Fiaschetteria Pistoia is a tiny Italian spot in the West Village that’s great for last-second dates.

Senza Gluten is a completely gluten-free Italian spot in Greenwich Village where, if you’re trying to avoid wheat, you can get some decent pasta.

Toriko is a yakitori spot in the West Village that serves omakase menus focused on excellent grilled chicken skewers.

West-Bourne is an all-day cafe in SoHo where you can eat a great mushroom reuben or a bowl of vegetables that tastes better than it should.

Nonono is a Japanese restaurant in Nomad where you can try a ton of great food and still have an affordable dinner.

Caracas Arepa Bar serves really good arepas and frozen drinks on the boardwalk at Rockaway Beach.

Avant Garden in Williamsburg is the second location of a vegan spot we like.

Cafe Mogador is a Moroccan restaurant with a popular brunch and some outdoor seating on St Marks in the East Village.

Brooklyn Cider House is a bar, brewery, and prix-fixe restaurant in Bushwick that’s a great place to spend a night eating and drinking with a group.

Like the other locations, Quality Eats in Nomad is a steakhouse for people who don’t want to feel like they’re eating in a country club.

Modern Love serves vegan comfort food in a cool space in Williamsburg.

Like their Nolita location, Tacombi’s Bleecker street spot works for an affordable group dinner.

Ribalta is big Italian spot near Union Square that serves solid Neapolitan-style pizzas and works for fun group dinners.

Peacefood is one of our favorite vegan spots in town (and especially in Union Square). Go, but beware that the chickpea fries are addicting.

A falafel sandwich at Taim is the best thing you can get in NYC for less than $10 and also theoretically eat daily without disastrous consequences.

Avant Garden is a tiny vegan restaurant putting out some excellent, and very original food. You won’t find any veggie burgers here.