Cocktail Omakase
From Cocktail Kingdom Hospitality Group comes Cocktail Omakase, a transportive new concept bringing Tokyo-style cocktail tasting to the Lower East Side. Created in collaboration with Bar Libre, the experience unfolds as a refined, one-hour journey of four meticulously crafted cocktails, each paired with thoughtfully curated bites. Guests can tailor their path—zero-proof, low-proof, or full-proof—resulting in an intimate ritual that feels distinctly of the moment. 217 Eldridge St., cocktailomakase.com
da Toscano
A downtown favorite makes its uptown debut as New York City’s beloved Italian mainstay da Toscano arrives at the Iroquois Hotel. Led by chef Michael Toscano, the new outpost pairs a refined main dining room with Lantern’s Keep, an intimate aperitivo and antipasti bar inspired by Europe’s lively café culture. Signature dishes—think octopus carpaccio, agnolotti with lamb neck and veal chop Parmigiana—remain firmly in the spotlight, now joined by an expanded all-day menu featuring Italian-leaning breakfasts and satisfying lunch staples like chicken Milanese and housemade pastas. 49 W. 44 St., datoscano.com
Dear Margo
The Upper East Side gets a taste of the Mediterranean—no passport required—with the opening of the buzzy Dear Margo. Founded by Dean Pashalis and inspired by his grandmother, the restaurant offers a vibrant menu of freshly baked Laffa bread, shareable plates, and flavorful dishes rooted in Levantine tradition. With a warm, inviting design and a curated beverage program, Dear Margo is already a neighborhood gem for locals and visitors alike. 961 Lexington Ave., dearmargo.com
Double Knot
Award-winning chef-restaurateur Michael Schulson hits a high note this season with his first Manhattan outpost, Double Knot. A standout import from Philadelphia, the expansive 12,000-square-foot space delivers a sleek, modern take on Japanese cuisine in the heart of New York City. The menu reads like a passport to Japan—think pristine sushi, crispy Japanese fried chicken, black cod fried rice, indulgent A5 wagyu and Kobe beef skewers—each dish thoughtfully crafted for a transportive, flavor-driven experience. 1251 6th Ave., doubleknotnyc.com
Echo Lake
Echo Lake debuts and is already making waves in Williamsburg. This two-story destination, created by industry veterans Chloe Frechette and Paul McGee, offers a dual experience: the spacious, tropical Echo Lake upstairs and the intimate, rum-focused Undercurrent below, opening in May. Echo Lake’s menu celebrates rum with inventive cocktails like the Daily Daiquiri and Lost Lake, paired with shareable dishes like Snapper Crudo and Green Coconut Curry Chowder. Designed with a coastal aesthetic, the space features soaring ceilings, lush greenery, and a tropical fish tank centerpiece. 357 Grand St., Brooklyn, echolake.nyc
Go Greek
Go Greek Yogurt, the LA-born brand adored by celebrities, has arrived in New York City—and the line is already stretching down the block. Rooted in the Greek concept of “meraki,” or creating with passion, this chic 1,000-square-foot space offers a luxurious take on wellness with customizable yogurt and frozen yogurt bowls featuring signature flavors like plain tart and Greek honey. Known for its protein-packed, low-sugar offerings, Go Greek Yogurt is redefining the art of elevated, health-conscious dining. 683 Broadway, gogreekyogurt.com
goop kitchen
The brainchild of Gwyneth Paltrow, goop kitchen makes its long-awaited debut on New York City’s culinary scene, serving up a menu rooted in clean, thoughtfully sourced ingredients and chef-driven fare. Designed with a delivery-first model, the brand launches from a Midtown West ghost kitchen—with Flatiron and Upper East Side outposts to follow—ensuring each vibrant, high-quality dish arrives just as intended. The result? A seamless new way for busy New Yorkers to indulge in nourishing, elevated meals without ever leaving home. goopkitchen.com
Highball Ltd.
