There’s always something new and fantastic in New York City in the summertime. This year, whether you’re doing a staycation or a luxury vacation, Gotham has plenty to offer that you’ve never seen or done before. Including everything related to food and drink. We’ve curated a list of the best new bars, cafés and restaurants in NYC to hit this Summer 2023, including in DUMBO, Union Square and the West Village.
what are the new hottest bars and restaurants in NYC (since you aren’t in The Hamptons)?
Someone once said, “One can’t paint New York as it is, but rather as it is felt” and I am pretty sure they were talking about summer in Manhattan. Summer in New York City is the most palpably felt time of year. And though many of us wish we were away for most of it there is something special about being one of the ones left behind on a weekend in NYC.
It is hot and sticky but there is also a calmness and for once you can get a seat at your favorite restaurant without having to elbow your way in or play Russian Roulette on Resy (maybe we’ll finally get into Polo Bar!)
There are fun and delicious new bars and restaurants will be here for you when you can’t make it Out East. Check out these great new spots.
best new bars and restaurants this summer 2023 in NYC
1. Gair
Want a beautiful photo in front of The Brooklyn Bridge and delicious cocktails and bites? Then this is your spot. Located at 41 Washington Street in Dumbo, Brooklyn on one of the world’s most famous intersections, this is an elegant yet approachable neighborhood bar and restaurant that serves as an oasis for the Dumbo community.
The best new bars and restaurants in New York (NYC). Photo Credit: Amy Barkow
Gair’s signature cocktails include the Resting Spritz Face (gin, suze, Italicus, grapefruit, saline, pink peppercorn), Jalisco Sol (tequila, red bitter aperitivo, chamomile, apricot, and pineapple) and Old Man and the Sea (Japanese whisky, soy, nori, umami).
2. Torch & Crown Brewing Company
If you can’t make it out to Montauk this summer you are in luck because Manhattan’s only brewery also now has a pop-up Union Square (as well as Montauk.) Stop by the Union Square Pavilion and imbibe while enjoying all the sights and sounds of this iconic part of the city. And bring Fido, as well. This is a dog-friendly space! They will also have bites conveniently sourced from Union Square’s famous Green Market. Nothing like grabbing a nice cold beer on a hot summer day in the city.
3. Alba Accanto
It is hard to have a bad restaurant when the team backing you is Prince Street Hospitality. After all, they gave the world Little Prince, Lola Taverna and Lucali Brooklyn. With its perfect location under the High Line and on the ground floor of the Lantern House in West Chelsea, you will be transported to Positano with its Amalfi-coast forward menu. Some menu highlights include:
- Yellowtail – Seared yellowtail served with grapefruit, pink pepper, and ginger
- Spicy Toro – A spicy tuna dish served with bomba sauce
- Focaccia di Recco – A thin Italian flatbread served with herbs, prosciutto, or truffle
- Zucchini Flowers – Fried zucchini flowers served with yuzu mousse
- Tuscan Chicken – Crispy chicken served with lemon agrodolce
The best new bars and restaurants in New York (NYC). Photo Credit: Sidney Bensimon.
And we can’t forget the drinks!
- Portofino – A fan-favorite, tequila reposado-based pineapple signature margarita
- Calabrese – A mezcal-based punchy blood orange house beverage
- Cocoffee – A vodka-based espresso complemented with coconut cream *can be non-alcoholic
- Rosa in Bianco – A mezcal-based negroni with white smoke *can be non-alcoholic
- Albicocca – A gin-based sweet apricot spritz
4. Gitano
Governor’s Island has really taken it up a notch in the past year. In addition to being able to glamp with Collective Retreats you can now have an amazing day of relaxation and pampering QC NY Spa. But now they have really gone above and beyond with a new dining experience, Gitano Island! They left Soho behind and moved their luscious and spacious garden to a new 27,000 square foot waterfront setting, just a 5 minute ferry ride from downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The best new bars and restaurants in New York (NYC).
Who needs to be in The Hamptons when you can feel like you are in Tulum without getting on a plane? This season, Gitano offers a new menu from chef Adam Maldonado with dishes such as Baja Kampachi Tostadas and Lubina in Corn Husk. For the first time ever in NYC, GITANO will introduce a tented stage and an exciting program of local and international DJs and live artist performances.
