Virta Eats: Manhattan

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants

Brodo

East Village
Quick-Serve

Why it works

Protein‑rich bone broths and add‑ins; very low carb by default.

What to order

Large broth with chicken or beef + add collagen/egg.

Why it works

American brasserie with protein‑centric mains and salads.

What to order

Brick pressed chicken; salmon; market salad with added steak.

Au Za’atar

East Village
Sit-Down

Why it works

Lebanese grill; easy meat + vegetable plates; skip rice & pita.

What to order

Mixed grill (chicken, kafta, lamb) with salad; tahini; no bread.

Why it works

Greek seafood with olive oil‑heavy, low‑carb preparations.

What to order

Whole grilled lavraki (branzino); horiartiki salad; no pita.

Why it works

Central Texas‑style BBQ—order meats by the pound.

What to order

Moist brisket or turkey breast; cucumber salad; skip cornbread.

Why it works

Korean steakhouse tasting sets—pure protein if you skip rice.

What to order

Butcher’s Feast; lettuce wraps; egg soufflé; avoid sugary sauces.

Why it works

Seasonal American—choose protein mains with veg sides.

What to order

Roasted chicken or grilled steak; farm vegetables; avoid bread/pasta.

Why it works

All‑you‑can‑eat Korean BBQ; pure protein if you skip rice/noodles.

What to order

Assorted beef/pork cuts; lettuce wraps; kimchi (watch sugar).

Why it works

Iconic deli meats; easy to go bread‑less for high protein.

What to order

Pastrami or corned beef ‘no bread’ plate with pickles and mustard.

Why it works

Seafood‑only, Michelin 3‑star—light, low‑carb preparations.

What to order

Chef’s tasting emphasizing fish; ask for low‑carb adjustments.

Why it works

Seafood & steak with classic sides; low‑carb friendly.

What to order

Blackened salmon or filet; asparagus; Caesar no croutons.

Why it works

High‑end chain with excellent steaks and seafood; easy to adapt.

What to order

Bone‑in ribeye; crab cake without breadcrumbs (check)

Why it works

Dry‑aging room and classic cuts; keto‑friendly sides available.

What to order

T‑bone; grilled asparagus; avoid fries.

Why it works

Upscale Greek seafood—simple, olive‑oil driven; very keto‑friendly.

What to order

Whole grilled fish; Greek salad (no onions if desired); grilled veg.

Why it works

Steakhouse menu with shareable proteins; order à la carte meats & veg.

What to order

Beef tenderloin or lamb; side asparagus/spinach; skip bread.

Why it works

Alsatian‑inspired Michelin 2‑star; protein‑centric courses possible.

What to order

Tasting menu highlighting fish/game; request veg in place of starch.

Why it works

Steaks and seafood; straightforward low‑carb ordering.

What to order

Porterhouse; jumbo shrimp cocktail; side broccoli.

Why it works

Classic upscale steakhouse; tailor sides to stay low‑carb.

What to order

Dry‑aged sirloin; seared salmon; side green beans/asparagus.

STK Midtown

Midtown
Fine Dining
Steakhouse

Why it works

Trendy steakhouse; protein‑centric mains and salads.

What to order

Filet or ribeye

Why it works

Grand mid‑century chophouse; meat/seafood‑centric.

What to order

Prime rib or lamb chops; house salad (no croutons).

Why it works

Greek seafood; whole fish and grilled octopus—naturally low carb.

What to order

Whole fish (tsipoura/branzino) + horta (greens) with olive oil.

Keens Steakhouse

Midtown
Fine Dining
Steakhouse

Why it works

NYC icon with abundant steak and chop selections; easy to stay no‑carb.

What to order

Prime rib or mutton chop; creamed spinach (ask light), sautéed mushrooms.

Why it works

Famed porterhouse and other cuts; naturally low‑carb with veg sides.

What to order

Porterhouse for two; sautéed spinach or steamed asparagus.

Sparks Steak House

Midtown East
Fine Dining
Steakhouse

Why it works

Classic steakhouse; order meats à la carte and veggie sides.

What to order

Sirloin or filet mignon; side asparagus or broccoli; skip potatoes.

Smith & Wollensky

Midtown East
Fine Dining
Steakhouse

Why it works

Old‑school steakhouse with many protein‑forward plates.

What to order

Dry‑aged ribeye; steamed broccoli, sautéed spinach ; shrimp cocktail (no sauce sugar).

Why it works

Vintage tavern with steaks, chops, and burgers; easy to go low‑carb.

