Best Restaurants & Dining in East Village, Manhattan

East Village dining runs from three-table taco counters and old luncheonettes to quiet omakase and kaiseki rooms. These picks cover Thai noodle kitchens, Georgian sharing plates, Chinese and Korean seafood cooking, and a few tasting menus.

1. 

   Rank 1Nounou Noodle Bar

   Japanese

   5.0 out of 55.0Price level $$

   Asian-ish noodle bowls in a cute, chic room; reviewers single out the laksa shrimp, the short rib khao soi and the steak noodles.

2. 

   Rank 2Zesty Tabbouleh

   Middle Eastern

   5.0 out of 55.0Price level $$

   A halal Lebanese spot made for family-style sharing, where diners rave about the hummus, juicy chicken platter and a falafel pita with a hint of nutmeg.

3. 

   Rank 3Chomp Chomp Thai kitchen

   Thai

   4.9 out of 54.9Price level $

   Tiny, cozy Thai kitchen with attentive staff; regulars return weekly for the red and green curries, drunken noodles and corn salad.

4. 

   Rank 4MEAMA Georgian Fusion | Wine Bar

   Georgian

   4.9 out of 54.9Price level $$

   Modern Georgian plates meant for sharing, from khachapuri and khinkali to a red wine tenderloin served with Georgian wine pairings.

5. 

   Rank 5Jo's Taco

   Mexican

   4.9 out of 54.9Price level $$

   Just three tables, but the birria tacos with consomé, al pastor and shrimp tacos draw raves alongside very friendly staff.

6. 

   Rank 6Twilight Lounge 朝暮

   Chinese

   4.9 out of 54.9Price level $

   Cantonese and Sichuan cooking in a cozy, warm room; diners talk up the crab roe silken tofu, crispy Chongqing chicken and lemongrass lobster.

7. 

   Rank 7Kyuubi Sushi Omakase

   Japanese

   4.8 out of 54.8Price level $

   A friendly omakase counter where chefs chat with guests and the fish courses, including wagyu and madai, feel unrushed and fresh.

8. 

   Rank 8Soothr

   Thai

   4.7 out of 54.7Price level $$

   Family noodle recipes from across Thailand, like dry crab noodles and duck noodles, served by staff reviewers praise again and again.

9. 

   Rank 9Thai for thought

   Thai

   4.8 out of 54.8Price level $$

   Expect a tidy, cute dining room and warm service, with pad see ew and chicken katsu fried rice the dishes regulars mention most.

10. 

    Rank 10B&H Dairy

    Middle Eastern

    4.7 out of 54.7Price level $$

    Counter seats at a kosher vegetarian luncheonette, serving matzo ball soup, borscht and fluffy challah with real old New York charm.

11. 

    Rank 11HAGS

    American

    4.8 out of 54.8Price level $$$

    This tiny, unpretentious tasting-menu room offers vegan and omnivore courses, with a smoky tempeh dish and a pay-what-you-can Sunday brunch.

12. 

    Rank 12MayRee

    Thai

    4.7 out of 54.7Price level $$

    Southern Thai cooking with a fun Ya Dong herbal moonshine list; fans point to the kra pao, duck curry and crispy whole fried branzino.

13. 

    Rank 13Adda

    Indian

    4.6 out of 54.6Price level $$$

    Spicy, shareable Indian dishes in a beautiful main dining room, though the hard-won tables and lively music divide reviewers.

14. 

    Rank 14ARIARI

    Korean

    4.6 out of 54.6Price level $$$

    Seafood-focused Korean cooking where people rave about the scallop DIY gimbap, crispy fried crab and duck bulgogi.

15. 

    Rank 15Penny

    Seafood

    4.6 out of 54.6Price level $$$$

    Austere room, serious seafood: diners swoon over the broken seafood rice, the mackerel and oysters at the intimate bar.

16. 

    Rank 16Tsukimi

    Japanese

    4.6 out of 54.6Price level $$$$

    Twelve seats at a minimalist counter for modern kaiseki that shifts with the seasons, ending with whisked matcha and handmade wagashi.

17. 

    Rank 17Smithereens

    American

    4.5 out of 54.5Price level $$$$

    Original seafood with Japanese inspiration, including a standout mackerel, plus a rotating set-course Sunday lunch.