How Many Restaurants Are in New York City in 2025?

Key Takeaways:

• NYC has between 18,000 and 28,000 food establishments, depending on the data source and definition used.
• Google Maps lists ~17,619 active restaurants in 2025, focusing on currently operating, public-facing businesses.
• Manhattan alone has ~6,400 restaurants, making up over 40% of the city’s dining spots.
• Full-service restaurants make up the majority, with 12,000+ sit-down eateries across the city.
• Fast food chains are a small minority, with only ~359 major chain outlets recorded on Google.
• Coffee shops and cafes total around 2,700, including chains and indie spots.
• Bars and pubs account for ~1,900 venues, many of which also serve food.
• NYC hosts ~4,000 licensed food carts and trucks, which aren’t usually counted in restaurant totals.
• Ghost kitchens and pop-ups are growing, but are underrepresented in traditional or online counts.

New York City is famous for its versatile dining scene, boasting tens of thousands of eateries. Official city records count all licensed food establishments – including everything from fine-dining bistros to food carts – and put the figure in the mid-20,000s.

Meanwhile, online platforms like Google list a somewhat lower number of active restaurants, likely reflecting those places that are publicly listed and currently operating. In 2019 (just before the pandemic), NYC had about 27,000 restaurants citywide.

By early 2025, an analysis of Google Maps business listings found roughly 17,600 restaurants actively listed across the five boroughs. The true number of eateries in NYC today is probably somewhere in between – on the order of 25,000 or more – once you account for unlisted mom-and-pop spots, temporary pop-ups, food trucks, and ghost kitchens that traditional counts might miss.

Breakdown by Borough and Category (Table)

Here’s a rough breakdown that combines all of the information into a table for easier digestion:

And by category/type (citywide estimates):

(The above counts are approximate and some categories overlap. For instance, a brewery pub that serves food could be counted as both a pub and a restaurant. These figures are meant to provide a sense of scale.)

Official NYC Records and Registered Restaurant Businesses

Below, we’ll break down the numbers using the latest data (circa 2025), drawing from official NYC records, business databases, and online listings.

We’ll also examine the distribution by borough and by type of eatery (full-service restaurants, fast food joints, cafes, food trucks, pop-ups, ghost kitchens, etc.), and explain why different sources report different figures.

City Health Department Data

Every year, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspects thousands of food establishments. According to the Health Department, New York City has approximately 28,000 restaurants that it inspects each year.

This suggests there are on the order of ~28,000 licensed restaurant and food service outlets in the city (as of the early 2020s). This number would include any place with a permit to serve food – not just traditional restaurants, but also cafes, some hotel kitchens, and likely bars that serve food.

In other words, the city saw steady growth in the number of restaurants through the 2010s, until the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the industry in 2020.

Business Registrations and Labor Data

Another way to count restaurants is by looking at business registrations or employer data. The New York State Department of Labor reported that New York City’s restaurant industry had 23,650 establishments in 2019​.

This figure (23,650) comes from employment records and likely corresponds to firms classified in the food service industry (including restaurants and eateries that have employees on payroll). It’s a bit lower than the Health Department’s 27k figure, possibly because it might exclude very small businesses or non-employer establishments.

Nonetheless, it confirms that on the eve of the pandemic NYC had roughly 23–28 thousand restaurant establishments operating.

Restaurants Listed on Google and Other Online Platforms

Another way to estimate the number of active restaurants is to use online business listings. Google Maps/Google Business profiles provide a near-real-time directory of places serving food.

A recent analysis (published March 2025) compiled all restaurants listed on Google Maps in NYC and found 17,619 restaurants across the five boroughs.

This count included not only traditional restaurants but also “restaurant-related establishments such as cafes, coffee shops, bars, bubble tea shops and others,” according to the analysts​.

In other words, it attempted to mirror the broad definition of dining places, but was limited to those that have an online presence on Google.

Why is the Google-based number (≈17.6k) lower than the city’s official ~27k count? There are a few reasons:

• Not all eateries are on Google: Many small delis, mom-and-pop takeouts, or food carts might not maintain a Google listing. The Health Department counts any business with a food permit, but some of those (like a cafeteria or a tiny bodega with a sandwich counter) might not be listed as a “restaurant” online. Thus, the Google data likely under-counts some no-profile or low-profile establishments.
• Temporary closures and data lag: The Google listing count reflects active businesses. If a restaurant closed during the pandemic and hasn’t reopened (or hasn’t updated its status online), it may have been excluded. The city’s permit data might still count some that are technically licensed even if not currently operating, whereas Google would drop them if they’re marked closed. By 2025, many inactive listings might have been purged, yielding a more conservative count of actively operating restaurants.
• Definition of “restaurant”: Google’s categorization might exclude some places that the city counts. For example, a bakery or dessert shop might not be tagged as a restaurant on Google, but if it serves food, the Health Department would include it in inspections. Conversely, Google might list some duplicate or unofficial entries. The analysts who compiled the Google data tried to include restaurants, cafes, bars, coffee shops, etc., so they cast a wide net​. Still, the discrepancy suggests that thousands of food businesses in NYC operate somewhat “under the radar” of online platforms, catering perhaps to local clientele or operating in formats that aren’t fully captured by Google.

