10 Best Restaurants in West Village NYC (Worth Waiting For)

The best restaurants in West Village NYC are just around the corner…keep reading to see which places made the cut!  

I’ve tried a lot of restaurants in New York City, but a lot of the ones that are at the top of my list are in the West Village. I don’t know what it is, but it’s like there’s something in the air in this neighborhood that just attracts the best culinary talent to open amazing restaurants here. The area is known for its many Italian spots, but there are also a wide range of cuisines to try. The food scene is absolutely stacked here, so you couldn’t go wrong with any choice—but…you’d be remiss to not visit any of these places I’m about to cover. 

Best Restaurants in West Village NYC

1. Via Carota

There is always a long wait at Via Carota (it’s insane), but for good reason. The food is absolutely worth waiting for. Via Carota has THE BEST Italian food in the city and I will die on that hill. It’s also allegedly one of Taylor Swift’s favorite places to eat at, as she’s been seen here a few times. 

We ordered the Insalata Verde ($21) and the Zucchini Fritti ($18) to start. The fried zucchinis were SOOOO good, but unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be on the menu anymore. For their house-made pastas, we ordered the Tonnarelli ($27), Tortelli ($25), and a seasonal seafood spaghetti dish. The tonnarelli was cacio e pepe—simple, but delicious. The tortelli was filled with a smoked ricotta, which brought a unique umami flavor; but the star of the show was definitely the seafood pasta. I wasn’t aware of how well seafood pairs with tomato sauce until I had that spaghetti. It was one of the best pastas I’ve ever had—and that’s saying a lot because I’ve tried a lot of pastas. 

This was a meal I still think about, so if you go to any Italian restaurant in NYC, let it be Via Carota. They take reservations, but also have tables open for walk-ins! The wait can take hours at times; in that case, you should make your way across the street to Bar Pisellino, Via Carota’s sister bar. Thank you Chefs Rita Sodi and Jody Williams for crafting such a memorable dining experience. 

📍51 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

2. Nami Nori

After a stroll in Washington Square Park, what better way to treat yourself than to get some fresh hand rolls at Nami Nori? Nami Nori calls itself a “casual temaki bar specializing in open-style sushi hand rolls.” 

They have sets that you can order that each come with 5 different rolls or you can choose to create your own set. I ordered The Vegan Set ($24). I loved that Nami Nori offered vegan options; raw seafood is not my favorite, so it was exciting to be able to get the sushi dining experience while eating things outside of just avocado and cucumber rolls. The temaki that the Vegan Set came with were: avocado “toast”, eggplant, tofu chimichurri, sweet potato tempura, and cucumber black sesame. 

Everything was so fresh and delish! My favorite was surprisingly the cucumber black sesame. The crunch of the cucumber, when paired with the earthiness of the black sesame, was delightful. Each roll had a little plastic wrapping that prevented the seaweed from getting soggy, which I thought was ingenious. 

Once the weather gets warmer, I already have plans to grab some hand rolls to-go for a picnic! 

📍33 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014

3. Sushi Nakazawa

Everyone knows that New York City has some of the best omakase you can get outside of Japan. Sushi Nakazawa serves a 20 piece Nigiri-sushi exclusive menu where the fish are sourced globally (but mostly from Japan). With omakase, the menu is dependent on the chef’s choice—which means you’ll get to try something different each time you visit.

Omakase is usually enjoyed with a drink and Sushi Nakazawa has an extensive wine list to complement the meal, which includes other options like sake and champagne. I think sushi is best paired with sake because its flavor isn’t too strong as to overpower the delicate raw fish, but don’t quote me on that. You’ll be pretty full at the end of the meal, even though 20 pieces of nigiri doesn’t sound like much. The portions are perfectly spaced out, which allows you to take the time and savor each bite.

