21 Fancy Restaurants in NYC for 2024
There may be no better way to spend your time in the Big Apple than splurging on the fancy restaurants NYC showcases in its world-class dining scene. It’s more than just a glittering international jewel bringing visitors to some of the most exciting dining spaces anywhere on the planet. It’s also a destination for top-level chefs to share their most imaginative creations. And when it comes to fancy restaurants in NYC with a view, the selection is utterly breathtaking.
Our guide to fancy restaurants in NYC assembles your best bets for plush service and high-end fare. Many of the fancy restaurants in NYC on our list offer prix fixe selections or tasting menus that let guests savor a variety of the chef’s best dishes. Others make fine dining in NYC a buffet of individual plates, allowing you to choose your own sumptuous adventure.
If you’re looking for more glamorous culinary experiences than simply grabbing a bite at your usual spot, these fancy restaurants in NYC are sure to fit the bill.
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21 Fancy Restaurants in NYC
1. The Modern
A sense of fun and artistry infuses The Modern with delicious joy, a natural fit for a two-Michelin star fancy restaurant in NYC attached to the world-renowned Museum of Modern Art, MoMA. Having an opportunity to enjoy seasonal fine dining in NYC makes every visit to this sun-splashed eatery a new adventure.
The Vibe
Walls of windows and bright blue accents envelop this fancy restaurant in NYC with cheer from top to bottom.
What to Order
A four-course prix fixe menu includes tempting creations like marinated artichokes, herb-roasted beef and spiced chocolate.
The Modern | 9 W. 53rd St., New York, NY 10019 | $$$$
2. One If By Land, Two If By Sea
The historic elegance of One If By Land, Two If By Sea brings fancy restaurants in NYC an air of authentic heritage. This locale is the site of upscale weddings and glossy celebrations that call for a classic backdrop. Since opening in 1973, visitors have flocked to this supreme spot among romantic restaurants in NYC for marriage proposals and intimate rendezvous while enjoying fine American creations.
The Vibe
Lush and romantic, with rustic brick walls and real wood fireplaces to cuddle around.
What to Order
Stop in for a two-course brunch and choose familiar fare like maple syrup granola and omelettes or dive into more exclusive treats, such as caviar and seared black Angus tenderloin.
One If by Land, Two If By Sea | 17 Barrow St., New York, NY 10014 | $$$$
3. Per Se
Proprietor and Chef Thomas Keller presents a chic dining room in Per Se. This chic spot offers nine-course tasting menus, in an atmosphere that seamlessly blends classic and contemporary influences. It is a highlighted destination among the more fancy restaurants in NYC.
The Vibe
The dining room is aglow with amber light and white linen-topped tables.
What to Order
Choose from two nine-course tasting menus — one exclusively vegan — in which no ingredient is used more than once per plate.
Per Se | 10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019 | $$$$
4. Gramercy Tavern
In its 30-year run among fancy restaurants in NYC, the super-stylish Gramercy Tavern has garnered an incredible nine James Beard awards for its exceptional culinary experiences. The kitchen incorporates local ingredients into thoughtful dishes designed to dazzle discerning diners.
The Vibe
Earthy tiles, hanging lanterns and floral sprays make this eatery feel like an indoor garden.
What to Order
The seasonal prix fixe menu offers an array of fresh fixings, where Arctic char and sweet potato agnolotti share the menu with roasted duck breast and Meyer lemon tart.
Gramercy Tavern | 42 E. 20th St., New York, NY 10003 | $$$$
5. Ocean Prime
Sleek and light-filled, the dining space at Ocean Prime gives fancy restaurants in NYC a generous splash of inviting modern charm. Add this to your list of fun things to do in NYC when there’s a special occasion in need of celebrating.
The Vibe
A mix of sharp lines, geometric precision and natural textures envelop visitors in comfort.
What to Order
Chef specialties, ranging from poke bowls to farm-fresh chicken to filet mignon, are your best bets for entrées. Save lots of room for a slice of 10-layer carrot cake or chocolate peanut butter pie for dessert.
Ocean Prime | 123 W. 52nd St., New York, NY 10019 | $$$$
6. Craft
Craft aims to replicate the classic sensation of home dining with a focus on fresh elements and simple culinary compositions. But simplicity doesn't equate to a lack of sophistication. Instead, this showpiece among fancy restaurants in NYC is a one-of-a-kind locale that emphasizes the warmth of well-made food in an environment that doesn't compromise on style.
The Vibe
Bistro tables and red umbrellas on the patio and open seating inside make this spot feel like the finest neighborhood haunt.
What to Order
Opt for grilled quail, truffles and a side of farro for a taste of how the well-to-do dine.
