The 10 Best Farm To Table Restaurants In New York

The restaurants of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten are New York institutions. Well known for seeking out the freshest, organic ingredients, the ABC Kitchen in Union Square is a prime example of this. This hot spot is all about sustainability and using local food providers whenever possible. The atmosphere here is unique and you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

Perfectly situated just off of busy Seventh Ave in Park Slope, Brooklyn and snugly nestled along a row of brownstones, Applewood is a local favorite. The proprietors, David and Laura Shea, live upstate New York and deliver the produce from self-sustaining farms in their region. The restaurant has a homey feel and the menu is varied. Try the grilled New Hampshire pork or the sweet potato risotto.

The Farm on Adderley was showered with much acclaim and admiration when it opened its doors in 2006. This cozy spot put Ditmas Park on the culinary map with its reputation of great food and service. It is also one of the first Brooklyn dining establishments to embrace the local and organic movement. The Farm Burger is something to behold and the brunch is fantastic. This same team is also the brains and palate behind the best concert food concession in all of New York City with the Celebrate Brooklyn Summer Music Festival in Prospect Park.

It’s hard to imagine while around walking Flatbush, but there was a time when these streets were peppered with farms. Chef Eric Lind of Flatbush Farm’s keeps that spirit alive through a local partnership with Satur Farms of Long Island. This special relationship helps to create seasonal dishes that will keep you coming back for more. The spaetzle and the salmon cake appetizer are exceptional.

Red Hook, Brooklyn doesn’t feel like a normal neighborhood, but rather a secret club. One has to go a wee bit out of the way to get there. Those fortunate enough to venture over and find themselves on Van Brunt Street will be rewarded with The Good Fork. Chef Sohui Kim has done some remarkable work with her marvelous fusion creations culled from her Korean culinary background. She carries on the farm-to-table torch with the time she spent honing her craft at Blue Hill in Manhattan. The pork and chive dumplings are out of this world.

If there ever was an establishment that deserves to be given the moniker of ‘a classy joint,’ Gotham Bar and Grill is that place. They serve new American Cuisine here, and it’s local and fresh whenever possible. The Gotham has been an institution for as long as anyone can remember.

Yes, there is culinary life outside of Manhattan and Brooklyn. The LIC Market in Queens is a destination worth seeking out. Owner Alex Shindler partners with local farmers and vendors to provide a varied and seasonal menu. The meats are humanely raised and antibiotic free, the coffee organic, and the wines natural. There is also a company store upfront just in case you want to bring something home as a memento from your visit.

Is it possible for food to mirror a neighborhood’s attitude and style? The answer is yes. Roberta’s, an artisanal Bed-Sty staple, became an instant institution the moment its doors opened in 2006. Aside from the sublime pizza, Chris Parachini and Brandon Hoy have created quite an eclectic menu ranging from brunch, sandwiches and the property even houses a bakery.

If you ever wanted to walk into a restaurant and say to the staff, ‘Surprise me!’ then look no further than Roman’s. Chef Dave Gould amazes with his improvisational creations based solely on what was available that day at the local markets. Roman’s has a vague Italian theme if you’re in need of a culinary compass, but it’s best just to walk in and expect the unexpected.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that a Danny Meyers restaurant is on this list. Union Square Café was one of the first establishments to use local produce. They take full advantage of close proximity with the world famous Union Square Green Market. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but if pressed, try the lamb or the Berkshire Pork.