STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The New York Times’ esteemed food critics have narrowed down New York City’s 20,000 restaurants to their 100 best. And two Staten Island establishments have made the list.
Interim restaurant critics Priya Krishna and Melissa Clark, with assistance from editor Brian Gallagher, embarked on a comprehensive culinary journey to compile the annual list. Their process began with Pete Wells’s 2024 selections, to which they added approximately 100 additional contenders.
The critics then conducted extensive field research, spending countless hours traversing the city via subway and even purchasing larger clothing to accommodate their dining adventures. After gathering their individual favorites, they then refined their selections to create a list that showcases New York’s diverse culinary landscape across boroughs, cuisines, price points and dining styles.
The final compilation features a ranked top 10, followed by 90 additional establishments listed alphabetically. This approach differs from previous years when Pete Wells ranked the entire list, a seemingly formidable task with three critics contributing to the selection process.
“Of course, there are more than 100 amazing restaurants in New York,” the critics noted. Their guiding principles centered on key questions: Where would they recommend to friends? Which establishments justify a splurge? Which restaurants merit a lengthy subway journey?
These are the famed hoppers of Sri Lankan cuisine, as shown at Lakruwana. They are made from coconut flour (gluten-free) and heated in a concave skillet with a cracked egg. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)(Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)
Lakruawana
668 Bay St., Stapleton
Lakruwana earned one star from the Times on Jan. 29, 2013. Since then, the restaurant has continued its weekend, all-you-can-eat buffet in the heart of Stapleton. Pete Wells did the deed of tasting the Ceylonese dishes in its then-new location. (Originally it was located on Staten Island in Tompkinsville at 226 Bay St.) The review put Lakrwana Wijesinghe’s restaurant on the food tourist map. Wells noted then, “Particularly delicious are the hoppers, bowl-shaped pancakes that are spongy at the bottom and lacy crisp at the edges, and a perfect vehicle for the compelling lamb curry.”
Past Advance articles note that Lakruwana was the name of Wijesinghe’s restaurant on 44th Street in Manhattan. It was New York City’s first Sri Lankan-themed eatery. A fire destroyed the restaurant in 2003 and the eatery was moved to Lakruwana’s Staten Island hometown.
Shawn-ae's House has been features on the TODAY show with Al Roker Here is Shaw-naé herself. (Staten Island Advance File/Pamela Silvestri)Staten Island Advance
Shaw-naé’s House
381 Van Duzer St., Stapleton; instagram.com/shawnaeshouse
Pete Wells bestowed two stars on Shaw-naé’s House on April 2, 2024. The more recent Times Top 100 roundup summarizes, “The formidable whole snapper is expertly fried, and the ribs, lacquered with a sweet-and-spicy barbecue sauce, eagerly fall off the bone.” The review summary recommends rum punch and “soul fries,” indulgent fries piled with collard greens, fried chicken and Mac ‘n’ cheese. A version of the latter dish with oxtails was featured on Virgil’s BBQ menu for its 30th anniversary with a portion of the proceeds slated for the Lotus Bridge, Dixon’s charitable foundation.
Shaw-naé Dixon receives her honorary Tiffany silver bowl at the 2025 Women of Achievement luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bloomfield on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)Staten Island Advance
The Gray Lady’s accolades convey a dining experience that feels like a warm embrace, thanks to Shaw-naé’s welcoming atmosphere, comfort food classics, and creative culinary offerings.
Last month, Shaw-naé was honored by the Advance/SILive.com as a Staten Island Advance Woman of Achievement.
The full list of critics’ picks can be found at NYTimes.com.
Pamela Silvestri is Advance/SILive.com food editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.