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Ready to take a bite out of New York? Hope you've come hungry. In a city where creativity is expressed in innumerable ways, the food scene takes center stage, with literally thousands of chances to taste what Gotham is all about. Whether lining up at street stands, gobbling down legendary deli and diner grub, or chasing a coveted reservation at the latest celebrity-chef venue, New Yorkers are a demanding yet appreciative audience.
Every neighborhood offers temptations high, low, and in between, meaning there's truly something for every taste, whim, and budget. No matter how you approach dining out here, it's hard to go wrong. Planning a day of shopping among the glittering flagship boutiques along 5th and Madison Avenues? Stop into one of the Upper East Side's storied restaurants for a repast among the "ladies who lunch." Clubbing in the Meatpacking District? Tuck into a meal at eateries as trendy as their patrons. Craving authentic ethnic? From food trucks to hidden joints, there are almost more choices than there are appetites. Recent years have also seen entire food categories, from ramen to meatballs to mac 'n' cheese, riffed upon and fetishized, and at many restaurants you find an almost religious reverence for seasonal, locally sourced cuisine.
And don't forget—New York is still home to more celebrity chefs than any other city. Your chances of running into your favorite cookbook author, Food Network celeb, or paparazzi-friendly chef are high, adding even more star wattage to a restaurant scene with an already through-the-roof glamour quotient. Newfound economic realities, however, have revived appreciation for value, meaning you can tap into wallet-friendly choices at every level of the food chain. Rest assured, this city does its part to satisfy your appetite. Ready, set, eat.
Several Brooklyn restaurants have Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie on their menus, but this little, long-running shop on the waterfront is the source, where key limes are squeezed fresh to make the creamy tart pies—just as founder Steve Tarpin did during his youth in South Florida. The large 10-inch pies serve eight, but there are also individual 4-inch versions, in addition to frozen treats on a stick—perfect to take with you as you walk to the view of Lady Liberty at the Valentino Pier just outside.
Wylie Dufresne’s friendly pizza parlor serves classic and creative 12-inch pies on artisanal dough. You can dig into everything from a Classic NY with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan to a Danny Boy topped with dan dan chicken, vodka sauce, sesame, and cilantro. If you’re lucky, nab one of the cushioned booths.
This Portland import is housed in a handsome, historic building with a perfectly preserved, pressed-tin ceiling. The java here is top-notch, and the atmosphere is great for lingering. The one perpetual issue is that seats are often occupied by the laptop set. In warm weather, grab one of the outdoor tables.
The cupcake craze isn't dead yet, and this old-school, cozy bakeshop—the brainchild of two former Magnolia Bakery employees—turns out delectable options. Try the chocolate-almond Gooey Gooey or the cream cheese frosting–topped pumpkin; flavors are intense but not too-too sweet. Some believe that the real showstopper is the swoon-inducing banana pudding, with crumbled Nilla wafers suspended in vanilla pudding.
This small, mostly outdoor eatery feels more like a beach destination oasis than a New York City dining spot. For the perfect postbeach pit stop, order some Mexican-style street tacos (try the fried fish) and a cold cerveza, and bask in the chill surfer vibes as the sun goes down.
In addition to offering a variety of Japanese and other international baked goods, this casual café serves coffee and assorted teas. The matcha crepe is a favorite for a snack or small meal, although the cakes, buns, and macaroons are equally tasty.
Since the 1990s, this popular neighborhood outpost has been serving homemade Greek and Italian specialties in a simple, casual setting. The menu is large, and it’s always a tough choice between the moussaka and spanakopita (spinach pie), lamb kebabs, and chicken Marsala. There's live music several evenings a week by local musicians.
Time Out magazine has certainly made a splash with its gourmet food halls found in cities around the world—and its New York location is no exception. Found on the ground and fifth floors of the historic Empire Stores building, this collection of elevated food stalls will seduce any foodie with its diverse selections of sweet and savory offerings, including Venezuelan arepas from The Maiz Project, Japanese hand rolls from Mori Mori, and Dominican-meets-Texan fare at Bark Barbecue.
