The Top NYC Restaurant Newcomers of 2018

As we continue eulogizing the past year through input from the city’s top food writers, we turn our focus to the new restaurants that quickly made their mark on NYC dining in 2018. These are places like contemporary French bistro Frenchette — which became an instant hit shortly after its debut. Earlier today we shared responses on the top restaurant standbys of 2018. Now, it’s time to identify this year’s stunning newcomers.

Priya Krishna, writer and author of forthcoming cookbook Indian-ish: Ugly Baby, Frenchette, Atomix

Robert Sietsema, Eater NY senior critic: Adda for its highly spiced northern Indian fare, Mama Fina’s for its sisig-obsessed Filipino food, and Oxomoco for its steak and wood-fired taco fillings.

Alicia Kennedy, food and spirits writer: I have to say that because of ramp escabeche and beet chorizo, for me it was Oxomoco, as well as Saar Indian Bistro by chefs Hemant Mathur and Surbhi Sahni.

Chris Gayomali, editor at GQ: Di An Di, Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop

Stefanie Tuder, senior editor of Eater NY: Fausto, Kopitiam, Ho Foods, Frenchette

Jean Schwarzwalder/Eater NY

Alex Staniloff/Eater NY

Ryan Sutton, Eater’s chief critic: Le Sia, Kopitiam, Glady’s Jerk Center, Momofuku Ko Bar, MeMe’s Diner, Málà Project Midtown, Saint Julivert, Frenchette, La Mercerie, Atomix, Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop, PQR, Don Angie, Adda

Serena Dai, editor of Eater NY: Kopitiam, Fausto, Di An Di, Uncle Boons Sister, Le Sia — which I forced many friends to go to with me — and Frenchette, a train that I sincerely didn’t think I would get on, but after a couple of meals, I hopped on and started driving.

Monica Burton, associate restaurant editor at Eater: Kopitiam, Di An Di, Meme’s Diner, Saint Julivert, Atomix

Matt Rodbard, editor-in-chief, Taste: Gem, Majordomo/Momofuku Noodle Bar TWC, Atomix. The doenjang jjigae at Samwon Garden is my favorite. Holy shit. Best in the States. Hey, Frenchette is a real-deal NYC restaurant. Maybe you heard the news. Though, I was bummed when they took the tarte tatin off the menu. Please bring it back.

Di An Di [Official Photo]

Louise Palmberg/Eater

Helen Rosner, New Yorker food correspondent: I am so happy to live in a city that has Shabu-Shabu Macoron, Una Pizza Napoletana, and Atomix. Did Frenchette really only open this year? It already feels like it’s been here forever (in the good way). So also Frenchette.

Matt Buchanan, executive editor at Eater: Suki, Frenchette, Kopitiam 2.0, Shabu Shabu Macoron

Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya, associate reporter for Eater NY: MeMe’s Diner, Le Sia, Di An Di

Kat Kinsman, Extra Crispy senior food & drinks editor and Food & Wine contributor: Sorry, Ryan, but Misi just smashed it for me. I may have come at it from a different POV than most because due to gut issues I can’t really deal with pasta, but those vegetable dishes were my nirvana. And is this list going to have 100 percent Frenchette saturation? It should. I want to dive into a pool of those scrambled eggs with snails and swim to safety. Atomix notes on its website that it can’t accommodate various specific dietary restrictions but the second I get the all-clear, I am busting down the door.