If you've ever binge-watched Friends and Sex and the City, you already know about the West Village. I've been lucky enough to spend more than a few hours wandering its charming streets, half-expecting to spot a cameo from my favourite celeb (spoiler: still waiting). But while the scenery is straight out of a rom-com, the real scene-stealer here is the food.
From cult pasta spots to candlelit bistros worth queuing for, the West Village is packed with spots worth plotting your next dinner around. I’ve rounded up fifteen of the very best restaurants you’ll want to book, or desperately beg for a reservation at.. Here's where to eat in New York's West Village in 2025.
Le Chêne
76 Carmine St
It may be one of the West Village's newest restaurants, but Le Chêne already has the hottest seats in town. Parisian through and through—right down to the French staff, white tableclothes, art-filled walls, and a 44-page wine list—it’s charming, intimate, and effortlessly lively, the way only the French seem to know how.
Knowing chef Alexia Duchêne and her husband Ronan Duchêne Le May are the dynamic duo behind it, Le Chêne immediately shot to the very top of my West Village bucket list. But fair warning: getting a reservation any time soon might be a mission. The space hums from open to close, packed with in-the-know New Yorkers sipping Chablis and digging into finessed French classics like sweet shrimp tartelettes, wagyu beef tartare, pork pithiviers and, of course, French fries.
I Sodi
314 Bleecker St
If you're somewhat of a pasta paramour like I am, you've probably seen I Sodi's tower of lasagna online at some point: an enormous, structurally sound square of rich Bolognese layered between roughly 20 sheets of pasta, finished with a generous smattering of cheese.
This Italian gem is practically a rite of passage in the West Village dining scene, dishing up some of the best Tuscan fare in the city. And while yes, the lasagne is as good as they say, I personally think the cacio e pepe deserves as much praise as the lasagne, with the paccheri coming in at a very, VERY close second. Getting a table can be a mission, but it’s one well worth embarking on, especially if you’re a sucker for old-school charm, excellent wine, and pasta that’ll ruin you for all others.
Moustache Pitza
29 7th Ave S
The name might be playful, but the food at this West Village stalwart is seriously good. Open since the ’80s, Moustache Pitza has quietly earned cult status for its Middle Eastern fare (including ten out-of-this-world dips), lively, plant-filled dining room and warm, no-fuss service.
What exactly is a pitza, I hear you ask? Not too dissimilar to a traditional pizza, it's essentially a freshly made pita topped with everything from spiced lamb to roasted red pepper, tomato and fresh mozzarella. The Moustache team claim to have invented it, and we're very glad they did.
Don Angie
103 Greenwich Ave
On a light, bright corner in the West Village lies Don Angie. With its checkerboard flooring, deep-blue banquettes and brass-accented charm, it's one of those places you walk into and immediately get why it’s impossible to book. The menu has all of the Italian-American comfort food classics you know and love, but with clever detours into unexpected territory. For example, pepperoni fried rice is served with grilled calamari and labneh, and veal tartare is playfully paired with tuna carpaccio.
There's not much on this menu that I wouldn't order, but the famous chrysanthemum salad, caramelised Japanese sweet potatoes and stuffed garlic flatbread would be the first on my bill. Add in the deconstructed lasagne for two and black cocoa tiramisu into the mix and it sounds like the sort of dinner that makes me wish I had a second stomach.
Fairfax
234 West 4th Street
Image credit: Fairfax | Supplied
By day, Fairfax plays the role of cosy neighbourhood café. Come night, it shape-shifts into a quirky little restaurant packed with personality. Between the mismatched furniture, communal coffee tables, and well-worn leather couches, it feels less like a dining room and more like your coolest friend’s living room.
There’s plenty to love on the all-day menu, but l'd be heading here for the burger. A juicy mess of beef, smoked cheddar, BBQ mayo and crispy shoestring fries spilling out of a squishy flat bun, it’s earned its cult status for good reason. Throw in a side of Old Bay tots and you’ve got yourself a West Village classic.
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Jeffrey's Grocery
172 Waverly Pl
On a leafy corner of Waverly Place sits Jeffrey's Grocery, the buzzy neighbourhood go-to for seafood and strong drinks of both the caffeinated and shaken variety. The menu is seafood-forward and ever-changing, but in my opinion, a few of the long-standing dishes are non-negotiable: the fresh oysters (always), the lobster roll (duh) OR the lobster spaghetti (double duh), french fries (because all mains should be accomopinaed by chippies).
The friendly team will make you feel right at home, but snag a spot at the bar if you can for a front-row seat to the action. When the sun’s out, people-watching from the sidewalk tables is just as satisfying.
Little Ruby’s Cafe
225 West 4th Street
Feeling homesick? Swing by Little Ruby's for a slice of Aussie sunshine right in the heart of the West Village. Whether you’re craving a classic smashed avo, wholesome brekky bowl, a loaded burger, comforting pasta, or just really missing Vegemite on toast, Little Ruby's will make you forget you’re miles from down under.
Rumour has it this is Jacob Elordi’s go-to dining spot in NYC, so you better believe I’ll be plotting a cheeky celebrity stakeout next time I’m in the neighbourhood.
Carbone
181 Thompson St, New York
Image: Carbone | Supplied
Carbone could easily be one of the most star-studded restaurants on the planet. Everyone from Leo DiCaprio to Kimmy K has dined at this Italian-American hot spot, and after dining there myself a few years ago, I immediately understood the hype.