5. Rocco’s Sports & Recreation
If you think Rocco’s is just another run-of-the-mill sports bar you would be wrong. The team behind The Garrets has delivered us an elevated sports bar this summer. First of all, the interiors are stunning and not overrun by TVs. Think a much more casual Polo Bar vibe with a twinge of Wes Anderson-kitschy decor with delicious food (the Caesar Salad is a must) plus pop-a-shot basketball, and, oh yeah, sports!
So, yes, it is a sports-themed bar but you could easily bring a date here and have a great time. Cocktails include Get Ya Old Fashioned Here! with Cracker Jack-infused whiskey, salted honey and bitters, the Champions Cup with rum, tequila, passion fruit, pineapple, ginger and lime, served in a trophy for four guests, and the Broadway Joe with tequila, honeydew, pistachio, coconut cream and lime, served in a glass football, and more. Snack on Pigs in a Blanket, Chargrilled BBQ Oysters, Vegan Buffalo Chicken, The RSR Burger, Smoked Whole Hot Wings, and Fried Chicken.
Plus feel good while you have fun as a portion of Rocco’s profits will be donated to the SEED Project, ensuring youth access to quality education, high performance sports training and leadership tools across Senegal, Gambia and the U.S.; and DREAM charter schools. Come football season it’ll be hard to get a seat here so go now!
6. Nat’s on Bleecker
OK so technically Nat’s on Bleecker opened in the summer of 2022 but this is the first summer they have a new brunch program that will make you forget about being at the beach. It’s one of the most affordable Sunday brunches in town as they introduce a new, all-day buffet at just $35 per person (plus, kids eat free!). Every Sunday this summer from 11am-8pm, you can indulge in frittatas, fried chicken, and shakshuka, baked shells, seasonal veggies, refreshing salads and more at this delightful neighborhood eatery.
And don’t forget dessert! Choose from a decedent display of croissants, cookies, coconut cupcakes, and Devil’s Food cake. And get a little summer buzz by pairing your meal with some large format cocktails served in oversized pitchers, such as Strawberry Rose Sangria, Spicy Peach Margarita, and Watermelon Crush that serve up to six.
7. Little Rascal
Located at 130 Franklin Street in Greenpoint’s lively waterfront district, Little Rascal Greenpoint is an upscale cocktail bar and warm, intimate gathering place for neighborhood locals and visitors alike. It fuses the brothers Halil and Öner Gündogdu Turkish roots with the latest in NYC dining innovation.
The best new bars and restaurants in New York (NYC).
Signature drinks include The Perfect Prescription (Pierde Almas Mezcal, Campari, fresh lime, housemade falernum), Luzina’s Blue Jinn (housemade curacao mixed with blue-lotus-infused Hendrick’s gin, house toasted coriander liqueur, fresh lemon), and Cosmic Debris (Basil Hayden Bourbon, fresh lemon, egg white, fruity pebbles-infused sugar cane extract, pistachio cream). You will love the effortlessly chic interiors with stainglass windows and quirky art but you’ll definitely want to try to sit on the back garden patio on a nice summer day.
8. Holiday Bar
Not brand new but definitely not old, this “it” restaurant now features brunch every weekend. From 11am-2:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays you can indulge in a menu of brunch classics like the Holiday Bar Breakfast (two eggs any style, griddled confit potato and choice of sausage, bacon or avocado), Steak & Eggs and an Egg-White Sandwich, as well as Smoked Sablefish Salad, Ugandan Rolex, Caramelized French Toast, and a Lobster Roll.
It is lovely to see the beautiful space in the daylight with sunlight streaming in to highlight the 80s decor. Or maybe you will opt for the terrace. New featured brunch cocktails include the Holiday 2.0 (white peaches, Moscato, honey, prosecco) and Spiked Frappe (vodka, coffee, milk, whipped cream, salted caramel).
best new bars and restaurants in NYC this summer 2023
That’s our native New Yorker’s edit of the best new bars, cafés and restaurants in NYC this Summer 2023, including DUMBO, Union Square and the West Village. The hardest part? Deciding where to start.
