Good Eats!

Urban Hawker

Curated by KF Seetoh, founder of the World Street Food Congress and Makansutra, Urban Hawker is an authentic Singapore street food center located in the heart of New York City. It is the first of its kind in the United States to feature stalls from the UNESCO hawker centers of Singapore. 17 vendors total, representing essential cuisines like Malay, Peranakan, Chinese, Indian, Southeast Asian, Asian-style Western favorites, and many more shine at Urban Hawker.

Awesum Dimsum

Whether you prefer steamed, fried, or baked, they’ve got an awesum assortment of this Cantonese delight! Awesum Dimsum has locations in Gramercy Park and Times Square.

Kung Fu Kitchen

New York has great options for soup dumplings . . . where in one bite you get the nourishing power of soup and the deliciousness of a Chinese dumpling. Try KungFu Kitchen, with locations in Hell’s Kitchen, Times Square, and Roosevelt Field Mall, for the soup dumplings (try them with vinegar sauce and sliced ginger for the fullest experience) and come again for their hand-pulled noodles.

Urbanspace

Not sure what you’re craving? Urbanspace is a food market featuring vendors from across the culinary landscape with locations in Vanderbilt, Union Square, West 52nd, 570 Lexington, Pearl Street, and 43rd and 44th.

Museum of Ice Cream

Checkout this three-story instagram-bait museum devoted to ice cream. Be sure to check out the sprinkle pool and grab a milkshake from the speakeasy-style dessert bar!

Eat & Walk it Off!

This is an article in the Washington Post that explains how you can experience seven different one-food restaurants all over Manhattan and (possibly!) burn off all the calories walking to them one by one.

The Meatball Shop

The Meatball Shop serves the best meatballs in the world with a mix and match menu utilizing sustainable and natural ingredients whenever possible. Menu highlights include seasonal veggies, market-driven salads, sandwiches, handmade ice cream sandwiches, craft cocktails, and an approachable wine program.

Cookie Do

A place that serves safe cookie dough in a cone like ice cream!

The Stonewall Inn

Bi-level gay bar famed as the site of the 1969 riots that launched the gay rights movement. 53 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014

Food Trucks

New York has fabulous food trucks where you can get gourmet, soul-satisfying food at a price you will appreciate. Many post where they are via Twitter and Facebook. Be on the lookout for: Korilla BBQ. And check out this post about the best food trucks in NYC! See the Gothamist rankings of the top 10 best in NYC.

Xi’an Famous Foods

If you want to try some authentic street food from China known for excellent and spicy noodles, soup, lamb, or pork, queue up at Xi’an Famous Foods now with ten locations in Manhattan and Queens.

Economy Candy

Economy Candy – since 1937, on the Lower East Side. Economy Candy is an old-fashioned, family-owned candy store that sells hundreds of different chocolates, candies, nuts, dried fruits; including halvah, sugar free candy, and, of course, all the old time candy you had when you were a kid.

Rice to Riches

Need a sweet pick-me-up? Try the rice pudding (in more than a dozen flavors, from “Coconut Coma” to “Sex, Drugs and Rocky Road”) and your choice of toppings at Rice to Riches, with two locations in Lower Manhattan.

Sabrett’s

Eat a hot dog made especially for you by a Sabrett’s vendor. Don’t be afraid of the “street meat”!
Eat a hot pretzel while dashing to the subway.

Nuts 4 Nuts

Try some of those fresh-roasted chestnuts at a Nuts 4 Nuts cart you can find on the street corners or in the parks.

Halal Guys

Grab a souvlaki on your way to the theatre from the Halal Guys.

Jackson Hole

Eat the best hamburger you’ll find anywhere at Jackson Hole, with locations in Astoria, Murray Hill, and the Upper East Side.

Mr. Broadway

With over 50 years in business, Mr. Broadway has evolved from a traditional NY Kosher Deli to a thriving full service restaurant that has positioned itself in the forefront of defining what modern kosher cuisine is all about.

Veselka

Established in 1954 by Ukrainian immigrants, Veselka is a three-generation family-owned business that continues to uphold the legacy of its founders. The restaurant remains a testament to our heritage and proudly carries on the tradition of providing exceptional Ukrainian food and service to its patrons.

Katz’s Deli

Take a bite out of a sandwich at Katz’s Deli, 205 E. Houston, and recreate the famous scene from When Harry Met Sally. Be sure to hold on to your ticket though…you’ll need it to get out. Don’t substitute other breads for the rye bread unless you want to risk being yelled at by the guy behind the counter.