Sushi Nakazawa is definitely one of the pricier options on this list (but reasonable for the omakase experience), going for $190 at the Sushi Counter and Lounge Counter and $160 at the Dining Room. The thing about an omakase dining experience is that the service is impeccable—you get served piece after piece by the chef and get to see it made in front of you.

For people who love sushi and appreciate culinary artistry, you would love Sushi Nakazawa!

📍23 Commerce St, New York, NY 10014

4. Don Angie

Their Lasagna for Two ($68) is a hefty portion of lasagna noodles with Italian sausage bolognese and whipped robiolina. The lasagna isn’t presented in a traditional style where it’s layered and cut into squares; instead, it comes as pinwheels. The noodles had a slight crisp on the outside, but a soft interior. The cheese was gooey and perfectly balanced out the sauce. Another popular dish is the Chrysanthemum Salad ($21), so I’ll have to come back to try that and see if it lives up to all the reviews. 

Don Angie’s lasagna might be the most famous lasagna there is…no question about it. If you’re looking for great Italian food, then Don Angie is one of the most iconic West Village spots. People wait hours for a seat—just to get a taste of the lasagna. 

You also can’t skip out on their Black Cocoa Tiramisu ($14), which has marsala caramel and crispy feuilletine in it. I loved the addition of the feuilletine because it added texture to an otherwise smooth and creamy dessert. 

For creative takes on traditional Italian fare, come to Don Angie! Don’t let the 5 hour waits deter you because this is a place that everyone should try at least once.

📍103 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014

5. Semma

Chef Vijay Kumar is the mastermind behind Semma, a restaurant bringing South Indian flavors to NYC. Semma was awarded a Michelin star back in 2022 and it’s currently the only Indian restaurant in the city with a star. 

We ordered the Gunpowder Dosa ($21), which is an Indian crepe made with rice and lentils filled with potato masala and served with a side of sambar (vegetable stew). It also came with mint and tomato chutneys as dips. I love the crispness and airiness of the dosa. It’s especially delicious when eaten together with the soft, spice-packed potato filling. The best bite is definitely the one with dosa dipped in the sambar and chutney (I’m partial to the tomato one). 

They serve meats that you don’t usually see in Indian cuisine like goat and snails. I’ve heard that the Dindigul Biryani ($36), which is made with goat, is one of the more popular dishes here; it’s a little too adventurous for me though! 

If you’re in the mood for some Indian food, come here and get the Gunpowder Dosa. It’s absolutely worth trying!

📍60 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011

6. 4 Charles Prime Rib

4 Charles Prime Rib is one of the toughest reservations to get in NYC—their menu is full of unapologetic foods that will satisfy your carnivorous cravings. 

The main dining room is filled with crystal chandeliers and leather seating, giving the restaurant an air of both opulence and coziness. My friend ordered the 10oz Double Wagyu Cheeseburger ($37.99) with an added egg ($3.99) and bacon ($8.99). She said the add-ons were definitely worth it, as it helped elevate the juicy patty with smoky and eggy flavors. She also said—and I quote—”this is unlike any burger I’ve ever had.”

We ended the night with a Lemon Meringue Pie ($18.99), which is a pretty steep price for just one slice. As much as I hate to say it though, it was a really delicious dessert. The lemon curd was the perfect blend of tart and sweet, while the meringue was light and fluffy.

Everyone I know that has been to 4 Charles has called it one of the best West Village restaurants. Some will argue that the best burger can be found at Minetta Tavern, but I’ll have to say that those people are wrong. This is a great place to indulge in some hearty American food for a special occasion—if you’re able to get in, that is. 

📍4 Charles St #3004, New York, NY 10014

7. L’Industrie Pizzeria

Nothing can top the feeling of having a slice of L’Industrie pizza in hand when there’s good weather in the city. L’Industrie Pizzeria is notorious for its wrap-around-the-block lines at its original location in Brooklyn. If there’s one sure thing New Yorkers don’t mind doing, it seems to be waiting in line…

I got the Burrata slice ($5.50) that was topped with fresh basil, tomato sauce, and burrata cheese. The pizza crust is made with their in-house fermented sourdough, which adds a slight tang and chewiness that other pizzas are lacking. Not to mention, the thinness of the crust—a key characteristic of a good New York slice—gives it that slight crunch and crisp. The burrata was super fresh and creamy, making it richer than the traditional mozzarella that’s melted on top.

