Binge-watching Netflix shows set in New York often leaves viewers with more than just entertainment — there’s usually a serious craving for whatever the characters are eating. The streaming platform has transformed the Big Apple into an enormous food tour, featuring everything from neighborhood gems to upscale establishments that make your mouth water through the screen.
Netflix productions don’t simply use restaurants as background elements. They elevate these dining spots into integral story components. Here’s a list of 15 restaurants where beloved Netflix characters have shared meals, heated arguments, romantic encounters, and questionable life choices.
Carbone
Dev from ‘Master of None’ turned this Greenwich Village favorite into a recurring character — taking multiple dates here throughout the series. The retro Italian-American establishment serves tableside Caesar salads and veal Parmesan that appear so appetizing on camera, you’ll immediately want to make a reservation. Its old-school atmosphere and moody lighting created the perfect backdrop for those awkward dating app encounters that Dev navigated with mixed results. Interestingly, Aziz Ansari’s real-life affection for this restaurant explains why it received such extensive screen time.
Grand Central Oyster Bar
Prairie from ‘The OA’ met the enigmatic Dr. Hap at this legendary underground establishment beneath Grand Central Terminal for what appeared to be an innocent dinner conversation. The restaurant’s magnificent vaulted ceilings and historic ambiance provided an ideal setting for their pivotal encounter that would transform everything. This isn’t merely another seafood establishment — it’s been serving New Yorkers since 1913, making it older than most surrounding buildings. The venue’s crisp white tablecloths and energetic atmosphere captured that distinctly New York sensation of feeling completely isolated despite being in a crowded space.
Orsay
This Upper East Side French bistro appeared in Netflix’s ‘Inventing Anna’ when characters needed a sophisticated setting for their high-stakes conversations. The restaurant’s classic Parisian atmosphere and white tablecloth elegance perfectly captured the world that Anna Delvey was desperately trying to infiltrate. With its traditional French menu and old-school service style — Orsay represents the kind of establishment where New York’s social elite conduct their most important business. The show used this restaurant to illustrate the rarefied air that Anna breathed while pulling off her elaborate con.
Agra Taj Mahal
Dev’s preferred Indian restaurant in Greenpoint became a recurring presence in ‘Master of None,’ symbolizing his connection to cultural heritage while navigating modern New York existence. The family-operated restaurant on Manhattan Avenue served as the location for several intimate discussions about identity, family pressures, and finding one’s place in the world. Its warm illumination and traditional decor established the perfect environment for those deeper conversations that the show handled with remarkable sensitivity. It’s exactly the type of neighborhood treasure that makes people fall in love with specific corners of the city.
Casa Mono
This Spanish tapas establishment near Gramercy Park featured in ‘Master of None’ during one of Dev’s numerous culinary explorations around the city. The restaurant’s cozy atmosphere and shared-plate concept made it perfect for those getting-to-know-you conversations that feel simultaneously thrilling and nerve-wracking. The show captured the venue’s vibrant energy beautifully — with its open kitchen and bar seating that transforms every meal into a minor celebration. Casa Mono exemplifies that particular New York dining experience where exceptional food intersects with social discovery.
Il Buco
The rustic Italian charm of this NoLita establishment provided the setting for multiple ‘Master of None’ scenes — showcasing the type of effortlessly sophisticated dining spot that makes New York feel like the world’s center. The restaurant’s antique decor and candlelit tables created an almost cinematic ambiance that required minimal enhancement to look stunning on camera. It’s the sort of place where conversations flow as smoothly as the wine, making it ideal for both romantic encounters and friendship reunions. The show utilized it to represent that aspirational New York lifestyle where even a Tuesday dinner feels extraordinary.
Los Tacos No. 1
Chelsea Market’s taco destination received recognition in ‘Master of None’ when Dev proclaimed they served the city’s finest tacos — sparking the passionate food debates that only New Yorkers can truly appreciate. This compact stand inside the bustling market represents the democratization of exceptional food in New York. You don’t need formal dining rooms to enjoy an incredible meal. The authentic Mexican flavors and dynamic market atmosphere perfectly captured New York’s energetic food scene. It proves that sometimes the finest restaurants barely qualify as restaurants at all.
