What’s new in New York City

‘It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story,’ said Agatha Christie. More than 60 years later, the Queen of Crime’s words still hold true. The Big Apple is a constantly changing beast: an enigma that, just as you think you’ve cracked it, coils itself into a new form for you to get your head around once more.

That is what makes it the ideal return city break. Each time you travel there’s a new restaurant, hotel or show to try. And with many launches delayed by Covid-19, this year has brought an even greater glut of openings – making it the perfect time to visit.

So, whether it’s your first time in New York or your 100th, which of the latest additions are worth seeing? 

Where to eat

The restaurant everyone, from the New York Times to Forbes, is talking about is Mark’s Off Madison ­­– or, as the locals call it, M.O.M. M.O.M fuses upmarket Italo-Americani cuisine with chef-owner Mark Strausman’s Jewish heritage. An intoxicating waft of freshly baked bagels, bialy and babka welcomes you on entry (M.O.M also does a banging brunch). Come at aperitivo hour (5 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.) to sip negronis and munch cicchetti, but stay for dinner too. The panzanella salad is an explosion of Tuscan sunshine and the lobster fettuccine is so silky smooth it’s like slipping into a balmy Mediterranean lagoon.

Not exactly a newbie to New York’s dining scene, Russ & Daughters has been serving Jewish delicacies to locals for more than 100 years. However the family’s latest joint – a glass bakery and takeaway in Brooklyn – has caused something of a buzz. Come and watch the chefs artfully spinning bagels and twirling babkas – and make sure to pick up a classic salmon and cream cheese bagel.

Kaiseki Room by Yamada is another hotly tipped new opening, offering an 11-course hyper-seasonal Japanese tasting menu.

And it’s not just new restaurants but a whole new trend that is taking New York’s dining scene by storm – the rise of top-quality Mexican food, previously the preserve of Los Angeles. Pink’s Cantina – which has two outposts in central Manhattan – is the perfect example of how traditional NYC grub is blending with Mexican cooking. The Latino-American chef duo at its helm (Chano Hernandez from Oaxaca and local Derrick Prince) have created a superb menu with fusion favourites such as the barbecue beef brisket quesadilla – exploding with molten cheese – and addictive buffalo-chicken blue cheese tacos. Add tasty cocktails, classic rock tunes and top-notch beers for a real winner.

Where to stay

Williamsburg has become the go-to place for hot hotel openings. The Shoreditch of NYC, its streets are lined with artisan pizza joints, craft beer bars and kitschy antique shops.

One of the latest is the Hotel Indigo Williamsburg, which launched pre-pandemic but recently reopened following a refurbishment. Although not the prettiest from the outside, the hotel has introduced sleek modern design into the sprawling lobby, which is decked out in muted Scandi-style with retro sofas and a stylish chrome bar. The rooms are huge, with statement rugs and floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s an outdoor pool, which (unlike most of those in the city) is actually large enough for swimming. The hotel sits pretty much on top of Metropolitan Avenue subway station, so is well connected, and prices start from $300 (£255).

Another local favourite is the Williamsburg Hotel, which opened in 2017 but is still pulling in visitors. The exposed brick facade and mock water tower (in fact a swanky bar) on its roof emulate the industrial warehouses that Williamsburg was once known for. The view from the rooftop over Manhattan's skyscrapers is one of the best around and there are bikes you can borrow to zip over the bridge to the centre.

But if Williamsburg is more up-and-come than up-and-coming, the city’s next rising stars are Bushwick and Washington Heights. Sitting just south-east of Williamsburg, Bushwick is where outpriced hipsters have moved to. Here the coffees are cheaper and the vintage stores quirkier. Hotel options are still thin on the ground, though, so best to stay in Williamsburg and stroll over.

Home to a vibrant Latin American community, Washington Heights is the perfect place to stroll in summer with an ice-cold piragua (Puerto Rican shaved ice) or Cuban roast pork sandwich in hand.

What to see

Climbing a tall building is a New York rite of passage. The latest to grace its skyline is One Vanderbilt. At its summit is a hall of mirrors, modern art installations, a swanky café-bar and never-ending views. Entry tickets cost from $39 (£33).

Of course Broadway is an eternal winner and, after its Covid hiatus, it’s back with a bang. This has been tipped by some as one of Broadway’s best ever years, with new shows such as Cost of Living and The Piano Lesson (both Pulitzer Prize for Drama winners).

There are also unmissable appearances from Hugh Jackman (The Music Man) and Samuel L. Jackson (The Piano Lesson). Tickets are available via Broadway Collection.