If you love exploring regional dishes, you’ll understand why New York City is one of the foodie capitals of the world since it has so many incredible restaurants and you can try cuisines from all over the world. I lived in NYC for over 10 years and I tried as many restaurants as I could, anything from Michelin star favorites to famous bagel shops. In this blog post I will share my top 8 recommendations on where to eat when you stay in New York City.
1. Best Bagel & Coffee
New York City is famous for its bagels. Apparently, it’s the water that makes them so chewy and delicious and why no other city can replicate the quality.
I tried so many bagel shops in New York City, but I had the best bagels at Best Bagel, no pun intended. It’s one of the most popular American dishes to try.
The bagels there are large, chewy, and they have a multigrain option that not a lot of other bagel shops offer. And I’m obsessed with anything multigrain or with seeds, so I loved having this option.
They also don’t skimp on the toppings in any sandwich you choose. I usually order bacon, egg, and cheese or salmon, avocado, tomato and plain cream cheese on a multigrain bagel.
But you can create any combination you want, and I promise you will love it.
The place itself is small and doesn’t have a lot of seating available. So, I recommend you get your bagel to go and eat in a nearby park, like Bryant Park.
This way you can also people watch. People in New York City are very entertaining, so this should be fun.
2. Avra Madison
Avra Madison is one of those fancy restaurants that still has affordable options. It’s the perfect place to dine while visiting New York City or when you have out-of-town friends and you live in the city. Everyone will be impressed.
The restaurant is located right next to Central Park and they serve Greek cuisine. The interior of the restaurant is gorgeous.
The tables are large, the chandeliers are luxurious, and you can even see the seafood you can order. It’s a very elegant vibe.
The cool thing about Avra Madison is that they offer a daily 3-course prix fix for lunch which costs under $50.
For its prime location and the quantity and quality of food you get, this is a bargain. I’m serious. There isn’t any other place in that zip code where you can eat all of this for this cheap.
So, if you want to experience NYC opulence while not breaking the bank, go here.
3. Manhatta
Manhatta is one of my favorite places in New York City. It’s a restaurant located at the top of a skyscraper in the Financial District.
It has some of the best views of lower Manhattan and the water. The service is outstanding, the food is delicious, and the drinks are innovative.
I celebrated my birthday here and it was perfect. I don’t remember many restaurants in NYC where I ate on my birthday, but I still remember Manhatta.
They were so sweet that they even gave me a mini birthday cake with a candle on the house. If you choose to dine here it will be unforgettable.
The prices are on the higher end, but if you want a special experience, I highly recommend this place.
4. Ilili
Ilili is a Lebanese restaurant right on Fifth Avenue and unlike other restaurants in New York City it is spacious. So you won’t sit right next to people at other tables. You have more space, which is such a luxury in New York.
I first discovered this restaurant when I attended a team dinner for work. I immediately fell in love with the food and the vibe.
So much so that I started to come here with my friends after that team dinner.
The restaurant is perfect for both business and leisure dining. They have traditional Lebanese dishes like hummus and tabbouleh, and also some innovative ones like meatballs with cherries.
5. Eataly
If you’re craving a Neapolitan style pizza in New York City, then you must eat at Eataly. They have multiple restaurants towards the end of their Italian grocery store.
I recommend you go with La Pizza & La Pasta for some really great pizza and pasta.
This restaurant is also part of New York City’s Restaurant Week twice a year and they have this special deal where you can eat an appetizer, pizza or pasta, and dessert for around $30. Such a steal!
I recommend their Margherita pizza. It’s classic, simple, and delicious.
And the pizza here truly takes you back to Naples. One time I was dining there I overheard an Italian guy sitting at the table next to me saying that they had really good pizza. So, if you’re able to impress an Italian person, you are the real deal.
6. Carbone
Another Italian restaurant that is quintessential New York is Carbone. This restaurant is more Italian American than purely Italian, but the food is still great, nonetheless.
They are famous for their vodka pasta, and I can confirm that it’s delicious and it’s not overhyped.
Now the only problem with Carbone is that it’s very popular since a lot of celebrities eat here. So, it’s very hard to find a reservation. Don’t even attempt to come here without a reservation because they are always packed.
You have to make a reservation a month in advance, but if you’re able to get one it’s worth it.
7. Celestine
If you like Mediterranean food and want some of the best views of the Brooklyn Bridge, then go to Celestine in DUMBO. (Psst… If you love combining food with iconic landmarks, here are some stunning churches and monuments across America worth visiting.)
They have both indoor and outdoor seating so you can take in those breathtaking views of the bridge and Manhattan.
The spreads and pita here are a must. And since you’re in DUMBO make sure to also stop by Arabica% to get some really good coffee.
8. Gabriel Kreuther
I had to include a 2 Michelin stars restaurant on my list, Gabriel Kreuther. It’s named after their chef, and it’s located across the street from Bryant Park.
The restaurant itself is beautiful, elegant and spacious. I ate there with my friend and we got the chef’s tasting menu for dinner.
We tried so many things that night and everything we ate was delicious.
Surprisingly, the one dish I still remember clearly from that dinner a few years ago is the bread and butter they served as an appetizer.
The bread came looking almost like a bundt cake in a glass and the butter was high-quality. That bread was so soft and flavorful that it still lives in my head rent free.
If you want to experience luxury dining in New York City, then I recommend this restaurant. And despite having 2 Michelin stars, you can still make reservations only a few days in advance, which is a bonus.
About Ioana: Author of The Solo Travel in Style Blog
Ioana was born and raised in Romania, lived in NYC for 14 years, and has since returned to Romania. She began traveling solo at 30 and has now visited 30+ countries. Ioana is a full time travel blogger and content creator at The Solo Travel in Style Blog. She loves to share practical travel tips, itineraries, and recommendations for fellow travelers. Her story and insights have been featured in The Daily Express, Euronews, Bored Panda, Yahoo, MSN and more. You can follow her on Instagram and Pinterest.
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