Billions does an amazing job showcasing some of the finer points of life. Especially in New York City, the emphasis on cuisine is heavily hit on. Some of the most well-known and most-visited establishments like Peter Lugers and Momofuku Ko and they also hit a classic or two like Shake Shack. Lets explore the culinary adventure brought to us by Billions.
21 Club
The 21 Club, a Manhattan favorite with a legacy stretching back to the 30s, has since closed. Once a popular speakeasy, the club lasted for 80 years.
Figurines of jockeys lined the iron gates, and a collection of toys brought by visitors (including two presidents) covered the Bar Room’s ceiling.
Like many other popular bars and restaurants, “21” was done in by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it was already much too pricey and exclusive for most.
Marea
It’s fitting that Marea was showcased on Billions — it costs you billions to eat there. Located on Central Park South, this Italian restaurant is known for fine dining.
Those high prices aren’t for nothing, though. Marea has won a ton of awards and accolades. Zagat named it the best Italian restaurant in NYC.
When it opened, it was also named the Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit, GQ, and Esquire. It better be good — the spaghetti is $45.
Peter Luger Steak House
This high-end steakhouse is located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with a second establishment in Great Neck, Long Island. Its first iteration was founded in the 19th century.
Nowadays, it’s a lot fancier. It was first shown on Billions during its third season, though it was mentioned in the first.
However, its status as NYC’s best steakhouse is slipping. In 2019, a New York Times review gave it zero stars. It lost its Michelin star a few years later.
Del Posto
Unlike “21” or Pete Luger, Del Posto didn’t span centuries. It was founded in 2005, and quickly became a New York staple.
While it was different from “21” on that front, they did have one thing in common — they both shuttered their doors in 2021.
The Italian restaurant’s building was auctioned off, and will now be renovated into a cocktail bar, a casual restaurant, and a (new and improved!) Italian restaurant.
Jean-Georges
This French restaurant, located in Trump Tower and overlooking Central Park, is the epitome of fine dining. It has not one, but two Michelin stars.
Unlike Peter Luger Steak House, it received a highly-favorable review from the New York Times, with a whopping four out of four stars.
If the Upper West Side location and Billions reference didn’t tip you off already, it’s as pricey as it is elegant. It’s against the rules to wear jeans.
Le Bernardin
You thought Jean-Georges was impressive? Wait til you hear about Le Bernardin. This French restaurant specializes in seafood, and has three Michelin stars.
Le Bernardin was first founded in Paris, before opening its famous New York location in the late 80s. It’s located in Midtown Manhattan.
While we don’t see the characters in Billions ever dine here, it is mentioned. Roxanne mentions having leftovers from here at one point.
Daniel
The Billions characters really seem to love dining at insanely expensive French restaurants with Michelin stars and fancy dress codes, don’t they?
While the restaurant itself has two stars, the restaurateur, Chef Daniel Boulud, has four. It’s located on the Upper East Side, and boy, does it show.
A seven course tasting menu costs a little less than $300 — and that’s just to taste, mind you. To be fair, everything looks incredible.
The Spotted Pig
The Spotted Pig was an iconic West Village gastropub. It was open for 16 years before its eventual closure in 2020.
During its heyday, it garnered attention from lots of movie stars and famous musicians, until it all came crashing down — and not because of COVID.
The Spotted Pig’s owner, Ken Friedman, was convicted of sexual assault charges, leading to a full-blown investigation led by New York’s attorney general.
Per Se
Per Se, located at Columbus Circle, is described as a “New American” restaurant (an often confusing term that’s the source of much contention in the food world).
However, a closer look at their menu and website shows that they’re directly inspired by French cuisine, albeit with an America twist.
It’s unsurprising that Bobby Axelrod and co. would dine here. They offer a carefully curated selection of fine wines to serve alongside their food.
Eleven Madison Park
Located right on Madison Avenue in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, Eleven Madison Park is as ritzy as they come. With three Michelin stars, they charge around $365 per person.
What separates this from other restaurants of its ilk, however, is its tasting menu: as of 2021, all items are 100% plant-based.