Tertulia
This Spanish establishment in the West Village appeared in ‘Master of None’ when Dev brought Francesca for what became a crucial dinner conversation. The restaurant’s inviting, rustic interior and outstanding tapas menu created the ideal backdrop for those complex relationship moments that the show explored so thoughtfully. The intimate lighting and communal dining approach made every conversation feel significant and charged with potential. Tertulia represents that distinctive New York dining experience where exceptional cuisine becomes the foundation for life-altering discussions.
Smorgasburg
Brooklyn’s weekend food market made several appearances in ‘Master of None’ — demonstrating the remarkable diversity of New York’s food landscape in one expansive outdoor venue. The market’s East River location offered breathtaking city views while Dev and his friends sampled everything from artisanal ice cream to Korean barbecue. It perfectly captured that uniquely Brooklyn experience of transforming food shopping into a social gathering. The show used Smorgasburg to represent the creative spirit and community atmosphere that makes Brooklyn feel like its own distinct universe within New York City.
Yuji Ramen
This Williamsburg location specializes in broth-less mazemen ramen featured in ‘Master of None’ during Dev’s food show filming adventures. The restaurant’s innovative take on traditional ramen exemplified the type of culinary creativity that makes New York’s food scene so dynamic and constantly evolving. The relaxed, counter-service environment provided the perfect setting for those behind-the-scenes moments that revealed the effort behind the glamour. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why food enthusiasts become so passionate about their craft.
Lucky’s Famous Burgers
This late-night burger establishment on West 23rd Street served as a gathering place for characters outside Dev’s main social circle in ‘Master of None.’ The classic American diner environment and round-the-clock service made it perfect for those post-midnight conversations that feel both meaningful and slightly absurd. The fluorescent lighting and vinyl booths captured that particular New York energy where the city truly never rests. It represents those essential neighborhood establishments that anchor communities while providing comfort food exactly when needed.
Westlight
The rooftop bar at William Vale hotel in Williamsburg offered spectacular city views for a romantic date scene in ‘Master of None.’ The floor-to-ceiling windows and sophisticated cocktail program made it the ideal location for those moments when New York feels like the world’s most beautiful metropolis. The elevated atmosphere and stunning Manhattan skyline views represented the aspirational aspect of New York dating culture. It’s the type of venue that helps explain why people relocate to New York, pursuing dreams and romance.
Slick Willie Table & Bar
This Greenpoint sandwich shop appeared in ‘Master of None’ as a casual lunch destination, though the show took creative liberties with the actual menu selections. The neighborhood atmosphere and local patrons perfectly captured that authentic Brooklyn feeling that the series celebrated throughout its episodes. The relaxed environment provided a nice contrast to some of the more upscale Manhattan locations featured elsewhere in the series. It represents those everyday neighborhood spots that make New York feel like home rather than just a tourist destination.
Sauvage
This French bistro in Greenpoint from the Maison Premiere team provided an elegant backdrop for dinner scenes in ‘Master of None.’ The restaurant’s Parisian-inspired decor and excellent wine selection created the perfect atmosphere for sophisticated discussions about life, relationships, and career ambitions. The intimate dining space and classic French preparation techniques represent that particular New York dining experience where you can travel the world without leaving the borough. It demonstrated how Brooklyn has evolved into a culinary destination that competes with Manhattan.
Beauty & Essex
Hidden behind an unassuming pawn shop on the Lower East Side, this restaurant became a key location in Netflix’s ‘Inventing Anna’ when Anna Delvey recommended it as the ultimate insider dining experience. The restaurant’s secret entrance and opulent interior design made it perfect for representing the exclusive world that Anna was trying to access. With its glowing lamps and luxurious atmosphere tucked away behind a storefront, Beauty & Essex embodies that uniquely New York experience of discovering hidden gems. The show captured how the restaurant’s theatrical presentation appealed to Anna’s love of drama and exclusivity.
From Screen to Table
Netflix has transformed New York into the world’s most entertaining restaurant directory, with shows like ‘Master of None’ and ‘The OA’ treating the city’s dining landscape as seriously as character development. These establishments represent far more than simple dining locations — they serve as stages where life’s most significant moments unfold. Whether planning your own New York culinary adventure or simply wanting to dine like favorite characters, these venues prove that sometimes the best aspect of binge-watching is the appetite it creates.
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