It’s hard to believe that it has been almost 20 years since Setting the Table was first published. I’ve been living the next book since then, and in those two decades, the world has changed profoundly. As a company, we’ve said goodbye to restaurants and opened our doors in places I never could have dreamed of. There have been moments of tremendous adversity matched by unimaginable joy. Along the way, I’ve had to learn, unlearn, and learn again — and those lessons have reshaped how I think about leadership, success, and especially culture: how to build it, how to protect it, and how to use it to fuel growth, without sacrificing what made it so special in the first place.
Through it all, I’ve always tried to stay anchored in a simple question: what could possibly go right?
This new book is my attempt to answer that — with optimism, candor and vulnerability. Building something meaningful is rarely a straight line, but the outcome is where true essentiality lies.
I can’t wait to share it with you on September 29, 2026. More details available in my bio.
- Danny
Spectacular dinner at @anajakthaifood
Food, wine list and hospitality was everything and even more than I’d heard. Thanks to the dynamic @justinpeachpeach and his spirited team (and mom!) for a most memorable and fun dinner.
I only eat crullers twice and BEC’s thrice each week. That leaves two days for my new favorite menu hack at @dailyprov . I ask for “Danny’s Bowl” and get two jammy eggs, smoked salmon and mashed avocado. I drizzle on some Wake-up Sauce before enjoying it all together.
An uplifting early spring trip to Tuscany, destination @borgo_finocchieto — and as many food and wine stops as possible.
Some (of many):
A visit to @ristorantesilene to enjoy Chef Roberto Rossi’s silken Raviolini with pigeon and foie gras and Chianina tartare
@gramercytavern ’s @chefmikeanthony and his other-worldly roast Tuscan chickens at @borgo_finocchieto
Dropping in to Macceleria Checchini to see my friend, @dariocecchinimacellaio (and a quick FaceTime call to Fontodi’s Giovanni Manetti) - whose Flaccianello goes so perfectly with Dario’s bistecca. #panzano
A beautiful stop in the Maremma to dine at @trattoria_cacciaconti where spirited chef Agata Felluga prepared a memorable lunch capped off with the most amazing lemon cake
Spring comes to @borgo_finocchieto in Bibbiano
Wonderful dinner in the beautiful new @ambassadorsclubhousenyc - a captivating and beautiful addition to New York’s restaurant scene. Every single dish we tasted was a winner. Beetroot chaat, butter chicken “pops”, tandoori salmon, lamb chops, makti daal, and a spectacular biryani, pictured here.
Thrilled for @bgurley and his brilliant new book, Runnin’ Down A Dream, and not surprised that it’s already topping the charts. This is a must read for anyone who’s eager to build (or change!) a career they actually love. Honored that Bill includes the story of how I unlocked a dream I didn’t even realize I had to pursue — a career in hospitality. Doing so changed the course of my life.
On a scale of “We're full tonight” to “Name on the list,” where does @dhmeyer fit?
This is NYQ, a series where we find out how “New York” notable New Yorkers really are. Disagree with Danny's answers? Let us know yours in the comments below.
Video: @zachschiffman
A meaningful return to Gramercy Park.
Captured during our recent private sales preview for @67irvingny , Danny Meyer (@dhmeyer ) spoke about reopening Maialino in one of the neighborhoods most closely tied to his work and legacy.
For residents of 67 Irving Place, the relationship with Maialino is intentionally deeper. Owners will enjoy access to an exclusive residents menu, priority reservations at Maialino and across Danny Meyer’s restaurants, and waived corkage when bringing their own wine. A rare level of hospitality woven directly into everyday living.
Captured during our private sales preview.
Sales officially begin next week. Inquire Today. 🤝
Before @dhmeyer built @ushgnyc and created Shake Shack, he wanted to be a lawyer. “Wanted” isn’t the right word. He felt it was what he “should” do—until his uncle asked him a simple question the night before his LSATs: “You wanna be a lawyer?” Danny said no.
He never applied to a single law school. Instead, he did the thing he’d been talking about his whole life and built Union Square Hospitality Group, becoming one of the most influential restaurateurs in the world.
His best career advice? “Try as hard as you possibly can to be in the want category and not the should category.”
“ Ain’t no such thing as a straight line between A and B. ‘Cause you’re gonna zigzag backward, forward, sideways.” And that’s okay.
Watch Danny’s full story on The Path with @ryanroslanskylinkedin via link in bio.
I recently had the chance to sit down with @cnbc ’s @juliaboorstin at @unionsquarecafe to reflect on 40 years of leadership and hospitality. Loved sharing the stage with Rob Lynch and the @shakeshack team for a conversation about how we do business—and where we’re going next.