For additional context, other online platforms show similar magnitudes: for instance, the reservation site OpenTable lists on the order of 17,000+ restaurants in New York City available for booking (as of 2025, about 17.7k were on the platform, which is in the same ballpark as Google’s count).

NYC’s influence in the culinary world is also seen in accolades – the city is home to 67 Michelin-starred restaurants in 2025​ – but those elite venues are just a drop in the bucket compared to the thousands of eateries overall.

Bottom line: Depending on the source, NYC has anywhere from roughly 18,000 to 28,000 eateries operating. Most commonly cited figures (including by NYC’s tourism officials and food industry groups) put it around 25,000 or more​. This makes New York one of the richest cities in the world for dining choices. Next, we’ll look at how these thousands of restaurants are distributed across the city’s boroughs and what kinds of establishments they are.

Restaurants by Borough in NYC

Approximate number of restaurants in each NYC borough, based on Google Maps data (2025). Manhattan contains the largest share of the city’s dining establishments​.

Note: Official counts are higher (especially for Manhattan) but show a similar borough ranking.

1. Number of Restaurants in Manhattan

New York City’s restaurants are not evenly spread out – Manhattan, the city’s core, hosts a disproportionate share. Manhattan has the most restaurants of any borough.

The Google Maps data from 2025 tallied about 6,418 restaurants in Manhattan alone​, which is far more than any other borough. This isn’t surprising: Manhattan is the densest borough, packed with office workers, tourists, and residents all generating demand for food establishments.

It’s also geographically small but commercially very intense. In fact, by some estimates Manhattan accounts for roughly 40–45% of all restaurants citywide​ – nearly half of NYC’s dining options are crammed into Manhattan’s neighborhoods from Harlem down to the Financial District.

2. Number of Restaurants in Brooklyn

Brooklyn comes in second place, reflecting its large population. The Google listing analysis found about 4,845 restaurants in Brooklyn​. Brooklyn is NYC’s most populous borough, and in recent years its dining scene has boomed, with everything from hip farm-to-table spots in Williamsburg to classic pizzerias and Caribbean eateries.

While historically Brooklyn had fewer restaurants per capita than Manhattan, the gap has been closing as Brooklyn becomes a culinary destination of its own.

3. Number of Restaurants in Queens

Queens had roughly 3,394 restaurants listed on Google​. Queens is celebrated for its diverse, international food scene – you can find authentic cuisine from literally dozens of countries in Queens, often in more casual family-run restaurants.

Its total count is a bit lower than Brooklyn’s, even though Queens’ population is similar, possibly because Queens has fewer business districts and slightly more residential areas where restaurants cluster in specific neighborhoods (like Astoria, Flushing, Jackson Heights, etc.).

4. Number of Restaurants in the Bronx

The Bronx showed about 2,078 restaurants in the Google-based count​. The Bronx has fewer restaurants per resident compared to the above three, but its food culture is strong (from Arthur Avenue’s Italian trattorias to City Island’s seafood shacks and a wide array of Latin American eateries).

Notably, post-pandemic data indicates the Bronx actually gained a few restaurants compared to 2019​ – a sign of emerging business in the borough – even as Manhattan lost some.

5. Number of Restaurants in Staten Island

Staten Island, being the smallest borough by population, unsurprisingly has the fewest restaurants: around 884 restaurants were listed there​. Staten Island’s dining scene is more low-key but still varied – lots of pizzerias, diners, and Italian restaurants (Staten Island is known for its Italian-American community).

Its share of the city’s restaurants is small (only ~5% or less), which matches its share of NYC’s population and its more suburban land use.

It’s worth noting that official data (city inspections or business stats) would give higher numbers for each borough, but the borough ranking remains the same: Manhattan > Brooklyn > Queens > Bronx > Staten Island in terms of count. Also, Manhattan’s restaurant density is extraordinary – with around 6,000+ places in 23 square miles, Manhattan has roughly 270 restaurants per square mile!

Another way to look at it is restaurants per person: citywide, NYC has about 2 restaurants per 1,000 residents​, but Manhattan (with its influx of commuters and tourists) effectively has a higher per capita availability than the outer boroughs.

