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Semma Tops New York Times 2026 Restaurant Rankings, Beats Michelin Stars
An Indian restaurant in Greenwich Village leads a New York Times Cooking critics' list, while Korean fine-dining spot Atomix ranks high in North America's 50 Best.
How we reported this
New York City's restaurant scene has a new No. 1, at least according to one influential panel. Semma, an Indian restaurant in Greenwich Village, topped the 2026 New York Times Cooking list of the 10 best restaurants in the city, according to a food critics' panel. The same restaurant also ranked No. 41 on the North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 list, placing it among the continent's elite dining destinations.
The rankings come at a moment when the city's culinary landscape is more competitive than ever. With 69 Michelin-starred restaurants in New York as of the 2025 guide, according to the MICHELIN Guide, diners have an abundance of high-end options. But the 2026 lists from the Times and North America's 50 Best show a shift toward newer and more diverse cuisines taking top honors.
Korean, French and seafood at the top
Atomix, a Korean fine-dining establishment with two Michelin stars, ranked No. 2 on the New York Times Cooking list for 2026. On the North America's 50 Best list, Atomix placed No. 7 overall, the highest rank of any New York restaurant on that list. César, which also holds two Michelin stars, came in at No. 10 on the same continental ranking, making it the second-best New York restaurant on the list.
Le Bernardin, the three-Michelin-starred French seafood specialist, landed at No. 13 on the North America's 50 Best list. The restaurant also ranks No. 44 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants. Its wine program, overseen by sommelier Aldo Sohm, won the Best Sommelier accolade. Eleven Madison Park, which was No. 1 on The World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2017, remains a top-tier destination. COSME, in the Flatiron District, holds one Michelin star and ranks No. 73 on the 50 Best top 100 list.
Where to book now: hot tables and old favorites
Tatiana, located inside the renovated David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, is described as Manhattan's most desired table despite being less than a year old. For more casual fare, Ippudo is a renowned ramen spot, while Carmine's near Times Square serves oversized Italian portions for two. Time Out New York's June 2026 list of the 45 best restaurants right now includes spots at 124 E 27th St and 113 Greenwich Ave in Manhattan. Mama Lee, a Taiwanese eatery in Bayside, Queens, was ranked No. 10 among the best dining establishments in the city for 2026 by the Times panel.
TripAdvisor's July 2026 update for NYC highlights Bourbon Steak By Michael Mina, Piccola Cucina Estiatorio and Piccola Cucina Osteria as top popular restaurants. The MICHELIN Guide's 2025 edition also lists two-star venue Aska in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
For diners looking to book, the Times list and North America's 50 Best rankings offer a starting point. Tatiana remains the toughest reservation to land, according to multiple sources. Semma, at the top of the Times list, is drawing new attention. But with 69 starred restaurants and dozens of acclaimed options across Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York's dining scene shows no signs of slowing down.