This roundup of the best restaurants in the Upper West Side (UWS) was written by Alejandro Beltran, a neighborhood local and co-founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps).
The Upper West Side’s restaurant scene gets a bad rap. Is it the same culinary hotbed as the Greenwich Village or the Lower East Side? Maybe not. But, there are a few local-gems that are worth hopping on that uptown train for.
In this article I’ll give you my expert, local’s take on the best restaurants in the Upper West Side. I’ll include date-night destinations, spots to enjoy a birthday dinner, and joints that give you something hot when you’re hungry and need something fast. What do you say we jump right in?
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Best Restaurants Upper West Side
Table of Contents: Where to Eat in the Upper West Side
Mama’s TOO!
Website: Mama’s TOO!
Address: 2750 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
What They’re Known For: Angry nona, poached pear & cacio e pepe slices
Mama’s TOO! is a small, hole in the wall pizzeria that has developed a cult-like following in only a few years (they opened in 2017). With it’s continued rise in popularity it’s not uncommon to have to wait more than 2+ hours for your pie on the weekends (local’s tip: order ahead online).
They sell full pies and slices, including Sicilian square slices that are worth traveling for. The Angry Nona combines hot salami with Calabrian chili oil & hot honey to create my favorite slice in the neighborhood. The only drawback to the UWS restaurant is the lack of indoor seating, they only have outdoor dining.
Charles Pan Fried Chicken
Website: Charles Pan Fried Chicken
Address: 46 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023
What They’re Known For: Fried chicken, okra, featured on Netflix’s High on the Hog Season Two
Born in 1947 into a sharecropper family of 20 kids (bless his mother!), Charles Gabriel mastered cooking in his family’s kitchen before venturing to NYC. In the ’80s, he began his culinary journey by selling chicken off of a table in Harlem, which later evolved into Charles Pan Fried Chicken.
The flagship in Harlem became a soul food haven, and in 2022 he expanded, opening one of the best new restaurants in the UWS. The restaurant has the juiciest, crispiest fried chicken, cooked individually in a large cast iron pan (instead of in a deep fryer). The meticulous process yields unparalleled results, and sides like mac & cheese, green beans, and okra make it the complete package.
Nobody Told Me
Website: Nobody Told Me
Address: 951 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025
What They’re Known For: Great cocktails, even better chicken sandwich
Technically speaking, Nobody Told Me is an UWS cocktail bar (and a great one at that), so the food flies under the radar. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention it, the spicy chicken sandwich carries it onto this roundup of the best restaurants in the Upper West Side. They also sell salads, oysters, fries and more.
The one thing to keep in mind is that Nobody Told Me doesn’t offer table-service, instead you order at the bar or through a QR code on the table. The best seating options are available before the evening rush, which makes it a fun restaurant on the Upper West Side for a casual date-night
Jin Ramen
Website: Jin Ramen
Address: 462 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
What They’re Known For: Tonkotsu ramen
Jin Ramen uses homemade noodles and brews a broth that I’d drink by the cupful on a cold day. The signature broth, the tonkotsu, is borderline addictive (I like mine with a little spice). And I’m not the only one who thinks it’s one of the best restaurants in the Upper West Side, the Michelin Guide gave it a Bib-Gourmand rating (businesses that provide great values) for more than nine years!
Mamoun’s Falafel
Website: Mamoun’s Falafel
Address: 508 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
What They’re Known For: Cheap eats, some of the best falafel in NYC
Mamoun’s Falafel is a standout gem on the Upper West Side, renowned for its exceptional Middle Eastern cuisine. Boasting a legacy dating back to 1971, Mamoun’s has perfected the art of crafting mouthwatering falafels with a blend of spices that create an irresistible flavor profile. Their commitment to authenticity is evident in every dish, from falafel wraps to shawarma platters.
Best of all, Mamoun’s provides stellar cheap eats and their restaurant on the Upper West Side provides quick and easy service. Although there’s little in the way of seating, Central Park is only a block away making it easy to order your food to-go and enjoying it within the vibrant park scenery.
Maison Pickle
Website: Maison Pickle
Address: 2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
What They’re Known For: Brunch fare like French toast and French dips
Delicious, upbeat, and fun Maison Pickle is where I like to bring out of town guests for their first brunch in New York City. The Upper West Side restaurant become a destination thanks to their generous servings and toothsome meals, namely the challah French toast and succulent French dips.
And is one of the best spots for a lively brunch with friends in the UWS, especially for groups that like to start their day with a few rounds of breakfast cocktails (no judgement here!). The bloody marys and mimosas are stalwarts in a lineup of breakfast cocktails at the vibrant UWS restaurant.
The Consulate
Website: The Consulate
Address: 519 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
What They’re Known For: Brunch destination by day, charming Parisian bar by night
Restaurant by day and elegant bar by night, The Consulate offers an air of sophistication that will leave you feeling like Don Draper. The UWS restaurant is busiest during the brunch hour thanks to standouts like the burrata waffle and hangover burger (which can be ordered void of judgment at this classy joint).
