5 of New York City's Best Little-Known Restaurants

1. Beauty and Essex. Exquisite American cuisine, hidden at the back of a Lower East Side pawn shop.

2. Il Divo. This elegant Upper East Side gem has a 1920s feel with excellent, authentic Italian food. 

3. La Bergamote. Cozy French café in Hell’s Kitchen serving delicious simple meals and pastries.

4. Hangawi. Take off your shoes at the best Midtown East romantic Korean vegetarian sanctuary.

5. 888 Café and Bar. This sizzling new hotspot opposite Carnegie Hall serves delectable seafood and steaks.