Neighborhood Gems that Every New Yorker Must Try! 

By Rachel Kapur
January 12. 2020

New York City has over 20,000 restaurants - a new restaurant opens practically every day just as another one closes down. You can literally find any type of cuisine in this mecca of culinary delights, however choosing the right restaurant can be a daunting task especially when there are so many choose from. We scoured Manhattan to find quality restaurants that have stood the test of time and delighted the discerning palettes of city residents- see below for our favorites! 

Mizu Sushi Restaurant

​Looking for quality and affordable sushi? Look no further as Mizu Sushi located in Flatiron has an incredible selection of sushi and sashimi starting at as little as $3.00! We highly recommend the colorful Gramercy Roll which features ​tuna, salmon, yellow tail, avocado, cucumber with dashi nori and wasabi mayo. You can choose from over 30 different sushi rolls or go with one of their most popular rolls - the Fire Fire or the Bahamas! 

Gramercy Roll

In addition to sushi, Mizu offers a wide variety of salads with the most delicious dressings. We absolutely loved their Avocado Salad which featured an incredible sesame dressing. The restaurant offers seven different types of salads to suit everyone's fancy. 

Avocado Salad

With a varied choice of appetizers, there is something for everyone. We highly recommend the sirloin steak which was marinated in a black pepper sauce. 

Sirloin Steak

If you are not a sushi fan, you will be pleased with the wide variety of vegetarian and meat options. We fell in love with the Chicken Teriyaki which was a very large portion and included fresh vegetables and plenty of Teriyaki sauce. We can tell you that Mizu definitely does not skimp on quality or quantity. 

Chicken Teriyaki

If you manage to still have room after dining on the wide variety of sushi, appetizers and entrees - you can enjoy a delicious selection of desserts. We really enjoyed the Banana Spring Rolls which featured the perfect balance of crunch, banana and chocolate sauce. 

Banana Spring Rolls

Mizu Sushi is the ideal place to satisfy your sushi cravings! With an amazing selection of quality dishes we can see why this restaurant has become a Manhattan staple. Tip: If you have a hard time deciding which sushi rolls to gorge on, they have a special Omakase Tasting for $45 which includes 8 chef selected pieces with the special fish of the day and 1 negi-toro roll. For more information visit MizuNYC.com

Chola Indian Restaurant 

​If you are a fan of Indian food, Chola NY ​is one of the the quintessential Indian restaurants in Manhattan. This gem has been a local favorite for over 21 years. This Indian restaurant is unlike any other Indian restaurant you have visited. Upscale and located in Midtown, this restaurant serves up a wide variety of traditional dishes from all over India along with unique seafood dishes like the Lobster Ghee Roast and the Crab Butter Pepper Masala! 

Batata Sev Puri

You can choose from a number of delectable hot or cold vegetarian appetizers, our favorites are the samosas and the Batata Sev Puri. There is also a large selection of meat appetizers like the sizzling Tandoor specialties, we highly recommend the Murgh Zafrani Malai Tikka. For those who love lamb, the ​Seekh Kebab is also a delicious option!

Murgh Zafrani Malai Tikka

 In addition to a wide variety of meat and seafood options, the restaurant has a wide range of Vegan and Vegetarian entrees. The restaurant caters to diners allergies and spice preferences and has very generous portions. We were pleasantly surprised with the selection, quality and portion sizes!

Chola is one of the best Indian restaurants in Manhattan! They offer an amazing all you can eat buffet lunch and a delicious dinner menu. For more information and to make a reservation visit CholaNY.com. 

Bella Luna Restaurant

For over 30 years, Bella Luna​ has been an neighborhood favorite, so much so that when they moved the restaurant location, the patrons moved along with them! This restaurant serves up all your favorite Italian dishes and then some. Located on the Upper West Side, this Italian restaurant serves up excelllent traditional dishes at very affordable prices. 

Burrata

The restaurant has seasonal specials like the delicious burrata which not only was beautiful to look at but delicious to eat. 

Beef Carpaccio

The restaurant has a great selection of hot and cold appetizers. We highly recommend the Beef Carpaccio and the Homemade Meatballs!

Homemade Meatballs

The restaurant also features freshly made pastas - there are so many to choose from that it is difficult to pick just one. We loved the Tagliatelle Bolognese. The portion sizes are perfect! While your hunger will be slayed, you should still have room for dessert. 

Tagliatelle Bolognese

In addition to delicious pastas, the restaurant serves a a variety of chicken and seafood dishes. That's not all - they also have a unique selection of pizzas! We highly recommend the Chicken Parmesan and the Chicken Marsala! 

Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Marsala

At Bella Luna you can't skip dessert! They offer a number of delicious options like Homemade Tiramisu, Vellutata which is a chocolate mousse cake served with ice cream and a great selection of Gelato and Ice Cream! 

Homemade Tiramisu

For a quality Italian dining experience for an affordable price on the Upper West Side, we highly recommend Bella Luna! For more information and to make a reservation visit BellaLunaNYC.com