Explore Exciting Fun Restaurants NYC
New York City, a bustling metropolis, is home to a kaleidoscopic array of dining experiences. From quirky diners that transport you to a bygone era to avant-garde eateries where the food is as entertaining as the ambiance, the city's fun restaurants offer a feast not just for the palate but for the senses. Whether it's interactive table-side preparations or themed venues that create immersive culinary adventures, NYC's playful dining spots promise an unforgettable experience.
1803 nyc
4.5
(1518)
Spot for upscale takes on Cajun-Creole food & drink, with a look inspired by NOLA's French Quarter.
Reviews:
Great place to get Creole food. I had the vegan jambalaya and the jerk cauliflower tacos. My partner tried the jambalaya with chicken and sausage. The vegan jambalaya had pineapples and cashews which added a nice flavor to it. The tofu in the vegan jambalaya was the star! We also had the bread pudding for desert and I would definitely recommend it. Overall a great place for dinner.
Ramya Shenoy
Really good late night restaurant. Quick service and nice atmosphere. The food was delicious. We got two steaks, the shrimp tacos and the rice with shrimps and chicken. Highly recommended if you’re visiting the World Trade Center in the evening and want a late bite. There is an outdoor space as well.
Alessandra Distefano
Dropped by on a whim the other day. Pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, service and the overall ambience. We ended up sharing a tuna nicoise salad and a rack of baby back ribs between two. The ribs came with a side of mac and cheese and coleslaw. The amount of food was more than enough for two. The highlights for me was definitely the mac and cheese and coleslaw. The ribs were still good, but the sides were GREAT. Service was good, no-nonsense. Atmosphere was nice with a live jazz band. I'd definitely recommend anyone looking for a good feed and good vibes to drop by.
Albert Wang
One of the best places in NYC for good food, good service and live music. The charbroiled oysters were delicious, full of butter sauce on a bed of lettuce and bread. Excellent! Gumbo was very good as well. The shrimp Po boy es good but could have more shrimps. The The begnets we're good but it could be a bit lighter and fluffier. Overall I've if the better modern Cajun food. Prices were reasonable. There were outside seating and beautifully decorated restaurants. On the mezzanine is where a small band would play. Protip. Weekends there is live music. Check with the restaurant for times. Reservations are needed. It's busy. We went late lunch after 2.30pm and there was no waiting.
Brian Tran
I don’t know where to begin on how wonderful my friends and I ate at this restaurant. We seriously underestimated how great this restaurant turned out. Everything we had from the drinks to dessert was extremely delicious. My friend ordered the Hurricane. He liked it very much. I ordered the Summer Sangria. It was very yummy. My other close friend ordered the Purple Reign. She liked it so much that she ordered it a second time. Then came the appetizers. Honestly I’ve never had Creole food so I was really excited to try it and my anticipation paid off. My friend ordered the Gumbo. We all completely fell in love with it. We literally fighting each other for the shrimp. Lol! The Gumbo was so good that I ordered a second plate to take home. I ordered the Jambalaya. Seeing that it was my first time trying it I really enjoyed it. My friend ordered the XO noodles. He really liked it. My other friend ordered the Bouillabaisse. She savored it. She loved dipping her bread into the sauce. I noticed how generous the portions are. The Gumbo can be a meal in itself. We all took our leftovers home with us. For dessert we ordered the beignets and the bread pudding. We all agreed the bread was the hit of the entire meal. It was so delicious! Our server was extremely nice and attentive to us. I can go on and on of all the great things about this restaurant. I can’t recommend this restaurant highly enough. Everyone should experience it for themselves.
Tamiko Ramirez
82 Reade St, New York, NY 10007, USA
The tuck room
4.1
(430)
Convivial speakeasy serving inventive cocktails & sophisticated small plates in a relaxed space.
Reviews:
The restaurant is placed inside the Fulton Fish Market in the area in front of pier 17. Inside the restaurant is very nice and you can just drink or eat something at the table or also on the bar counter, where there are several tv, to watch sport games. The food was good but not excellent and the service quite slow, but the staff always kind. Price in line with the service and food provided….suggested
Marco Taroni
Ordered the BOSS BURGER, its a Double cheese burger and I truly believe the cook must have poured half a bottle of SALT!! The saltiest burger I ever had. The chicken wings were pretty good but it also was over salted a little, but not as much as the burger. The fries were good and again it was a little salty. All is this salt must have brought my blood pressure up i'm sure. The cheese have salt. No need to drown the burgers in salt. Ruined my dinner BUT, I took it like a champ and did not complain because I truly liked our waitress. She was sweet.