The moment you step inside, you’re whisked away to glamorous, old-school New York. Don’t miss the spicy rigatoni vodka, veal parmesan, and the Caesar salad, which arrives tableside with just the right dash of theatre to make you feel like you’re in a movie scene.
Via Carota
51 Grove St
It should come as no surprise that the restaurant famously frequented by Taylor Swift is also one of the toughest tables in the city to snag. This walk-in only West Village spot is a love story, baby just say yes (to waiting in line).
Once you do get in, Via Carota has is full of candlelit charm, with rustic Italian plates that’ll have you singing 'you belong with me' after just one bite. I can't tell you what your gal Tay Tay typically orders, but I know I'd be going for the tonnarelli cacio e pepe, the grilled artichokes and a bottle of Italian red to help shake it off after the wait. There’s no bad blood here—just good pasta, a cosy atmosphere and the faint hope of spotting Swifty at the next table.
Bar Pitti
268 6th Ave
Image credit: Victoria Cassis | Supplied
I know it’s easy to dismiss places that don’t take bookings and still run on cash only, but Bar Pitti is just too damn good to ignore. The menu is scrawled on a chalkboard and is sometimes rather indecipherable, regularly featuring the legendary pappardelle alla fiesolana that's worth crossing boroughs for. Expect traditional antipasti, always al dente pasta, beers and vino (dive into the tagged photos on Instagram for a taste of what you're in for).
Inside is warm and classic, but if you can nab a seat outside, that’s where the magic is. The sidewalk is always buzzing, the wine’s always flowing, and the whole scene feels effortlessly West Village. Bring cash, go early and be prepared for a little bit of chaos.
La Lanterna di Vittorio
129 MacDougal St
You’ve heard of a whisky flight, maybe even a cheese flight, but a lasagne flight? That’s a whole new level of genius. At this romantic Italian trattoria, you can sample multiple kinds of lasagne with fourteen variations to choose from, each served in its own piping-hot ramekin. It’s indulgent, adorable, and one of the best ideas I’ve come across in my carb-loving life.
There’s also a seriously impressive pizza list if you’re more of a slice-and-share type, plus cosy candlelight, exposed brick and that classic old-school charm that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into a secret spot in Rome.
4 Charles Prime Rib
4 Charles St
Image credit: 4 Charles Prime Rib | Website
Home to the best burger in town, 4 Charles Prime Rib is one of the hardest reservations to come by in New York City. Nestled in a historic townhouse, this elegant restaurant serves up perfectly cooked prime rib alongside classic sides and indulgent desserts. Even though it’s a steakhouse, their true standout dishes are their cheeseburger and French dip (a piping hot sandwich stuffed with thinly sliced roast beef and served with jus).
I warned you: snagging a reservation is a bit of a mission. Tables drop 21 days out at 9am sharp, and if you’re not ready with multiple tabs and a four-leaf clover on your palm, you’ll be left watching someone else’s prime rib on Instagram. There is a walk-in list, but unless you’ve got hours to kill, I’d say set an alarm and get in the resy trenches.
Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St
Minetta Tavern has serious literary street cred. Originally opened in 1937, it’s played host to a long line of boozy intellectuals, with Hemingway, Cummings, Ezra Pound and Dylan Thomas all regulars back in the day. These days, it's less poets and more power diners and burger pilgrims, but the mood remains unmistakably old New York: dim lighting, white tablecloths, checkerboard tiles and martinis clinking in the background.
The Minetta Burger has a justifiable cult following, as does the rich roasted bone marrow—both are essential orders. I can easily picture myself tucked into one of the red leather booths, scribbling the next great manuscript with a blue cheese olive martini in hand, just as I imagine many have done before me.
Top Thai Vintage
55 Carmine St
Image credit: Top Thai Vintage | Instagram
Bringing a taste of Thailand to West Village, tuk tuks, fairy lights and a riot of colour set the tone at Top Thai Vintage. The menu is stacked with bold, fragrant hits—think spicy green curry, sweet and smoky pad see ew, and deeply savoury tom yum noodle soup. It’s affordable, reliable, and open late on weekends, which is exactly what you want when the craving for Thai hits hard at 10pm.
If it's your birthday, make sure you let it be known. I've heard that the team have the entire restaurant singing, with OTT sparklers and a giant frame for a one-of-a-kind photo opp.
Buvette
42 Grove St
A wine bar, café and full-blown Parisian fantasy all rolled into one, Buvette is West Village’s oh-so-charming French-inspired bistro. The pint-sized space is always humming with locals, tourists and unapologetic Francophiles tucking into steam-scrambled eggs, flaky croissants, house-made terrines and rich, rustic small plates.
The brunch is always popular, but I'd happily park up at any hour with a chalbic and a slab of cheese. It’s open from 8am until midnight, which is dangerously ideal if you’re prone to early morning mimosa and spontaneous late-night snacks like I am.
Sappe
240 W 14th St
Pronounced 'sep', this electric restaurant on 14th Street is serving some of the most exciting Thai food in New York. The menu is full of fiery, funky Isan plates, with plenty of hot pots, noodles, rice and their famed skewers. Don't make the mistake that I did and ensure you pay close attention to the dishes marked with an asterisk: they are dangerously spicy. That said, if you can handle the heat, the payoff is huge. The feiry duck laarb and wing zaab are particularly standouts, loaded with flavour and both hot as hell.
The interiors are just as vibrant as the food, with groovy neon lights, a mirrored ceiling, and an atmosphere that’s loud, lively and infectious. Bring your spice-loving mates and prepare to party.
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