Places You Must Eat in NYC
Last fall we visited NYC and ate so much great food and drank at cool bars and restaurants. I’m going to share places you must eat in NYC. Mainly where we ate and althogh I wanted to share a few places that were on my list but we didn’t get to, this list of places we did go to is super long. Wow did we eat out hah.
I wish we had time and money to eat at more places or go back to some favs like ABC Kitchen or Jack’s Wife Freda. Most mornings, we’d grab a drink and chia seed pudding from Cha Cha Matcha around the corner from our hotel. We’re kind of grab and go and get our day started quickly instead of lengthy breakfasts.
But what I love most is that there are so many great gems inthe city, in each neighbourhood and by walking around you discover them. I took down so many other names for future return visits to the Big Apple.
You can also check out my First Timer’s Guide to NYC.
Where to Drink in NYC
McSorley’s Old Ale House
Our neighbour recommended we check this place out and so glad we did! It was established in 1854 and continues to be a favourite haunt of locals, celebrities and athletes. The bartender was so chatty and wrote down other places to go to on our next trip. Also noticed after our return that it is featured in the SNL opening credits.
Radegast Hall, Williamsburg
Stumbled on this Biergarten in Brooklyn after a long day exploring Williamsburg. Great beer selection and the food looked good.
Raines Law Room
This speakeasy in Chelsea is named for an 1896 law meant to curb New Yorkers’ liquor consumption. It’s a pretty small room, nicely decorated and thankfully noone in line to get in.
Sake Bar Decibel
Literally walked past the sign in the West Village and curiosity led us down the steps into this cool AF sake bar. So grungy and the drinks were potent and delish!
Where to Eat in NYC
Breakfast/Brunch
Jack’s Wife Freda
Ok so I admit I saw this repeatedly on Instagram, but it’s so worth waiting for. The food is so fresh and so dare I say healthy? We went for breakfast one morning and I wish we returned so I can get the Mediterranean breakfast again. There are two locations and they both serve up their American-Mediterranean cooking & classic cocktails.
Bubby’s
Order the pancakes. Seriously. We went to the location by the Highline and sat on the patio on a sunny day. Perfect spot for people watching and taking a break before heading out again to explore.
The Smith
The location at Union Square felt like it just continued on in space. Huge! And the food was great, we ordered avocado toast and it was loaded with avocados. The place was also buzzing and all the food that went by looked amazing.
Lunch
By Chloe
AMAZING. Honestly everything was so good, we tried to go back again before we left. Curtis had a Whiskey BBQ burger (smoked portobello mushrooms + seitan) and I enjoyed a Pesto Meatball (portobello + mushroom mix) Sandwich. You’d never know it was vegan.
Eataly
We ate here three times. Yes three. Grabbed pasta each time and no regrets lol. It was just easy to get into and fit our budget. It’s also a great place to pick up little gifts for foodies in your life.
Sweet Green
I wish we had this in Vancouver. Curtis and I both really enjoyed our salads and the process for ordering. I can see why it’s so popular. We ate here both for lunch and dinner, nice healthy option between all the carabs lol.
Bluestone Lane Cafe
Stumbled onto this cute Australian cafe by the Guggenheim. It was set into a church and boy was it ever good!
Joe & the Juice
Funny enough we encountered Joe & the Juice in Copenhagen a couple of years ago. It’s so popular and the smoothies are great. I love their healthy options for a quick snack.
Dinner
ABC Kitchen
This was easily our favourite meal all week. Every dish was more delicious than the last, the service was amazing and the atmosphere was ecelctic and romantic at the same time. We ordered a few dishes to share, and this maybe weird, but I’m going to say get the mashed potatoes. It’s such a cool spot, inside a furniture store but it works.
The Spotted Pig
We both have always wanted to go here (fans of April Bloomfield), and it didn’t disappoint. Filled to the brim with pig memorbilia and lit in such a nice way, it’s a spot to enjoy a cocktail and share a couple of dishes. Also their playlist was on point.
The Breslin
Another of April Bloomfield’s restuarants (more of a gastropub) was in our hotel, it was our first meal in NYC. Really cool spot, menu was amazing.
The John Dory Oyster Bar
This sustainable seafood restaurant was also in our hotel. We loved coming here for a drink and small appie.
Grand Central Oyster Bar
Besides good food, this was an experience itself. I feel it hasn’t ever been touched. The oysters are fresh, the service is straight on, no bullshit and it’s an Instagrammer’s heaven in terms of decor.
Tavola Trattoria
This was a place we just looked up on Yelp randomnly, had good reviews and it actually turned out to be accurate. We shared a pizza, drank wine and eavesdropped on conversations around us. It’s definitely a neighbourhood joint, lots of locals and was a busy place.
Joe’s Pizza
An institution that has been around since 1975. It’s in Greenwich Village, Carmine Street near Bleecker Street. It’s heavily recommended by locals, a perfect street pizza if you must.
Balthazar
After a long day, we walked past Balthazar in Soho and decided we should grab a drink and something to share. What a spot! It’s not cheap, a French brasserie that’s buzzing it seems all day long. Curtis and I enjoyed some wine and a divine salad mid-afternoon. I would have loved to stay for dinner and enjoy a classic dish.
Bella Luna
We stopped in here mostly to get shelter from the rain but also because Conan O’Brien was sitting having lunch. And I can see why, it was a good, solid Italian meal. So ya, we sat beside Conan for lunch. NBD.
Dessert
The Donut Pub
An older mom and pop shop, that is open 24/7 serving up fresh donuts and other sorts. It’s literally from the Kennedy-era. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Milk Bar Bakery
I sadly ate my soft serve so quickly before realizing I didn’t get a shot. Let’s just say it hit the spot.
Magnolia Bakery
A classic bakery serving up cupcakes, pies, cakes and more. You walk through the door and the bakery aroma hits you pleasantly. I’m pretty sure it’s been featured so many times in films, TV and a celebrity fav. I can see why after eating a couple of their beloved cupcakes.
Where to Grab Your Caffeine Fix
Chalait
Great matchas, really enjoyed mine. No seating, standing counter only and their drinks are on the more expensive side.
Honeybrains
I loved this quirky, modern cafe. Their menu is created with a neurologist, offering up healthy choices for breakfast, lunch and snacks.
Cha Cha Matcha
We stopped here everyday, every single day. I had almost every pastry and their chia seed pudding. Curtis still obsessed over their matcha filled croissant lol.
La Colombe
Good coffee, I can see why it’s a popular US chain.
What are your favourite spots to visit in NYC? Any places I should have visited?
