Want the intel on New York City's most talked-about local spots?
We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp and SafeGraph, a dataset of commercial points of interest and their visitor patterns, to discover which local businesses have been in the limelight this month.
To find out who made the list, we first looked at New York City businesses on Yelp by category and counted how many reviews each received. Rather than compare them based on number of reviews alone, we calculated a percentage increase in reviews over the past month, and tracked businesses that consistently increased their volume of reviews to identify statistically significant outliers compared to past performance. Then we analyzed foot traffic data from SafeGraph to validate the trends.
Read on to see which spots are riding a trend, right now.
Bandit
Open since last summer, the flagship store of app-based coffee concept Bandit is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Coffee & Tea" on Yelp.
Citywide, coffee and tea spots saw a median 2.5% increase in new reviews over the past month. Bandit only recently appeared on Yelp, but while many new businesses struggle to gain reviews, it has seen strong initial popularity.
Here's more about the business, from its history section on Yelp: "We don't know about you, but at Bandit, we think lines and waiting around are a thing of the past. With Bandit, your favorite beverage is just a few taps away. Plus, we won't overcharge you like the other folks do. Download our app today to get your first drink free."
Located at 466 Lexington Ave. (between 45th and 46th streets) in Midtown, Bandit offers espresso drinks, matcha lattes, cold brew, kombucha and more, all available to order via the company's app. This flagship store also has seating, if you're in less of a hurry and feel like lingering.
Bandit is open from 7 a.m.–5 p.m. on weekdays. (It's closed on weekends.)
Barrel 79
Whether or not you've been hearing buzz about Washington Heights' Barrel 79, the bar and restaurant is a hot topic according to Yelp review data.
While businesses categorized as "Bars" on Yelp saw a median 1.4% increase in new reviews over the past month, Barrel 79 bagged a 55% increase in new reviews within that time frame, maintaining a convincing 4.5-star rating. It significantly outperformed the previous month by gaining 11.0 times more reviews than expected based on its past performance.
Open at 79 Audubon Ave. (at 169th Street) since August, Barrel 79 offers local draft beer, wine on tap and specialty cocktails, as well as a full dining menu centered around bar bites and burgers. Stop in during happy hour for discounted drinks and snacks, or on the weekend for brunch specials.
Barrel 79 is open from 1–10 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 1 p.m.–2 a.m. on Friday, 11 a.m.–2 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.–10 on Sunday.
Ricardo Steak House
East Harlem's Ricardo Steak House is also making waves. Open since 2004 at 2145 Second Ave. (between 110th and 111st streets), the well-established steak and seafood restaurant has seen only a 1.3% bump in new reviews over the last month, compared to a median review increase of 1.6% for all businesses tagged "Seafood" on Yelp. However, according to SafeGraph foot traffic data, Ricardo Steak House saw visits more than triple over the past month.
Interested in knowing more about this business? We found this on Yelp: "When Ricardo Steak House opened, its patrons were treated to the sight of exposed brick walls adorned with local artwork, an open kitchen showcasing talented chefs, and an outdoor patio. A particular point of pleasure for diners, the backyard patio is perfect for summer nights. It is also enclosed and heated during the colder months. Most importantly, our guests are continually greeted by warm and familiar faces."
In addition to a wide selection of steaks, Ricardo Steak House offers seafood dishes like seared salmon, lobster ravioli and sautéed shrimp, and a raw bar featuring oysters, clams and more. Over the past month, it's maintained a superior four-star rating among Yelpers.
Ricardo Steak House is open from 4–11 p.m. on Monday-Wednesday, 4 p.m.–midnight on Thursday, noon–midnight on Friday and Saturday, and noon–11 p.m. on Sunday. According to SafeGraph, it's usually busiest at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., and people visit Ricardo Steak House most on Thursdays and Saturdays, so go on Mondays if you want to avoid the rush.
Tabaré
Bushwick's Tabaré is currently on the upswing in the Latin American category on Yelp.
While businesses categorized as "Latin American" on Yelp saw a median 1.9% increase in new reviews over the past month, this Bushwick outpost of the Williamsburg Uruguayan spot increased its new reviews by 83.3% — with its Yelp rating declining slightly from 4.5 stars to four stars. Review counts increased by more than 170% on a month-to-month basis.
Here's more about the business from its Yelp page: "Tabaré, a staple for Uruguayan cuisine in Williamsburg for the past 10 years, is taking its well-earned name and reputation further east and opening a new outpost in Bushwick."
Want to know more? "The restaurant's chic décor is cozy and intimate, with an elegant and vintage look, evoking the charm of a softly lit European café. The new Tabaré will stay open late, serving handcrafted cocktails and featuring live music and DJs on weekends." — that's courtesy of its Yelp page.
Open for business at 1006 Flushing Ave. (near the corner of Flushing and Wilson) since December, Tabaré offers a focused menu of elevated Uruguayan dishes. Check out the grilled octopus casserole, the house empanadas, the fish of the day and the chivito completo — a take on the traditional Uruguayan sandwich made with filet mignon, fried organic bacon, Provolone cheese and aioli. Tabaré also boasts a full bar and a brunch menu with sweet and savory fare.
Tabaré is open for dinner from 5–11 p.m. on Sunday-Thursday and 5 p.m.–midnight on Friday and Saturday. On weekends, it serves brunch from noon–4 p.m.
This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