What to order

Bunless burger or grilled salmon

Gyu‑Kaku

Midtown East
Sit-Down

Why it works

Japanese BBQ chain; choose lean/fatty cuts; avoid sugary sauces.

What to order

Harami skirt steak; garlic shrimp; cabbage salad; no rice.

Why it works

Salad bowls that can be made grain‑free and protein‑heavy.

What to order

Custom salad: romaine/arugula + chicken/steak + olive oil & lemon.

Chopt

Multiple
Quick-Serve

Why it works

Large salads; easy to go low‑carb with double protein.

What to order

Classic Cobb with extra chicken, no croutons; vinaigrette on side.

Why it works

Burrito bowls without rice/beans; add extra protein and fajita veggies.

What to order

Chicken/steak bowl: no rice/beans; fajita veg + guac; cheese if desired.

Why it works

Make‑your‑own salads with meats, eggs, cheese; keto‑friendly dressings.

What to order

Chicken Caesar without croutons; add avocado/egg.

CAVA

Multiple
Quick-Serve

Why it works

Mediterranean bowls with greens base and grilled proteins; skip pita/grains.

What to order

Greens + grilled chicken or lamb; tzatziki and feta, no rice/pita.

Why it works

Seafood tavern fare—easy to keep it light and low‑carb.

What to order

Blackened salmon; PEI mussels (no bread); side seasonal veg.

Chipotle

Multiple
Quick-Serve

Why it works

Easy keto salad bowls; protein‑forward with cheese/sour cream if desired.

What to order

Salad bowl + steak or chicken; fajita veggies; tomatillo‑green salsa; no rice/beans.

Why it works

Clean-ingredient menu with broths and bunless burgers; easy to keep carbs near zero.

What to order

Bunless grass‑fed burger + side salad; bone broth cup for extra protein.

Bareburger

Multiple
Quick-Serve

Why it works

Custom burgers with lettuce or collard wraps; lots of high‑quality protein choices.

What to order

Any burger in a lettuce or collard wrap; add egg/bacon, skip fries.

Why it works

Market bowls with proteins and plenty of veggie sides.

What to order

Greens base + roasted chicken or salmon; add extra veg; skip grains.

Why it works

‘Lettuce wrap’ option for any burger; protein‑dense patties.

What to order

ShackBurger lettuce wrap; extra patty

Five Guys

Multiple
Quick-Serve

Why it works

Bunless burgers wrapped in lettuce; generous protein options.

What to order

Double bacon cheeseburger lettuce‑wrap; add mushrooms/onions (grilled).

Why it works

Classic NYC deli with generous meat plates; low‑carb if you skip bread.

What to order

Hot pastrami or turkey platter, no bread; side slaw (light dressing).

Why it works

Sushi spot where sashimi/ceviche shine for low‑carb dining.

What to order

Sashimi omakase; seaweed salads; avoid rice.

Why it works

Seafood‑centric menu with many low‑carb fish/steak options.

What to order

Grilled branzino or sushi‑style sashimi

Why it works

Classic brasserie with protein‑forward plates and salads.

What to order

Steak au poivre (no frites); shellfish platter; spinach.

Why it works

Japanese yakiniku (grilled meats) — extremely keto‑friendly.

What to order

Prime short rib and skirt steak; side salad; no rice.

JG Melon

Upper East Side
Sit-Down

Why it works

Classic NYC burger joint; bunless burger option.

What to order

Cheeseburger no bun + side salad

Sushi Yasaka

Upper West Side
Sit-Down

Why it works

Popular sushi with high‑quality sashimi; great protein focus.

What to order

Sashimi deluxe; grilled fish collar; miso soup; no rice.

Why it works

BBQ platters by the pound; pick low‑sugar rubs and veggie sides.

What to order

Sliced brisket or pulled chicken; collard greens (light on sauce).

Why it works

Order grill plates over salad greens; skip pita/hummus for very low carb.

What to order

Chicken kebab over salad; tahini on side; extra grilled veg.

Westville

Upper West Side
Quick-Serve

Why it works

Protein + market‑veg plates; sides are mostly non‑starchy veggies.

What to order

Grilled salmon or chicken + two market veggies (e.g., broccoli, spinach).

Why it works

Smoked meats by the pound; choose slaw/greens instead of bread.

What to order

Brisket or pulled pork by the half‑pound

Why it works

French brasserie with steak, roasted chicken, and salad niçoise options.

What to order

Steak frites (no frites, extra veg); salad niçoise;