🚕 This Weekend’s Must-Eats in NYC

Good Morning NY!

This weekend’s edition is packed with everything from can’t-miss food events to major shake-ups across the city.

We’re rounding up the hottest pop-ups and limited-time eats worth planning your weekend around.

There’s also a fresh wave of new openings making noise across multiple neighborhoods and cuisines.

At the same time, several notable closures are highlighting the ongoing challenges facing NYC restaurants.

And finally, the Health Department has stepped in with multiple shutdowns that are raising serious concerns across the dining scene.

Just Opened: NYC’s Latest Food & Drink Spots

The Infatuation has published an updated guide to new restaurant and bar openings in New York City.

The article covers promising spots that have opened over the past few months.

Not all of these restaurants have been visited and reviewed yet by the team.

The guide directs readers to the Hit List for fully reviewed favorites.

It highlights a wide variety of cuisines and concepts, including many international influences.

Trends include frozen yogurt shops, various pizza styles, unique coffee and tea spots, cocktail bars, fast-casual options, vegan concepts, seafood boils, rotisserie chicken, and new bakeries.

Many openings come from expanding chains or teams behind already popular restaurants.

The guide spans multiple neighborhoods across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond.

It serves as a helpful resource for discovering the latest dining options in a very active New York City restaurant scene.

This Weekend’s Must-Eats in NYC

This weekend brings exciting food pop-ups and limited events across New York City.

Solo Diner is hosting a Kamayan dinner in Brooklyn on Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m.

The family-style Fil-Am spread centers around lechon and costs $125 including drinks.

Arroces Paella Rave Vol. 3 takes place at Dead Letter No. 9 in Brooklyn on Saturday, May 2 from 2–8 p.m.

The menu features Pernil Paella, Scallion Pancake Crab Rangoon, and Shrimp Octopus Croquettas with house music.

Papitropical × Mercado Andine appears at The Corner Bar in Queens on Saturday starting at 2 p.m.

Baby’s Buns & Buckets sets up at Other Half Brewing in Domino Park from Saturday to Sunday starting at 5 p.m.

The Thai American spot serves Grilled Honey Pork Sandwich, Tofu Sloppy Joes, and Thai Spicy Fries.

Aish × Bazm residency continues at With Others in Brooklyn through Sunday, May 3 with Iranian-inspired sharing dishes.

These events showcase creative immigrant flavors and limited-time experiences worth seeking out this weekend.

Several Notable NYC Restaurant Closures

Eater NY has updated its guide tracking restaurants, bars, and cafes that closed in May 2026.

Mah-Ze-Dahr, the celebrated bakery with fans like Oprah, closed its last storefront in Brookfield Place on April 30.

Caputo Bakery, the iconic five-generation Italian bakery in Carroll Gardens, closed on April 27 after 120 years.

Dae, the minimalist cafe, wine bar, and Korean-leaning restaurant in Carroll Gardens, closed after three years.

Rossy’s Bakery & Café in the East Village closed after 16 years due to rising costs.

Japonica, the nearly 50-year-old sushi institution in Greenwich Village, closed on April 24.

Estancia Piola in Gowanus closed after two years.

Unregular Pizza on the Upper East Side closed after less than two years.

Anbā, the 10-seat omakase counter on the Lower East Side, closed after a short run.

Hou Yi Hot Pot on the Lower East Side closed after 14 years.

These closures reflect the ongoing pressures facing many long-standing and newer establishments in New York City.

The 19 Hottest New Restaurants in NYC Right Now

The Infatuation has updated its Hit List with the 19 best new restaurants in New York City as of May 1, 2026.

Marcel in the Upper East Side is a dramatic French restaurant inside the former Frick Collection building.

Bar Bruno in Carroll Gardens now serves flavorful enchiladas and chile rellenos under new management.

Cote 550 in Midtown is a clubby, high-energy Korean BBQ spot featuring a Butcher’s Feast.

Kunafa Bites in Astoria specializes in hot, honey-soaked kunafa and fresh Palestinian desserts.

Cleo Downtown in the West Village focuses on rotisserie chicken with excellent sauces and sides.

Bar Ferdinando in Carroll Gardens revives the historic Ferdinando’s space as an all-day Italian cafe and bar.

Arthur in Greenpoint is a warm neighborhood bistro with standout dishes like beef tartare.

Malvan in Cobble Hill serves coastal Indian food with strong coconut and spice flavors.

Dean’s in Soho is a British pub offering stargazy pie and fish and chips with mostly walk-in seating.

L’Industrie Pizzeria’s third location in Little Italy continues to deliver high-quality slices.

These spots represent some of the most exciting new dining options across the city.

The Hit List helps diners track the best recent openings generating strong buzz right now.

NYC Health Department Orders Seven Restaurants Closed

The New York City Health Department ordered seven restaurants closed between April 24 and May 1, 2026.

In Manhattan, Sutton Cafe at 1026 1st Avenue was closed with 10 violation points due to mice evidence and harborage conditions.

In Brooklyn, Commune at 415 Classon Avenue received 89 points for multiple critical violations including improper sewage disposal and no potable water supply.

El Comedor Restaurante at 5621 5th Avenue was cited with 59 points for dishwashing deficiencies, mice evidence, and cross-contamination issues.

Chocolate Connects at 994 Coney Island Avenue had 12 points for mice evidence and unclean equipment.

In Queens, Halal Krispy Fried Chicken & Pizza at 179-33 Hillside Avenue received 19 points for pesticide misuse and vermin evidence.

New Spicy House at 133-35 Roosevelt Avenue was closed with 64 points for live roaches, mice and rats evidence, and improper sewage.

Farmers Kitchen at 111-32 Farmers Blvd. had 11 points for live roaches and mice/rats evidence.

These closures were triggered by serious public health hazards that could not be resolved during inspections.

Thanks

Thanks for reading NYC Bites today! If you found something useful, please share it with someone who loves food and NYC.

Want to advertise in our newsletter? Fill out this form here and we will be in touch shortly!

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign-up to get it.

Have a question or need support? Contact us.