There’s nothing like summer in New York City. Last summer was not what anyone expected, so Summer 2021 is going to have to do overtime in order to make up for it. Bars and restaurants are finally staying open later and are allowing more people in. Everyone knows that TikTok has been changing NYC throughout the pandemic especially in the restaurant and bar industry. There’s no time to waste which is why I’ve decided to lend a helping hand and tell you which TikTok viral restaurants are worth your time, and which one’s to avoid.
Sveta
Sveta rose to fame quickly and it’s clear why: free drinks. The big selling point for Sveta was that if you bought one of their signature bagged drinks and posted it you would get another for free. Although the drinks were delicious and the food was decent, you have to be careful about when you choose to go. When I went they overbooked themselves and we waited an additional 90 minutes despite having reservations. It would be smart to avoid weekends, but if you’re looking for a fun dinner this definitely checks that box.
Lafayette
Lafayette is all over TikTok for its brunch and although I haven’t been to brunch there, I would avoid the French restaurant at all costs. The French are known for having a somewhat rude disposition, but Lafayette takes it to a whole other level. They treat each customer differently and because I was with a younger group of people we were greeted with hostility. The food took over an hour to get to the table. My burger was freezing cold as were my frites. The waiters actively ignored us. Not to mention they overcharged me for my drink. However, a friend of mine previously went with her parents and had a wonderful experience. Is Lafayette worth the gamble? I don’t think so. Feel free to find out on your own though.
Loulou
Nothing is worse than having to wait an hour for reservations, especially when the reason is that they seated walk-ins. That’s exactly what happened at Loulou, and the night only got worse. Loulou is a french restaurant in Chelsea that opened just before the pandemic. The main selling point of LouLou’s is their cool cocktails. More specifically, their cool presentation. The drinks are legit. Unfortunately, they ran out of their signature bird glasses, but I was left with an overpriced cocktail without the cute presentation. The food took forever and came out cold. Overall, I would opt to skip this place – there’s better food and better service elsewhere.
Home Base Bistro
Bottomless supper is the appeal here; who doesn’t want endless cocktails at dinner? The downside? Not much, unless you have food restrictions. They falsely advertise products as gluten-free when they are not. The only item on the menu that they say with certainty has no gluten is a salad with shredded lettuce and nothing else. I think there are one or two vegan/vegetarian options – but again, that’s all. The service was okay, the drinks were strong, and the burger I ordered was delicious. Home Base Bistro might not be a grand slam, but it’s definitely batting over 300.
Empire
If a place is good enough for Chuck Bass shouldn’t it be good enough for you? The views are great and the atmosphere is fun. The food they had was good, but if you were looking for a meal you might want to go somewhere else, it’s strictly an appetizer kind of place. The service is pretty good and the drinks were delicious. I highly recommend the xoxo gossip girl. If you’re looking for the perfect predinner drinks venue, Empire is definitely it.
Mykonos Bleu
Rooftop bars hold a special place in my heart. I’m sorry, but they automatically get points for having a great atmosphere. The food here was good, the cocktails were not. I had a vodka cran that I’m pretty sure they accidentally made with tequila instead. This restaurant turns into a nightclub once dinner is over. They didn’t stop doing that during COVID-19, however, which makes it a pass for me. If you’re willing to look past that digression, this can be a fun place to go with friends this summer.
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde is a gorgeous bar in Midtown and I’ll cut right to the chase: go. It’s such a fun experience, the atmosphere is very cool. The cocktails are actually amazing. They’re well worth the price. Whether you want a basic drink or one that they literally set on fire, you’ll have a great time for sure. The bar is great all the time, but if you can go around Halloween I would highly recommend it. The entire bar is decorated for the event and it really enhances the atmosphere. 10/10 recommend
