I like to eat. And I’m guessing that you do too. But with New York City’s vast array of restaurant options with every type, quantity, style and price range of food available, how does one decide?
Currently, there are approximately 24,000 food establishments in Manhattan, a number that keeps on growing each and every month. Super crazy.
So I’ve decided to share my favorite restaurants in the city that I’ve wined and dined at over the years (lucky you!!!)
Barbecue: Hill Country
Mmmm meat. This is your place if you are a red meat fanatic and are looking for a laid-back atmosphere with the occasional live music. They also have chicken and pork, but c’mon, go for the real meat. It’s that good- splurge on the $100 special: It’s Always Bigger in Texas Combo.
Don’t forget to try the peanut butter and jelly cupcake! And they serve their drinks in mason jars, an added plus!
Location:
30 West 26th Street
New York, NY 10010
p: (212) 255-4544
It’s nearly impossible to visit New York and not have the best pizza you’ve ever had. Trust me- I’ve managed to order pizza in just about every place I’ve ever been, and Manhattan style pizza is the best yet. No competition. Well, maybe besides Italy.
Patsy’s is one of those places you could go everyday and never get bored of their pizza. Plus, you can eat a lot of it since the crust is perfectly thin and crispy. Try their class margherita pizza, my absolute favorite. Always freshly cooked in their coal-fired oven.
I don’t care what the reviews say on Yelp. They have been open for over 75 years for a reason. I will keep coming back to this pizzeria until they run out of cheese!
Numerous Locations!
Yes, mac ‘n’ cheese does get it’s own category. This is my blog- I get to make the calls! This cheesy goodness is sure to melt away anyways worries. (But you’re in NY, you shouldn’t have any worries!)
Alpine: A swiss mac with gruyere and slab-bacon
Italian: Serafina At the Time Hotel
I first ate here not too long ago thanks to a suggestion from a friend, and Serafina sure did not disappoint. I will most definitely be back in the near future.
They specialize in authentic Northern Italian fare. Their perfect meals are crafted with the finest, imported ingredients.
Location: 49th and Broadway
Burger Joint: Shake Shack
You can’t come to NY and not try these delectable burgers. That would be a crime, and those NYC cops can be pretty nasty. Once just a lonely cart in Madison Square Park in 2003, now serving up the most delicious burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, shakes, beer, wine and more.
All of their burgers are crafted with 100% all-natural Angus beef, vegetarian fed, humanely raised and source verified. No hormones or antibiotics – EVER. They pride themselves on sourcing incredible ingredients from like-minded artisanal producers. Expect to find top-notch food here.
No visit to Shake Shack is complete without some frozen custard, available in a different flavor each day. Check out their custard calendar to determine which day you indulge.
The Shack is currently adding locations on the east coast, but food is always better where it originated.
Steak House: Del Frisco’s
If you have some extra money sitting in your pocket on your trip, which seems pretty impossible after shopping on 5th ave, Del Friscos is the place to spend your left over cash.
Originally opening up in Dallas more than 20 years ago, this fine steak house now serves its NYC customers an extensive award-winning wine list and unparalleled hospitality.
What makes this menu like no other? The aged USDA Prime Beef. They serve only the best hand-cut steaks, chops, and freshest seafood. Opt for an Australian cold water lobster tail if you must! All food is a la carte, making it possible for the customer to create their own perfect meal of mouthwatering appetizers, flavorful side dishes, and irresistible desserts, and obviously steak.
Del Frisco’s is the perfect place for a special occasion, a business affair, or simply, a night on the town.
Location:
1221 Ave. of the Americas
TEL: (212) 575-5129
Mexican: Rosa Mexicano
This was a toss-up between Rosa Mexicano and Dos Caminos, and ultimately, I couldn’t decide.
However, Martha Stewart dubbed this restaurant to have the world’s best guacamole, and therefore, making this difficult decision for me. Celebrities are always right, right? Oh wait, they’re not? Whoops.
With three locations in the city, this festive restaurant serves its customers elevated Mexican cuisine with traditional dishes in fun and stylish atmosphere.
Don’t leave here without indulging in the Guacamole en Molcajete, made in a traditional lava-rock mortar and prepared tableside while throwing back a few pomegranate margaritas.