Craft | 43 E. 19th St., New York, NY 10003 | $$$$
7. Gabriel Kreuther
Award-winning Chef Gabriel Kreuther lends his name to the litany of fancy restaurants in NYC. His authenticity and devotion to French technique extend to everything at Gabriel Kreuther NYC, from chocolates to entrées, all of which guests fortunate enough to drop in can enjoy in one spot.
The Vibe
The environment of Alsace is the inspiration for cozy regional French décor and design.
What to Order
Slice into cauliflower panna cotta and red wine marinated venison for an opener and entrée par excellence. A side of Périgord black truffle ravioli makes an excellent accompaniment.
Gabriel Kreuther | 42 E. 20th St., New York, NY 10003 | $$$$
8. Gotham Restaurant
What better title than Gotham Restaurant for this entry to the fancy restaurants in NYC peppering the upscale foodie landscape here? The iconic eatery was formerly known as Gotham Bar and Grill but reopened in 2021 having branded itself anew post-pandemic.
The Vibe
Crisp and fresh inside, with striking artwork and a lush bar. If you're looking for upscale things to do in NYC, dining at this restaurant is the activity for you.
What to Order
Start with elegant yellowfin tuna tartare before moving on to Maine lobster with risotto and mussels.
Gotham Restaurant | 12 E. 12th St., New York, NY 10003 | $$$$
9. Le Coucou
French dining comes home to roost among fancy restaurants in NYC at Le Coucou. This tiny brasserie brings the best of authentic French cuisine, offering a quaint space for a European-style respite from the big and buzzy luxury restaurants around NYC.
The Vibe
Elegant dress and tasteful décor make this fancy restaurant in NYC the picture of French styling.
What to Order
Grilled black sea bass served with sweet red pepper or any of the lobster dishes will keep the pescatarians at the table satisfied. Alternatively, the filet de boeuf with puréed potatoes is the perfect dish for beef lovers.
Le Coucou | 138 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10013 | $$$$
10. Eleven Madison Park
The quiet elegance of a library blends with the luxury of a modern dining space at Eleven Madison Park. A redesign in 2017 brought the public an updated haven among fancy restaurants in NYC, perfect for a date night in NYC. The restaurant offers a unique plant-based-only tasting menu with lighter fare also available at the bar.
The Vibe
Airy and sparse, with a tastefully muted palette and a feeling of expansiveness.
What to Order
A six-course tasting menu full of delicious vegan dishes will run diners around $285.00 per person. For closer to $195.00, there's a similar menu with four to five courses included.
Eleven Madison Park | 11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010 | $$$$
11. Ai Fiori
Italian for "amongst the flowers," Ai Fiori is a glamorous garden of an Italian dining room that offers inventive gourmet versions of classic Old-World dishes. This fancy restaurant in NYC shares Riviera-style sensibilities with Manhattanites looking for a taste of escape.
The Vibe
Brightly lit and fashionable inside, like a scene from your favorite luxury reality show.
What to Order
The four-course prix fixe menu brings you caviar, foie gras, chestnut soup and wagyu tagliata, among other indulgences.
Ai Fiori | 400 Fifth Ave., Ste. 2, New York, NY 10018 | $$$$
12. Le Bernardin
Expect total opulence at seafood restaurant Le Bernardin — you won't be disappointed in the least. Fancy restaurants in NYC that evolve as readily as this fabulous French jewel has through almost 40 years on the scene end up becoming must-try mainstays.
The Vibe
Glamor appears in the simplest of touches, including beamed ceilings and beveled windows.
What to Order
Seafood lovers will be in gourmet heaven with everything, from red snapper and hamachi sashimi to octopus and crab, on the prix fixe menu.
Le Bernardin | 155 W. 51st St., New York, NY 10019 | $$$$
13. Caviar Russe
With a name like Caviar Russe, there's no questioning the ritzy personality of this fancy restaurant in NYC. From the shimmering entrance to the glittering interiors, every inch of this luxe lounge is a testament to high living.
The Vibe
Cool and classical, featuring frescoes and lighted glass spheres dripping from mirrored ceiling fixtures.
What to Order
Various levels of tasting menus will get you three, six or 11 courses to try, each with its own premium price point. Premier selections like Jerusalem artichoke, king crab and Japanese mackerel are yours for the choosing.
Caviar Russe | 538 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10022 | $$$$
14. STK Steakhouse Downtown NYC
Raise the rooftop at STK Steakhouse Downtown NYC and sink into one of the most exquisite city views fancy restaurants in NYC can offer. Spending extra for prime plates comes with an opportunity for dining al fresco like you'll find nowhere else in the city.
The Vibe
Basic black and candleglow lighting create a chic ambiance that's worth the wait.
What to Order
Mushroom and truffle tagliatelle gives pasta lovers a decadent dish topped with black truffle and pecorino, making a lovely lead-in to your choice of steaks, including dry-aged Porterhouse and Australian wagyu flat iron.
