Quick Bites
- Motek opens its second NYC location on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village — Mediterranean all-day dining with a $5 happy hour
- GiGis and Echo Lake debut tomorrow (April 8) in Greenpoint and Williamsburg
- After Eden and Yesterdays hit the Lower East Side and West Village on April 10
- Oyatte reservations now live for chef Hasung Lees tasting-menu debut near Midtown
New Openings
Motek — Greenwich Village (Now Open)
The Mediterranean hit that blew up on social media at its Flatiron flagship has officially opened its second NYC location at 184 Bleecker Street, on the corner of Bleecker and MacDougal in Greenwich Village. The space — formerly the legendary Café Figaro — now seats about 120 inside plus 50 on an outdoor patio, making it one of the biggest dining rooms on the block. Expect the same sunny, all-day energy: Israeli and Mediterranean comfort food from brunch through dinner, hand-woven umbrella light fixtures, marble tabletops, and white banquettes. The daily $5 happy hour is coming with it. If you have not tried their shakshuka or lamb shawarma yet, this is your chance.
GiGis — Greenpoint (Opening April 8)
Tomorrow brings GiGis to 138 Franklin Street in Greenpoint, a rôtisserie and natural wine spot focused on roasted chicken, housemade terrines, and local cheeses. The vibe is neighborhood-dinner-party-meets-French-countryside. If you love a good bird and a glass of something biodynamic, this is your new Tuesday night.
Echo Lake — Williamsburg (Opening April 8)
Also launching tomorrow: Echo Lake at 357 Grand Street in Williamsburg, a rum-focused tropical bar pouring daiquiris, rhum arrangé, and other Caribbean-leaning cocktails alongside seafood appetizers. Think laid-back island energy in the heart of Williamsburg.
After Eden — Lower East Side (Opening April 10)
After Eden is a dual-concept space at 162 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side. By day, it is a Vietnamese coffee café. By night, it transforms into a Southeast Asian cocktail lounge. The coffee-to-cocktails pivot is exactly the kind of ambitious move the LES does best.
Yesterdays — West Village (Opening April 10)
Yesterdays takes over a massive 6,500-square-foot, two-level space at 157 Bleecker Street in the West Village. The concept: classic NYC bar culture with cocktails, throwback music, and a brunch-to-late-night schedule. It is a love letter to the kind of neighborhood bar that used to define the Village.
Coming Soon: Oyatte, Marcel & Skinny Louie
Reservations are now live for Oyatte, chef Hasung Lees highly anticipated 30-seat tasting menu restaurant on 39th Street and Lexington Avenue. The menu is rooted in seasonal ingredients sourced from Crown Daisy Farm upstate — expect kaiseki-level precision in a minimalist setting.
On April 16, Marcel opens inside the Breuer Building with sophisticated French cuisine from Parisian chef Marie-Aude Rose and executive chef Juan Moncalvo, developed in partnership with Roman and Williams. And on April 24, Miami smash burger darling Skinny Louie plants its third NYC flag at 1565 2nd Avenue on the Upper East Side.
What We Are Watching
The spring opening season is officially in full swing. Between Moteks Greenwich Village arrival and the wave of cocktail bars hitting downtown this week, April is shaping up to be one of the most exciting months for NYC dining in 2026. Keep an eye on our yesterdays openings roundup if you missed the latest on Crybaby Wine Bar and Tins.
Know about an opening or closing we missed? Drop it in the comments.