Mike O
This could of easily went from a 5 star rating to a 1 star rating. We went here for happy hour and to have dinner. The drinks are limited and even not having margaritas available it was even more limited for cocktail drinks. The actual entrees are not at all what we anticipated, honestly the happy hour food selection which were appetizers were better than the actual entrees. Given this a 4 star because of the customer service. The server who served us was the only one working. I felt bad for her because she was very nice and welcoming. She really puts the above and beyond in customer service. Talk about short staff and we were the only ones there until it got really busy and the wait time for things just became even longer. We were not happy with the steak which was fatty nor the Shrimp Linguini. The pasta was extremely oily as if it was drenched in olive oil. It only came with 4 pieces of shrimp. For the steak it doesn’t even come with mashed potatoes. We ordered the side of Pommes Aligot but they didn’t even have it in stock. On there website they do state there may be items that are out of stock due to shortages. However we didn’t anticipated mash potatoes to be out. If you’re ordering steak just know you’re paying almost $40 for one strip and a couple of green beans. Overall experience was nice, nothing special. Wait times can be very long due to the kitchen being shared with the iPic theater. This place would be recommended for happy hour but not dinner.
Latisha G
Great Location, Delicious Food! We stumbled across the Tuck Room whilst visiting Pier 17 which is incredibly close by. The restaurant is also part of a cinema and is quite well disguised. We would never have known that there was a restaurant up top. The atmosphere is great and the staff were all very friendly and attentive. We visited on a Monday lunch time, and it was quite quiet. Chris, our waiter was very helpful in explaining further details on the food. I was really impressed with the food quality and portion size and would certainly return. If you are visiting Pier 17 and fancy a bite to eat at lunch time like we did, this is a great venue, very tastefully designed also.
Robert Talks
Excitement! What a great atmosphere! The service is genuinely friendly. A great place to go before or after a movie. Even if you don't go to the theater, a happy hour you'd love. The food was good, but I which it is mentioned when there is pork or shellfish in certain good. The honey for the chicken had bacon in it.
Kafi Hass
11 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038, USA
Ellen's stardust diner
4.4
(17170)
Multi-level '50s-themed diner with singing servers & an extensive menu of American classics.
Reviews:
It was a breakfast with a view. Very loud when performances on. Food was cold and over priced. Went to see what it’s all about. Good for groups of people who’s looking for entertainment. I won’t be back as it’s not for me. Service was excellent though. One portion pancakes, eggs and bacon, apple juice and sparkling water €43. Large portion good for sharing.
Angelika McDonald
We came for the atmosphere and we left not disappointed. Great waiters-singers combination! They sang all types of popular songs and eternal classics. They are all brilliant singers! Arrived at 7.3pm, we entered immediately without any queuing. Service was fast and kind. I don’t know whether it helped the fact we came a bit off season. Menu is varied and typical of a diner: we had mac&cheese and a regular hamburger.
Flavio Remus
We made the perfect choice for this evening. We waited 45 minutes to get in at the corner of Broadway and 51st and it was worth it. It's like you're in a Broadway musical, but you can also dine with the music. Great sounds, great waiters. Thanks to David who took care of our table. They are all like diamonds. Millshakes and desserts are very delicious. The plates are full. We had a great 2 hours. Our thanks to the entire team.
Taner Acar
Went there on a Sunday early afternoon and it wasn’t a long wait at all. The staff are very accommodating and attentive. We were a party of 5. The food was really good. I got a classic Bacon and Eggs with French Toast! My son got the Peanut Butter Cup Pancakes!! We loved every thing! The tater tots are really good too! But everyone knows the stars of the show are the servers! They are AMAZING and they put on a great show! There is lots of singing along and clapping and excitement! It’s hard to eat because they put on such an amazing performance! It is a definite must do when you visit Times Square!!
T Jae
Really fun dining experience with your waiter being the star of the show! We loved the performances and the food was pretty good! Don't be deterred if you see a big line outside, it moves very quickly and all of the tables have a great view of at least some part of the performances! On an aside, we loved the individual performances, were a bit confused when the boss talked for a bit long about tipping them so they could all get acting and singing lessons paid for. We all tipped anyway, but would've preferred to tip and keep hearing the amazing singers instead!
J
1650 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, USA
Crown shy
4.6
(1092)
Polished, new American restaurant with global influences inside spacious room with high ceilings.
Reviews:
We had an amazing dinner at Crown Shy! Every detail has been taken into consideration - the food was amazing! The sticky toffee pudding and apple sorbet was one of the best things I have ever tasted! It was a birthday dinner and I had the cutest most perfect cupcake ever! It’s clear why it has a Michelin star. The staff were top notch - welcoming and friendly! The tomato salad with Calabrian chili was so darn yummy!!!!