STK Steakhouse Downtown NYC | 26 Little W. 12th St., New York, NY 10014 | $$$$
15. Temple Court
Diners in search of a sumptuous setting with premiere cuisine should look no further than Temple Court. This remarkable site sits ground level at the Beekman Hotel, providing visitors and residents a fancy restaurant in NYC that practically overwhelms all who drop in with otherworldly splendor.
The Vibe
This stunning space takes advantage of soaring ceilings without sacrificing coziness at floor level.
What to Order
Combine roasted Rohan duck breast with hen of the woods mushrooms and potato purée for a three-course treasure of a meal. As with other fancy restaurants in NYC, the desserts at Temple Court can't be missed either.
Temple Court | 5 Beekman St., New York, NY 10038 | $$$$
16. Delmonico's
Delmonico's is a renowned fancy restaurant in NYC that features a dazzling atmosphere and phenomenal dining. It's found in a salon-like setting at the base of the famous Flat Iron Building.
The Vibe
You can feel the history at this celebrated fancy restaurant in NYC, in the portraits lining the walls as much as the artistry of the cuisine.
What to Order
Try the short rib tortellini topped with brown butter foam for an intriguing molecular gastronomy dish or go with the Eye of Delmonico 12-ounce steak, courtesy of Brandt Family Farms in California.
Delmonico's | 56 Beaver St., New York, NY 10004 | $$$$
17. Cosme
Lovers of elevated evenings can slip into Cosme for a magnificent meal in one of the sharpest examples of fancy restaurants in NYC. Simple dishes come to life with thoughtful presentation, served with first-rate cocktails in a sleek eatery with art gallery aspirations.
The Vibe
Clean, minimalist design and dramatic lighting give a theatrical feel.
What to Order
The prix fixe options at this fancy restaurant in NYC include some inventive fare. Dishes to try include cucumber octopus, blue crab chile relleno and savoy cabbage strip steak.
Cosme | 35 E. 21st St., New York, NY 10010 | $$$$
18. Minetta Tavern
The vintage spirit cultivated at Minetta Tavern keeps the history of fancy restaurants in NYC alive in grand style. This timeless spot has been the nesting ground for such literary luminaries as Eugene O'Neill and Ernest Hemingway, serving as something of a writer's salon on the shores of the Hudson River.
The Vibe
Tin-tiled ceilings and dark wood walls are a wink to the vintage energy housed at this ornately fancy restaurant in NYC.
What to Order
Dishes as sophisticated as squab served with foie gras and as simple as the Minetta Burger offer delicious possibilities for all tastes.
Minetta Tavern | 113 MacDougal St., New York, NY 10012 | $$$$
19. La Mercerie
At La Mercerie, sophisticated French dining is the order of the day, every day. Diners who enter this fabulously fancy restaurant in NYC will find themselves in a Renoir painting come to life, a rich display of details composed with extraordinary care, right down to modern interpretations of traditional French fare.
The Vibe
A touch of floral fantasy fills the room, with muted colors and classical fixtures casting a sweet illusion.
What to Order
The dinner menu makes classic French fare like boeuf bourguignon and halibut au beurre blanc feel like brand-new inventions.
La Mercerie | 53 Howard St., New York, NY 10013 | $$$$
20. ONE Dine at One World Observatory
An observatory and restaurant combined, ONE Dine at One World Observatory takes guests sky-high for a modern dining experience that adds a stroke of resilience to fancy restaurants in NYC. Located atop One World Trade Center, this top-level dining room shares incredible panoramas of the skyline while offering some of the finest dining in town.
The Vibe
Dress nicely so your attire will match the spectacular 360-degree views of Manhattan.
What to Order
Tempura cauliflower and cracked pepper chicken with broccolini on the side is a flavorful feast that won't disappoint.
ONE Dine at One World Observatory | 117 West St., New York, NY 10007 | $$$$
21. Wall Street Grill
Wall Street Grill serves up distinguished moments in a setting that presents finesse as a key ingredient. Here, fans of fancy restaurants in NYC can mix and mingle while enjoying some of the highest-quality food in the city.
The Vibe
Simplicity is the aesthetic here, with just the right amount of polish to impress.
What to Order
Masterfully crafted sushi rolls, rack of lamb and hanger steak, among other luxurious dishes, make this menu one of the most diverse among fancy restaurants in NYC.
Wall Street Grill | 128 Pearl St., New York, NY 10005 | $$$$
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The array of luxury restaurants in NYC provides a showstopping selection waiting to be sampled. Whether you’re on the lookout for fancy restaurants in NYC to commemorate sweet moments or just intrigued by what fancy restaurants in NYC look like from the inside, there’s a world of distinctive dining waiting to delight and amuse you.
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