After living in NYC for five years, I thought it was time to make a rec list of my fav restaurants. There are many other but these are the ones that hold a special place in my heart! 

If you live in NYC or plan to visit, here are my top 14 restaurants recommendations and what to order!




01. BK Jani


This is my #1 top rec! If you know me, I’ve told you about BK Jani -- and if I like you, we’ve already eaten here together.

This place holds a lot of happy memories of me and my friends sharing stories over lamb chops and burgers. 

www.bkjani.com 


679 Grand St,
Brooklyn, NY 11211

My usual order

01. Lamb Chops✨
x2
02. Masala Fries   
x1
03. The Jani or Lahori
x1
04. Mango Jani   
x1




02. Abuqir


This place is a seafood lover’s (🙋‍♀️) dream! They get fresh seafood from a local Queen’s market daily and cook/grill it only after you’ve handpicked it. The vibe is laidback and my favorite server, Sohail, is always dancing to Egyptian music with a contagious smile and one can’t help but be in a good mood! 


24-19 Steinway St, Queens, NY 11103
Recommendation

01. Baba Ghanouj
x1
02. Eggplant with Garlic
x1
03. Grilled Branzino
x1
04. Grilled Shrimp
x1
05. Fried Calamari
x1
06. Fried Shrimp
x1





03. Leo


My favorite pizza in NYC. I’ve had many long dinners here -- the pizza is delicous and the conversation flows easily but the food takes over 40 mins to come so it’s best to go with fun company. 

www.leo-nyc.com


123 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Recommendation

01. Margherita
x1
02. Clam Pie
x1
03. The Hill
x1
04. Tiramisu
x1





04. Thai Diner


Get a spot at the bar here. This is my favorite thai spot in the city, and it will soon be yours too! 

www.thaidiner.com


186 Mott St, New York, NY 10012
Brunch Recommendation

01. Thai Tea Babka French Toast
x1
02. George’s Egg Sandwich   
x1
03. Thai Ice Tea
x1

Dinner Recommendation

01. Khao Soi Kaa Kai (Veg)🙌
x1
02. Mieng Kum Betal Wraps
x1
03. Uncle Boon’s Khao Pat Puu
x1
04. Sparkling Limeade
x1





05. Punjabi Deli


This place is a NYC landmark. It also featured as a cover for Riz Ahmed’s Swet Shop Boys. Get the chai here and get some biscuits to dip in it. 

@punjabidelinyc


114 E 1st St, New York, NY 10009
My usual order

01. Chai
x1
02. Sooper Biscuits
x2





06. Screamer's Pizzeria


This place changed my mind when it comes to vegan pizza! The tip is to eat it HOT. I usually pick it up and then re-heat it again at home.

www.screamerspizzeria.com


620 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Recommendation

01. Cauliflower Buffalo 
x1
02. Screamers (Cremini & Oyster Mushroom)
x1





07. Qahwah House


They cook/brew the tea in individual batches to your preference here. The chai/coffee is very hot so be careful. You can walk to McCarren Park and sip it there. If it’s a few of you, get pots of different kinds of teas/coffees and share.

www.qahwahhouse.com


162 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Recommendation

01. Adeni Chai 
x1
02. Khaliat Alnahl
x1





08. Frankel’s


If you like meat, go here. If you like bagels, go here. The sandwich and bagels come loaded and are best shared with a friend sitting on the grass in McCarren Park. 

www.frankelsdelicatessen.com


631 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Recommendation

01. Pastrami, Egg & Cheese Sandwich
x1
02. Frankel's #1 Bagel (Salmon)
x1
03. Coffee
x1






09. Lite Bites


This is a small family owned business and the Aunty behind the counter is the sweetest. When I walk in she recognizes me immediately and asks if I want my usual. I nod and she yells my order to the kitchen.

@litebitesbrooklyn


700 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
My usual order for 2 

01. Boneless Chicken
x1
02. Channa Potatoes
x1
03. Roti
x2





10. Birds of a Feather


Birds of a Feather is the most consistant with its food and flavor. When I think of my comfort food, this is it!

www.birdsofafeatherny.com


191 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
My order

01. Shrimp Dumplings
x2
02. Spicy Fish Fillet❤️   
x1
03. Spicy Cumin Lamb
x1
04. Beef with Chilies 
x1
04. Fried Rice with Mustard Green Shoots   
x1





11. Win Son Bakery


There is Win Son Restaurant and Win Son Bakery. It gets confusing once you arrive at the intersection of Montrose Ave and Ave of Puerto Rico. Both are on the same intersection, opposite each other. Even though I’ve been to the restaurant many time, it’s the bakery thati makes it to this list. It’s the place that introduced me to shrimp patties.

www.winsonbrooklyn.com


164 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Order for 2

01. Millet Mochi Dount
x1
02. Shrimp Milk Bun   
x1
03. Fried Chicken
x1





12. Hanon


While I was watching Terrace House, everytime they showed Tsubasa’s dad preparing soba noodles in his restaurant, I wanted them too -- and so I came across Hanon! It has the best udon noodles I’ve ever had. Everything from this place is amazing, you can’t go wrong.

@hanonbrooklyn


436 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
My usual order for 2

01. Karaage
x1
02. Tori & Kinoko Udon
x1
03. Washu-Gyu Curry Udon
x1
04. Chikuwa Tempura   
x1





13. Saravanaa Bhavan


The dosas here are delicious. But the filter coffee, even more so. There have been times when I had one before my meal and one after 🙈

www.saravanabhavan.com


81 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016
My order

01. Onion Rava Masala Dosa
x1
02. Madras Filter Coffee🤎   
x2





14. Bakeri


Bakeri is only a few blocks from my apartment so I go here almost daily. They don’t have wifi so it’s perfect for sketching, reading or catching up with friends. Sometimes I take my coffee+pastry and walk over to the Newtown Barge Park (or maybe its called Blue Slip park?) and the park is never crowded and has wonderful views of the Manhattan skyline 🏙

@bakeribrooklyn

105 Freeman St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Recommendation

01. Banana Date Nut Bread
x1
02. Biscuit & Eggs   
x1
03. Oatmilk Latte
x1
04. Focaccia  
x1






Photos of BK Jani, Birds of a Feather, Win Son and Hanon by restaurant. All other photos by me.