Lesa Lacey
I am surprised this restaurant has a Michelin star. It was good but not great, and the service was spotty with dishes taking a while between courses. The rock shrimp pasta had 3 shrimps. They did comp us the pasta after I made a comment about the lack of the shrimp. The best dish was the romaine salad with green goddess dressing. I have been to much better Michelin 1 star restaurants.
Kim Mai
Really great value for upscale casual dining, especially with the range of dishes on the menu. Definitely get the scallop and the octopus with rice. Grilled chicken is tasty but can be a lot for 2pax. Sticky toffee is a must have. Cocktails are stars here too!
Rovik Robert
If Crown Shy didn’t have a Michelin Star, I probably would have given it a 5. But it falls a little short of what I expect out of a Michelin. First the good: the building it is in is truly a masterpiece. I love the lobby and the entrance. The staff is friendly and eager to please. They have an incredible bar program and one of the best gin lists I’ve ever seen. I recommend the tomato and goat cheese, the marinated chicken, and the sticky toffee pudding. All of these were really great. The Gruyère fritters are good but seven is too many of them for a party of 2. By the time I was eating the fourth one, I was done. The short rib is over priced for what it is. The corn side is amazing but the beef itself was under seasoned. Hard to believe a Michelin star restaurant would forget finishing salt on a $105 dish. The bathroom wasn’t checked during the night. The waste bin was over flowing. Not a huge deal, but not what I expect at a Michelin Star restaurant. The biggest flaw was that they brought us the wrong dessert. When we pointed it out they of course took it back with an apology. But then both the right and the wrong dessert ended up on the bill. Again they corrected it with an apology, but what if I hadn’t checked closely. Again if Crown Shy wasn’t touted as a Michelin Star restaurant, I’d probably let these things slide, but I was hoping for more.
X “hungrytommy” X
Crown shy is one of the Michelin one star restaurants. It has a very high standard for food and service. Appetizers are all good. Pork. Pawn and dessert are well prepared and execute. Only complaint is the chicken isn’t too juicy and soft
Albert Law
70 Pine Street Ground Floor, New York, NY 10005, USA
A pasta bar
4.3
(1068)
Eatery where chefs cook & serve pastas from a central kitchen, with counter seating & banquettes.
Reviews:
This restaurant is a hidden gem and the owner/staff are friendly and welcoming. The pasta tasting is a great way to sample all of their dishes and discover your favorites. I can’t get enough of the ravioli and truffle pasta and will keep going back for more. Anyone who loves a good runny egg and truffle must must order the giant ravioli 😋
Judy Lin
I had an amazing experience at A Pasta Bar in NYC! I first heard about this place last year but couldn't secure a reservation. So when I had the opportunity to return to NYC this year, I didn't hesitate to give it a try. It's known for its pasta specialties, so pasta was the main attraction. Before diving into pasta, I ordered a scallops dish, and it was impeccably prepared. For my main course, I went with the beef ragu pasta, and it was truly fantastic. The pasta had that perfect al dente texture, and the sauce was bursting with flavor. The open kitchen concept was a delightful bonus; we got to savor our food while watching the chefs at work. 🍝😄
Bow K. Techataveekijkul
Everything about this restaurant is average at best. $140 for five shareable pasta dishes isn't bad, but the dishes left little to be desired except for the pasta truffle dish. They were either too salty or had a weird scent, like the clam dish and ravioli with raw egg. Homemade gelato tastes like melted ice cream with no flavor. Music is too loud to make conversation with your table. I wouldn't return or recommend it.
Anne J.
We had a decent experience at A Pasta Bar! The cocktails, "Unknown Caller" and "Sunday Afternoon," were exceptional. The burrata with pistachio and tomato jam was extraordinary, but the caccio e pepe was a bit disappointing. The papardelle ai funghi, unfortunately, was excessively salty. Overall, it was a mixed experience, but I would still recommend it for the cocktails and appetizers.
Gökay Zeren
Dropped in here after a day of shopping and was not disappointed. Hostess got us some drinks while we waited for a bar seat. Fresh pasta made to order in front of you. Great atmosphere & good. Highly recommended
Bill Hyman
330 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013, USA
Nomo kitchen
3.9
(1035)
Modern restaurant serving upscale farm-to-table New American cuisine & cocktails at the NoMo hotel.
Reviews:
The food, the location, the vibe of this place is so good! The service could use an improvement though. I had breakfast here on a weekday morning when it was very slow, and the waiters weren’t checking in on their tables, I waited a while for them to look over to ask for things, and I saw another lady in the next table trying to get their attention for so long she ended up getting up the the bar area to ask for some salt and pepper. Then they took forever to bring it over. They were nice but I feel like they could improve their service.
