This Is Daniel Boulud’s Ultimate Guide to Eating in New York City

Although he was born and raised in the countryside of France, Chef Daniel Boulud’s acclaimed career has become intimately tied to New York City. He earned large-scale recognition in his role as the executive chef of Le Cirque in Manhattan’s Upper East Side during the late ’80s and opened his first restaurant, Daniel, in the same neighborhood in 1993 — but that’s just the beginning. 

The 1988 Food & Wine Best New Chef has more than 20 restaurants around the world, 13 of which are located in New York. He’s also lived — and eaten — in the city for several decades, learning everything there is to know about the Manhattan dining scene.

To tap into Daniel Boulud’s expertise, content creator Isaac Hindin-Miller recently asked the renowned chef about his favorite dining spots in New York City. Hindin-Miller, known for sharing must-visit locations recommended by influential figures like Tommy Hilfiger and FKA Twigs, naturally turned to Boulud for food tips—and he didn’t disappoint. From the best pastries to his go-to steak frites, here’s where Daniel Boulud says you should eat while in town.

Best place for pasta

According to Boulud, one of his favorite dinner spots is Four Twenty Five, a restaurant from fellow French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. This upscale spot has been recognized both for its American and Italian menu items — which include delicate pastas like a celery root ravioli with black winter truffle and perfectly cooked proteins such as a wagyu NY strip steak — and its lofty, striking design. If you get the chance to go, Boulud notes that he’s especially a fan of the pasta because it’s created by executive chef Jonathan Benno, who happens to be a 2006 Food & Wine Best New Chef. 425 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022

Best bar

I’m going to take a guess that Daniel Boulud appreciates a good martini because he named Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle his favorite watering hole in the city. Since opening in the 1940s, this bar has been known for its glamorous decor and old-school charm — with illustrations from artist and children’s book author Ludwig Bemelman adorning the walls — as well as its icy cold, perfect martinis. 35 E 76th Street, New York, NY 10021

Best steak frites

For the classic French dish, Daniel Boulud (justifiably) says the best restaurant is his own. The chef opened his New York-French steak house La Tête d’Or fairly recently, in November 2024. This is the kind of place you visit for a celebration or special date night, and the prices reflect that, but you’ll be rewarded with great quality meat in opulent surroundings. Reviews often note the fries as a standout on the menu, so opting for the steak frites like the restaurant’s owner is undoubtedly the best move. 318 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010

Best burger

Even if you’ve never been to New York City, you’ve likely heard of Boulud’s favorite place to grab a burger: Shake Shack. What you might not have known is that the fast-casual chain was founded in the Big Apple — so if you’ve never tried it, there’s no better place to enjoy one of its lightly smashed burgers on a soft potato bun, paired with crinkle-cut fries and a milkshake. Multiple locations throughout NYC

Best pizza

For one of the city’s most famous bites, the restaurateur says he heads to Stretch Pizza. This casual but cute pizzeria is by renowned chef Wylie Dufresne and the owner of Breads Bakery, Gadi Peleg. It’s not a slice shop where you stand while eating, but it isn’t overly fussy either. Stretch is committed to the classic New York style of pizza, so you’ll find a thin and crispy crust with just the right amount of chew. Boulud also notes that he loves the wood-fired pizza from Mel’s, which unfortunately closed to the public just a few weeks ago, but is still available for private events. 331 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010

Best pastries

There are two bakeries included in this list of top-notch recommendations, and either one will deliver delicate, artfully crafted pastries. First up is Lysée, the French and Korean dessert gallery from 2023 Food & Wine Best New Chef Eunji Lee. She takes the word gallery seriously, and her desserts are presented in an elegant, museum-like setting. Each pastry is treated as a work of art, resulting in delicate, flawlessly designed patisserie — one of the most famous items is a corn mousse cake that looks exactly like a (very cute) corn cob. 

Boulud also gives a nod to Dominique Ansel, a bakery chain founded by its eponymous French chef, who’s best known for creating the cronut. Lysée, 4 E 21st Street, New York, NY 10010; Dominique Ansel, two locations in Manhattan

Best chocolate

To snag another great sweet treat, Boulud suggests one of the most famous chocolatiers in the world. Jacques Torres is another fellow French chef with a focus on pastries and — above all else — chocolate. His confectionery Jacques Torres Chocolate has multiple locations in New York City, including its flagship location in Brooklyn’s trendy Dumbo neighborhood. Head to any of them for decadent chocolate bars, bonbons, hot chocolate, cookies, and more. Two locations, one in Brooklyn and one in Manhattan

Where he wants to go next

Although he hasn’t visited these establishments yet, Boulud says he’s dying to try two new bistros in his favorite neighborhood, the Upper East Side. Chez Fifi serves sophisticated dishes like a classic beef tartare and black bass with beurre blanc, while Cafe Commerce doles out slightly more comforting items such as chicken schnitzel and a rigatoni carbonara. Chez Fifi, 40 E 74th Street, New York, NY 10021; Cafe Commerce, 964 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10021