Koneko

Koneko is America’s first Japanese-inspired cat café. Located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Koneko has an artisanal Japanese- influenced menu, house-made desserts, plus beer, wine, and sake – and a big, furry family of adoptable cats.

John’s Pizzeria

Stand in line for great brick oven pizza at John’s.

Mamoun’s

Have falafel at Mamoun’s, with locations in the East Village, Greenwich Village, and the Upper West Side.

Chinatown

Venture to Chinatown for unbelievable Chinese cuisine.

Nuyorican Poets Cafe

Socialize at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, 236 E. 3rd St. in New York’s festive Hispanic neighborhood, Loisaida.

*Currently undergoing a major building renovation project, until 2026.

Korean Deli

Find your dinner in a Korean deli, either from the produce out front or the food bar inside.

Big Arc Chicken

Want some late night grub? Pizza abounds but for a change of pace, check out Big Arc Chicken (233 First Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets)—a late-night East Village hangout whose menu pleases both carnivores and vegetarians!

Zabar’s

Get a bagel with cream cheese and coffee at Zabar’s, Broadway & 82nd St.

Barney Green Grass

Visit the “Sturgeon King” at Barney Greengrass (541 Amsterdam Avenue between at 86th)…you’ll think the prices are outrageous until you try their sturgeon, or sable or lox … suddenly $25 seems more than reasonable.

Beard Papa’s

Need something to satisfy your sweet tooth? Wander down to Beard Papa’s for heavenly cream puffs that are filled when you order them and not a moment before. Locations in Flushing, the East Village, and Midtown.

Ray’s Famous

Eat a slice of Ray’s Famous, with locations in in the Upper West Side, Midtown West, and Times Square.

The Back Room

Tucked in an alley at 102 Norfolk Street, you’ll find a speakeasy called The Back Room.

*25 and older on Friday and Saturday

Panna II

For great Indian food and atmosphere, check out Panna II on 93 1st Ave between 5th and 6th. Be sure to order the Mixed Appetizer Platter for starters.

Little Italy

Sample the tiramisu (or, at the very least, a real cannoli!) in Little Italy on Mulberry. Check out the the local favorite, Ferrara’s for cannoli that is to die for.

White Horse Tavern

Pass some time, as did Dylan Thomas, at the White Horse Tavern in the Village at 11th St & Eighth Avenue.

Sardi’s

Conduct a star watch at Sardi’s, 234 W. 44th St. Head to the second floor bar to see where the real deal hangs out.

Veneiro’s

Taste a bit of Italy at Veneiro’s, a real Italian bakery at 11th St. between 1st & 2nd Ave. Make sure to try the biscotti and tiramisu!

Virgil’s

Missing good ole Southern BBQ? Go to Virgil’s in Times Square.

Carmine’s

Hungry for Italian? Try Carmine’s with locations in Times Square and the Upper West Side.

Hell’s Kitchen

For really, really good Mexican food, stroll over to Hell’s Kitchen on 9th Avenue between 46th & 47th. Excellent food, excellent prices. You’ll never go back to Taco Bell.
Well. Maybe.

Taking a break until early Spring, no re-opening date announced.

H&H Bagels

Bagels are better in New York than anywhere else. It’s the water. You’ll have no shortage of bakeries to try . . . some like H&H (639 West 46th Street between 10th & 11th Avenues) and some like Absolute (2788 Broadway, between 107th & 108th). A good New York bagel proves that a bagel is like eating five slices of bread all crushed together!

Jacob’s Pickles

Like pickles? Visit a restaurant with some Southern flair in Manhattan and Brooklyn  – Jacob’s Pickles. Beer, biscuits and pickles. What more could you want?

Lombardi’s

There’s no pizza better than New York pizza. For original New York pizza, visit Lombardi’s at 32 Spring Street (between Elizabeth and Mott). Lombardi’s was the first licensed pizzeria in New York, introducing the pies in 1905. Go with an appetite (or some friends) because you can’t buy a slice (only a pie!) at this New York institution.

Chelsea Market

Are you a foodie? Visit Chelsea Market at 75 9th Avenue (between 15th and 16th), the birthplace of the Oreo Cookie! Celebrate the Hydrox while you nibble your way through Sarabeth’s, Amy’s Breads, Fat Witch Bakery, Hale & Hearty Soups, Chelsea Thai, among others. Upstairs is the headquarters for Rose Brand, one of the leading suppliers of theatrical fabrics and draperies, as well as the Food Network, Oxygen, and Giorgio Armani. Free WiFi!

