James Beard Nominee Mary Attea’s New York City Dining Guide
Where to find iconic bagels, classic steak frites, and omakase, according to the chef of Musket Room, Raf’s, and Cafe Zaffri.
Chef Mary Attea's perfect order from Tompkins Square Bagels. (Photo: Nitzan Keynan)
Mon, February 2, 2026
They say that even if you dined out every day for a year, you'd barely scratch the surface of New York's culinary landscape. Whether eateries are slinging bagels or bánh mì, classic steak frites or modern omakase, it's the diversity of their chefs and the stories behind the plates that makes New York City’s dining scene so dynamic—and a featured city in the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America® series. To find out where to eat in New York City, we asked James Beard Award nominee® Mary Attea, executive chef of acclaimed hot spots The Musket Room, Raf’s, and Cafe Zaffri, for her top picks.
Below, Attea shares her take on the best New York City restaurants, including iconic eateries, a special-occasion omakase, neighborhood gems, and must-try hot spots from a James Beard Award–winning team.
Mary Attea. (Photo: Gentl & Hyers)
A spread at the Musket Room.
Dinner at Raf's.
Cafe Zaffri focuses on Levantine fare.
What does it mean to be part of the JBF Taste America TasteTwenty cohort?
I'm incredibly honored and proud to be representing New York City this year for JBF Taste America’s TasteTwenty. To be amongst all the other incredible chefs from across the country, sharing in hospitality, community, and working towards finding solutions to the challenges we all face in this industry is incredibly special and inspiring.
What do you love about the food scene in your city?
The diversity. There are so many wonderful cultures and cuisines in every pocket of this city. Whether you're grabbing a quick bánh mì for lunch at Banh Mi Saigon Bakery, embarking on a journey through the Caribbean at Kabawa, or enjoying an early Serbian dinner at Kafana, there is nothing you won't find here.
Go-to spot to take visitors:
Minetta Tavern for the cozy dark vibe, a martini, and steak frites. It feels like old, buzzy New York. Afterwards, a stroll around Washington Square Park where you're likely to catch [a] performance.
An impressive spread at Kabawa. (Photo: Andrew Bezek)
Must-try dish in your city:
Everything bagel with lox, cream cheese, tomato, red onion, and capers from Tompkins Square Bagels.
Best special occasion restaurant:
Any omakase. Sushi Nakazawa, Yoshino, and Shion 69 Leonard Street, to name a few.
What does an ideal night out in your city look like?
I love to grab a drink at Elvis wine bar, and perhaps a small snack before heading to dinner, which ideally is anything by the Unapologetic Foods team: Semma, Adda, or Dhamaka. Then dancing at Joyface to finish the evening.
What restaurant are you most looking forward to checking out?
I'm really excited to see what India Doris is doing at Markette. India just won the Michelin Young Chef Award, and her star has been rising. I'm excited to see her take on modern European cuisine with Caribbean influences. The food looks beautiful, bright, and full of flavor.
The space at Elvis. (Photo: Liz Clayman)
Sappe's Yum Pu Dong.
Restaurant dish you’d cry over if they took it off the menu:
The Yum Pu Dong at Sappe, a raw fermented crab dish, drenched in chilies and fish sauce, with a few grape tomatoes to barely help cool the fire happening in your mouth. It's intense and addictive. You keep going back for more, making sure to extract every last bit of flavor from the crab.
Favorite food/drink specialty shop:
SOS Chefs. All the spices, oils, vinegars, and other specialty products chefs dream about.
Who is another chef you admire in your city (and why)?
Suzanne Cupps of Lola's. Suzanne was a cook at the first restaurant I worked at straight out of culinary school. I learned so much from her then but have continued to admire her steadfastness in this industry. She has always had such a great presence about her, staying focused on her vision and creating spaces that inspire and nurture those around her.
The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America® culinary series presented by Capital One brings together chefs, special guests, and diners from across the country to celebrate the local independent restaurants at the heart of our communities. The Taste America TasteTwenty cohort, comprised of 20 exceptional chefs and changemakers, showcase their talents and represent their city’s independent restaurant community at walkaround tastings and dinners nationwide.