1. Gemma
8.3
335 Bowery (btwn E 2nd & E 3rd St), New York, NY
Italian Restaurant · East Village · 192 tips and reviews
Danyel Smith: get the pasta w/oxtail ragu. also the watercress and pear salad. excellent.
Lee Hoffman: The truffle pizza is amazing, and the watercress / pear salad (add grilled chicken) is fantastic.
amy pelletier: Tasty steak & branzino, also go for the watercress salad.
4. Caravan of Dreams
7.7
405 E 6th St (btwn Avenue A & 1st Ave), New York, NY
Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant · East Village · 68 tips and reviews
Jeni Juana: Chai latte, actually worth the $5
nymag: Moby raved about the seitan taquitos here - in his New York Diet, he called the mini-tacos topped with pineapple, guacamole, and salsa "spectacular." Read more.
Gagan Rana: If you want good vegan food in E Village, go to Lan Cafe for bombtacular vegan Bahn mi sandwiches
5. Narcissa
25 Cooper Sq (at E 5th St), New York, NY
New American Restaurant · East Village · 163 tips and reviews
J.R. Reed: Carrot fries, duck breast, spinach!
The New Yorker: “There’s nothing remotely rustic about the crowd, many of whom seem to be V.I.P.s ... But when it comes to the food, the grange concept rings true.” Read more.
Eater: At this sunny new restaurant in The Standard East Village, John Fraser is serving an inspired version of California cuisine. The roasted beets, carrots Wellington, and lamb saddle are early standouts.
7. Boulton & Watt
7.9
5 Avenue A (at W Houston St), New York, NY
Gastropub · East Village · 197 tips and reviews
Rick Meier: Oyster omlette is great! Brunch drinks are stong, even better!
The Wall Street Journal: Particularly creative are the small house-made jars of pickles, including okra with garlic and caraway seeds and Brussels sprouts with garlic and dill ($5 a jar, or $15 for three). Read more.
Nicole Cifani: Power plugs under the bar
8. Cafe Mogador
9.1
101 Saint Marks Pl (btwn 1st Ave & Avenue A), New York, NY
Moroccan Restaurant · East Village · 402 tips and reviews
Sonya Doshi: Breakfast eggplant sandwich for the win. Falafels are also a great appetizer.
Bravo: This is the place to go for Morraccan food. The tagines are so flavorful. I can't have a meal without the merquen sausage. Eric Wolitzky, Top Chef Just Desserts
Ellis Hamburger: If you're interested in thick chewy amazing cheese, GET the halumi eggs.
9. Yuca Bar & Restaurant
7.8
111 Avenue A (at E 7th St), New York, NY
Tapas Restaurant · East Village · 246 tips and reviews
Aixa Avellino: My favorite spot to meet with my friends. Sangrias are deliciously deathly.
Teresa W: go on Tuesday for half price tapas. order the guac, vegetarian arepa, steak taquitos. down a pitcher of red sangria. write me a thank you letter later.
Sharon Chen: Go on Tuesday and 1/2 priced tapas and drinks! I recommended the caipirinha. Or go on any other day to get 3 sample tasting of their ceviche! It's worth totally worth it!