Nitzan A
My favorite thing about NOMO Kitchen was the atmosphere and music. We went there for brunch on a Sunday at 1pm but we had no reservation. Luckily, we were able to get a table though it wasn’t on the actual floor with all the greenery. But regardless, we enjoyed the music, and the food wasn’t bad either. I had a taste of their French toast and I think I’ll get that next time I go there. But overall, it’s a fun atmosphere for brunch and the prices are reasonable.
Krista M
I had mother's day dinner here it was wonderful. I loved the food. Our server was fantastic with a great personality and the atmosphere was great. I truly enjoyed myself. Each mother present was given a red rose, a beautiful gesture. I loved it.
Deborah Alves
This place is so good and cute, you need to try their brunch!! windows ceiling, big space, decorations (10/10), our server was very nice (10/10) and everything we order were *chef kiss*; Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Hanger Steak, French toast, French fries, Burrata salad (my only complaint was it wasn’t burrata, it was mozzarella), the bottle of Pinot Grigio and Rosé was really good (nice selection) and we end with two cappuccino. Even our dog was happy 🤍
Abranny Djss
A lovely place to have great drinks and some tasty food. Cocktails are amazing, I recommend it! The sent in the air, the amazing people and always great background music.
Juan Diaz
9 Crosby St, New York, NY 10013, USA
Wildair
4.4
(475)
An offshoot of Contra, this American restaurant serves sophisticated American fare in simple digs.
Reviews:
Great local spot. Killer wine list. Creative, tasty food. Toulouse sausage was the highlight. Daily special ham and cheese pastry was tasty. The missus loved the topneck clams in almond milk and XO sauce. Fun crew to hang out with too. 5⭐️
Adam Goulburn
One of the rare places that’s hip and young and yet has truly excellent food. We sat outside, because our group were mostly over 40 years old and inside are high tops which on a Saturday night were packed tightly together in a loud hot space for young people dressed for a night on the town. Outside was a basic shed, nothing fancy, but the weather was good and the pace and atmosphere was relaxed. The food was extraordinary—top shelf American creative. The clams blanched and served with almond milk sounds weird but were phenomenal. The ceviche was good, not great—the big eye tuna was great, with spicy oil and red peppers underneath paper thin tuna carpaccio. The sausage was a little meaty for my taste, but achieved what it wanted to, and the skate was succulent. The cocktail selection was small—they can’t make to order—but what they have is yummy. Really enjoyed it.
Adam Gidwitz
I loved Wildair. I was seeking out the best food in the city, and this has appeared on a few lists. It costs a fair bit, but that’s the way of things in NYC. The atmosphere is excellent and the service great. And the food is just outstanding. We sampled a bit of everything, but the standouts for me were the succulent tartare and clams with a kind of oat milk situation (seriously amazing flavour). And the jerk prawn skewers were absolutely perfect. Definitely worth visiting when you’re in NYC!
Pat Norman
I did not try the food. This is a review on the restaurant's social responsibility of being a good neighbor. The cellar door is always open during the open hours of this restaurant. If you are familiar with Orchard Street, you know it is a single lane street and the sidewalk is very narrow. This is a residential neighborhood with plenty of families living on the block. When the cellar door is open, there is less than 4 feet left for pedestrians to get through. Often times, there is yet a line of patrons occupying the 4 feet sidewalk waiting to be seated. On one side of the sidewalk, it is the open cellar door (4 feet by 5 feet or so), and on the other side, a tree box so people are left with no room to maneuver. I have a 5 months old baby. I have spoken to the manager Fay multiple times about this dangerous and un-neighborly situation of their open cellar door, dating back from 2021 (prior to my pregnancy) to as recently as June 2023 (when my baby was barely 3 months old). When asked if the business can keep the cellar door closed and open only when staff are actively going in and out of it, the manager Fay bluntly said no. When cited that no other businesses in the neighborhood need to conduct their business with the cellar door open at all times, the manager Fay was visibly offended. When asked to speak to the ownership regarding this issue, the manager Fay responded "you cannot'. This is a classic case of when a business puts profits before people and the neighborhood/community where they operate within. Patrons who support this business should be aware of this.
J Y
Intimate restaurant with extensive wine list and short, tapas style dinner menu. Waitress was super helpful for picking out a bottle of wine based on our personal preference. Desserts were phenomenal. Don't come here if you're looking for a large meal, but rest assured the food is just as incredible as the wine and the atmosphere.
Meag F
142 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, USA