, and chadon beni, a leafy herb native to the West Indies. Seating is limited, but doubles are a great grab-and-go experience.

Hotel restaurants can get a bad rap. But don’t fret. The all-day menu at this spot, located inside the Ace Hotel in Brooklyn, surprises with its playful, seasonal, and fresh offerings. Don’t pass on the breakfast fruit plate, which hides housemade jam underneath melon and Moon Drop grapes. Go for the hearty, plant-based Hippie Sandwich at lunch. And dinner? Black bass in puff pastry with scrumptious sorrel crème fraîche, the perfect dip for a side of french fries.

This all-day Mexican eatery is great for a casual lunch at the bar or catching up with friends for happy hour. The easygoing vibe doesn’t compromise on flavor. Here, I like to order for the table. Begin with the chicken soup, a broth balanced with fresh cilantro and mixed veggies. Tack on the cheese quesadilla and add mushrooms, then wrap up with the pork al pastor gringa, a fun, shareable entrée. What’s a Mexican meal without churros for dessert? You know what to do.

Plant-based cuisine need not be dreary, and at this vegan spot, flavor is the main character. Nods to the Caribbean meals I grew up eating are found in dishes like bake and saltfish, made with sautéed hearts of palm instead of cod. The vegan AU Burger is one of the best I’ve had. Part café and eatery, part concept store (including branded merch for purchase), and part cool place to hang and work remotely? Say less.

The M60 bus isn’t just for a trip to LaGuardia. It’s what I take from Harlem to venture to this Greek establishment in Astoria. My go-to order of lemon potatoes, gigantes—butter beans baked with parsley and tomato—and grilled octopus or a whole fish won’t steer you wrong. The large dining room is where residents gather for family dinners, after-church fellowship, and celebrations. As such, there are well-priced prix fixe options ideal for big groups. Otherwise, a walk-in will get you sorted.