New York City is home to dozens of the world’s best Michelin-starred restaurants, many of which are found in downtown Manhattan. There are 72 throughout the city, of which a record 20 percent are Japanese restaurants like Hirohisa on West Broadway and Sushi Zo on West 3rd Street. Best of all, there is a clutch of the 2018 Michelin-starred restaurants within walking distance of the Soho Grand and Roxy hotels. Here, Grandlife curates an edit of must-visit locations with that coveted star.

Atera (Two Stars)
Reservations at Atera are some of the most coveted in the city and to dine here is something of a commitment too. Their website clearly suggests that guests allow at least 2.5 hours to get through the tasting menu ($275). The main dining room accommodates around 18 guests, which ensures a very private experience. Chef Ronny Emborg emphasizes the importance of seasonal ingredients in their purest form, creating dishes like oysters with ponzu and cheese waffles topped with fermented mushrooms. Reservations should be made at least a month in advance.
77 Worth St, New York, NY 10013; T. 212.226.1444

Jungsik (Two Stars)
Owner and Chef Jungsik Yim proposes a new genre of Korean fine dining at this two-starred restaurant, Jungsik. As with any Michelin restaurant, you really should make a reservation way in advance, especially for Jungsik where the wait for a table can be months. When you secure a table expect a menu unlike no other Korean restaurant in town. The $150 eight-course tasting menu offers gimbop, abalone and other meat and fish courses that can be paired with wines for an additional $115.
2 Harrison St, New York, NY 10013; T. 212.219.0900

Hirohisa (One Star)
Chef Hirohisa Hayashi leads the kitchen at Hirohisa and brings to it an influence from the countryside of Japan, which is known for its delicious rice and sake. Their nine-course chef’s tasting menu is heavy on fresh fish – scallops, king crab, octopus, all of the highest quality. But the chef’s tasting menu is just a hint of the culinary mastery you will find at Hirohisa. Try the steamed egg custard with lobster and sea urchin and, of course, any of their amazing sashimi and sushi plates.
73 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012; T. 212.925.1613

L’Appart (One Star)
One of the distinguishing features of L’Appart is the dinning room, which is fashioned after a chef’s apartment. Here, Chef Nicolas “Nico” Abello works from an open kitchen that faces onto a cozy, chic dinning room. Abello, who trained with Pierre Gagnaire in London and Gérard Vié in France, has created a tasting menu ($150 and $90 for wine pairing) that reflects his experience in Europe and New York. Expect hors d’oeuvres like artichokes with goat cheese and truffle. L’Appart also offers a fancy caviar service with an amazing wine selection.
225 Liberty St, New York, NY 10281; T. 212.981.8577

Musket Room (One Star)
New Zealand born chef and co-owner Matt Lambert charts the culinary history of his country at this Michelin Star eatery in Nolita. Lambert spent years working in New York kitchens and brings a new take on American cuisine to the menu with artfully composed dishes like foie gras torchon with date, granny smith and hazelnut, and New Zealand red deer with flavors of gin. Musket Room’s tasting menu is $150 per person with a beverage pairing starting from $110.
265 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012; T. 212.219.0764

Sushi Zo (One Star)
“Omakase,” is a seasonally-focused Japanese style chef’s choice meal and the model adopted by downtown restaurant Sushi Zo. The multi-course tasting menu takes its cues from the fundamentals of traditional sushi. This posh Greenwich Village restaurant offers a constantly evolving tasting menu (around $160 per person), which focuses on the most exceptional fish and meticulously cooked rice found in the city.
88 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012; T. 646.405.4826

Words by Rocky Casale

New York City is home to dozens of the world’s best Michelin-starred restaurants, many of which are found in downtown Manhattan. There are 72 throughout the city, of which a record 20 percent are Japanese restaurants like Hirohisa on West Broadway and Sushi Zo on West 3rd Street. Best of all, there is a clutch of the 2018 Michelin-starred restaurants within walking distance of the Soho Grand and Roxy hotels. Here, Grandlife curates an edit of must-visit locations with that coveted star.

Atera (Two Stars)
Reservations at Atera are some of the most coveted in the city and to dine here is something of a commitment too. Their website clearly suggests that guests allow at least 2.5 hours to get through the tasting menu ($275). The main dining room accommodates around 18 guests, which ensures a very private experience. Chef Ronny Emborg emphasizes the importance of seasonal ingredients in their purest form, creating dishes like oysters with ponzu and cheese waffles topped with fermented mushrooms. Reservations should be made at least a month in advance.
77 Worth St, New York, NY 10013; T. 212.226.1444

Jungsik (Two Stars)
Owner and Chef Jungsik Yim proposes a new genre of Korean fine dining at this two-starred restaurant, Jungsik. As with any Michelin restaurant, you really should make a reservation way in advance, especially for Jungsik where the wait for a table can be months. When you secure a table expect a menu unlike no other Korean restaurant in town. The $150 eight-course tasting menu offers gimbop, abalone and other meat and fish courses that can be paired with wines for an additional $115.
2 Harrison St, New York, NY 10013; T. 212.219.0900

Hirohisa (One Star)
Chef Hirohisa Hayashi leads the kitchen at Hirohisa and brings to it an influence from the countryside of Japan, which is known for its delicious rice and sake. Their nine-course chef’s tasting menu is heavy on fresh fish – scallops, king crab, octopus, all of the highest quality. But the chef’s tasting menu is just a hint of the culinary mastery you will find at Hirohisa. Try the steamed egg custard with lobster and sea urchin and, of course, any of their amazing sashimi and sushi plates.
73 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012; T. 212.925.1613

L’Appart (One Star)
One of the distinguishing features of L’Appart is the dinning room, which is fashioned after a chef’s apartment. Here, Chef Nicolas “Nico” Abello works from an open kitchen that faces onto a cozy, chic dinning room. Abello, who trained with Pierre Gagnaire in London and Gérard Vié in France, has created a tasting menu ($150 and $90 for wine pairing) that reflects his experience in Europe and New York. Expect hors d’oeuvres like artichokes with goat cheese and truffle. L’Appart also offers a fancy caviar service with an amazing wine selection.
225 Liberty St, New York, NY 10281; T. 212.981.8577

Musket Room (One Star)
New Zealand born chef and co-owner Matt Lambert charts the culinary history of his country at this Michelin Star eatery in Nolita. Lambert spent years working in New York kitchens and brings a new take on American cuisine to the menu with artfully composed dishes like foie gras torchon with date, granny smith and hazelnut, and New Zealand red deer with flavors of gin. Musket Room’s tasting menu is $150 per person with a beverage pairing starting from $110.
265 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012; T. 212.219.0764

Sushi Zo (One Star)
“Omakase,” is a seasonally-focused Japanese style chef’s choice meal and the model adopted by downtown restaurant Sushi Zo. The multi-course tasting menu takes its cues from the fundamentals of traditional sushi. This posh Greenwich Village restaurant offers a constantly evolving tasting menu (around $160 per person), which focuses on the most exceptional fish and meticulously cooked rice found in the city.
88 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012; T. 646.405.4826

Words by Rocky Casale