How we rank.
We do the research. We check it against the city. We come back to it. Then we write.
The basics
Every spot on a Top 10 NYC list is chosen by our editors and checked against primary sources: the place's own site, recent reviews and coverage, and a call when those disagree. We don't accept comped meals, early access, or “hosted experiences” in exchange for consideration. If a place wants to be featured, the answer is always the same: be good enough that we find you ourselves.
Lists aim for ten entries. The constraint is intentional. Ten forces an argument. You can't hedge your way to a top ten. Something has to be last. Something has to be first. When fewer places clear the bar, the list says so instead of padding itself out.
The "Permanent 10s"
Our flagship lists (the ones tied to a specific editorial argument, like the best pizza slice in New York) are hand-curated. An editor proposes, argues, revises, and signs off on it. These are designated Permanent 10s in our internal workflow and reviewed at least annually.
Shorter category and neighborhood pages may be AI-assisted in their initial structure, but every entry is human-verified before publication. An editor confirms the spot is open, checks for recent activity, and writes or approves the verdict copy. Nothing goes live on autopilot.
Publication standards
Before any list goes live, it must clear a quality gate:
- At least 5 spots listed, ideally exactly 10.
- At least 3 entries with confirmed recent activity (open, operating, not under renovation).
- A 100-word minimum original intro: no boilerplate, no rephrased press releases.
- All verdict copy written or approved by an editor.
Lists that don't clear the gate sit in draft until they do. We'd rather publish nothing than publish noise.
Updates & corrections
New York changes fast. A rank-one slice spot closes; a new contender opens the next block over. We update live lists when reality changes, not on a fixed calendar but when the change is meaningful enough to warrant it. Each checked place shows when it was last checked, and the changelog records what changed and when.
Factual corrections are handled the same way: visible, dated, and not buried. See our full editorial standards for the correction policy.