Chinese: Wo Hop
After waiting on a 30 minute line on the descending stairs leading to the restaurant, basically in the basement, you’ll wonder why I urged you to head all the way into Chinatown for some food. The restaurant looks a little run down and is always crowded, no matter the time of day. The walls are covered in photos, some bearing autographs of famous people, while others are romantic photos of couples on their wedding day.
But the food is tasty, cheap, and served quickly, making this an ideal place to pig out. They will also custom design orders (you can ask the waitors for anything you would like to eat, even if it’s not on the menu).
Don’t go to the wrong Wo Hop. There are two “Wo Hop’s” on Mott Street, and make sure you go to the right one. The ground-level restaurant (visible from the street), at 15 Mott Street, is easily seen and, this is NOT the one you want to go to. Wait on the stairs to get the real experience.
Special Occasion: Gramercy Tavern
Not sure if I’m biased or not, (the husband took me here the weekend we got engaged), but it was definitely the fanciest restaurant with the most luxurious food I’ve ever eaten.
Food here is contemporary, refined American cuisine. Executive chef Michael Anthony creates delectable, irresistible combinations, including first courses consisting of Beef Tartare and Butternut Squash Custard, with second courses of Smoked Monkfish, Roasted & Braised Lamb, and Pasture Raised Chicken & Sausage.
Location:
42 E 20th St New York, NY 10003
(212) 477-0777
What foodie list is complete without a great option for brunch? Mimosas and bloody mary’s with french toast, waffels, and eggs? Count me in.
Location:
(212) 219-0666
Manhattan can get kind of pricey for us budget travelers. But that’s no excuse to fail your tongue for what it really wants- Wafels. From Wafels & Dinges. Yes, it is certainly a food truck, but no trip to NYC is complete without at least one visit to this sweet sweet food truck. Don’t believe me? Go try a wafel and then you can call me out on this.
You pick out your warm belgium wafel, then decide upon your toppings (properly known as dinges), from belgium chocolate fudge and real maple syrup, to nutella and bananas. You can even add ice cream to your wafel! My absolute favorite (on a warm day)!
Not in the mood for the sweet stuff? Try a savory one instead- they even have a pulled pork wafel, a bacon and syrup wafel, and a chili con corn wafel.
This just means you can eat here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! HOW FAB!
Now they even have a mini wafel, named a wafelini, for those who just want a quick bite. But they’re really tiny. A little too tiny if you ask me. Go for the normal size, you won’t be disappointed.
Just bring some napkins as this dish can get rather sticky. With a food truck permanently in Central Park, it makes it easy to stuff your face, sit on a bench, and people watch all at the same time. Exactly what NYC is all about.
Oh Wafels & Dinges, you smell so good.
My Favorite Location:
1 Columbus Cir New York, NY 10019(866) 429-7329
And expect more options to become available shortly; in just 10 years, the number of restaurants has increased by 42 percent in NYC.
Rosa Mexicano, Smac and Waffles & Dinges are the best!!! I'll have to try some of the others!!!!
you definitely should! all the food on this list is simply amazing! if you like italian, serafina is really good!
I'm so glad that you included Mac 'N Cheese – it's so underrated, but it can be so tasty! I really want to try that restaurant.
yes- I absolutely LOVE mac 'n' cheese- so super yummy! I highly suggest that place- so many different options to pick from!
Great picks! I didn't know you could get a ginormous rib platter with Saltines in NYC. You learn something new every day 🙂
and it's simply amazing. NYC has all different types of food!
Jessica, great list! I'd like to share some of mine, briefly, if I may :)Burger Joint – Maggie Brown, BrooklynMexican – Dos CaminosBrunch – The Farm, BrooklynCheap Eats – Yakitori Taisho, Japanese street food on St. Marks.
Thanks! There were SO many to pick from, it was a pretty hard task just choosing one for each category!I love Dos Caminos as well, and that was definitely a toss-up for the mexican category. Thanks for sharing other restaurants- I'll have to try them out!
You just made my mouth water with this post! We are currently living in China and there are no options for steaks, Mexican or Italian..only Chinese and Japanese food. Oh how I could go for some mac n' cheese or a steak right about now!Cheers 🙂