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.