The NYC Restaurants Rachael Ray Can't Get Enough Of

Often, you can be convinced by a friend or a family member to go out and try a new restaurant. As such, it stands to reason that when a celebrity chef, whose culinary knowledge almost certainly exceeds that of your friends and family, expresses their opinions about an eatery, you should listen.

In 2018, Business Insider asked several celebrity chefs about their greatest dining experiences. Alex Guarnaschelli recalled a simple pesto pasta that she ate at Nice, France's La Merenda, describing the dish as, "... an ethereal meal that changed my life." Curtis Stone had his best bites at Rioja, Spain's Restaurante Alameda, in the form of a juicy steak. And the now-closed Spanish restaurant elBulli changed "culinary mankind," according to José Andrés.

If you find yourself in New York City, you might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of places to eat. However, you could listen to Rachael Ray, who recommends a variety of restaurants around the city.

In a 2022 interview with TimeOut New York, Rachael Ray shared some of the eateries that make up her list of New York City must-visits. The first establishment she named was Via Carota. The well-known restaurant is characterized by rustic decor, and the menu is filled with classic Italian dishes, such as poplette, or Sicilian meatballs, and coniglio fritto (fried rabbit). There's also an extensive wine and cocktail list.

Ray also told TimeOut New York that she'll often hit up the bar across the street from Via Carota, Bar Pisellino. It's also an Italian-inspired establishment that wants to pay homage to Italian drinking culture. The Bar Pisellino menu centers around classic Italian cocktails, such as the negroni, and it also features espresso drinks. Additionally, Bar Pisellino offers a selection of small food plates, as well as apertivi, or aperitif cocktails.

Per TimeOut New York, Rachael Ray also enjoys dining at a pair of Michelin-starred Mexican restaurants, Brooklyn's Oxomoco and Long Island City's Casa Enrique. Oxomoco has a relatively small menu that centers around simple dishes, such as tacos and tostadas. Casa Enrique is owned and operated by chef Cosme Aguilar, and its menu is inspired by his upbringing in Chiapas, a state in southern Mexico.

In the same TimeOut New York interview, Ray said she likes to stop at Ippudo, a ramen restaurant that seeks to "... introduce Japan's beloved gastronomic culture to the world." She also enjoys the Michael Solomonov restaurant Laser Wolf, an Israeli skewer house.

If you're looking to check out a newer NYC establishment, Ray also told TimeOut New York that the Tin Building by Jean-Georges, a multi-restaurant hub in lower Manhattan, is another one of her favorite spots.