NYC's Newest Culinary Hotspots: February 2025

This week saw a flurry of exciting restaurant openings across NYC, offering a diverse range of cuisines and experiences. From a resurrected Thai favorite to a high-end Korean BBQ joint, here's a taste of what's new:

Thai Flavors Reign Supreme

Hungry Thirsty in Carroll Gardens is a new Thai restaurant born from the ashes of the beloved Ugly Baby. Three former Ugly Baby employees took over the space and continue the tradition of delicious spicy Thai food.

Caribbean Delights in the East Village

Momofuku's latest venture, Bar Kabawa, brings casual Caribbean fare to the East Village. Expect raw bar selections, Caribbean patties, and creative rum-based cocktails. A more formal dining experience at Kabawa will be coming in mid-March.

Beyond the Expected

Several other notable openings include:

• Damballa: A new Bushwick bar with cocktails, music, and Haitian-inspired vibes.
• Lulla’s Bakery: An East Williamsburg bakery offering Venezuelan pastries and evening wine service.
• Vinile: A Flatiron Italian chophouse serving steakhouse classics with a twist (and records!).
• Liar Liar: Gowanus's new natural wine bar with small plates and a focus on accessibility.
• Melba’s Grand Central: A takeout-only outpost of the popular Harlem restaurant in Grand Central Terminal, known for its Southern comfort food.
• Jeong Yuk Jeom: A high-end Korean BBQ spot in Koreatown, featuring premium cuts of meat for DIY grilling.
• Chicken Guy!: Guy Fieri's return to Times Square with his new chicken concept (though it's been here since last weekend!).
• Somedays Bakery: A new Long Island City location for this popular Astoria bakery.
• La Noxe Trinity: A stylish new bar in Morningside Heights with a dress code, cocktails, and New American cuisine.
• Taboonia: Druze food stand is opening its first restaurant in Manhattan, serving delicious pitas and hummus.
• Crevette: A new West Village restaurant from the Dame and Lord's team, bringing Southern France flavors to NYC.
• Ren: A modern Sichuan restaurant in Williamsburg focusing on sustainable, seasonal ingredients.

This is just a snapshot of the vibrant and evolving NYC food scene!