From time to time, CulturalXplorer.com, a site passionate about sharing food finds, likes to feature various foods and restaurants from around the world.

In this article, different restaurants will be featured from my hometown of New York City by my friend and professional chef Shaquay Peacock. Shaquay really knows her stuff when it comes to food, so I thought, who better to ask about things to eat and drink and New York City than a personal chef?

Check out her personal recommendations, and if you have recommendations of places that you feel should be added to this list, share them in the comment section below!

Which restaurants or pizzerias make the best pizza in New York City?

You can find good pizza all over New York City, but you can find great pizza at Gaby’s in Hollis and Tre Otto on the Upper East Side.

  • Gaby’s Pizza – 204-23 Hillside Avenue, Hollis, NY 11423
  • Tre Otto – 1410 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029

What are the best Asian restaurants in New York City?

For Japanese, try Totto Ramen in the Hells Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan and for Thai,  try Ngam Restaurant in the East Village.

Where can you find the best steak in New York City?

I believe that the best steaks in New York City can be found at Ricardo’s Steakhouse in East Harlem and the Peter Luger Steak House in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

What is your favorite rooftop bar in New York City?

My absolute favorite rooftop bar in all of New York City is 230 Fifth in the Flatiron neighborhood of Manhattan.

  • 230 Fifth – 230 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10001

What are some of your favorite brunch spots in New York City?

New York City has a lot of great brunch spots. My favorite at the moment are MangoSeed in Brooklyn, Stanton Social in Manhattan, Sweet Chick in Brooklyn, and SoCo in Brooklyn.

  • MangoSeed – 1901, 757 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226
  • Stanton Social – 99 Stanton St, New York, NY 10002
  • Sweet Chick – 164 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
  • SoCo – 509 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

What are your 3 favorite restaurants in NYC?

Similar to the brunch spots, New York City also has a lot of great restaurants. My three favorite are all in Manhattan and they are Barbounia in the Flatiron neighborhood, Totto Ramen in Hells Kitchen, and ABC Kitchen in Gramercy.

  • Barbounia– 250 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10003
  • Totto Ramen – 366 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
  • ABC Kitchen – 35 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003

Best restaurant in uptown Manhattan?

There are a lot of great restaurants in uptown Manhattan, but my favorite is The Cecil in Harlem.

Best restaurants in Brooklyn?

My favorite restaurants in Brooklyn are Verde on Smith in Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Crab in Red Hook.

Best restaurant in Queens?

  • Fatty’s Café – 45-17 28th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103

Best places to get cheap quick eats in NYC?

  • Gueros – 605 Prospect Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238

 Best fine dining in NYC?

  • ABC Kitchen – 35 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003
  • Eleven Madison Park – 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010

Best places for the solo diner?

  • Totto Ramen – 366 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
  • Anywhere that has bar seating

The best place to dine with a group?

For more of Shaquay’s foodie tips, check out her website ChefShaquay.com.