By Gus Saltonstall
Earlier this month, five writers from The Infatuation, a restaurant recommendation publication, put together a list of “The Best Restaurants On The Upper West Side.”
“The Upper West Side doesn’t always get the restaurant credit it deserves,” The Infatuation wrote in its introduction. “But there’s never been a better time to eat in the neighborhood.”
The list includes 24 neighborhood eateries, along with corresponding ratings for each spot.
Here are the Upper West Side restaurants that earned a place on the list, in the order that they were ranked.
- Tatiana, 10 Lincoln Square Plaza: 9.8 rating
- Absolute Bagels, 2788 Broadway: 9.0 rating
- Mama’s TOO!, 2750 Broadway: 8.8 rating
- Sushi Kaito, 244 West 72nd Street: 8.5 rating
- La Dinastia, 145 West 72nd Street: 8.4 rating
- Banh, 942 Amsterdam Avenue: 8.3 rating
- Barney Greengrass, 541 Amsterdam Avenue: 8.2 rating
- Chick Chick, 618 Amsterdam Avenue: 8.1 rating
- Gray’s Papaya, 2090 Broadway: 8.0 rating
- Sempre Oggi, 164 West 75th Street: 7.9 rating
- Parm, 235 Columbus Avenue: 7.9 rating
- Saiguette, 935 Columbus Avenue: 7.9 rating
- Sal & Carmine Pizza, 2671 Broadway: 7.8 rating
- Miriam, 300 Amsterdam Avenue: 7.8 rating
- El Fish Marisqueria, 155 Amsterdam Avenue: 7.8 rating
- Wau, 434 Amsterdam Avenue: 7.8 rating
- Elea, 217 West 85th Street: 7.7 rating
- Charles Pan Fried Chicken, 146 West 72nd Street: 7.7 rating
- Old John’s Diner, 148 West 67th Street: 7.7 rating
- Dagon, 2454 Broadway: 7.6 rating
- Malecon Restaurant II, 764 Amsterdam Avenue: No rating
- El Mitote, 208 Columbus Avenue: No rating
- Cafe Luxembourg, 200 West 70th Street: No rating
- Zabar’s, 2245 Broadway: No rating
Let us know in the comment section if you think any other neighborhood restaurants should have been featured in the The Infatuation ranking of best Upper West Side eateries.
You can check out the full list for yourself — HERE.
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The Upper West Side has bad pizza. Louie and Ernies in the Bronx is the best.
Famiglia is good, rest are god awful.
Motorino?
Momoya, for black cod
Nice-Matin, for tuna tatare
Westville, for everything
Milling Room, for happy hour
I could go way on, but I’m getting hungry…
Glad you mentioned Nice Matin, their Pommes Paillasson is worth the trip alone.
If this is the list, then the dining scene in the UWS is on life support, if not actually DOA. Absolute Bagels? I mean, MY GOD, it’s a BAGEL spot, not a restaurant!
similarly Gray’s Papaya – it is an institution and a neighborhood treasure worthy of preservation. A restaurant? Not so much.
And to that note, at least include Jacob’s Pickles, it’s very good and always busy.
Dining on the UWS is chronically moribund. I actually think there are more signs of life than there used to be, but little shows the buergerlich quality of the neighborhood like its unambitious restaurants.
LOL. I’ve said it before here… A Top Restaurants list – of which a solid 50% are not even restaurants.:)
If it’s best, inconceivable that Essential by Christophe is not on the list. But I’d also feature Sala Thai, Sushi Nonaka, Sushi Yasaka, and Spiga.
This list stinks. This person or persons doesn’t live on the UWS.
From personal experience, El Fish Marisqueria has to be the most family unfriendly restaurant in a neighborhood heavily influenced by families I’ve ever been too. Why this place is on the list I’ll never know. I’ll forever crap on this place.
Hi John Blennen-
I am a parent too – but feel differently.
El Fish Marisqueria is not a place I’d take kids.
It is not cheap and it is targeted to adults – which IMO is understandable and fine.
Plenty of other places that are OK for kids.
Another issue – restaurants are businesses.
Very tough for business when parents bring kids – who take up space and generate little revenue.
For example, a table of four – 2 parents, 2 kids – is basically generating only the revenue of the 2 adults.
Just fyi. This was a policy decision. The manager said so.
