12 Restaurants That Serve The Best Fried Chicken In New York

New York’s food scene has something for everyone, but nothing quite satisfies like perfectly crispy, juicy fried chicken.
I’ve spent years hunting down the city’s most mouthwatering poultry offerings, from hole-in-the-wall joints to upscale eateries.
Whether you prefer Southern-style, Korean-inspired, or innovative fusion creations, these 12 spots serve up the most finger-lickin’ good fried chicken in the Big Apple.
1. Buttermilk Channel: Brooklyn’s Crispy Crown Jewel

Last month, I finally made the pilgrimage to this Carroll Gardens institution, and folks, the hype is real! Their buttermilk-brined chicken arrives with a golden-brown crust that shatters with each bite, revealing impossibly juicy meat underneath.
What makes this place special isn’t just the chicken—it’s the honey-drizzled cheddar waffles served alongside. The sweet-savory combination creates flavor fireworks in your mouth. The restaurant’s cozy, unpretentious atmosphere feels like dining in someone’s home, if that someone happened to be a fried chicken genius.
Pro tip: They don’t take reservations for smaller parties, so arrive early or prepare for a wait. Trust me, even if you stand in line for an hour, that first crispy bite will make you forget all about it.
2. Hill Country Chicken: Flatiron’s Texas-Sized Flavor

Y’all won’t believe how this Flatiron District gem transported me straight to the Lone Star State! Hill Country Chicken serves up Texas-style fried chicken that would make any Southern grandma proud. Their secret? A crackly, peppery crust that somehow stays intact despite being impossibly thin.
I nearly fainted when I tried their Mama Els’ recipe—skin so crisp it practically sings, while the meat stays tender and flavorful. The place itself channels vintage Americana with checkerboard floors and counter service that’ll remind you of simpler times.
Beyond chicken, their pies deserve their own special mention. Grab a slice of the bourbon pecan to complete your meal. My favorite move is grabbing a three-piece dark meat combo with their jalapeño cornbread—it’s the perfect spicy-sweet sidekick to that magnificent chicken.
3. Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too: Soul Food Sanctuary

Stepping into this Upper West Side institution feels like being transported to a Southern grandmother’s kitchen. The chicken here isn’t just food—it’s heritage on a plate! When the server brought out my plate of golden-brown chicken, the aroma alone was worth the trip.
Miss Mamie’s secret lies in their perfectly seasoned coating that’s neither too thick nor too thin. Each piece is fried to perfection—crispy exterior giving way to succulent meat that’s been marinated in what I suspect is a closely guarded family recipe. The collard greens and mac and cheese sides are mandatory companions to this soul food masterpiece.
Family photos line the walls, and the staff treats you like a long-lost relative. I’ve watched tourists and locals alike fall silent when they take their first bite—that’s the power of fried chicken done right. Harlem’s soul food tradition lives on deliciously here.
4. Red Rooster Harlem: Marcus Samuelsson’s Masterpiece

Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson has created something truly special at Red Rooster. Their ‘Yard Bird’ fried chicken had me questioning everything I thought I knew about this comfort food classic! The chicken gets a 24-hour marinade in buttermilk, coconut milk, and spices before meeting the fryer.
What results is a revelation: crunchy, herb-flecked crust surrounding meat so juicy it should be illegal. The accompanying mace gravy and hot sauce offer perfect complementary flavors. Red Rooster’s vibrant atmosphere, with live music most nights, makes the experience even more memorable.
I love watching first-timers take their initial bite—there’s always that moment of wide-eyed surprise. The restaurant’s celebration of Harlem’s culinary heritage shines through in every aspect. Come hungry and prepare for a chicken experience that’ll reset your standards forever.
5. Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken: Harlem’s Hidden Treasure

Finding Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken was like discovering buried treasure! Tucked away in Harlem, this unassuming spot serves what might be the most authentic Southern pan-fried chicken in the city. Chef Charles Gabriel has been perfecting his technique for over four decades, and it shows.
Unlike most places that deep-fry, Charles uses massive cast-iron skillets to pan-fry his chicken, creating a distinctively crunchy, craggly crust that clings perfectly to the meat. The seasoning penetrates deeply, ensuring flavor in every bite. His buffet-style setup means you can pair that incredible chicken with rotating soul food sides like black-eyed peas and candied yams.
The no-frills environment keeps the focus where it belongs—on that extraordinary chicken. Charles himself might be there, quietly working his magic. This place is the definition of “worth the trip” no matter where you’re coming from.
6. Double Chicken Please: Lower East Side’s Cocktail Companion

Never would I have expected one of NYC’s hottest cocktail bars to serve chicken that made me temporarily forget about my $18 drink! Double Chicken Please on the Lower East Side has created the perfect high-low combination—craft cocktails paired with absolutely knockout Taiwanese popcorn chicken.
These bite-sized morsels arrive piping hot, dusted with a secret spice blend that tingles on your tongue. The chicken is marinated in soy and rice wine before being double-fried, creating an almost impossibly light, shatteringly crisp exterior. The bartenders mix drinks with scientific precision while the kitchen turns out batch after batch of these addictive bites.
The sleek, modern space gets packed quickly, but the chicken arrives fast enough to satisfy impatient munchies. Pro move: order the popcorn chicken with their Cold Pizza cocktail—the unlikely pairing somehow works brilliantly together.
7. Coqodaq: Flatiron’s Korean Fried Chicken Revolution

