We asked our contributors to the Resy Hit List to share their top dining experiences in their cities this year — to choose 10 restaurants that define the state of great dining right now. Welcome back our Best of The Hit List for 2025.
If there’s a common thread among New York’s standout restaurants this year, it’s that they were fearless. They possessed clear points of view, and didn’t waver. They did things their way. And we were all the better, and fuller, for it.
Some, like the pitch-perfect Lei, the thrilling Bong, and the revived Adda, pulled no punches when it came to celebrating the personal heritage and culture of their chefs and owners. Others, like Smithereens and I Cavallini, marched to a more conceptual beat, extolling the bounties of New England and Italy in their own unique ways. At Banh Anh Em and Schmuck, commitment to craft was always on full display, whether it revolved around bánh mì or cocktails. There was inspiration from across the Atlantic, a joyous Mexican twist on the steakhouse, and so much more.
With that, here’s a look at our 10 most memorable New York dining experiences of 2025, and here’s to many more in the year ahead.