This Punky Seafood Restaurant In The East Village Is Now One Of The Top 10 Restaurants In The U.S. By Resy

The East Village is packed with great restaurants–like this one that feels like you’re dining inside a luxe submarine and this intimate spot that’s by queer people, for all people–but few feel as transportive as Smithereens, a moody [seafood](https://secretnyc.co/best-seafood-restaurants-in-nyc/) haven that was just ranked #6 on Resy’s new 100 Restaurants That Define Dining Today list. Tucked into a dimly lit basement on East 9th Street, Smithereens feels part New England clam shack, part punk East Village hideout —but it’s fully unforgettable. A Quirky Spin On New England Seafood ------------------------------------ Chef Nick Tamburo, who grew up on the South Shore of Massachusetts and previously cooked at Momofuku Ko and Claud, draws on his coastal roots to reimagine New England classics with a creative edge. * Anadama bread made with molasses and cornmeal (a 100-year-old New England recipe) served with seaweed butter * Chowder transformed into a creamy risotto-style rice with quahog clams * Whole fried whiting served head-to-tail * And of course, a lobster roll, brushed with lobster-shell butter and filled with meat tossed in lobster head aïoli Even the adventurous plates—like a stew of lentils and smoked eel or abalone skewers dipped in a fish bone sherry glaze—don’t seem out of place in the restaurant’s brooding, candlelit vibe. The ranking refers to the menu as a “charmingly off-kilter remix of staples,” writing: > Chowder is reimagined as an irresistible sort of quahog-studded soupy risotto, a whole fried whiting may the most unabashedly anatomical fried fish you’ll encounter this side of Paris’ Clamato (yet it somehow has been liberated of its bones) — as well as some novel creations that will stick in mind. Consider the amberjack crudo with a fluffy, pungent halo of grated horseradish, or a stew of lentils and eel as brooding and deep as the ambiance. A Wine List Unlike Anywhere Else In NYC --------------------------------------- While the food sets Smithereens apart, so does the drink program. Sommelier Nikita Malhotra has crafted one of the most daring wine lists in the city, often dedicating it to a single theme: first riesling, then grenache, and even an entire deep dive into Champagne. Even the cocktails lean quirky, like a martini made with seaweed . Why It’s One Of America’s Best Right Now ---------------------------------------- Resy’s editors praised Smithereens for pushing boundaries while staying deeply rooted in tradition —exactly the balance that keeps diners coming back. Whether it’s a date night over a bottle of Champagne or an adventurous dinner built around eel, whiting, and smoked bluefish, Smithereens isn’t trying to be for everyone. It’s trying to be unforgettable. * 📍 Smithereens — 414 E. 9th St, East Village * ⏰ Open Tues–Sat, 5:30pm–10pm * 🍽️ Reservations via Resy, released 14 days in advance at 10am EST How Resy Chose The Top 100 Restaurants -------------------------------------- Unlike traditional “best restaurant” lists, the Resy 100 isn’t based on Michelin stars, critics’ scores, or newest openings. Instead, Resy tapped into its network of nearly two dozen city-based contributors —along with insights from its platform of 10,000+ partner restaurants—asking them what truly defines dining in America right now. The results highlight restaurants that: * Deliver exceptional food that balances comfort and creativity * Play a vital role in their local communities * Keep diners coming back, whether through neighborhood charm or boundary-pushing innovation * Represent the breadth of American dining, from subterranean East Village seafood dens to family-owned kitchens in Staten Island The goal was to capture restaurants that shape how we eat today —not just the buzziest new spots, but enduring favorites and bold originals alike. Other NYC Restaurants That Made Resy’s 100 Restaurants That Define Dining Today ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Smithereens wasn’t the only NYC hotspot to make Resy’s debut Resy 100 list. A number of other beloved local gems also scored national recognition: * Shaw-naé’s House — Staten Island (#9) * Place des Fêtes — Clinton Hill (#14) * Houseman — Hudson Square (#18) * Txikito — Chelsea (#28) * Radio Kwara — Clinton Hill (#40) * Sofreh — Prospect Heights (#50) * Shukette — Chelsea (#59) * Cactus Wren — Lower East Side (#69) * Bar Bête — Carroll Gardens (#82) * Kru — Williamsburg (#88) Together, these restaurants reflect the diversity and creativity of NYC dining right now —from inventive seafood basements to buzzing Brooklyn wine bars and cozy Staten Island kitchens. Source: https://secretnyc.co/smithereens-nyc-100-restaurants-define-dining-today-resy/