Experience Small Town Dining You Could Only Find in a Village at The Best Restaurants in NYC’s The Village

Everybody has a favorite neighborhood in New York City. Whether it’s the neighborhood you live in or a place that you can escape to when you want to get away from the bright lights and loud noises of the city for a brief moment, you probably have an area that you like to use as your home away from home. Whether or not The Village is that neighborhood for you, we have a feeling that you still like to venture out there every once in a while, and if you do, you might be wondering what the best restaurants to drop by while you’re there might be. We’ve made a list of just that answer down below.

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No restaurant in New York City is going to be nearly as affordable as, say, a small diner in rural Pennsylvania. If you’ve lived there for a while, you’re probably well aware of this fact, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating when you’re operating on a particularly tight budget. That’s why GiftYa is teaming up with restaurants near you to help make the dining out process a little easier on your wallet with their e-gift cards. Order one for someone who loves The Village today!

The Clam

420 Hudson St | West Village | theclamnyc.com

If there’s one thing that every seafood fan can agree on, it’s that some of the best seafood throughout the United States can be found along the East Coast. Everyone has their preferences, of course, but there’s something about the eastern seaboard ocean life that brings about some of the best seafood flavors.

At West Village’s The Clam, their menu features a wide array of seafood from all over the East coast, giving some special attention to one of the more heavily debated ingredients among seafood lovers: clams. Clams tend to be one of those types of seafood that people either love or hate - but if you love them, you should definitely give The Clam a try.

Alongside the clam-heavy dishes featured on their menu, you’ll also find fresh ingredients that are brought to you straight from local markets, as well as a wine and cocktail selection that has been curated specifically to pair well with their food menu. Don’t clam up...stop in for some heavenly seafood!

“This is my favorite restaurant in West Village. The food is exceptional, and the service is impeccable. The fried clam and lobster sliders are a must. Believe me when I tell you. It's luxury, it's an experience.” - Yelp Review

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Olio E Piú

If you’re hoping to take a step away from the traditional New York style pizza, you should definitely give the Neapolitan take on pizza a try while you’re in The Village. Image courtesy of Olio E Piú Instagram. 

3 Greenwich Ave | West Village | olioepiu.nyc

Out of every “best restaurants” listicle you can find on the internet, each one probably has at least one restaurant on their list with a common theme: Italian cuisine. We’re not quite sure what it is about Italian food that makes everyone throughout the United States start salivating at the mere thought of it, but we’re not going to argue with facts.

Italian food is a classic, safe option no matter where you go, but different regions of Italy do their cuisine a little differently - so if you’re wondering what sets this particular restaurant apart from the rest, it’s that the food they feature hails from the Neapolitan region of Italy.

From handmade pastas to wood fired pizzas, and specialized entrees featuring key Neapolitan ingredients like fresh veggies and veal, Olio E Piú is bringing Italy right to your backyard. Not only are they tucked away in the West Village neighborhood, but the rustic ambiance adds a touch of that small-town feel it can be hard to find in New York City.

“Very romantic atmosphere complimented with top-tier service. The quality of the food was equally impressive as their service. Food was delicious and served with just the right portion.” - Yelp Review

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Joseph Leonard

170 Waverly Pl | West Village | josephleonard.com

Wishing for a restaurant that makes it feel like you’re stepping back in time - all while using the fresh ingredients to make those modern dishes you know and love (avocado toast, anyone?)? Look no further than Joseph Leonard - a hot dining spot in the West Village that combines an old-timey ambiance with delicious contemporary food.

They serve traditional American fare with some slight twists, and they do so on a rotating seasonal menu that pulls fresh ingredients from local markets to ensure that you’re getting not only the best quality out of your ingredients, but the best flavor as well. 

Whether you’re dropping by to enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, they have a menu that abounds with delicious, interesting twists on your favorite classics - both in their ingredients and their presentation. While you step back in time, you can easily enjoy a big, juicy burger slid between two halves of an English muffin!

