NONONO
Midtown South-Flatiron-Union Square, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
NONONO is worth considering when the priority is an easy New York City booking with lunch and dinner flexibility, not a high-ceremony meal. It is a practical choice for diners who want central convenience and schedule control, but those seeking a clearly defined cuisine brief, published price tier, or special-occasion polish should compare alternatives first.
About NONONO
For a return visit in New York City's crowded dining circuit, the reason to choose NONONO is practical rather than ceremonial: it offers daily lunch and dinner hours. The city has plenty of dining options where the main friction is timing; this one is best evaluated by diners who value schedule fit and direct planning.
The case for visiting is strongest when the group wants a New York City option with lunch and dinner availability across the week. NONONO lists lunch from 12 to 2:30 PM daily, with dinner service each evening. For broader planning, start with Our full New York City restaurants guide, then cross-check stays in Our full New York City hotels guide and pre- or post-dinner drinks in Our full New York City bars guide.
Choose it for access, not a high-ceremony meal
NONONO is a sensible pick when getting a meal at a workable time matters more than chasing a heavily defined destination brief. Details include daily lunch and dinner hours and a smart casual dress code. Think of it as a flexible city option rather than a splurge anchor.
The tradeoff is clarity. Diners looking for a fully defined cuisine brief, a named signature order, or a detailed value calculation should compare further before committing. If you are comparing other New York City options, consider HanGawi, Her Name is Han, HOWOO, NUBIANI, or Okdongsik alongside NONONO.
Good fit for explorers who prize options
The strongest guest match is the diner who likes comparing options rather than chasing one trophy table. NONONO works as part of a wider New York City food itinerary because its hours cover lunch every day and dinner every night, with later closing times on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. For readers mapping travel beyond dinner, use the city guides for hotels, bars, restaurants, and other New York City planning.
Bottom line: consider NONONO when convenience, timing, and a smart casual dress code carry the decision. If the meal needs to feel like the centerpiece of the trip, compare more options before committing.
Planning details
- Location
- 118 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016
- Reservations
- Book on Resy
- Website
- nonononyc.com
- Phone
- +16467073227
The take
The Take
The Vibe
NONONO reads as a carefully calibrated entrant in New York’s Korean fine-dining scene, marrying rigorous technique with locally sourced product. The writing positions it among high-end peers — Atomix and Jungsik — and emphasizes a service rhythm and formality more commonly associated with the city’s French-lineage rooms. The result is a sophisticated, elegant address on Madison Avenue that prioritizes culinary craft over flash. It feels like a Midtown dining room built to satisfy diners who prize precision, seasonal ingredients and the discipline of a composed tasting format rather than casual or trendy frills.
Best For
This is a restaurant best suited to diners seeking a formal, technique-forward experience: think business dinners, expense-account meals and marked special occasions. Its Midtown location — near consulting firms and other professional corridors — implies an audience accustomed to committing time and budget to a composed tasting sequence. Guests who appreciate methodical service, culinary rigor and a quieter, deliberate atmosphere will find the room aligned with those expectations. It’s less a casual stop and more a destination for those treating a meal as a planned, elevated occasion.
Ordering Tips
Expect a tasting-minded service style and plan accordingly: reservations and a time commitment are sensible assumptions given the restaurant’s placement among formal tasting rooms. The menu is framed by technique and locally sourced product, so approach the meal with an openness to a sequence of thoughtfully composed courses rather than à la carte spontaneity. For groups tied to business or special occasions, allow ample time for the full experience and confirm booking details in advance; the description signals a structured, service-forward format rather than quick turnover dining.
Venue details
Ambiance
Buzzy and cozy with a lively grill-view atmosphere on the main floor and more intimate upstairs seating.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- beef short rib
- chicken thigh
- kalbi
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 118 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016
Planning details
Location
Restaurant context
How NONONO compares with nearby Korean options
Against HanGawi, NONONO is the less defined choice. HanGawi gives a clearer value signal because its Korean Vegetarian, Korean positioning and $$ tier tell diners what kind of meal they are booking. Choose HanGawi when budget and cuisine clarity matter; choose NONONO when timing and flexibility matter more.
Her Name is Han is the stronger cross-shop for diners specifically looking for Korean food, while NUBIANI is the more obvious call when the group wants Korean BBQ as the main event. NONONO makes more sense for a lower-friction meal where the exact format is less important than getting a table that fits the day.
HOWOO and Okdongsik are useful backup names if NONONO does not fit the plan, especially for diners who want to stay within a similar New York City comparison set. For broader casual-dining research outside New York, Pearl readers can also compare formats at ¿Por Qué No? in Portland, 'Ai Love Nalo in Waimanalo Beach, 'āina in San Francisco, 'Ama 'Ama in Kapolei, －Grilled beef Sukiyaki－ KAMAKURA TANUKIAN 鎌倉 たぬき庵 in Kamakura, and ¡Salud! in Los Angeles.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full NONONO guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare NONONO
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NONONO | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| HanGawi | New York City | Korean Vegetarian, Korean | $$ | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4102025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4762024 Michelin Bib Gourmand2023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Her Name is Han | New York City | Korean | , | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Highly Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1552024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2342023 OAD Casual in North America Highly Recommended |
| NUBIANI | New York City | Korean BBQ | , | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America |
| HOWOO | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Okdongsik | New York City | , | , | 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand |
How NONONO New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at NONONO?
Choose based on the current offerings and the kind of meal you want, and use the posted lunch and dinner hours to decide when to go.
Can I eat at the bar at NONONO?
How far ahead should I book NONONO?
When your timing is important, check directly with NONONO. NONONO lists lunch from 12 to 2:30 PM daily and dinner every evening, with later service on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Is NONONO good for a special occasion?
It can work for a low-key occasion if the schedule and dress code fit your plans. The dress code is smart casual, and the appeal is practical: a New York City venue with daily lunch and dinner hours.
Is lunch or dinner better at NONONO?
Choose lunch for the daily 12 to 2:30 PM window. Choose dinner if an evening meal fits better: dinner runs 5 to 9:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday; 5 to 10 PM on Thursday; and 5 to 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.