The restaurant was founded in 1998, before undergoing major changes in the 2010s that made it what it is today, building renovations being one of them.
Babbo
This restaurant is located in Manhattan’s West Village. 1998 seems like a good year for fine dining — like Eleven Madison Park, Babbo also opened that year.
The restaurant aims to bring regional Italian fare to a majority American consumer base, sourcing many ingredients from local farmers. The pasta, however, is imported from Italy.
Although it used to boast two Michelin stars, it’s been reduced down to zero. It hasn’t regained them since it first lost them in 2020.
Blue Hill
Another West Village classic, Blue Hill currently holds two Michelin stars. It was founded in 2000, and has been on the up-and-up ever since.
Although it’s a classy place, it has a more down-to-earth vibe than the aforementioned restaurants. They welcome children, and have a more relaxed dress code.
Blue Hill also holds a farm-to-table philosophy. Many of their ingredients are sourced from a family farm of the same name, located in Massachusetts.
Craft
Craft is less expensive than the other restaurants listed, though not by much. They serve your favorite American comfort foods in the form of fine dining.
They’ve been at it for 20 years, and received three stars from the New York Times. Unfortunately, they have no Michelin stars.
That wasn’t always the case, however. They used to have one, but sadly lost it in 2007. Either way, it’s good enough for Billionaires.
Gramercy Tavern
Gramercy Tavern is another Michelin-star holding restaurant out of the Flatiron District. It was established in 1994 close to Union Square.
Though they only have one Michelin star, they’ve managed to hold on to it since 2005, which, as you’ve seen, is no easy feat.
Their menu mainly serves American food, though a lot more upscale. We’re talking $36 grilled pork shoulder and the best banana split sundae you’ll probably ever have.
Katz’s Delicatessen
Katz’s Deli has been a New York classic since the 19th century, when it was founded. Located on the Lower East Side, it’s famous for its pastrami.
In fact, it’s the oldest Jewish deli in the entire city. While locals complain about it being too touristy, the lines speak for themselves.
It’s not fine dining (you don’t have to wear a suit to order a sandwich). A little pricey for a deli, but much less expensive than Jean-Georges.
Momofuku Ko
NYC’s Momofuku Ko was the flagship location for a series of fine dining restaurants across the world, founded by chef David Chang.
After earning two Michelin stars over the course of its 15-year run, it closed in November 2023. It’s one of many Momofuku Ko locations that have shut down.
It was known for combining cultural foods, making for a unique dining experience. Chang combined Korean, Southern, and European delicacies — and it was delicious.
Shake Shack
Yeah, we know — this is way different from the other places on this list. Like, it could not be more different.
Still, it makes an appearance on Billions season one all the same (and let’s be honest, you could probably go for a Shake Shack milkshake right now).
Shake Shack started off as an NYC hot dog stand in 2001, before opening brick-and-mortar locations throughout the city (and, eventually, the world).
Sushi Nakazawa
You may think you’ve had good sushi, but trust us. You’ve never had sushi like this. Located in the West Village, Sushi Nakazawa adheres to the omakase style.
Omakase is a Japanese word, translating to “I leave it up to you.” While this is uncommon in America, it’s more commonplace abroad.
So, at Sushi Nakazawa, the chef chooses a personalized sushi menu for you. However, they stick only to Nigiri-sushi, which is kind of oval-shaped.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Like Shake Shack, this is a food chain. However, while it does have locations in and around NYC, it’s more heavily-focused in upstate New York.
It was actually founded in Syracuse in the late 80s, and quickly expanded throughout the state, with locations popping up in Rochester, Troy, and Buffalo.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que actually caters mostly towards bikers. It serves delicious barbecue in a fun setting, sometimes with live music. They also have locations in New Jersey.
Rao’s
When Bobby Axelrod took the governor out to dinner, this is where they went. Funnily enough, the owners actually had a cameo.
So, what makes Rao’s stand out from every other Italian restaurant? Well, it’s really, really hard to get into, for starters.
