One Of The Best Restaurants In America Is A Tiny NYC Vietnamese Wine Bar Serving Pig’s Foot Terrine & Calf’s Brain

*The* *New York Times* just unveiled its list of the 50 best restaurants in America, and four are right here in New York City. Among them is Ha’s Snack Bar, a tiny Vietnamese [wine bar](https://secretnyc.co/best-wine-bars-in-nyc/) earning big recognition for bold plates like pig’s foot terrine and calf’s brain. From duo Anthony Ha and Sadie Mae Burns-Ha, Ha’s Snack Bar was once a beloved pop-up, Ha’s Đặc Biệt (which is Vietnamese for “special”), and is now a permanent pocket-size fixture on NYC’s Lower East Side. The space transforms Southeast Asian flavors into playful, shareable plates —the kind of food that has you waiting on a table for hours and not even complaining about it. The Food That Made Ha’s Snack Bar Famous ---------------------------------------- The menu at Ha’s is handwritten on a chalkboard and changes almost daily, which means no two visits are the same. Some dishes have already become signatures: oysters laced with green chiles, escargots in tamarind butter with a baguette ready to mop up every last drop, and branzino crusted with spices that crackle like fire. Even familiar plates, like onion soup, reimagined with a pho-inspired broth, arrive with unexpected twists. Our favorite part, though? Ha’s certainly isn’t about playing it safe. The kitchen also cooks up daring dishes like chicken liver pâté on chili-spiked toast, black pudding tartlets topped with kumquats, calf’s brain with eggs and maggi, and pig trotter terrine. Every dish feels like it belongs on the short list of reasons the place has become one of the city’s hardest tables to land. *The New York Times* writes: > The chefs Anthony Ha and Sadie Mae Burns-Ha have such a strong command of flavor that it’s easy to put your trust in whatever they’ve dreamed up that day. Vol-au-vent with tripe and Sungold tomatoes? Revelatory. Head cheese with chile crisp? Absolutely. Even a simple lemon meringue pie feels fresh in their hands. A Room That Feels Like a Party ------------------------------ The dining room at Ha’s Snack Bar is barely bigger than a closet. But that’s part of the magic—a night here feels more like an impromptu dinner party than a formal reservation. Candles, paper lamps, and a moody soundtrack set the tone. And behind the tiny counter, chefs Anthony Ha and Sadie Mae Burns are orchestrating something unforgettable. Why Everyone’s Talking About Ha’s Snack Bar ------------------------------------------- In a city where restaurants open daily, few places feel this alive. Ha’s Snack Bar blends French technique with Vietnamese soul, delivering food that’s punchy, fearless, and impossible not to talk about–and that you won’t find won’t find anywhere else in the city. Every bite feels like it could be your new favorite...if it ever shows up on the menu again! For now, it’s one of NYC’s hardest tables to snag, but also one of the most rewarding. And that mix of intimacy, unpredictability, and unshakable flavor is exactly why Ha’s Snack Bar is being hailed as one of America’s best. *NYT* writes: > The hits keep coming at this pocket-size bistro on the Lower East Side...The two plan to open a larger version of the restaurant soon. How will they top a warm-up act that’s already exceptional? A Line Worth Waiting In ----------------------- Getting into Ha’s Snack Bar isn’t easy. Reservations disappear as soon as they’re posted, and the walk-in line starts forming well before the doors open. By 4:45pm, the first wave of diners is already in place, hoping for one of the precious few seats. Arrive later, and the wait can stretch for hours—but regulars will tell you it’s worth every minute. Our advice: arrive at least a half an hour before opening (the restaurant opens at 5:30 pm) for a chance at snagging a table. 📍 Ha’s Snack Bar – 297 Broome St, Lower East Side, NYC If you’re drawn to dishes you won’t see on most menus, you’ll also want to add Honey Badger to your list. Here, snail ice cream, cured jellyfish, and even pine cones are all on offer. Source: https://secretnyc.co/has-snack-bar-nyc-lower-east-side-nyt-best-restaurants-in-america/