The Best New Restaurants Opening In NYC This January—From Chinese Comfort Food To An East Village Wine & Focaccia Bar

Brianna Perry – Staff Writer · January 15, 2026 January in NYC: long, cold, and soul-crushing–but of course the city isn’t slowing down. New restaurants and bars continue to pop up left and right, because why hibernate when you can dine?! Here’s your cheat sheet for where to eat and drink before the Resy waits outlast those for the subway. Long Count – Now Open --------------------- 155 Avenue B The East Village has a brand new wine and focaccia bar exploring how aging, fermentation, and patience transform flavor. At Long Count, every wine poured by the glass is ten years of age or older, and the food consists of slow-fermented sauces, aged vinegars, infused oils, and long-developed ingredients layered over warm focaccia and seasonal small plates. The result: a space where guests can slow down and experience flavor at its most evolved. Hots Pizza – Now Open --------------------- 181 East Broadway Sourdough pizzeria Hots Pizza recently opened on the Lower East Side where they’re churning out slices (ranging from $4.50 to $6.50) and pies (ranging from $32 to $39). Of course there’s your classics cheese and pepperoni , while specialty options include a potato pizza with crème fraîche, chives, cracked pepper, smoked mozzarella, and “The Hots,” with spicy pork sausage, hot peppers, and red onion. Learn more. Farmer J – Now Open ------------------- 31 W 52nd Street Reportedly Harry Styles’ favorite lunch spot in London–Farmer J–has officially crossed the pond over into NYC! Known for its signature Fieldtray–a base, hot main, and two seasonal sides–Farmer J is offering a smarter, feel-good alternative to the sad desk lunch with bold, globally inspired flavors, rotating seasonal menus, and restaurant-quality food. Learn more. DOK – Now Open -------------- 339A 2nd Street Thai restaurant and bar DOK, which opened in early January, is serving an array of dishes that are each a journey to the vibrant streets of Thailand. From classics like Pad Thai and Basil Fried Rice to hearty dishes like Lenk Zab, a tart and herbal pork rib soup, and Panang Duck Lychee Curry, the restaurant’s menu is a celebration of the rich culinary heritage of Thailand. Learn more. Rulin – Opens January 20 ------------------------ 15 East 13th Street Opening January 20, Rulin is the newest project from husband and wife owners Lane Li and Chris Wang, who traded finance careers for a life fueled by noodles, chili oil, and love. Expect an upscale spin on Chinese comfort food –think: Sichuan heat, Cantonese soul, and dishes inspired by what Lane cooks for her own family. Learn more on Rulin’s website. Honorable Mention: Little Cheeks – Now Open ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This one is an honorable mention because technically it’s not a restaurant–it’s the newest sister concept to Fish Cheeks, offering only delivery and takeout. But being we haven’t stopped dreaming of the restaurant’s coconut crab curry since we first tried it, we couldn’t leave it off this list. Little Cheeks is currently available on DoorDash, Uber Eats, Seamless, and Grubhub with all your fav dishes–Shrimp Pad Thai, Zaab Wings, and Roasted Duck Noodle–but with slightly smaller, more personal vibes. Learn more. Read more Source: https://secretnyc.co/new-restaurants-nyc-january-2026/