Set to open this November, Toko will be located in a gorgeous,
dimly lit small space tucked away in the Herald Square subway
station. An omakase bar run by former Bouley and Shuko chefs, the
18-seat restaurant, which also houses a separate private
eight-person dining room, is an ode to Tokyo style. With a focus on
high-end tasting menus featuring nine-mushroom egg dishes and
perfectly sliced toro (fatty tuna), the subway location is glam
rather than gimmicky, and we can only predict it will become a
challenge to snag a seat here.

A checkered-floor eatery that opened its doors in Tribeca this
September, this oyster bar is set to be a favourite with the local
crowd on weekend evenings. This airy space kitted out with a
wraparound bar can fit up to 200 guests, making it ideal for
starting a night out when you’re looking for an energising
atmosphere. It’s headed up by the Martignetti brothers, who are
responsible for a number of hit restaurants uptown, so you’ll be in
good hands as you sample the scallop and mackerel tartare with
jalapeño from the raw bar. The oyster list itself is hearty,
featuring half shells from New England, Canada and the West Coast,
as well as various seafood towers.

Little sister to Shuka, a SoHo mainstay for Middle Eastern
sharing plates, Shukette will be opening in Chelsea under the
supervision of chef Ayesha Nurdjaja. With a focus on dishes
prepared on a charcoal grill, as well as mezze and dips (we’re
looking forward to plates similar to Shuka’s whipped pistachio and
feta dip), this is set to be a new standout in the neighbourhood.
Not to mention it’s sustainable and locally sourced, making us even
more excited for stuffed red peppers, piping hot simit (a circular,
sesame-encrusted bread) and seeded hummus topped with olive
oil.

Taking over Le Cirque’s former space is Hutong, a Hong
Kong-based restaurant that has now moved stateside. Whether you’re
looking for chic daytime dim sum or want to splurge on date night,
this sleek, high-ceilinged space won’t disappoint. On top of its
elegant art-deco interiors, this Chinese eatery is a cooler Midtown
option, making it ideal for daytime meetings or catching up with
friends when you don’t want to trek anywhere too far-flung after
work. For something spicy to start, opt for the calamari flowers
with Sichuan peppercorn and chilli oil, or get the wasabi okra with
honey and tea smoked tofu roll. As for dim sum, you can’t go wrong
with the wagyu beef millefeuille and spicy cod bao. With a menu
chock-full of delectable items and an ultra-central location, this
spot will no doubt become a favourite.

Helmed by chef Alfred Portale, who brought a Michelin star to
Gotham Bar & Grill, this new addition to Chelsea will be a
serious contender for being one of the most happening restaurants
in the area. It certainly won’t skimp on the details: flour for
bread will be milled in-house and homemade pasta will be the basis
of many of the simple yet delicious dishes. Patrons on the hunt for
protein can get perfectly grilled fish and meats with heaping sides
of veggies drizzled in olive oil. Set to open on 28 October, this
will be your go-to for cosy Italian dinners on chilly nights all
the way through until spring.

Headed up by three former team members of Masa, one of New
York’s priciest sushi spots, Nami Nori is a more affordable option
that’s bound to be just as beloved as its predecessor. With a focus
on temaki hand rolls, this West Village restaurant will dish out
mouthwatering rolls such as lobster tempura topped with yuzu aioli,
as well as vegan options including miso aubergine and tofu with
spicy chilli-bean sauce. The laid-back vibe and focus on finger
foods like nori crisps with yogurt chive dip make this a great spot
for casual meetups with friends, while its Carmine Street location
is also the perfect launching point for a night out.

Brought to you by the couple behind Uncle Boons, the Nolita Thai
spot at which it’s notoriously impossible to bag a table, this
brand spanking new restaurant is one of New York’s most talked
about this autumn. Serving up an array of diner classics with a
Thai spin, the menu is bound to impress. Located on Mott Street,
not far from the group’s original location, it’s a fun place to
kick off a Thursday evening before heading out for drinks nearby.
Our top recommendation? Order the disco fries topped with curry for
the table.

Restaurant meets florist at Il Fiorista. This clean, open space
done up in pale wood and pastel hues is just as aesthetically
pleasing as the flower-based dishes the kitchen serves. Everything
on the menu contains floral ingredients, so start the meal off with
an orange-flower negroni and seeded crackers with sunflower dip
with petals and shoots, or order the sweet potato sourdough with
nasturtium flowers for the table. From there, the Montauk fluke
crudo with chrysanthemum is wonderfully unique and a pretty
departure from your typical salmon dish.

With the onset of colder weather comes a semi-constant craving
for pasta, making Di Martino’s the perfect excuse to test out a
number of pasta dishes. This concept restaurant, which will be
opening in Chelsea Market, is a follow-up to Pastificio di
Martino’s restaurant in Naples (along with multiple food shops
throughout Italy – it has even designed a pasta box in
collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana). There will be 25 different
dishes available every day, along with 126 pasta shapes, so you’ll
certainly never get bored here, no matter how many times you
return.