Union Square Greenmarket

Introduce yourself to local, mostly organic farmers at Union Square Greenmarket on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays. Go there early and you may spot one of New York’s celebrity chef’s checking out the loot for their weekend specials.

Magnolia Bakery

Wait in line for 30 minutes for New York’s most famous cupcakes at the Magnolia Bakery, Bleecker St at 11th St. (Other locations: Bloomingdales, Central Park South, Grand Central Terminal, Grand Central Madison Avenue LIRR Concourse, Hudson Yards, Moynihan Trail Hall, Rockefeller Center, and the Upper West Side), and watch for passing celebs who live nearby. Or explore the current “cupcake battle” waging in the city between Magnolia and some of it’s offshoots.

Buttercup Bake Shop

Go on a tasting tour and judge for yourself…try Buttercup Bake Shop (Locations in Midtown East, Murray Hill, the Financial District, and the Upper West Side)

Billy’s Bakery

Or try Billy’s Bakery with locations in Chelsea, Tribeca, the Plaza Food Hall, and the Upper West Side.

Sugar Sweet Sunshine

Sugar Sweet Sunshine on the Lower East Side (126 Rivington between Essex and Norfolk).

Dough

Try the doughnuts New Yorkers can’t get enough of at Dough first conceived in Brooklyn and now with several locations throughout the city, including Rockefeller Center near Times Square.

Momofuku Milk Bar

Got a sweet tooth? Get amped up at Momofuku Milk Bar, with eight locations across New York City.

Schmakary’s

Hit up Broadway’s favorite cookie shop – Schmakary’s in Hell’s Kitchen.

Li-Lac

You’ll never grab for a Hershey’s bar again…try real homemade chocolates from one of these old school New York confectioners – Li-Lac with locations in the West Village, Bleecker Street, Grand Central Market, Chelsea Market, Hudson Yards, and Brooklyn.

Gray’s Papaya

Gray’s Papaya or Papaya King? Grab a dog and a papaya juice at each establishment and decide for yourself who wins the hot dog war. Gray’s Papaya’s is located on 2090 Broadway.

Irving Farm

Need a little java? Visit Irving Farm, which offers local coffee from a roaster in Millerton, NY in the foothills of the Catskills. There are seven locations throughout Manhattan.

Kalustyan’s

Interested in cooking? Stock up on spices at New York’s oldest, most revered spice-monger—Kalustyan’s, 123 Lexington Avenue (at 28th Street).

Two Boots

Stop in for pizza at Two Boots. With so many locations all over Manhattan, it is a home-grown neighborhood favorite no matter where you live. Their store exteriors win the award for loudest and proudest!

Cafe Cluny

If you have a little money to spare, drop into Cafe Cluny in the West Village where you will more often than not be seated next to a celebrity and not know it!

Pinkberry vs Red Mango

Cast your vote in the frozen yogurt battle between Pinkberry and Red Mango. Locations are popping up all over the city and many times these chains open right across the street from each other making the competition fierce.

Joe’s Shanghai Restaurant

Joe’s Shanghai Restaurant is home to New York’s most famous (and best) soup dumplings. Located at 46 Bowery Street.

Nam Wah Tea Parlor

Head over to New York’s oldest Dim Sum restaurant – Nam Wah Tea Parlor (locations on 13 Doyers Street and in Nolita) – established 1920! This place doesn’t take credit cards, so make sure to bring cash.

The Waverly Diner

Rough night? Head to a New York diner for huge amounts of food. Try the Waverly Restaurant at 385 6th Ave.

McSorley’s Old Ale House

Have a drink like they did in “Olde New York” at McSorley’s Old Ale House, 15 E 7th St, where they haven’t removed memorabilia from the walls since 1910. Treasures include John Wilkes Booth’s wanted poster, Houdini’s handcuffs, and wishbones that are still waiting for the WWI soldiers who put them there to return.

Tiger Sugar Tea Shop

In need of a sweet treat? Check out the boba at Tiger Sugar Tea Shop known for their instagramable drinks!

Xing Fu Tang

…or if you’re in Queens, check out Xing Fu Tang to get your boba on!

Tea Time!

Are you tired after a long morning walking the streets? It must be time for tea. Eschew Starbucks and do it the way it was meant to be done – a proper English Tea with sandwiches and scones with clotted cream and jam. Try the Two E at the Pierre (2 East 61st Street), Lady Mendl’s (56 Irving Place), or Alice’s Tea Cup (3 locations in Manhattan).