Point being. Treat people with decency. Don’t be a jerk-off. That’s good business period.
John –
Another POV.
On the flip side, it could also be said that there are restaurants that are basically unfriendly to elderly people – they don’t want “that” demographic.
This especially relates to noise /music levels.
Not many restaurants that are OK for multi-generational families.
What do you think?
Good grief!! At least 8
of these places do not even qualify as restaurants!!!
How is Essentials by Christophe not on these list??
Gennaro? Bodrum? The Shell? Crave Fishbar?
la Sirene?
Personally, Dagon is WAY overrated!!!
If in the Bronx, check out Claudy’s Peruvian.
Yummy empanadas and amazing flan.
https://www.claudys.com/
I agree with the Sala Thai and Momoya recs below. I need a Sala Thai fix every couple of weeks.
I was also disappointed to not see:
– Shalel
– Covacha
– Friend of a Farmer
– Parla
– Malka
The Granola Bar!
no Chinese restaurants mentioned so that checks out.
I ordered from La Dinastia which is fusion, but it was not what I expected. I prefer Legend 72 which is on the same block. Han Dynasty is also good. This entire list surprises me.
La Dinastia is Chino-Latino and predates the fluffy neologism “fusion” (which usually means “we’ll make anything you’ll pay for”). Legend 72 and Han Dynasty are both Sichuan cuisine and unlike Chino-Latino.
To avoid disappointment, pick restaurants that offer the cuisine you’re looking for. Don’t go to Gray’s Papaya for a Philly cheesesteak!
Not even close. And I’ve lived and dined on the UWS for 45 years.
In my opinion, Bodrum deserves to be on this list. They are consistently excellent.
Couldn’t agree more, been going ever since they opened and it’s ALWAYS consistent!!
The Malecon in Washington Heights is infinitely better than the UWS location.
Dagon was great when it opened but it is not as good now.
Commenting on articles like this is a waste of time, but this list is insane. Zabar’s is one of my favorite places in the city, but I wouldn’t put it anywhere near a “best restaurants” list. In addition to other places people have mentioned here, what about Kebab aur Sharab, Jing Fong, even the Pastrami Queen.
Second the motion on Kebab aur Sharab; expensive but excellent Indian food. As good as any in the city.
Once the new chef took over the quality sipped.
I’ll never understand the appreciation for Sala Thai. Unpleasant service, mediocre food. I’ll take Thai Market any day. Parm, overrated. Saiguette, underrated. Sushi Yasaka, overlooked.
This absurd list is exactly why dining on the UWS isn’t taken seriously! Why would anyone travel here to dine at Absolute Bagels or Zabar’s?? Let’s get serious and identify eateries worth taking an Uber ride for!!! The best new spot in the sleepy 90’s is The Shell!
I love Bustan and I think it is better than Dagon! And Parm was on the list? We ate there and it was awful!! And where is Essential by Christophe?
Made in New York Pizza hands down best pizza on Westside should be on my this list, and every other food and Pizza list! Pizza is my mantra!
What about Baazi great Indian food
Clearly clueless. Muhalai great Indian recent addition, one taste omekase so delicious, buceo 95 for tapas, sen Thai comfort, amazing. Moon kee for dim sum…
What about Ashford and Simpson’s Sugar Bar on W. 72nd St.?
Gennaro & Bodrum were forgotten!
Sushi Yaska should definitely be on this list. Also, how do you NOT have Kossar’s Bialy on the list???
This list is silly. It should include Felice Columbus, Sushi W (terrific omakase for a very reasonable price), and Leyla. Agreed about Essential by Christophe—it’s great!
A few clinkers. A few that are missing. But seriously: the UWS lacks top-notch restaurants, and no amount of local boosterism is going to change that. In a great eating city, we are a desert. Several commenters mention Bodrum. If that’s anyone’s idea of great dining, oy. It’s decent, but sheesh, people, you need to get out more.
Sushi Yakazawa!
lol, Parm is awful.
Saggio’s on W 181!
Manny’s on Columbus at 70th is a fantastic neighborhood French bistro – never disappoints, doesn’t seem to attract much attention.
La Sirene, delightful French place with super food.
