TLDR
Elevated Filipino fare in the East Village featuring communal kamayan feasts and standout fried chicken. Lively, cozy atmosphere perfect for adventurous diners.
Instagram Posts References
Naks is offering a 3-course menu for $60 as part of Restaurant Week. The menu runs from July 20 to August 16 and is available daily except Saturdays. The meal includes a choice of appetizer (Kanto Fried Chicken, Kinilaw, Inihaw na Liempo, or Inihaw na Pechay), a main course (Inihaw na Gulay, Kare-Kare, Adobo Rice, or Shrimp Laing), and a dessert (Ube or Leche Flan).
Naks is highly praised as the top Filipino restaurant in New York City, particularly for its Kamayan Feast. This unique communal dining experience involves an entire table covered in fresh banana leaves, on which an array of Filipino dishes are served, meant to be eaten with your hands. Featured items include beef steak tomatoes with salted egg, sea cucumber ceviche marinated in coconut vinegar and calamansi, and egg noodles with wagyu beef and molasses. The main attraction is the Lechon, a crispy roasted pork belly infused with lemongrass, described as super indulgent and enjoyable, despite the potential messiness of the hand-eating tradition. The meal concludes with a delightful tapioca pudding called Buko Pandan, and the restaurant also provides thoughtful take-home gifts, enhancing the overall positive experience.
Amber Sutherland-Namako reviews Naks, an East Village Filipino restaurant from the acclaimed Unapologetic Foods group, noting its unique dishes like the 'soup no. 5' and crispy 'pritong itik'.
Details
Offering a unique take on Filipino cuisine, this East Village destination features both a la carte dining and an interactive kamayan communal feast [1]. Guests can enjoy standout dishes like the texturally rich dinakdakan and the crispy, generous pritong itik [1]. Whether stopping by for a lively brunch or an upscale dinner, visitors consistently praise the restaurant for its high-quality food and cocktails [2].
Food Overview
The menu focuses on elevated Filipino flavors, with high marks consistently given to the fried chicken, lechon, and unique offerings like soup no. 5 [1], [2]. Brunch is a popular draw, specifically noted for items like the salted egg pancake with citrus butter [2]. While some find the price point higher, guests generally consider the quality and portioning of sharing plates to be well worth the visit [2].
Highlights / Recommended
"Highly recommended items include the crispy pritong itik [1], the texturally complex dinakdakan [1], and the indulgent lechon belly [2]. For dessert or brunch, the ube cheesecake and the salted egg pancake are frequently praised favorites [2]."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •ube cheesecake(3)
- •salted egg pancakes(2)
- •fried chicken(2)
- •lechon(2)
Caveats
The restaurant's atmosphere is described as potentially cramped [1], and it is generally considered a higher-priced dining option [2].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About NAKS
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Where Is The Best French Toast In Midtown Or
"The commenter suggests this location for brunch."
PositiveFrom post: The Best Juicy Crunchy Flavorful Fried Chicken In
"Suggested in a list of fried chicken spots."
NeutralFrom post: Any Pancake Recommendations On Uws Ues Or Midtown
"This commenter lists Naks as a recommendation."
NeutralFrom post: Rowdy Rooster In The East Village Has Closed For
"The commenter speculates that Naks, being a Filipino establishment by the same group as Rowdy Rooster, might be related to the new concept opening at the former Rowdy Rooster location."
NeutralFrom post: My Almost Month Long Food Journey Through Nyc
"The author rated the Pancit noodles 9/10, describing them as simply 'solid' with no further notes."
PositiveFrom post: Vinegar Fries
"This restaurant was mentioned as a unique option for vinegar fries, specifically noted as Filipino style and only available during brunch."
PositiveFrom post: Whats A Restaurant Youve Eaten At Recently That
"This user mentioned Naks as a highly recommended restaurant."
PositiveFrom post: Favorite Crab Dish In Nyc
"Expressed extreme fondness for the Ginataang Alimango from Naks."
PositiveFrom post: Favorite Crab Dish In Nyc
"Expressed extreme fondness for the Ginataang Alimango from Naks."
PositiveFrom post: Favorite Crab Dish In Nyc
"Recommended Dungeness crab from Naks."
PositiveFrom post: Favorite Crab Dish In Nyc
"Recommended Dungeness crab from Naks."
PositiveFrom post: Rate Our Food Tour
"This commenter suggests adding Naks for their fried chicken sandwich."
PositiveFrom post: Best Slice Of Cake Youve Ever Had In Nyc
"The ube cheesecake at Naks is praised."
PositiveFrom post: Dungeness Crab
"This user simply mentioned 'Naks' in response to a query about Dungeness crab, suggesting it as a potential place to find it."
NeutralFrom post: Your Favorite Ube Foods
"Naks in the East Village is suggested as a pricier option for their ube pie."
PositiveFrom post: Advice Needed
"The commenter suggests Naks as a good option, noting they personally prefer it for brunch. They also raise the important consideration of price point per person."
PositiveFrom post: Advice Needed
"The commenter recently visited Naks and found the Filipino food to be very delicious."
PositiveFrom post: Date Night Ideas Near Ukranian Village East
"Naks is listed as a recommendation."
PositiveFrom post: Date Night Ideas Near Ukranian Village East
"Naks is recommended for its upscale Filipino food, amazing cocktails, and lovely service, suggesting it's suitable for a dressy occasion like Valentine's Day."
PositiveFrom post: Kamayan A Delicious Communal Filipino Feast At
"This user recommended Naks in the Lower East Side as a better alternative to Ihawan, suggesting it for those seeking good Filipino food."
Positive