TLDR
Elevated Filipino fare featuring communal kamayan feasts and exceptional fried chicken. A vibrant, must-visit East Village spot for unique, hands-on dining.
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 praise the establishment for its consistency and warm service, making it a standout choice in Manhattan for everything from brunch to special tasting dinners [2]. Whether you are looking for crispy fried chicken or indulgent crab dishes, the menu is widely celebrated for its authentic and complex flavor profiles [2], [3].
Food Overview
The menu focuses on elevated, authentic Filipino flavors with standout hits including the crispy fried chicken, lechon, and flavorful crab dishes like Ginataang Alimango [2], [3]. Brunch is highly regarded for unique items like salted egg pancakes and vinegar fries [2], while the kamayan feast offers a popular communal experience served on banana leaves [1]. Some diners found the pork BBQ and chicken adobo less impressive compared to other menu highlights [2].
Highlights / Recommended
"Highly recommended dishes include the crispy fried chicken, lechon, and the various crab preparations [2], [3]. Diners also frequently praise the salted egg pancakes for brunch and the complex, texturally rich dinakdakan [1], [2]."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •ube cheesecake(3)
- •salted egg pancakes(2)
- •fried chicken(2)
- •lechon(2)
Caveats
The restaurant can feel somewhat cramped [1], and some diners have noted that it is a pricier dining option [2].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About NAKS
Recent Reddit Mentions
From 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."
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."
Neutral