18 Best Restaurants in East Village, New York City

This East Village dining institution, which has been serving standout Moroccan cuisine in a date-friendly, candlelit atmosphere since 1983, still draws crowds for dinner, lunch, and brunch. Start with an order of creamy hummus to share, then dig into one of the classic couscous dishes, tajine stews, or tasty kebabs.

Seafood, spicy, and sharing plates are the key concepts at this convivial and colorful Thai restaurant, where the dishes aren't what you find on typical Thai restaurant menus. Order for the table and if you like spice, make sure to include the Zabb wings to start and move on to the coconut crab curry, among other things.

Most Vietnamese food in the United States is inspired by the traditions of southern Vietnam because it was largely Vietnamese from the south who left the country after the war ended in 1975. Hanoi House brings a refreshing—and delicious—taste of the north; the pho here, as done in Hanoi, is meatier, darker, intensely flavorful, and so good.

In Serbia, a kafana is a neighborhood tavern with a menu of hearty Serbian staples like ćevapi, finger-sized minced beef sausages, or karadjordjeva, a tubular pork schnitzel stuffed with ham and rich, creamy kajmak cheese. This rustic cash-only Serbian eatery, located in the wilds of the East Village on Avenue C, has excellent artery-hardening fare and an impressive list of natural wines from Serbia. Top off your meal with a shot of rakia, the potent fruit brandy that is ubiquitous in the Balkans. 

Despite the name—"La Cabra" means "The Goat" in Spanish—this diminutive coffee place is a caffeinated Danish powerhouse that really packs a flavor punch. The coffee supplier for many of the Michelin-starred restaurants in Denmark, La Cabra is anchored in the East Village for extraordinary cumin buns and dazzlingly delicious high-quality coffee in form of espressos and pour-overs. 

David Chang's first restaurant, a riff on the Japanese ramen bar, opened back in 2004, and it's still a strong crowd favorite for the daily changing menu of ramen, steamed buns, and various other innovative options. The spare, bright space has plenty of counter seating and a few low tables that you might end up sharing communal-style.

David Chang opened Ssäm bar two years after his original Noodle Bar, and the stylish spot easily shows the multicultural bent of its creator. A selection of country hams is a surprising but delicious way to start a meal, perhaps followed by an Indian-inspired curry and potato appetizer, perfectly glazed barbecue ribs, and a whole-fish preparation. For a serious splurge, opt for the $135 rotisserie duck.

The name of this standout Thai restaurant is pronounced "sood," and translates to "recipe"—highlighting the fact that the menu is based on family recipes from around Thailand. This also means that, while familiar dishes like pad Thai are on offer, there are lots of items that might be unfamiliar and are definitely worth trying, like the koong karee (a creamy shrimp and egg curry), the flaky fried puff pastry stuffed with flavor-popping minced pork, and the caramelized duck noodles.

A pared-down, more casual version of Mexican super-chef Enrique Olvera's hit upscale Flatiron eatery, Cosme, this 90-seat, big-windowed spot serves excellent, upscale renditions of standards like chicken enchiladas and shrimp tacos as well as creative spins on tostadas and fish dishes. Part of the attraction here is the people-watching so if you want to linger, get an order of the airy churros for dessert.

Crowds still form for the ramen at Ippudo, the first American branch of the famous Japanese chain. Loyal patrons say it's all about the rich pork-based broth (there is a vegetarian version available, though it lacks the depth of flavor), but those in the know also order sleeper-hit appetizers like the peppery chicken wings or pork buns. There are several other locations around the city.

Food-media-darling chef Andrew Carmellini (who has several other restaurants around town, including Locanda Verde and the Dutch) goes Gallic at this upscale bistro with lots of cushy booths inside and fancy mini "igloos" for outside dining in winter. There's no culinary trickery, just straightforward and very satisfying French fare along the lines of roasted halibut with saffron-spiked potatoes, a silky beef tartare, and excellent steak frites. For something more casual, grab a seat at the all-day café and bakery, where breakfast is the sleeper hit.

The tiny East Village location of this combination bakery and ice-cream parlor is just steps away from the original, which began serving pastry whiz Christina Tosi's innovative treats back in 2008. Swing by for a slice of the famed "candy bar pie" (caramel, peanut-butter nougat, and pretzels atop a chocolate-cookie crust), a compost cookie (made with pretzels, potato chips, and chocolate chips), or some of the creatively flavored soft-serve ice cream (cereal milk, lemon verbena).

The exuberant atmosphere and edgy Korean American food at Nowon perfectly captures the current East Village zeitgeist to live outrageously in the moment and eat deliciously weird food. The short menu focuses on creative takes on fast-food-esque options like Korean fried chicken, crispy tater tots, and burgers, with music playing just on the edge of too loud in the background

The perfect setting for a relaxed dinner or an intimate special occasion, this tastefully refined, light-filled East Village restaurant emphasizes rustic cooking from all over Greece. There are delicious versions of hearty comfort-food dishes like pastitsio and moussaka on the menu, but the lighter dishes—especially the fish options—let the flavors shine through. The extensive selection of interesting hot and cold mezes is a great place to start exploring. Accompany your meal with some vino from the all-Greek list; the light white Atlantis wine from the island of Santorini is enjoyable and affordable.

It might not be the hot spot it was when it opened back in 2011, but this attractive wood-paneled space—named for two 19th-century racehorses—continues to attract an upbeat crowd thanks to its long front bar and top-of-the-line, meat-and-seafood-centric menu. The burger is one of the best around, though these days, you have to choose between the dry-aged beef version and the Impossible Burger vegetable option—even meat-lovers applaud the latter.

At this dimly lit but boisterous branch of a restaurant based in Bangkok, the namesake somtum, a palate-tingling green papaya salad, is the must-order dish. Other good dishes to share include the larb moo, a mound of minced pork mixed with veggies and chilies, the skewers of pork marinated in coconut milk, and the crispy fried chicken.

Potato pierogi and other Eastern European staples like borscht and stuffed cabbage are available from early to late at this East Village stalwart, which opened in 1954; the name means "rainbow" in Ukrainian. The authentic Ukrainian-diner food is the perfect stick-to-your-ribs ending to a night on the town—or beginning to a new day, since there's also a full array of breakfast staples. It's a neighborhood experience, with tables of families sharing space with the hipsters. The spacious, sunny interior, with giant wall paintings to please the eye, is great for people-watching.

It doesn't get more old-school than this tiny café that's been serving fresh knishes—the hearty, hand-sized Eastern European pastry—since 1910. You can't go wrong with classic versions filled with potato or kasha (buckwheat) but there are also creative interpretations, with jalapeño and cheddar or garlic and onion, as well as sweet versions like blueberry and cheese.