Deciding on where to eat in New York City can be overwhelming. Here are some must eat places in NYC.
With more than 10,000 restaurants listed on TripAdvisor, deciding on where to eat in New York City can be overwhelming. And as New York City is my all-time favorite travel destination, I’ve experienced my share of both awful and amazing places to eat in the city. In this guide, I’ll help you avoid the worst fall pits!
5 Tips For Dining Out In New York City
First I thought I would give you a few tips on things to know before dining out in New York City.
1. Keep an open mind: The best food in New York doesn’t always come from the fanciest looking place. Keeping an open mind in general will enrich your NYC experience for sure.
2. Don’t forget to tip: Tipping is expected for all services in NYC, including in restaurants and bars. The amount depends on how good the service is of course, but a tip of at least 15-20% is the norm.
3. Make reservations: Make reservations if you have your heart set on a specific restaurant or you’ll risk not eating there at all. This is especially important for late dinner and on weekends.
4. Check if there is a dress code: Do a quick Google search before visiting a fancy restaurant, as some of them may have dress codes.
5. Plot the restaurants you want to visit into a map: It makes deciding where to eat while traveling easier. Extra helpful if your travel squad gets hungry while out exploring.
25 Must Eat Places In NYC
For the ultimate New York food experience, I always recommend trying a mix of casual spots, street food and nicer restaurants. Here are my 25 best suggestions on must eat places in NYC divided into four categories:
- Fun and Unique Restaurants in New York City
- Instagrammable Restaurants in NYC
- New York Bar and Restaurants With A View
- New York Restaurants With The Best Food
Fun and Unique Restaurants in New York City
Places to eat in New York City when you’re in the mood for something fun that you’ll probably wont find in your hometown.
1. Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Address: 1650 Broadway
More info: ellensstardustdiner.com
A fun and quicky experience that surely cannot be missed when in New York! Enjoy American diner food while being entertained by talented aspiring Broadway stars. Perfect for families, couples or a girls night.
2. Trailer Park Lounge
Address: 271 West 23rd Street
More info: trailerparklounge.com
A fun restaurant that looks like a real life trailer park.
3. Tipsy Scoop
Address: 217 East 26th St (Manhattan), 270 Metropolitan Ave (Brooklyn), 38-15 23rd Avenue (Queens)
More info: tipsyscoop.com
Getting tipsy eating ice cream? The perfect fun time with your friends!
4. Smorgasburg
Address: The Oculus on Fridays (Manhattan), Williamsburg on Saturdays (Brooklyn), Prospect Park on Sundays (Brooklyn).
More info: smorgasburg.com
Experience the largest outdoor food market in America with 100 local vendors. Have fun walking around tasting many different foods and drinks.
5. Caliente Cab
Address: 61 7th Ave S
More info: calientecab.com
Fun and chill mexican place in The Village. Great food, great service, and the most delish frozen margaritas.
Instagrammable Restaurants In NYC
Must east places to eat in NYC when you want to enjoy your meal in stunning surroundings. Or when you’re looking for your next photoshoot location. Or both.
6. Pietro Nolita
Address: 174 Elizabeth Street
More info: pietronolita.com
Instagram famous restaurant with healthy Italian cuisine that is 100% pink (!).
7. Boucherie
Address: 145 W 53rd St (Midtown), 225 Park Avenue South (Union Square), 99 7th Avenue South (West Village), 14th Christopher Street (West Village).
More info: boucherie.nyc
A traditional French brasserie and steakhouse with four locations in New York City, all whom are tastefully decorated.
8. The Sugar Factory
Address: 110-00 Rockaway Blvd (Queens), 694 8th Avenue (Times Square)
More info: sugarfactory.com
The Sugar Factory is a super cute American brasserie and candy shop in one.
9. The Little Owl
Address: 90 Bedford Street
More info: thelittleowlnyc.com
Any hardcore FRIENDS fan knows that the Central Perk café unfortunately does not exist in real life. Fortunately you can try the next best thing: Enjoy a tasty meal at The Little Owl where the café is located in the series.
10. Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
Address: 513 Henry St, Brooklyn
More info: brooklynfarmacyandsodafountain.com
Adorable retro ice cream parlor, the perfect break while vintage shopping in Brooklyn.
11. The Butcher’s Daughter
Address: 19 Kenmare Street (Nolita), 581 Hudson St (West Village), 271 Metropolitan Ave (Williamsburg)
More info: thebutchersdaughter.com
An Insta-friendly vegetable slaughterhouse! For a healthy and delicious lunch or brunch, The Butcher’s Daughter is a safe bet. I personally love their avocado toast and fresh pressed juices.
New York Bars And Restaurants With A View
For when you want to enjoy a fantastic view with your meal or drink.
12. Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge at Moxy Times Square
Address: 485 7th Ave (18th floor)
More info: moxytimessquare.com
Magic Hour is the coolest rooftop bar in New York City! They have a ton of fun events throughout the year, and is a great place to celebrate a birthday or other special event. Miniature golf and bubbles, anyone?
13. CloudM New York Bowery
Address: 189 Bowery
More info: citizenm.com
From the 20th floor rooftop at the CitizenM Bowery Hotel you can enjoy panoramic views of lower Manhattan, Midtown and Brooklyn. Highly recommended!