The pizza here is so good that it can even attract the Italian tourists! L’Industrie has mastered the New York slice and added its own unique twist to it. Next time, I’ll be back to see how their gelato stacks up against Caffe Panna’s. 

📍104 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014

8. Buvette

This is THE French brunch spot. Chefs Sodi and Williams are also behind Buvette, which means you know it’s going to be delicious. I actually heard about this place from one of my previous managers, who said that this was a good restaurant for brunch food. 

I ordered the Pain Perdu ($18)—brioche bread with berries and creme anglaise. The soft brioche, crispy on the outside and custardy on the inside, was bathed in the creme anglaise, which brought a creaminess that complemented the already lightly sweetened brioche. It was a nice departure from the usual sickly sweet syrups that accompany French toast. It was an indulgent dish to have at 10am, but it was sooo worth it. My only gripe is that I wish it came with more than just one slice of toast because I could’ve eaten like 4 more pieces. 

I’ve heard people comparing Buvette and Boucherie West Village quite often and although both are great French options, my vote would have to go to Buvette. Try and name a better place to get French-style food in the heart of West Village…

📍42 Grove St, New York, NY 10014

9. Jeju Noodle Bar

Back in 2020 and 2021, Jeju Noodle Bar was THE place people were vying to snag a reservation at. It’s one of the few noodle spots that have a Michelin star—of course it would be a popular destination. 

The restaurant itself is a small space (I think there might be more tables downstairs, but I’m not too sure). My friend and I were seated at the bar. We were asked if we wanted to start a glass of wine; at the time we went, they only offered wine because they didn’t have their liquor license yet. We decided to start with the Hae Mul Ceviche ($23), which was actually delicious. I’m not a big fan of ceviche, but I enjoyed this bite! 

I ordered the Vegetable Neng-Myun ($25) as my main. I believe this was seasonal, but it was a chilled chili-tomato broth. The broth was refreshing and unlike anything I’ve had before, and when paired with the cold noodles, it was the perfect thing to beat the summer heat. Not to mention, the tomato added acidity that helped brighten the entire dish. 

Jeju Noodle Bar is definitely the place to go for a unique take on Korean noodles! 

📍679 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10014

10. Bangkok Supper Club

Brought to you by the same team behind Fish Cheeks, Bangkok Supper Club is serving up creative dishes that are inspired by Bangkok’s late-night food scene. It’s a fairly new restaurant, being that it opened back in September 2023 a few blocks from the Hudson River. 

For our main course, we ordered the Pork Jowl ($25). The dish was deep fried pork cheeks over garlic rice and topped with pork cracklings. The garlic rice was flavorful and reminded me of Filipino garlic rice. I loved the modern twist that Bangkok Supper Club brought to traditional Thai cuisine; you won’t find dishes like Pad Thai or Green Curry here, but the flavors are still unbeatable. 

Like its sister restaurant, Bangkok Supper Club is a great place for larger groups. I Iove going to places like these with more people so that we’re able to order more things and try most of the menu. 

📍641 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

Best Restaurants in West Village NYC

Any of these places would be great for a date night or a filling dinner before hitting the comedy clubs. I would recommend trying to get a reservation at some of these best restaurants in West Village NYC beforehand unless you’re willing to wait!

1. Via Carota
2. Nami Nori
3. Sushi Nakazawa
4. Don Angie
5. Semma
6. 4 Charles Prime Rib
7. L’Industrie
8. Buvette
9. Jeju Noodle Bar
10. Bangkok Supper Club

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