Leitao — Restaurant in New York

Last night was my first time at Leitao, though for our friends, it’s long been a beloved neighborhood go-to. Now I see why. This place is a gem.

Authentic Portuguese cuisine is rare in New York, and Leitao brings it to life with heart and bold, beautiful flavors. Every dish we tried felt generous, soulful, and full of character, from the spices to the textures to the presentation.

We started with the fava beans and pork, a truly unique pairing that worked deliciously well. The tiger shrimp came out massive, bursting with flavor and perfectly cooked. The rabbit was tender and comforting, while the seafood rice was rich and satisfying, loaded with fresh, well-prepared shellfish.

The octopus salad was a visual stunner, colorful, fresh, and full of depth. And the famous piri-piri chicken was perfectly marinated, juicy, and balanced. Not too 🌶️ , just deeply flavorful.

They also sent us a big portion of their famous ribs, on the house and it was amazing. Fall-off-the-bone tender, rich in flavor, and possibly my favorite dish of the night.

To end, we shared the Portuguese tart, which I think might be the best in the city. Buttery, warm, and clearly homemade. It transported me straight to Lisbon.

The cocktails were spot on, and the service was absolutely lovely. Because our friend is a regular, we were treated with such care, but honestly, everyone around us seemed to be too. The team is friendly, down-to-earth, and passionate about what they do. The owner was present, welcoming, and clearly beloved by the guests.

We sat outside, but could still feel the energy and music coming from inside. The crowd was full of cool, laid-back New Yorkers, all having a great time. Inside, Leitao has a beautiful bar with warm, thoughtful decor. You can simply drop by for a drink or enjoy small bites right at the bar counter. It’s relaxed, cozy, and stylish, the kind of space that invites you to linger a little longer. Whether you’re looking for a quiet solo moment or a casual night out, the bar itself is already a destination.

Leitao isn’t just a place for good food. It’s a place for good nights. Whether it’s a date, a gathering with friends, or a family dinner, this spot delivers warmth, flavor, and genuine hospitality. A true West Village treasure and one I can’t wait to return...

If you have friends visiting NYC and can only choose one spot—GO TO LEITAO. It’s only May, but I can already say with confidence that Leitão will be one of my top favorite restaurants of 2025. Our dinner was nothing short of exceptional.

My brother has been to Portugal and we've also enjoyed portuguese meals in Macau, a former Portuguese colony with a vibrant portuguese food scene. He confirmed that Leitao is absolutely legit. Even my boyfriend, who had never tried portuguese food before, was totally obsessed after this meal.

While they have a no-tipping policy, a 20% service charge is built into the bill. I was initially hesitant, but our server was so warm and attentive that the charge felt completely justified. To top it off, she surprised us with complimentary desserts—three pastéis de nata on the house!

＊Porco Preto $26 * Everyone raves about their pork ribs—and the hype is real. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender, simmered in a thick, rich, and garlicky sauce. The outer was slightly grilled to a crispy perfection.

＊Salad de Polvo $33 ** The extra large octopus put me in awe–stunning in presentation! Paired with zesty salsa verde and a bed of assorted veggies, the salad was very refreshing. The octopus itself was tender and fresh.

＊Ameijoas em Caldeirada $26 * The littleneck clams were sautéed with tomatoes, spicy salami, and chorizo, all in a broth with a hint of white wine. It came with a small mountain of Portuguese bread—the true star of the night. We ended up cleaning every plate with the bread, which was pillowy with crispy edges and toasted in butter and olive oil.

＊Bolinhos de Bacalhau $18 Portuguese cod croquettes are a go-to for us. The inside was creamy and rich, though not mind-blowing. But still, they were delicious.

＊Chourico Portugues Assado $21 Sausage and chorizo flambeed tableside with aguardiente! This was a cool experience to watch, though not a must-try. The meat was grilled to achieve a smoky and crispy crust.

＊Pasteis de Nata $6/pc * The perfect sweet ending to our nearly 10/10 dinner. These egg tarts had a flaky crust, custardy center, generously sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon. My brother said they weren’t as overly sweet as some he had in Lisbon, making them even...

Leitao always comes up when I've been delinquent in making Friday night plans and need a dinner spot on Resy. Ironically, when I finally came here (for a farewell dinner of sorts), it was packed to the brim, and we needed a reservation weeks in advance.

But the wait was worth it. This place is straight up delicious and reminiscent of some of my favorite meals in Portugal, albeit with a more American twist.

The best:

Bife a Cervejeiro: Perfectly tender prime sirloin steak in a cremini mushroom and pepper sauce to die for. I wanted to bathe in this.

Chicken Piri Piri: You don't always see this African dish on Portuguese menus, so it was a pleasant surprise to find it here. The chicken was lovely and juicy, quite smokey, though the piri piri sauce could've been spicier.

Camarao: Large, plump wild Ecuadorian shrimp sautéed in a garlicky sauce served with perfectly crispy bread--the epitome of comfort food.

Broccoli Rabe with Pepper Sauce: Exactly how I like my rabe...lightly charred with a nice pepper sauce , topped with almonds. But maybe I'm bougie?

The good:

Mashed Potato with Oyster Mushrooms: Great crisp mushrooms, but the mashed potatoes were too oily.

Porco Preto: Well-cooked Iberico pork ribs in a tasty wine sauce, but wish there had been more flavor and depth.

Polvo: The Octopus was overdone and the sauce didn't quite capture the smokey sausage and paprika essence it should've, but it was still decent.

We also received complimentary pasteis de nada, though it was partly a bribe to get us to leave our table as soon as possible for the next party. But you know what? I'll take it. Creamy, custardy bribe....

For libations, we indulged in some refreshing Cucumber Agua Fresca and Passion Fruit. Service was quick and friendly, though the place could use more AC on a sweltering summer night. Altogether, I'm glad this was the send-off spot for our friends and will definitely be back for less...