14. The River Café
Address: 1 Water Street, Brooklyn
More info: rivercafe.com
Super cozy Michelin-starred restaurant located under the Brooklyn Bridge. Incredible view!
15. Refinery Rooftop
Address: 63 W 38th Street
More info: refineryrooftop.com
Enjoy some delicious food and beer with a great view of the Empire State Building.
16. The Boathouse in Central Park
Address: East 72nd St & Park Dr N
More info: thecentralparkboathouse.com
Known from countless movies and tv shows, such as Sex and The City, this iconic New York gem is perfect for lunch or a coffee with a view of The Lake.
17. Westlight
Address: 111 N 12th Street, Brooklyn
More info: westlightnyc.com
This 22nd floor rooftop in Williamsburg provides guests with an amazing view of Brooklyn and Manhattan.
18. TimeOut Market
Address: 55 Water Street, Brooklyn
More info: timeoutmarket.com
This indoor and outdoor market in Brooklyn has a ton of options when it comes to both food, drinks, and cultural activities. The rooftop area has an magnificent view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the New York City skyline.
New York Restaurants With The Best Food
When you’re up for some of the best food and drinks New York City has to offer.
19. Bowery Meat Company
Address: 9 E 1st Street
More info: bowerymeatcompany.com
A meat-centric restaurant that will leave you fulfilled and full. Likely as full as you have ever been. We went here to celebrate our engagement and ordered the dry-aged Porterhouse, and both the food and the service was absolutely incredible. Highly recommend!
20. Rubirosa Pizza
Address: 235 Mulberry Street
More info: rubirosanyc.com
Hands down the best pizza I have ever had in my entire life on this planet. Cozy atmosphere, lovely staff, 10/10.
21. Carbone
Address: 181 Thompson Street
More info: carbonenewyork.com
The best Italian food around. Totally worth the money.
22. Cafe Habana
Address: 17 Prince Street
More info: cafehabana.com
The best cuban sandwiches in town. This was my go-to for a reason when I used to live in the city. But hey, don’t take my word for it, try one yourself.
23. Katz’s Delicatessen
Address: 205 East Houston Street
More info: katzsdelicatessen.com
New York’s oldest deli is legendary for its heaps-of-meat-sandwiches, as well as the scene from When Harry Met Sally. A definite must when visiting New York City.
24. TAO Uptown
Address: 42 E58th Street
More info: taorestaurant.com
A popular restaurant with a great atmosphere and a diverse Asian-inspired menu with something for everyone. Sex and the City fans may recognize this place.
25. The Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel
Address: 768 Fifth Avenue
More info: theplazany.com
A great choice if you’re feeling a lil’ fancy, and want to enjoy a drink or dish while visiting a historic landmark. Such a stunning place, definitely worth a visit!
Food Tours in New York City
If you or anyone in your travel squad is a foodie you should consider doing a food tour when in New York City. After all, the city is known for its food and there is loads to learn and to taste if you’re interested.
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I hope you enjoyed this guide on must eat places in NYC! Hopefully I’ve made the process of choosing a tad easier for you.
This list is awesome. I wish I got it a few year ago before I traveled to NYC. But I definitely save this post for whenever I travel back to NYC.
Author
Thank you so much, Sarah 😄☺️ New York have so many incredible restaurants to check out
And now I’m starving! Beautiful photos! I can totally eat my way through NYC!
Author
Thanks! Me too, there are so many places to eat 😍😍
Yum, these places looks super delicious. I need to visit NYC ASAP
Author
They are, there is so much delicious food in NYC 😍
It’s real. You have to be aware of dress code. To be one with them…great post!
Author
Absolutely. I rarely care that much, but that time..? It was dreadful! The wait staff were wonderful and made us feel welcome, but the other guest.. assholes :p
Yum! There is so much delicious food to choose from in NY, now I can’t wait to return and try some of your suggestions!
Author
Have fun eating 😍😂
I want all of this food. Couldn’t agree more with your tips on dining out though, who wants to travel so far all the way to a city with such great food and then eat in a chain restaurant?! Some great places here I wouldn’t mind checking out when I’m next in New York, which if this list is anything to go by will be really soon!
Author
Right?? I’ll admit I’ve been to Taco Bell and McDonalds once in a while of course, but we dont have those where I live so I feel like thats okay 😅🙈😂 (and there is usually alcohol involved as well haha).
These sound so good! I haven’t tried any of these on past trips to NYC, so I’ve definitely pinned this to use next time we go!
Author
Thats great, thank you 😄😄
I’m drooling over your photo of the egg and avocado toast – I don’t care what sort of stigma “avocado toast” has haha, it’s still one of my favorite things! I’ve never been to NY, but now I’m wanting to buy a ticket haha.
Author
Right?? I just wanna enjoy my avocado toast in peace 😂
This is definitely a useful list for anyone visiting NYC!! I’ll keep it for a future visit!
All the food looks so scrumptious! Saved for my next trip to NYC!
ugh!! This looks so yummy!! Can’t wait to go back to NYC one day!