Timeless glamour collides with railcar romance at Highball Ltd., a new cocktail lounge redefining the art of the drink. At its core, a meticulously crafted beverage program spotlights precision-poured highballs and an exceptional roster of premium spirits. The result is a polished, transportive destination—equally suited for industry insiders and discerning afterwork imbibers in search of something elevated. 708 3rd Ave., highballltd.com
Kidilum
Newly opened Kidilum delivers with a bold burst of flavor—drawing inspiration from the spice-rich cuisine of Kerala’s coast and backed by serious culinary credentials, including chef Vinu Raveendran of the two-Michelin-starred Mugaritz. Spices are ground in-house daily, lending depth and vibrancy to standout dishes like tamarind-glazed pork ribs and coconut-infused prawn curry—each one layered, dynamic and distinctly transportive. The cocktail program follows suit, incorporating South Indian ingredients for drinks that are just as nuanced and memorable as the cuisine. 31 W. 21 St., kidilumnyc.com
Marcel
Set within the iconic Breuer Building, Marcel marks the latest chapter from Roman and Williams in partnership with Sotheby’s—a seamless blend of dining, design and collectability. Helmed by chef-partner Marie-Aude Rose, the menu leans into polished continental fare with a distinctly French point of view, from confit de canard to sourdough tartines layered with French ham and Comté. The dining room—named for architect Marcel Breuer—reads like a living gallery, where Sotheby’s masterworks and collectible design pieces are seamlessly woven into the experience and available for purchase, while a reimagined sculpture garden offers an atmospheric alfresco setting among trees, art and an outdoor bar. Completing the picture is La Mercerie Patisserie, a bakery from pastry chef Rae Gaylord, where French viennoiserie and feuilletage are treated with the same reverence as the art on display. 945 Madison Ave., sothebys.com
Motek
Motek debuts its second Manhattan location, bringing its Miami-born Mediterranean energy downtown with effortless style. From Happy Corner Hospitality, the vibrant concept offers a transportive, flavor-forward menu—think its award-winning burger, kosher-style steakhouse favorites, whole branzino and housemade hummus served with warm laffa. Sunlit, golden-hued interiors mirror the brightness of the cuisine, while a lineup of regionally inspired cocktails and zero-proof sips makes it just as ideal for lingering as it is for a quick, craveworthy escape. 184 Bleecker St., motek.com
Ms. Alice
Ms. Alice is a refined yet effortlessly inviting cocktail destination from Parched Hospitality Group. Drawing inspiration from European aperitivo culture, the menu leans into artful, flavor-forward pours—think a Yuzu Negroni or Pickled Blueberry Martini—alongside elevated Italian bar snacks and a polished raw bar selection. The design is equally striking, anchored by a sculptural horseshoe bar and complemented by a spacious outdoor terrace, creating a setting that feels equally suited to a casual unwind as to a celebratory night out. 79 Rivington St., msalicenyc.com
Olio e Più Bryant Park
Channeling the sun-drenched spirit of la dolce vita to Midtown, The Group Hospitality unveils the second New York City outpost of Olio e Più. The trattoria marries elevated, transportive design with a reverence for traditional Italian cuisine, where time-honored recipes are refreshed with the finest locally sourced ingredients. Echoing the warmth and conviviality of its beloved downtown original, this new iteration offers an inviting setting. 5 Bryant Park, olioepiu.com
Philippe Chow Fifth Avenue
Philippe Chow redefines luxury dining with the opening of its highly anticipated two-story flagship, just off Fifth Avenue. This masterpiece marries modern Beijing-style cuisine with theatrical fine dining, offering signature dishes like the iconic Whole Peking Duck, carved tableside, and the showstopping Cotton Candy Baked Alaska. The space itself is a study in modern opulence – gilded, layered and luminous—think elegant dining meets night-out energy, with three private dining rooms, and a 20-seat bar that exudes glamour. 10 E. 52 St., philippechow.com
Yesterday’s
Channeling a wave of nostalgia into the West Village, Yesterday’s pairs big leather booths, wood-fired pizza and game-day TVs with a lively, modern edge. Spanning two floors, the high-energy destination blends laid-back charm with a buzzing bar program, complete with two private spaces perfect for parties and late-night gatherings. A name like Yesterday’s might suggest a throwback—but trust, this is where you’ll want to be tonight.157 Bleecker St., yesterdaysnyc.com
Zoli
The eagerly anticipated restaurant from Houseman’s chef Ned Baldwin, Zoli opens its doors, blending culinary innovation with artistic flair. Situated next to Amant’s contemporary art campus, Zoli transforms an industrial block into a vibrant hub for food and culture. The menu celebrates local seafood and wood-fired creations, with standout dishes like Pickled Mackerel, crispy skin black sea bass, and black garlic chocolate cake. Designed by GRT Architects, the space is a masterpiece of industrial elegance, featuring monumental timber beams, reclaimed materials, and a striking Pierre Huyghe art installation. With its intimate dining spaces, terrace bar, and curated wine and cocktail offerings, Zoli is poised to become a cornerstone of Brooklyn’s creative and culinary scene. 312 Maujer St, Brooklyn, zolirestaurant.com
Dining and Cooking