TLDR
Elevated Filipino fare in the heart of the East Village. Known for interactive kamayan feasts and consistently delicious, authentic plates.
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
Located in the East Village, this restaurant serves as a premier destination for elevated Filipino cuisine, offering both a la carte dining and an interactive kamayan feast [1]. Guests frequently commend the kitchen for its consistency, highlighting it as one of the best Filipino spots in Manhattan [2]. The atmosphere is described as inviting and lively, making it a popular choice for both casual brunch and special occasions [3].
Food Overview
The menu features a range of authentic Filipino offerings, with standouts like the fried chicken, Dungeness crab, and karekare receiving high praise from patrons [2], [4]. Other celebrated items include the ube cheesecake, ube pie, and crispy pritong itik [1], [4], [5]. While most dishes are lauded, some visitors have found the pork BBQ and chicken adobo to be just okay in comparison to the restaurant's top performers [2].
Caveats
Please note that the kamayan communal dining experience is no longer offered [6]. Additionally, some diners note that the restaurant can be a pricier dining option [3].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About NAKS
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Looking For Recs For A Couple Days In The Les One
"Disappointed that the kamayan service is no longer offered."
NegativeFrom post: Top Recommendations For Places That Have
"Recommended as a place to find Filipino longanisa."
NeutralFrom post: Trying To Find A Chicago Style Breakfast Sandwich
"Suggested as a place to try for a Filipino-style breakfast sandwich."
NeutralFrom 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."
Neutral