Having been open since 1937 this restaurant has seen a lot and undergone its fair share of renewals. The latest revamp began in 2008 and was driven by restaurateur Keith McNally. With much of the interior remaining untouched McNallly primarily updated the cuisine, and with the help of chefs Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr, earned the Minetta Tavern its well-deserved Michelin star. With steak this exquisite, Minetta Tavern is sure to impress even the most hard-to-please gourmands (some have provocatively labelled it ‘the best steakhouse in NYC’…).

The restaurant, once known for being one of New York’s hottest hangouts for the hip, has preserved this precious rep, cultivating an exclusive and classy atmosphere, without being stuffy. A large part of the Minetta Tavern’s popularity is thanks to its ‘Parisian Steakhouse meets classic New York City tavern’ vibe. The red leather, chequered floor, dim lighting and oak bar all contribute to this allure and charm. Although the munch is focused primarily on the cholesterol inducing, there is an extensive cocktail and wine menu.

Of all the restaurants in New York, the Minetta Tavern is not only a hedonist’s favourite but, judging by its hype, a favourite with the rest of New York too – a reservation is key.