This geographic breakdown helps illustrate the landscape: if you’re in Manhattan, you’re never far from a place to eat, whereas in parts of Queens or Staten Island, eateries might be more spread out.

Types of Restaurants and Food Establishments in NYC

The term “restaurant” covers a huge variety of businesses. From white-tablecloth fine dining to corner bakeries, NYC’s food establishments come in many forms. Here we break down the major categories and how many of each there are (as best as the data allows).

It’s important to note that different sources categorize these businesses differently – there’s overlap (for example, a bar that serves food could be counted as both a bar and a restaurant). Nonetheless, here’s an approximate breakdown by category:

1. Full-Service Restaurants

These are traditional sit-down restaurants where you typically have table service. They make up the majority of NYC’s restaurant count. Out of the ~25k total, likely well over half are full-service eateries, ranging from casual family-owned spots to high-end gourmet restaurants.

In 2019, NYC had around 23,650 food establishments with employees​, much of which were full-service restaurants (this category also includes many ethnic restaurants, brunch spots, steakhouses, etc.).

If we subtract known counts of other categories (fast food, cafes, etc.), we can infer that on the order of 12,000–15,000 of the city’s eateries are full-service restaurants. These are the places most people think of when they hear “NYC restaurant,” and they span every cuisine imaginable.

Full-service establishments often require more staffing, and indeed the bulk of the 300,000+ hospitality jobs in the city​ are in this segment.

2. Fast Food and Quick-Service Restaurants

Despite New York’s abundance of unique eateries, the city also has plenty of chain and fast-food outlets. However, compared to other U.S. cities, the proportion of big-chain fast food locations is relatively small.

According to the Google Maps analysis, there are only ~359 establishments categorized as “fast food restaurants” in NYC. This likely includes the major burger and fried chicken chains (McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Wendy’s, White Castle, etc.).

That number might sound low (and perhaps not every Dunkin’ Donuts or pizza slice shop was counted as “fast food”), but it underscores that while yes, you can find a McDonald’s in NYC, they are vastly outnumbered by other types of eateries. Besides the classic fast food chains, NYC has countless quick-service and takeout spots – think pizzerias, sandwich shops, fast-casual salad or bowl places, and so on.

Many of these might not fall under “fast food” in Google’s taxonomy, but are part of the limited-service restaurant segment.

For example, NYC is famous for its pizza: there are hundreds of slice joints and pizzerias (some are full-service, many are counter-service).

Similarly, quick-service ethnic eateries (like falafel shops, taquerias, dumpling counters) abound. If you include all those, the number of “limited-service” restaurants (no table service) in NYC likely runs in the several thousands.

In essence, fast food chains are a small slice (a few hundred) of the pie, but quick-service dining in general is a significant chunk of the city’s food landscape (likely 5,000+ places when you add up delis, takeouts, fast-casual spots, etc.).

3. Cafes and Coffee Shops

New York runs on coffee, and many coffee shops double as casual eateries. The Google-based data explicitly counted 1,744 coffee shops and 956 cafes in NYC​, for a total of about 2,700 venues focused on coffee or light dining.

This category includes major chains like Starbucks (which alone has hundreds of outlets in NYC) and Dunkin’ (ubiquitous in the boroughs), as well as indie espresso bars and cozy neighborhood cafes. Some of these places also serve pastries, sandwiches, or light meals, blurring the line between cafe and restaurant.

The distinction between “coffee shop” and “cafe” is subtle (possibly the analysis defined coffee shops as primarily beverage-focused and cafes as having more food options). Together, they represent a large segment. These are generally counted in the overall restaurant numbers, but if someone says “NYC has 25,000 restaurants,” that figure likely includes cafes and coffee shops too.

So, roughly 10% of NYC’s counted food establishments are coffee shops or cafes​. They are important gathering spots and daytime dining options across the city.

4. Bars and Pubs

New York’s nightlife and bar scene is world-renowned. Many bars also serve food (even if it’s just snacks or a limited menu), which can qualify them as “food service establishments” in official terms. The 2025 Google analysis found 1,897 bars and pubs in NYC​.

These range from cocktail bars, sports bars, dive bars, to brewpubs. Some have full kitchens and are effectively both bar and restaurant (think gastropubs or bar-restaurants). Others are primarily drinking establishments. Depending on who’s counting, bars might be included in the restaurant tally or counted separately.

