BEST DISHES in New York in 2025: Numbers 5-1

I’m counting down the 10 best dishes I tasted in 2025…

This was the year where I surrendered to the fact that I won’t experience every single viral dish in the city and, frankly, realized I don’t really want to. While a few of the hottest and most in-demand bites found their way on my list, so did some simple under-the-radar dishes that I haven’t stopped thinking about since trying them. 

And, now here are my Top Ten Dishes of the Year:

NUMBER 5: IRISH BREAD SCONE at MARY O’S

This one does (for good reason) appear on lots of year-end lists (not to mention dozens of Tik Tok feeds). When Mary O’Halloran turned her pandemic hobby into a second East Village food business, the crowds certainly came. I was hoping for something great here, but I was not prepared to be so wowed by these delicacies. The crunchy exterior of these scones feature browned bits and is layered with nutty caramelized flavor, while the interior is soft, fluffy and all buttery goodness. Think somewhere between a scone, muffin, and American biscuit. The richness is foiled by the high quality sweet blackberry jam. I can’t think of many businesses specializing in Irish soda bread scones and here’s a warning to anybody who dares: you can’t get better than Mary O’s. Price: $6

NUMBER 4: BÁNH CUÔN HA NOI at BANH AN EHM

Ban Anh Em was definitely one of my favorite meals of the year. Hard to choose a favorite dish here, but I can’t forget about the Bánh Cuốn Ha Noi. The delicate rice paper holds together a filling of sweet ground pork, shrimp, and wood ear mushrooms. Topped with cilantro and fried shallots, this dish had lots for the eyes and mouth. Flavors and textures ran deep with notes of garlic, pepper, and sweet porky goodness. They were irresistible and are impossible to stop popping one bite after another. Price: $14.95

NUMBER 3: GRILLED PRAWN at MARKETTE

Even more exciting than the excellent plump, meaty prawn at Markette were its surroundings: a rich spiced tomato bouillabaisse and a healthy garnish of chili crisp with puffed rice. I could have sworn the food runner introduced it as “granola” and so my mind went there and I found the slightly sweet-spicy and very crunchy chili crisp to be a very creative and surprising turn. Whether my mind played tricks on me or not, this was one spectacular dish. Price: $29

NUMBER 2: STEAK TROMPO TACO at SANTO TACO

Tacos continued to be big this year. And the specialty of Santo Taco takes the crown. Peppery sirloin is cooked on a spinning rotisserie (think al pastor or shawarma) and then sliced impeccably thin. No scattered bits of meat here – just a long super thin steak. Crisp and charred, but also chewy and tender, the textures here are out of control. Flavorwise, we got big beefy salty notes and it doesn’t feel fatty or unctuous despite the healthy marbling. If you only try one of the new taco spots, I have to say this is the place. Price: $6.95

NUMBER 1: TURKEY SWISS CROISSANT at HANI’S BAKERY

Hani’s is incredible. I literally said wow out loud at least three times while walking with this masterpiece down the street. I’ve never had anything like this before as the buttery crackly croissant pastry breaks open to reveal a filling of savory turkey, Swiss cheese, and gochujang. The entire thing is glazed with a salted honey which might be too much if it weren’t for the other ingredients. The fermented Korean chili paste provides a funky, unique spice build balancing the ingredients and taming the sweetness. The only word that keeps coming to mind is “Wow!” And that’s why I’ve made sure they’re part of my Village to Village Tour – come try it for yourself. Price: $7