NYCReview

photo credit: Corse Design Factory

Essex Pearl review image

Essex Pearl

$$$$

115 Delancey St, New York
View WebsiteEarn 3X Points

We can’t help but feel like Stefon when we tell people that the downstairs at Essex Market (also known as The Market Line) is NYC’s hottest restaurant destination. With options like Gouie and Banchan By Sunny at People’s Wine, there are finally as many great sit-down places as there are typical food court-style vendors. The latest addition, seafood spot Essex Pearl, recently reopened with a Southeast Asian menu featuring basically everything from the ocean—and all of the food is well executed.

Sit at the long winding bar, and go for dishes like deep-fried, whole baby octopus in a spicy lemongrass curry, a generous portion of salmon sashimi bathing in nuoc cham, and a fried dorade that’s one of the best whole fishes we’ve had recently. It’s covered in herbs and a deeply savory and slightly spicy tamarind chile sauce, and it comes out super juicy with a ton of meat on the bones. Despite being in a glorified food hall, the dining area still feels busy but also slightly secluded—which makes it ideal for a date at the bar or a small group dinner where you can pick out a whole lobster or Dungeness crab from the tank and have a lively seafood feast.

Sign up for our newsletter.

Be the first to get expert restaurant recommendations for every situation right in your inbox.


By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Featured in

NYC Restaurants Where You Can Linger For Hours guide image

NYC Restaurants Where You Can Linger For Hours

Suggested Reading

Banchan by Sunny review image
Review
Banchan by Sunny

Banchan by Sunny is a pop-up at People's Wine on the Lower East Side serving a large variety of banchan and other Korean dishes.

Gouie review image
Review

Gouie is a sushi counter on the LES in the Market Line that focuses on high-quality, relatively affordable raw fish.

Dhamaka review image
8.6
Review

Dhamaka is an Indian restaurant in Essex Market on the Lower East Side serving fantastic regional specialties that are hard to find elsewhere in NYC.

Dominican Cravings review image
7.6
Review

Dominican Cravings in Essex Market serves great patacones, including the amazing breakfast version called “Tres Golpes.”

Infatuation Logo
2023 © The Infatuation Inc. All Rights Reserved.

FIND PLACES ON OUR APP

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store