If you’re in the mood for something specific to eat, New York City is one of those places where you’re bound to find a number of options. New York’s food scene is famously known for its diversity – whether that be the variety of cuisines (from Mediterranean or Cuban to Thai or Ethiopian) or styles of restaurant (from fine dining to a hole-in-the-wall). As someone who craves this type variety, New York City is my foodie paradise.
Jasper and I lived and worked in the New York City metro for three years, and honestly if it wasn’t so expensive we’d probably still be there! Since we lived just outside the city in New Jersey, we unfortunately didn’t explore the other boroughs outside of Manhattan as much as I would’ve liked. It would take us an hour – hour and a half to get to Brooklyn or Queens on a good day. I’m hoping to venture into the other boroughs during future trips, but for now I’ve focused on Lower Manhattan. This list used to be twice as long, but between Covid and rising costs many places I loved have had to close over the last 5 years.
While I love checking out the new/trendy spots as much as the next person, I’m not crazy about waiting in long lines or setting alarms to try to get a reservation a month or more in advance. So if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the wrong place. These are my favorite go-to places I’ve accumulated over the years!
Restaurants
Asian
I love all different kinds of Asian dishes – Korean, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, you name it – but especially noodles and dumplings. So I guess its no surprise that Asian restaurants make up almost half of my restaurant recommendations list!
Ivan Ramen – 25 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002.
Hands down, this is my favorite place to eat in all of New York City. We’ve got our orders down pat at this point: Japanese fried chicken and steamed pork buns to start, then spicy red chili ramen for me and triple pork, triple garlic tonkotsu for Jasper. While their website says they welcome walk-ins, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this place without a line of people waiting.
Tabata Ramen – 540 9th Ave, New York, NY 10018.
If you’re looking for something a little more laid back than Ivan (and somewhere you’ve got a better chance of being able to just walk-in), then Tabata in Hell’s Kitchen is another great option. My favorites are the Red Samurai or Lavamen, but they have non-spicy versions as well.
Soba Noodle Azuma – 251 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019.
We found this place by accident while trying to put distance between ourselves and the Times Square crowds on one of our first trips to New York. I like that you’re able to choose your soba portion size based on how hungry you are!
Excellent Dumpling House – 165 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011.
This Shanghainese restaurant is the first place I ever tried a soup dumpling and I’ve been hooked ever since. My husband used to work nearby, and I’m pretty sure he tried to convince me to eat dinner here at least once a month!
Vanessa’s Dumpling House – 118A Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002.
We stumbled upon this place (literally) during a bar crawl through Chinatown. There are So. Many. Dumpling. Options. While they get really busy, they are also CRAZY efficient so the wait isn’t long at all. They also have locations in the Financial District (FiDi) and Williamsburg.
Everything Else
Rosa Mexicano – 9 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003.
If you find yourself in Union Square and craving Mexican food, you can’t go wrong with Rosa Mexicano. Everything is great, but what stands out the most to me is their tableside guac (large portion and very fresh) and of course the margaritas.
Jasper’s Taphouse & Kitchen – 761 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019.
I’m not going to lie, the main reason we even tried Jasper’s in the first place was because of their name! This American Gastropub in Hells Kitchen is a laid back spot with a large beer selection.
Ocean Prime – 123 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019.
If you’re headed to a Broadway show, make yourself a reservation at this upscale seafood chain beforehand. The scallops and baked lobster mac and cheese are must-orders. They also have a location in Philadelphia!
Kellari Taverna – 19 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036.
This Greek restaurant in the heart of Midtown has a bright airy dining room and an extensive wine list. Ordering a whole grilled fish kind of weirds me out, but they’re known for it so I might have to at some point. Another great option for a pre-show dinner!
The Malt House – 9 Maiden Ln, New York, NY 10038.
Located in FiDi, the Malt House is another American restaurant with great cocktails. It is similar to Jasper’s Taphouse but with more elevated decor. They also have a second location in Greenwich Village, but I haven’t been to that one (yet).
Still can’t decide what to eat? Try one of these food tours!
Breakfast & Quick Bites
Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company – Multiple Locations around New York City.
Make sure to come here hungry, because these kettle boiled bagels (and the amount of accompanying cream cheese) may make you skip lunch. They are huge compared to what many people are used to. There are also an overwhelming amount of bagel and schmear options. My go-to is an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese!
Zaros Family Bakery – Over a Dozen locations across New York City (plus Newark).
While the bagels here don’t quite live up to the ones at Brooklyn Bagel, they’re still pretty good. The big plus is their location inside Penn Station, which is super convenient to grab a quick bite before heading out into the city. They also make an amazing blueberry muffin!
Culture Espresso – 72 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018.
While many people seem to enjoy the coffee here, I personally think it’s just average. But they’re not on my list for the coffee – it’s the chocolate chip cookie you should be stopping here for. It’s possibly the best one I’ve ever had!
NY Pizza Suprema – 413 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001.
There are so many pizza places in New York City, but I have a soft spot for NY Pizza Suprema. Slices are large, so don’t be like me and order 2 your first time. Because of its location across from Madison Square Garden, I assumed it was a super touristy spot. I went in not expecting much, and was pleasantly surprised!
Chelsea Market – 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011.
Part shopping mall and part food hall, this place has a little bit for everyone. While you’re there make sure to stop by Fat Witch Bakery for a brownie (especially the double chocolate, coffee, or caramel flavors)!
Bars/Breweries
The Dead Rabbit – 30 Water St, New York, NY 10004.
This award-winning Irish pub in the Financial District was named after the 1850’s Irish-American Gang in Manhattan (which probably sounds familiar thanks to the movie Gangs of New York). In 2016 it was named the Best Bar in the World!
Talea Beer Co. – 5 Taprooms Across New York City.
This women-owned brewery is great for those of us that prefer easy to drink fruity beers. If you don’t like crowds, go on a weekday as soon as they open – the last time I went to the Bryant Park location I had the place to myself! There’s nothing better than relaxing with a sour beer flight.
Flute Champagne Bar – 205 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect when we arrived and saw the stairwell down to the basement entrance. Inside its candle-lit, cozy and romantic, a great place to celebrate or even just for pre-dinner drinks. They have champagne flights if, like me, you enjoy variety.
Book Club Bar – 197 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10009.
You could spend the whole day here, starting with a coffee in the morning and switching to cocktails in the afternoon. There are books available for purchase and space for reading or getting some work done on your laptop.
Tir na Nóg – 254 W 31st St, New York, NY.
Anyone who has spent a decent amount of time in New York City knows there is bound to be a delay at Penn Station at some point or another (especially during the winter!). So Tir na Nóg, located across the street, is the perfect place to wait it out.
Where is your favorite place to eat or drink in New York City? Let me know in the comments!
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