I'm no aficionado, but I've played my fair share. There's a lot of different categories, from those with branching paths to linear stories to ones which mix in actual gameplay elements.
My #1 rec right now for a pure VN is likely type/moon's Witch on the Holy Night. It's a relatively short, linear VN that is much more penetrable than nasu's usual stuff which can have a reputation of being very lore heavy (and long). The core cast is absolutely fantastic with great performances too, and it's the most beautiful VN I've ever seen.
Comments on other VNs I've read/seen come up in the topic-
Clannad: Branching romcom VN. Very long, very sappy. I don't think it earns 90% of its emotional shots.
Danganronpa: Murder mystery/social sim games. I like these games. Even chapter to chapter can be wildly inconsistent though. The 2nd game has one of my favorite twists in anything ever but the opposite side of that coin is some ugly storytelling to get to an end. All of these games are very stylish though, and they do a good job balancing such seemingly clashing genres as murder mystery and social sim.
Phoenix Wright: Murder mystery procedurals. First trilogy connected with me... when I was younger. I tried the later entries many years later and found the slapstick didn't land at all. Don't know if I just outgrew them. I think Nick's low key cynicism helped connect me to the world though so I think the later games are just rubbish?
Doki Doki Literature Club: Branching romcom VN. Mileage here is entirely dependent on how familiar you are with anime tropes. Very short (to its benefit).
Stein's Gate: Absolute trash. VNbros raising this up as a gold standard generally informs you as to their taste. The POV character is so obnoxious I actively wanted him to fail. Disclaimer: I'm basing my opinion on the anime, but nothing I've read from others has led me to believe he's any less horrible in the VN.
Tsukihime Remake (part 1): Branching action/horror/romcom VN. Almost as beautiful as Witch on the Holy Night but much longer. Vestiges from the original are all over the place, some worse than others (and I say that as a guy who didn't even read the original). I recommend reading after Witch if you want more type/moon. Overall it's a step down but provides many of the same unique experiences you'd find in a type/moon novel. Also, as the 'part 1' makes clear, TsukiRE is not finished, containing only two, complete story routes. No release date for part 2.
Fate/stay night: Same genres as last. Again, I think this is weaker than Witch, visually by a wide margin and writing... not as much. The POV character being a bit more nuanced and interesting than Tsukihime's helps with that; it's also structured better. This is a legendary VN though and unlike some of the other 'greats' I see recommended Fate's not a miserable read. But I like type/moon so bear that in mind.