Is it an Italian grocery store; an Italian coffee shop; an Italian wine bar; an Italian restaurant? It's all of the above. The name might not giveaway its Bel Paese motif, but step inside and you'll experience a sensory explosion of all things Italian, right down to the employees gesturing wildly while speaking the language of their birth. If you visit in the morning, sidle up to the bar for a cappuccino and a croissant, at lunch indulge in some pizza, and in the evening, pasta and wine. They also sell good homemade pastas and various made-in-Italy food products to take home.
Burgers, beers, and fries: that's what you'll get at this low-key joint. Among stroller-toting parents and neighborhood regulars, sidle up to the bar (or grab a table in back) and sink your teeth into a patty that was ground that morning by local butcher Los Paisanos. The headliner is the two8two burger, topped with roasted poblano chilies, cheddar cheese, and two8two sauce (mayo, ketchup, and spices), but there's also a lettuce wrap burger for the gluten-free or merely carb-phobic. The bar features craft beers on tap, including a couple of local selections, as well as the chipotle-habanero Bloody Mary—it's as hot as it sounds.
Squeezed between skyscrapers and the towering New York Stock Exchange, Stone Street is a two-block restaurant oasis that feels more like a village than the center of the financial universe. After the market closes, Wall Streeters head to Ulysses, a big, popular pub with 12 beers on tap and more than 50 varieties in bottles, plus seasonal brews; live music; and menu options that include minicheeseburgers, a seafood tower, nachos, and Guinness fish-and-chips. Outdoor seating in warmer weather makes this a neighborhood go-to all summer.
This straightforward local restaurant not only has one of the best restaurant names in the borough, but they're serving up some of the tastiest fried chicken in New York. UFC serves organic, humanely raised birds, fried crisp, spicy, and addictive with soy, garlic, or hot sauce. Other items on the menu include spicy pork bulgogi empanadas, beef bulgogi burgers, and good ol' cheese fries, but crispy chicken paired with one of the many craft beers on tap is a foolproof move here.
Some of the best deals in the neighborhood can be found here, with sizzling pork-and-chive dumplings (four for $3) and plenty of vegetarian options. This is a casual, order-at-the counter spot with a few tables.
A wide, redbrick accent wall helps give this long-running neighborhood café its cozy Brooklyn feel, which serves quick lattes, muffins, and scones at the front counter. However, if you've got a little more time on your hands, head to the back room, beyond all the images of pineapples, where they serve brunch fare: breakfast sandwiches, paninis, soups, and salads. Wine and cocktails are also available, which continue after 4 pm, when heartier dinner fare is served.
Located near MoMA and Central Park, Wagamama is a beloved London import that prizes simple, nourishing Japanese fare built on authentic flavors. Ramen, curries, stir-fried noodles, rice dishes, and an enticing selection of shareable appetizers are filling and reliably delicious. Fresh juices are tasty on their own, or as ingredients in zingy cocktails. The large dining room (with long bench tables or booths) is a welcome escape, as are the outdoor terrace and roomy bar serving excellent weekday happy hour deals on sake, wine, and small bites.
Taiwan's fare shines at trendy Win Son. Popular dinner menu items include danzi mian (a noodle soup with pork and prawns), zhajiangmian (noodles with lamb and fermented bean sauce) and "fly’s head," a mix of minced pork and chilies (also available vegetarian). The no-reservations policy for parties under six can translate to long wait times, so arrive before the 5:30 opening—or kill time waiting at Win Son Bakery across the street.
Don't expect smoked fish sliced to order or the full smorgasbord of items that are sold beyond the appetizing counter in the legendary gourmet food shop next door. What you get here is a fast-track Zabar's taste experience to take out or to eat at small tables, for breakfast or lunch. Choose from prewrapped bagels and lox and cream cheese, a selection of sandwiches and grilled-to-order paninis, pastries, soups, and, of course, cups of hot coffee, all made with items from the nearby shop.
It's a stand-up, take-out, 24-hour dive: but yes, limos do sometimes stop here for these legendary hot dogs—they are delicious, and quite the economical meal. The recession special is two grilled hot dogs and a drink, and there are cheap breakfast offerings, too, like the quintessential egg and cheese on a roll. Skip the other location in Midtown; it just doesn't compare.
