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Spring—she’s officially here. As the colder weather slowly phases out for greener views and warmer temps, our restaurant scene begins to heat up as well.
Looking at our list of anticipated restaurants and bars opening this season, you may have a sense of déjà vu. Worry not: a number of entrants were featured on our list of anticipated of the year, including a three-time James Beard Award winner cooking inside the recently opened Printemps and the second act from the Momofuku team. Yet, there is more to look forward to this season, as alongside them you'll find a queer bar from one of the city's finest wine professionals and a three-in-one concept from Please Don't Tell, the first offshoot from the team in almost 20 years. Simply put, this season is set to bloom. So venture outside and get to exploring.
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Kabawa, Bowery
Opening: March 25
Phase one of chef Paul Carmichael’s arrival in New York is already complete, marked by the opening of the wine and daiquiri bar, Bar Kabawa. The celebration of Caribbean culture continues with the coming of Kabawa. Bringing his Barbadian roots to the plate, Kabawa will feature the flavors of the Caribbean via a three-course tasting menu. Reservations are now available on OpenTable if you want to make it to opening week.
Maison Passerelle, Financial District
Opening: April
Today, Printemps officially opened at One Wall Street. Adding to the French allure of it all is the coming of Maison Passerelle. Located inside the luxury retail store, Maison Passerelle will be run by Top Chef finalist and three-time James Beard Award winner chef Gregory Gourdet. His restaurant will explore France’s colonial legacy with dry-aged NY strip steak rubbed in Haitian coffees and spices and West African stews. April reservations are currently open on Resy.
Leonessa, Downtown Manhattan
Opening: April
Hot off her opening of Heroes last fall, Ariel Arce is back at it again. And this time she is taking her talents to the sky. Opening her very first hotel bar, Arce is opening Leonessa inside the Conrad New York Downtown. A love letter to Italy, the 16th-floor outdoor terrace will be transformed with lush lemon trees and a fountain, making for a prime environment to sip on spritzes, bitters and martinis.
Papa d’Amour, West Village
Opening: May 2025
Dominique Ansel’s upcoming project is a soft spot for him. After all, the name, Papa d’Amour, is his children’s nickname for him. His coming bakery is dedicated to them and will explore their Taiwanese and French backgrounds through soft milk breads, fluffy steamed buns and egg tarts.
The Dynamo Room, midtown
Opening: April
Sunday Hospitality has been behind some of New York’s favorites, including home-style Japanese cuisine at Rule of Thirds and Hotel Chelsea's French-American bistro, Café Chelsea. Their next act will open up in the Penn District and it's sure to be just as dynamic. Named after Thomas Edison's first electric generator room in New York, The Dynamo Room is a modern steakhouse and raw bar that channels the classic history of NYC set to a modern lens.
Teruko, Chelsea
Opening: April/May
Speaking of Sunday Hospitality, the team along with partner Charles Seich is opening another restaurant inside Hotel Chelsea. Adding to their roster of restaurants inside the hotel, including Café Chelsea and El Quijote, which they now oversee, Teruko will open later this spring. Chef Tadashi Ono (formerly of Matsuri) will oversee the sushi bar and kitchen, serving classic Japanese dishes, robata and sushi. The restaurant's name tells a story, named after acclaimed Japanese and Swiss artist Teruko Yokoi. Once a long-time resident of Hotel Chelsea, Yokoi’s original art pieces will be prominently featured in the restaurant.
I Cavallini, Williamsburg
Opening: May
The Four Horseman team’s coming restaurant is found just a few steps away from their home base on Grand Street. Led by chef Nick Curtola, I Cavallini will dip its toes in the cuisine of Italy. With double the space compared to its award-winning sister bar, the 70-seat restaurant will also feature cocktails and plenty (and we mean plenty) of natural wine.
Beautiful Eyes, Bowery
Opening: Spring
The multifaceted Miguel de Leon is a writer, a Michelin-starred sommelier and an outspoken voice for the LGBTQ+ communities. His next act balances all of his worlds under one roof. In tandem with his team at Pinch Chinese, Beautiful Eyes is billed as a “Queer Filipino wine bar on the Bowery.” Known for his Filipino pop-ups about town, chef Lj Almendras will put Pinoy culture at the forefront. The vibey bar will house karaoke and a DJ stand.
One Cornelia, West Village
Opening: Spring
Please Don’t Tell (also referred to as PDT) is emerging from its basement dwelling to give us a new concept, their first in nearly 20 years. Coming onto the scene in a big way, the team is soon to unveil One Cornelia, a three-in-one concept in the West Village. The street level will soon unveil Los Angeles-based taqueria, Tacos 1986, known for its Tijuana-style tacos, and Mixteca, an agave bar run by long-time PDT bartender Victor Lopez. Forever lovers of the underground, the coming space will also house a luxe subterranean bar, its name has yet to be released.