However, should you prefer a charming, European-esque place for an evening drink The Consulate checks that box too. The black and white floor tiles and bistro tables are the perfect setting for a dim-lit date night over wine or cocktails, with elegant servers wearing vests and white shirts.
Malecon
Website: Malecon
Address: 764 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025
What They’re Known For: Rotisserie chicken, mofongos, maduros
You can’t come to NYC and not try Dominican food. It’s an underrated cuisine that’s loaded with unique flavors and textures. Luckily Malecon, one of the best restaurants in the Upper West Side, is ready to make the introduction.
For starters, the rotisserie chicken is crispy but each bite is wonderfully moist (sorry). The mofongos are another staple dish, made with fried green plantains. You mash them up and pair it with a variety of ingredients like chicken, cheese or shrimp (but my favorite is the fried pork). And the maduros (fried yellow plantains) are a non-negotiable side that pairs well with any of the main dishes.
Vin sur Vingt
Website: Vin sur Vingt
Address: 66 W 84th St, New York, NY 10024
What They’re Known For: French wine
Vin sur Vingt translates to “wine in twenty” and everything about this authentic Parisian wine bar oozes with French charm. It’s one of my favorite restaurants on the Upper West Side for a date night, especially if I can snag an outdoor table on a nice day.
They boast an impressive menu of 50 rotating wines by the glass, so you’re sure to find something that suits your fancy. Pair your wine with French-inspired appetizers and you’ll be reminiscing about Paris in no time. But bear in mind, this UWS restaurant has no reservations — it’s first come, first served only.
Amelie
Website:
Address: 566 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
What They’re Known For: Extensive wine list, classic french fare
Affectionately known as “La Petite Amélie”, this UWS restaurant is smaller and more intimate than the original Amelie located in the West Village. It offers quality French fare, and even boasts a Bib Gourmand rating from the Michelin Guide.
There’s an extensive wine list, meaning it doubles as a date-night destination, and there’s more than a few shareable appetizers for a Lady And The Tramp moment. If you need dinner suggestions, it’s hard to go wrong with a classic coque au vin (chicken braised with wine, lardons, mushrooms, and more).
Banh
Website: Banh
Address: 942 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025
What They’re Known For: Pork banh, pho
If you’ve never tried Vietnamese food you need to run to Banh, one of the best restaurants in the Upper West Side. They serve a plethora of Vietnamese fair, like the banh. It’s is a sandwich that can be ordered a variety of ways (including vegan). If you’re in need of a suggestion, pork is the way to go.
They also serve a mouthwatering pho. It’s made with beef, chicken or vegetable stock and is loaded with deliciously thin noodles. If you’re in need of a winter warm-up in the Upper West Side the dish will get you right. If all else, their delivery service is one of the neighborhood’s most popular.
Sala Thai
Website: Sala Thai
Address: 307 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10023
What They’re Known For: Amazing curries, dumplings, pad Thai
If there’s a restaurant guaranteed to have a line of folks waiting for a table, it’s Sala Thai. But it’s not hard to see why the restaurant has so many people enthralled. The interior is borderline majestic, with intricate wall paintings and beautiful woodwork.
And the food matches the same high-quality presentation. Not only is it pretty, it’s toothsome and memorable. The panang curry and dumplings are of note, and the lychee Thai tea is a must anytime I visit.
Best Restaurants in the Upper West Side (Post Summary)
- Sala Thai
- Banh
- Amelie
- Vin sur Vingt
- Malecon
- The Consulate
- Maison Pickle
- Mamoun’s Falafel
- Jin Ramen
- Nobody Told Me
- Charles Pan Fried Chicken
- Mama’s TOO!
More Helpful UWS Links:
Things to Do: 20 Fun Things to Do in the Upper West Side (Local’s Guide)
Best Brunch: 10+ Toothsome Upper West Side Brunch Spots (Worth the Wait)
Best Bars: 12+ Wonderful Upper West Side Bars (Perfect for a Tipsy Night Out)
Where to Get Coffee: 10 Charming Upper West Side Cafes (Local’s Guide)
More Helpful Restaurant Links:
Where to Get Brunch: 18 Prime Brunch Spots in New York City Worth the (Inevitable) Wait
The Best Drinks: 15 Boozy Cocktail Bars in New York City (Worth The Wait)
Best Pizza: 15 Best Pizza Joints in New York City (You Can’t Afford to Miss)
Tantalizing Bagels: You Asked, Locals Answered: 15 BEST Bagels in New York City
Map of the Best UWS Restaurants
And there you have it! The best restaurants in the Upper West Side. Let me know if I missed any of your favorites in the comments below. Maybe your neighbors will recommend more great UWS restaurants.
Until next time, Al.
It would have been nice if you had included links to these restaurants.