Upper upper West side best hamburgers BURGER AND SHSKE w 140th St on ANSTERDAM.Ave. [north end of City College Campus]
Face it, the Upper West Side was built as a housing development in the late 1800, early 1900 – Two commuter rail lines and buckets of bedrooms, the original Levittown, if you will. The UWS is locked in a zoning nightmare. Almost all commercial addresses are located on the avenues which are dominated by the mega-drug chains and banks, who have figured out that the signage gained is way cheaper then any other form of advertising. the remaining commercial real estate is way too expensive for emerging restaurants to even attempt, so you’re left with the essentials, convenience food and the occasional actual restaurant. All at exorbitant prices. Unless you change the zoning, nothing will change.
I think the newish restaurant Haven UWS should def be on this list. Especially since a few of these aren’t even places I’d consider “restaurants.” (Grayss Papaya? Absolute Bagels?)
The food at Haven is so good, the vibe is easy going and fun, and it’s right in the heart of the upper west side. I love going for drinks and snacks at the bar, too.
Cafe 82 is excellent
Shhhh……
Abigail’s, Lasalle Dumplings House, Ellington
This list is such a disservice and insult to so many great restaurants and chiefs and staff that work like hell to raise a high bar (Covacha, Nice Matin, Lincoln Ristorante, Bar Boulud). It does reflect a dearth of good restaurants on the UWS but rather a dearth of informed and developed palates.
Oops – my proofread / edited version of above – “This list is such a disservice and insult to so many great restaurants and chefs and staff that work like hell to raise a high bar (Covacha, Nice Matin, Lincoln Ristorante, Bar Boulud). It does NOT reflect a dearth of good restaurants on the UWS, but rather a dearth of informed and developed palates.”
This is the most ridiculous and insulting list to Upper West Side businesses and residents, comparing restaurants to fast food/take-out and prepared foods at grocery stores. The metrics are not equal. So it’s not worth adding to this list, and it’s beneath WSR to post, because it’s so ill conceived.
Old John’s? I love a good diner, and was eager to try this one after all the press about new ownership. So eager I convinced an out-of-town friend to have lunch there with me. First clue that the new owner hasn’t gotten it together: the sign outside says “Footlights” and we had to ask for directions from a nearby doorman. Second, the boring and limited menu printed on place mats. Third, my unseasoned, poorly made Western omelet and my friend’s sandwich made with gluey compressed turkey. Fourth, the untrained waiter who tried hard but hadn’t a clue. Four strikes and you’re out. Compared to diners like Metro, City and even Viand, which sort of fits the category, Old John’s just didn’t make the cut.
The best thing about this list is that it might keep the places that are actually good a bit less crowded.
Love Sempre Oggi and I would argue for a much higher ranking but the list is a bit funky to begin with. Like no reference to Manny’s Bistro which has a great menu and the food is always delicious. Also Consulate is great. Many excluded gems and a number of included “questionables.”Thanks for the attempt.
“Thanks for the attempt” ? Really.. Very misleading to those of us who’ve never tried most of these anonymous restaurants listed… And places like Zabars, .. Best grocery store on the UWS for sure! However.. hardly fits into the category of restaurant’ ?!!
El Fish should be #1. It is the best addition to our neighborhood in a very long time. Everything about El Fish is wonderful…. the atmosphere, the food, the service. It’s amazing.
How is Essential by Christophe not on the list? Salumeria Rossi could be there too.
Please!!
Not totally wrong but Still a bad list. Leaving out Nice Matin, Salumeria Rossi the Milling Room, and Elea among others? Are you kidding? A Shonda !
Elea was on the list – last time we were there, very disappointing. Overpriced and not very good.
“Overpriced and not very good” could apply to many of the chi-chi places urged in the comments — but then again, perhaps you (and I), are simply heathens who lack the “informed and developed palate” another commenter has set as a qualification for eating well.
Ah, I miss the real Upper West Side. I wonder how Famous Dairy Restaurant would have fared among these critics?
I think your UWS restaurant list missed Osteria 106, a small, warm, gleamy neighborhood treasure that tastes and feels exactly like a Roman trattoria.
Bodrum is a fantastic Mediterranean rstyaurant with excellent brick oven pizza!
Bustan should most definitely be on the list.
absolute bagels is overrated real bagel heads know
Any list of UWS restaurants that omits Daniel Boulud’s places is incomplete.
Put a fork in it!