No doubt, the West Village is one of the city’s loveliest neighborhoods, composed of stately brownstones dating from the 1800s, small storefronts with unique merchandise, a country church with formal flower gardens, and reclaimed port and industrial architecture turned into lofts, galleries, and coffee shops.
The borders of the neighborhood are murky, but we’ve taken them to be the Hudson River to slightly east of Seventh Avenue, and Houston Street to 14th Street on the south and north. Though the neighborhood’s real estate is among the city’s most exorbitant, the prices at its restaurants range from expensive to surprisingly modest, with an impressive range of offerings.
For this update: We’ve added Italian restaurant Via Carota, sandwich shop Faicco’s Italian Specialities, and chirashi spot Umeko. And, for now, we’ve removed Sappe, Libertine (which has closed), Tacos 1986, Fairfax, and the Commerce Inn.
For similar West Village eats and drinks, check out Eater NY’s picks for the best street food destinations and coffee spots, plus where to eat in Greenwich Village.
The Best West Village Restaurants in NYC
Where to find great dining in the landmarked Manhattan neighborhood
Updated
No doubt, the West Village is one of the city’s loveliest neighborhoods, composed of stately brownstones dating from the 1800s, small storefronts with unique merchandise, a country church with formal flower gardens, and reclaimed port and industrial architecture turned into lofts, galleries, and coffee shops.
The borders of the neighborhood are murky, but we’ve taken them to be the Hudson River to slightly east of Seventh Avenue, and Houston Street to 14th Street on the south and north. Though the neighborhood’s real estate is among the city’s most exorbitant, the prices at its restaurants range from expensive to surprisingly modest, with an impressive range of offerings.
For this update: We’ve added Italian restaurant Via Carota, sandwich shop Faicco’s Italian Specialities, and chirashi spot Umeko. And, for now, we’ve removed Sappe, Libertine (which has closed), Tacos 1986, Fairfax, and the Commerce Inn.
For similar West Village eats and drinks, check out Eater NY’s picks for the best street food destinations and coffee spots, plus where to eat in Greenwich Village.
All the commonplaces of British working-class cooking are present in this small cafe decorated with teapots, posters of the late Queen, and other knick-knacks. The tea service alone is worth experiencing, with finger sandwiches, scones, and ornate porcelain teapots to put you in the mood, but the cottage pies, pasties, fish and chips, Sunday roast dinners, and breakfast pastries are also worth contemplating.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY
The iconic West Village restaurant, which had undergone ownership changes, had shuttered back in 2020, but it reopened in 2025 courtesy of the owners of neighborhood wine bar St. Jardim. This means an easygoing, dimly lit restaurant full of European-rooted dishes like rarebit, pork sausage with potato salad, and garlic shrimp.
Nicole Franzen/Fedora
Williamsburg favorite L’Industrie caused a sensation when it opened on Christopher Street in larger digs than the original, with indoor seating, too. The round pizzas are cooked, and some unusual toppings like burrata are applied as the slice is reheated, but we prefer the plain pie, which is thin-crusted and cheesy, really the perfect neighborhood slice.
Luke Fortney/Eater NY
In a sea of special occasion restaurants dotting the West Village, Taco Mahal is an affordable favorite. Though the name suggests that Mexican and Indian food are served here, in practice, it’s Indian dishes served in a taco-like format. Roti tacos with fillings of your choice go for $9. There are several tables, both inside and outside, flanking the storefront on the avenue.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY
Among the West Village restaurant empire of Rita Sodi and Jody Williams (see: I Sodi, Buvette, Bar Pisellino, and Commerce Inn), we’re recommending this, yes, very popular Italian restaurant for good reason: it’s that good, and, truthfully, weekend lunch is the move when it’s easier to get a seat. Weave a meal among fried snacks like zucchini fritti and fritto misto as well as cooling ones like prosciutto and melon or burrata with bitter greens. There’s a selection of something like fifteen vegetables (broccoletti, grilled artichokes, grilled mushrooms) and a handful of pastas like cacio e pepe.
Eater NY
Maximé Pradié has long been a one-to-watch chef, and now he’s been leading the kitchen at Zimmi’s (in partnership with Jenni Guizio, an alum of Union Square Hospitality). It’s where he recreates the homestyle Southern French cooking he grew up with, but doesn’t often make its way to restaurant menus in New York. Dishes like the la pastasciutta (tagliatelle with ragout and sage), slow-roasted lamb, and the beef cheek terrine are standouts. The space itself is small but very charming with its green gingham tablecloths. A new wine bar and bakery are on the way next door.
Katherine Goguen/Zimmi’s
The Italian market is a playground for huge, excellent sandwiches, packed with so much meat. The Italian hero is brimming with prosciutto, capicola, and soppressata; the chicken cutlet is a classic; and, for a veggie option, go for the simple mozzarella, pesto, and sun-dried tomato combo.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY
This Middle Eastern restaurant — the owner is Iraqi — has been around for 38 years and moved from somnolent Bedford Street to hopping Seventh Avenue South in 2023. It claims to have invented the pitza — a freshly made pita with toppings that range from finely ground lamb to a puree of green herbs to conventional pizza toppings of tomato sauce and mozzarella. Bread dips with freshly made pitas constitute another desirable meal option, and there are grilled meats, too.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY
Crevette is one of three restaurants from this team (including Dame and Lord’s in the area), but it might just be the best of the bunch — and not just because it’s the latest and largest. Dishes like a chicken with fries, whole fish, and minty fennel salad might seem simple, but they make for some pretty memorable eating, influenced by the South of France with a British touch. The space, a gorgeous corner of the West Village with plenty of natural light, is a special occasion meal you can’t go wrong with, and the menu is long enough that there are plenty (mainly seafood) options for the whole dining party.
Lanna Apisukh
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