The sun is finally shining and New York City is buzzing with summertime energy. To help you make the most of the moment, we’ve put together a tasty guide of notable new restaurants, unique dining venues and incredible outdoor spots that should keep you busy through Labor Day.
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind place to grab a bite this summer, check out this new retro-inspired property at JFK Airport. All of its establishments are open to the public, no plane ticket or hotel reservation required.
We love the reboot of Paris Café from renowned toque Jean-Georges Vongerichten, serving dishes reminiscent of Trans World Airlines’ in-flight menus from the ’50s and ’60s.
Or, kick things up a notch at The Pool Bar and observation deck. BYOB (bring your own bikini) and take a dip in an infinity pool overlooking JFK’s runways, where you can watch planes take off and land.
Finally, get the feeling of being 30,000 feet high at Connie, a bar inside a vintage 1958 plane right on a tarmac. And if you’re still thirsty for more, the hotel also has a sunken lounge, coffee bar and museum.
Israeli celebrity chef Eyal Shani recently debuted this reservations-only Mediterranean restaurant that hosts a dramatic dining experience.
Open Thursday through Saturday, the intimate venue offers two seatings. Opt for the late shift, which promises inventive Israeli cuisine (see: red snapper carpaccio and squid steak) alongside a DJ-fueled dance party.
Expect simple cocktails (as not to distract from the food), wines on tap and dancing on tables.
BLT Prime is back. After closing its Gramercy location, it has relocated to a new home on the Upper East Side, where it has been welcomed with open arms.
The two-story space features a vaulted brick ceiling towering over the main dining room, leather banquettes and the ever-so-famous popovers that the city has been craving.
Head here and you’ll find stylish neighborhood locals, generous portions of USDA Prime and naturally raised meats, and a swanky bar scene featuring a creative menu.
Prepare to be dazzled by this sleek, glass-walled space overlooking Fifth Avenue, which has captured the Armani aesthetic perfectly. After a long day of shopping, it’s an excellent destination for sophisticated Italian fare (like the garganelli with rabbit ragout).
Pair it with a pour from the impressive and surprisingly fairly priced wine list. And don’t miss the decadent desserts — just don’t blame us if you have a hard time fitting into everything you just bought.
No one would have guessed that a shopping mall would be home to some of the city’s hottest restaurants. One of our favorite picks at the new West Side attraction is Belcampo, which serves cuts of meat from its own farm. You can’t go wrong with menu staples like the Double Fast burger or the pan-fried chicken cutlet. For something out of the ordinary, try a bone broth soup served on tap.
For dessert, head to Kith Treats at Snark Park for customized blended ice cream creations. Choose mix-ins from a list of endless ingredients — including almost any cereal or candy bar you can imagine.
While at Snark Park, be sure to peruse the rotating art installation. It may be an all-white Instagram trap, but we can’t deny that your social media feed wouldn’t be complete without some photos here and at the Vessel, Hudson Yards’ beehive-shaped stairway centerpiece.
Dreaming of being transported to Italy this summer? Us, too.
Instead of booking a trip, head for Wythe Hotel’s new summertime rooftop bar and restaurant. The bright and airy venue captures a casual coastal vibe, where you can linger for hours while sipping sparkling cocktails and snacking on light bites like oysters, Italian charcuterie and tuna confit.
Order the spiked lemonade served in a vintage pitcher and garnished with lavender or a boozy popsicle in flavors like limoncello or Italian citrus.
Poolside Bento Boxes
One of our favorite spots to relax in the city is Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star The Peninsula Spa New York. Stop in for a restorative treatment (try the Medical Beauty Research customized facial) and stick around for an equally Zen meal.
Nibble while lounging beside one of Manhattan’s rare glass-enclosed indoor pools or on the spa’s sun deck — both offer sweeping views of the skyline.
When it comes to dining specifics, we recommend the bento box, packed with a Niçoise salad, kale salad with yuzu vinaigrette, mango pudding and your choice of four entrées — the ahi tuna sashimi is a must-try.
Whichever direction you go with food, don’t leave without sneaking in some “me time” in the relaxation room, where you can swaddle yourself in a fluffy blanket and unwind.
Farm to Burger
For a casual yet non-touristy option near Times Square, we enjoy this trendy joint in Aliz Hotel.
While the burgers are crowd-pleasers, the brunch fare from hospitality veteran Yves Jadot (Raines Law Room, Dear Irving and, until recently, the city’s beloved Petite Abeille) is worth the indulgence. Order something with a Belgian waffle (you’ll find both sweet and savory options) and, of course, the classic burger is a winner.
A selection of morning cocktails and spiked milkshakes gives the scene flavor, but we opt for The Tipsy Farmer, a brunch featuring 90 minutes of bottomless mimosas that accompanies any entrée.
Terrace on 7
Escape the fray at this verdant haven on The Dominick’s seventh-floor pool deck. This brand-new indoor-outdoor sushi bar turns out fresh sashimi, nigiri and tataki as well as dishes like green tea soba noodles.
Lounge in a cabana with your made-to-order sushi and a Tiki Toki cocktail (Toki whiskey, Galliano, pineapple and matcha) while gazing at the Hudson.
Top off your visit with a facial in the new BABOR Signature Spa at The Dominick, the skin-care brand’s first North American spa.