My first bite of Coqodaq’s Korean fried chicken literally stopped me mid-conversation. Located in Flatiron, this sleek spot specializes in twice-fried chicken that achieves the impossible: a paper-thin, glass-like crust that stays crispy even after being tossed in sauce!
Their signature soy-garlic glaze hits all the right notes—sweet, savory, and utterly craveable. What really blew my mind was how the chicken remained juicy despite the intense frying process. The restaurant’s modern, minimalist design with neon accents creates the perfect backdrop for this flavor explosion.
Don’t skip their pickled radishes—the tangy crunch provides the perfect counterpoint to the rich chicken. I’ve brought three different friend groups here, and watching their faces light up with that first bite has become my favorite part of the experience. Korean fried chicken has ruined all other versions for me!
8. 375 Chicken ‘N Fries: Neighborhood Gem With Global Flavors

I stumbled upon 375 Chicken ‘N Fries during a rainstorm in Harlem, and that lucky accident changed my fried chicken life forever! This unassuming storefront serves up chicken that’s pressure-fried in soybean oil, creating a uniquely light and greaseless experience.
What makes 375 special is their international flavor options. From Korean gochujang to Jamaican jerk, each sauce perfectly complements the impeccably fried chicken. The meat stays incredibly juicy while the coating maintains its crunch even after saucing. Their hand-cut fries deserve special mention—crispy outside, fluffy inside, and the perfect vehicle for sauce-mopping.
With locations in Harlem, Bed-Stuy, and the Meatpacking District, they’re bringing quality chicken to diverse neighborhoods. The staff remembers regulars and always tosses in an extra wing when they see me coming. This place proves that sometimes the best food comes from the most unassuming spots.
9. Tori Shin: Michelin-Starred Yakitori Excellence

Tori Shin may be known for their grilled yakitori skewers, but their karaage (Japanese fried chicken) is the secret star of this Michelin-starred show! I nearly fell off my chair when I first tasted these golden nuggets of perfection.
Unlike American-style fried chicken, Tori Shin’s version uses potato starch for an incredibly light, crisp coating that shatters delicately. The chicken is marinated in soy, ginger, and sake, giving it a depth of flavor that’s simultaneously subtle and profound. A squeeze of lemon and a dab of their house-made mayo elevates it further.
The elegant, minimalist space on the Upper East Side feels worlds away from typical fried chicken joints. Sitting at the counter watching the chefs work is half the experience. Yes, it’s pricier than other spots on this list, but for a special occasion, this refined take on fried chicken is absolutely worth every penny.
10. Le Coq Rico: Flatiron’s French Poultry Paradise

The French aren’t typically associated with fried chicken, but Le Coq Rico in Flatiron will change your mind forever! Chef Antoine Westermann’s “Petite Poulet Frit” made me question everything I thought I knew about this dish.
Using heritage-breed birds raised for 90+ days (compared to the typical 40), the difference in flavor is immediately apparent. The chicken is brined in aromatic herbs before being coated in a delicate, champagne-batter and fried to a golden crisp. What emerges is chicken with actual character—meat that tastes distinctly chickeny, if that makes sense.
The elegant bistro setting elevates the entire experience. Their homemade aioli served alongside provides the perfect creamy counterpoint. While definitely on the pricier side, this is fried chicken as haute cuisine. I’ve taken chicken snobs here who became converts after one bite of this sophisticated take on a comfort classic.
11. Pecking House: Chinatown’s Chili Crisp Champion

Pecking House started as a pandemic delivery service with a waitlist thousands long, and now their Chinatown location proves the hype was justified! Created by a former Eleven Madison Park chef, this chicken changed how I think about heat and flavor balance.
Their signature Sichuan chili fried chicken delivers three perfect textures: the shattering crust, the juicy meat, and the tingling chili crisp coating that numbs your lips in the most pleasant way possible. Brined for 24 hours before frying, the chicken itself would be exceptional even without the magical spice blend.
The tiny restaurant fills up fast, creating an energetic vibe as diners collectively experience flavor euphoria. Don’t miss their duck fat rice—it’s the perfect vehicle for soaking up that precious chili oil. I’ve literally set calendar reminders to place orders here; that’s how serious my addiction has become!
12. Birds Of A Feather: Williamsburg’s Sichuan Sensation

Hidden among Williamsburg’s trendy eateries, Birds of a Feather serves up a Sichuan-style fried chicken that literally made me tear up—partly from the Sichuan peppercorn’s numbing effect, partly from pure joy! Their “La Zi Ji” (spicy fried chicken) arrives buried under a mountain of dried chilies and peppercorns.
The chicken pieces are small, bone-in morsels that have been twice-fried to create an incredibly crunchy exterior while keeping the meat tender. What makes this version special is the complex layering of flavors—the numbing peppercorns, the aromatic dried chilies, and the subtle underlying sweetness that keeps you coming back for more.
The modern, airy space with its plant-filled interior creates a surprising backdrop for such boldly flavored food. My strategy is to bring first-timers here and watch their expressions change from fear to delight as they navigate this flavor rollercoaster.