The city’s 28k inspection number presumably includes any bar that prepares enough food to need a permit. The nearly 1,900 figure from Google gives a sense of the standalone bars/pubs. If we combine that with the restaurant count: NYC has roughly two thousand bars on top of its eateries. (Interestingly, the NYC Hospitality Alliance reports there are “more than 25,000 nightlife establishments” including bars, clubs, etc., but that is a broader nightlife definition​)

Bars and pubs make up perhaps 8–10% of the city’s food & drink venues. Many of those bars are in areas like Manhattan’s Lower East Side, East Village, or Brooklyn’s Williamsburg, complementing the restaurant scene.

5. Food Trucks and Street Food Vendors

A big part of eating in NYC doesn’t happen in “restaurants” at all, but on the streets. The city licenses about 4,000 mobile food vendors – which includes food trucks, carts, and stands selling everything from hot dogs and pretzels to halal platters and tacos.

These are not usually counted in the “restaurant” totals because they’re not brick-and-mortar establishments. (They have their own licensing system.) However, they are crucial to NYC’s food culture and on any given day they feed thousands of people.

Some food trucks are listed on Google or Yelp, but they often move locations, so including them in a count is tricky. The NYC Parks Department also separately lists dozens of food carts and concessions in parks​.

In summary, there are thousands of street food vendors in NYC – a separate category from restaurants, but if you include them, the total number of places to get prepared food in NYC goes even higher. These range from the classic Manhattan hot dog carts to ice cream trucks to trendy gourmet food trucks that roam different boroughs.

6. Pop-up Restaurants

Pop-ups are temporary restaurants or chef-driven events that “pop up” in a location for a limited time (days, weeks, or a season). New York City’s dining scene has embraced pop-ups – for example, a famous chef might do a 3-month pop-up in Brooklyn, or a vacant storefront might host a rotating series of guest restaurants.

These pop-ups typically aren’t counted in official stats because they don’t have a long-term license; often they operate under temporary permits or partner with existing licensed kitchens.

It’s hard to put a number on pop-ups at any given time, since by nature they come and go. They likely number in the dozens at any moment.

7. Ghost Kitchens and Virtual Restaurants

In recent years, NYC (like many cities) has seen a rise of ghost kitchens – commercial kitchens with no dine-in space, used to fulfill delivery orders for online-only food brands.

These ghost kitchens often host multiple “virtual restaurant” brands in one facility. Counting ghost kitchens is challenging: they do have permits (they must meet health and safety standards), but because they don’t have a public-facing storefront, they might not be recognized as separate restaurants in traditional counts.

A ghost kitchen facility might house, say, 20 different brand concepts, all cooking out of the same kitchen space, delivering via apps. One report in 2024 noted there are approximately 1,500 ghost kitchens in the United States​, and as a major city, NYC has a significant share of those. In fact, companies operating ghost kitchen facilities have invested heavily in NYC.

For example, CloudKitchens (one such company) advertises 5 ghost kitchen locations in NYC with a total of 121 individual kitchen units for restaurateurs to use​. And that’s just one company – there are others like Kitchen United, Zuul, and local commissary kitchens.

If each kitchen hosts multiple brands, the number of virtual restaurant listings in delivery apps could be a few hundred in NYC. Most ghost kitchens would not be included in the “17,619 Google” count (unless they bothered to make a Google listing for their virtual brand, which many do not, focusing on UberEats/DoorDash instead).

The Health Department would count the physical kitchen itself (as one permitted facility). So ghost kitchens create a bit of an overlap/ambiguity: one licensed kitchen might correspond to several “restaurant” brands online, or conversely, a brand might have multiple kitchens.

In summary, NYC’s tens of thousands of restaurants can be segmented into full-service restaurants (the largest group), limited-service/quick eateries (including fast food, fast-casual, cafes), drinking establishments (bars, pubs), and non-traditional formats (food trucks, pop-ups, ghost kitchens).

Each data source might include or exclude some of these categories, leading to different totals. For example, the city’s ~28k count includes virtually everything except maybe the strictly mobile vendors, whereas Google’s ~17k count focused on brick-and-mortar places with online listings (covering restaurants, cafes, bars, etc., but not street carts or many ghost kitchens).

Why Counts Vary and Conclusion

As we’ve seen, “how many restaurants are in NYC?” can have multiple answers. If one is referring to licensed, permanent food establishments, the number is likely in the mid-20-thousands. The city’s official inspections cover roughly 28,000 venues, which would include restaurants, cafes, and some bars​.

For a more conservative count focusing on currently active, public-facing restaurants (the kind you can find on Google and dine in or order from), the number is around 18,000–20,000 as of 2025​. Public figures and publications often round it and say “about 25,000 restaurants” in NYC​, which isn’t wrong – it’s a fair mid-point that acknowledges not every last bagel cart is included.