From comfort food to Korean, the Big Apple’s dining scene is about to get some new heat .

Exiting New York City during the summer months is a local tradition, but air-quality warnings aside, there are plenty of reasons to stick around. For one, the city’s inventive restaurant scene continues to refine itself with several notable openings from now until Labor Day on 3 September. And while everyone is in the Hamptons or Upstate, it will be that much easier for you to snag a sought-after seat at one of them.

It’s hard to imagine, but there was a time in New York City pizza when airy, charred crusts and creamy dollops of mozzarella di bufala weren’t the norm. Mr Anthony Mangieri changed all that in 2004 with Una Pizza Napoletana, his temple to authentic, and unyielding, Neapolitan-style pizza, yet at his height, he packed his ovens and headed to San Francisco. Now, like the prodigal son, he’s back, this time in a greatly expanded Lower East Side location with a menu that offers small plates in addition to the pies that made Mr Mangieri infamous.

175 Orchard Street, Manhattan

When the original Kopitiam closed at the end of 2017, the Malaysian snack cafe’s disappearance came as a blow to its Lower East Side neighbourhood. But chef-owner Ms Kyo Pang is on track to reopen Kopitiam this month. It’s still on the Lower East Side, but now with an expanded menu, more seating, and an auspicious new partner, Ms Moonlynn Tsai, who was part of the team behind one of the trendiest openings of the last five years in LA, Pine & Crane.

151 East Broadway, Manhattan

Chef Mr Jared Male has tended the smoker at both Hill Country and Harlem’s famous Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, so his talent with spice rubs and cured bacon is well-known. That’s why when it was announced that he would open his first brick-and-mortar on the LES, mouths immediately began to water at the prospect of his signature brisket, ribs and smoked duck. Bonus: he’s planning a collaboration with his neighbours at the Doughnut Plant.

359 Grand Street, Manhattan

Mr Jonathan Benno is a chef’s chef, and last year he sparked industry intrigue when he left his executive role at the lauded Lincoln Ristorante to embark on an ambitious project at The Evelyn hotel. The first phase of the project is coming to fruition in early June with Leonelli Taberna, a rustic, Roman-style trattoria with a cocktail bar and lounge, and its sister bakery and café, Leonelli Focacceria e Pasticceria. That should hold fans over until the autumn, when Mr Benno is scheduled to open his eponymous flagship, also at The Evelyn.

7 East 27th Street, Manhattan

The last time the team behind Atomix opened a restaurant, the Korean casual Atoboy, they snagged two stars from The New York Times and three from New York magazine. Now they’re back to prove that Korean can also go upscale. Expect an intimate cocktail bar on the first floor and a lower-level dining room, where the focus will be on a multi-dimensional 10-course tasting menu showcasing new perspectives on Korean cuisine.

104 East 30th Street, Manhattan

The success of Russ & Daughters Cafe and Mile End Deli is evidence that the Jewish deli has the power to be as trendy as it is traditional. In the heart of Brooklyn’s waterfront, in a 1,200sq ft space, a veteran of Hometown Bar-B-Que is opening a paean to pastrami, corned beef, and other deli mainstays. Outdoor seating is expected, along with meat carvers on hand to provide the authentic experience.

220 36th Street, Brooklyn

An alum of the East Village’s Basque-influenced Huertas and Mr Danny Meyer’s hospitality group, Mr Nate Adler strikes out on his own with Gertie, his first solo project. Named after Mr Adler’s grandmother, Gertie will serve comfort food from breakfast through dinner in its main dining room and back patio. The kitchen will be helmed by a chef from local favorite Marlow & Sons and Alder himself will handle the New York-inspired drinks list.

58 Marcy Avenue, Brooklyn

Keep up to date with The Daily by signing up to our weekly email roundup. Click here to update your email preferences.