“I think this place deserves 6 stars! The food was so tasty and the service was excellent. We loved the energy of the staff and Sean was amazing. The cocktails were impeccable! We are definitely going back soon.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa to Joseph Leonard >

La Lanterna di Vittorio

129 MacDougal St | Greenwich Village | lalanternacaffe.com

Would it really be an authentic New York City experience if you didn’t have the option to dine out at a restaurant unlike any other? 

At La Lanterna di Vittorio in Greenwich Village, you aren’t just getting the opportunity to enjoy some authentic Italian food in a quaint neighborhood with a small town vibe amidst the hustle and bustle of NYC, but you can enjoy all of that outside on their garden patio all year long!

Now, you might find yourself wondering just how comfortable it would be to eat outside in the open air during the frigid New York winters, but don’t fret about it too much. They’ve actually taken extra steps to make their garden patio feel as cozy as possible - even going as far as to install four different outdoor fireplaces to keep you toasty in the cold!

Whether you’re just looking for a nice Italian place to let loose on your next GNO or you want a perfectly romantic setting for an upcoming date, La Lanterna di Vittorio is an absolute must! 

“This is my favorite place in NY. Actually, I think it is the best ambiance/food combo. If you don't try it, you're missing out. Super great service too, basically perfect fine dining.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa to La Lanterna di Vittorio >

Via Carota

51 Grove St | West Village | viacarota.com

There are no shortage of Italian restaurants around New York City - and in The Village, in particular - but each and every one brings something a little different to the table. Some may focus on cuisine from a particular region while others hone their skills when it comes to a particular set of dishes.

At Via Carota, however, they’re taking a slightly different approach: using the methods from “old world” Italy to create modern classics you might find throughout Florence. One of their head chefs, Rita Sodi, actually grew up in an old villa in the hills just outside of Florence, and she’s brought the influences of her young life along with her to Via Carota.

Here at this Italian restaurant, you won’t just find delicious Italian cuisine crafted with impeccable recipes and beautiful presentations. You’ll also find a rustic interior design and relaxed atmosphere that will make you wonder if you’ve actually stepped back in time to an Italian villa.

“This place is simply amazing. The quality of their ingredients is top notch and the service is impeccable. We started with grilled artichokes and mushrooms with scamorza. The veggies were cooked to perfection and the natural flavors shined through.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa to Via Carota >

St Tropez

304 W 4th St | West Village | sttropezwinebar.com

While The Village is pretty well known for its Italian restaurants, that isn’t all that they can offer you - and they do other cuisines from around the world just as well! Take, for instance, their spin on cuisine from right along the French Riviera, which you can find as the main feature on menus at St Tropez in West Village.

Now, usually when you think about French cuisine, you probably think about something that comes in tiny portions and that’s overpriced. 

In some places that may be the case, but we’re here to offer up a slightly different perspective: sometimes your eyes can deceive you because French food is often perfectly portioned to fill you right up - and that’s what you’ll find with any dish at St Tropez.

Whether you’re here for brunch or dinner, you’ll find that any one of the meals on their menus here are both perfectly presented and filling. While you’re at it, order a glass of one of their wines that offer the best possible pairing with the dish you’ve ordered.

“It's a really cute French restaurant on a quaint West Village street. We got the lentil soup, grilled octopus, branzino, wild scallops, a hot chocolate cocktail (not on menu) and a bottle of chardonnay. Everything was delicious!!” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa to St Tropez >

The Little Owl

90 Bedford St | West Village | thelittleowlnyc.com

I think this restaurant still needs a little blurb/write up for it.

“Yes! Yes! Yes! Little Owl is a big delight. The venue is super cute and cozy, also fun fact: it’s located in the building used as the address for that cult tv show 'Friends'. - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa to The Little Owl >

Whether you’re just in the area and looking for a place to get a bite to eat or you’re wondering what the best places to escape to in all of New York City might be, we’ve got you covered. Let us know which one satisfied your hunger in the comments below!