To get into this East Harlem establishment, you need to know one of the regulars — often celebrities. There’s also no menus, but the food is (apparently) delicious.
Joe’s Shanghai
Joe’s Shanghai is a fantastic Chinatown restaurant well known for its dumplings. This is an all-time establishment.
Many different eateries are talked about or visited in Billions. Part of the interest of the show lied in its references to all things New York.
What is so great about this place is how fun it is to eat at, especially with big groups of people. They serve things family style and its fantastic.
The Modern
The Modern is a Michelin-starred restaurant that offers incredible views of the Modern Museum of Art. Its a one-of-a-kind restaurant.
The Modern is well-known for being a special experience but also its an incredible culinary experience on its own.
The same beauty that we see at the Modern Museum of Art can be seen in the dishes served at the Modern. Its really a breath taking meal.
Minetta Tavern
The Minetta Tavern, most notably visited by literary legends like Joe Gould, was in fact found during a pretty wild time, the Prohibition era.
The place was established in 1937 and serves a Bistro-style food, with incredible burgers. The place is also beautifully designed with vintage decor.
Its a fantastic experience because not only is the food delicious but also the ambiance is beautiful and there is a lot of history to the place.
The Polo Bar
The Polo Bar is an American style staple made by designer Ralph Lauren. It serves some classic dishes and also is well-known for its drinks and handheld snacks.
The Polo Bar is absolutely fantastic and has an incredible ambiance that is considered very unique. It encompasses very well the style and class of the Ralph Lauren brand.
The food is no different. Its elegant and classy. The burger is stacked high and they have plenty of dishes with steak and lobster. A very fitting restaurant for Billions.
Balthazar
Balthazar is a romantic experience to say the least. Its French cuisine, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. It really is a fantastic restaurant.
It is another legendary restaurant that gets mentioned in the show. There is no shortage of classics in Billions. They pay salute to so many good places.
Balthazar is like many of these other restaurants on the list-very classy. The food is incredible and the ambiance is beautiful.
P.J. Clarke’s
P.J. Clarke’s actually has a few location-on 3rd street, on West 63rd, and their “On The Hudson” location. There is a famous table #20 that is actually where Frank Sinatra frequently sat.
This restaurant has a lot of history to it. Its another post-prohibition restaurant that grew during that time, which is somewhat interesting if you remember what Prohibition was all about.
If you are looking for another Prohibition-like experience, this one will be great. The history behind it makes it a night within itself.
Nobu
We couldn’t leave out Nobu! They occasionally offer a special omakase menu, much like Sushi Nakazawa. They have locations all across the world.
Two of those locations are in New York: one downtown, and another on West 57th street. While it’s an NYC staple, what’s most notable is its outreach.
You see, Nobu isn’t just a restaurant franchise — it’s also a high-end hotel empire. Its special blend of Peruvian and Japanese food has ensured its wild success.
Keens Steakhouse
Keens Steakhouse is an incredible experience — and, apparently, the perfect place to fight with somebody about their betrayal (at least, according to Chuck Roades and Bryan Connerty).
They’ve been famous for their mutton chops for decades, with rave reviews dating back to 1950. Its establishment dates even farther back, to the 1880s.
Even more fascinating is the decor. Tens of thousands of clay pipes line the walls, alongside various art pieces and bits of history.
Gotham Bar and Grill
Now known as the Gotham Restaurant, the former Gotham Bar and Grill is located in the West Village. Though they closed during COVID, it didn’t do them in.
Established in 1984, the Gotham Restaurant changed its name in 2021 after a change in ownership. They boast a history of three-star reviews from the New York Times.
They’ve apparently updated their menu to be more environmentally-conscious, whilst decorating the space with books and art. You can also buy books from their website.
L’Artusi
L’Artusi is an Italian restaurant located in the West Village. You can order most Italian dishes here, but they’re best known for their pastas and wines.
Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t order dessert! Rumor has it that their gelato is handmade. They’re also more focused on traditional Italian food.
If you’re looking for Italian-American fare, you might want to look elsewhere. L’Artusi makes regional Italian dishes, with the goal of sharing them with the States.
