Eat & Drink

Tavern on the Green

This iconic restaurant has appeared in dozens of films as one of New York's most famous dining spots. The historic building once served as a sheep paddock before being converted to a restaurant in 1934, soon becoming a favorite destination for New Yorkers' special occasions. Although the setting is as lovely as it's always been, the restaurant itself has developed a reputation for providing overpriced food that isn't all that good.

Empanada Mama

Popular 24-hour joint with an extensive selection of empanadas ranging from classic to creative, as well as other Latin American dishes. The focus is on Colombian flavors but there's quite a bit of fusion. Excellent vegan options. A second location at 200 W 40th St near Times Square is mainly for takeout, with a smaller menu and slightly more limited hours.

Ariana Afghan Kabob

Very good food, which of course includes kebabs, but also peppery Aush (a type of beany noodle soup), Badinjan Burani (a fried eggplant appetizer garlic and yogurt, served with bread), etc. Salads, which come with main dishes, have a dressing which includes mayonnaise. Ask for no dressing and put the green hot sauce on them yourself.

Bill’s Bar & Burger

Burger spot also known for disco fries (with gravy & cheese), beer & alcoholic shakes.

Dos Caminos

Dos Caminos' fifth New York City location. Designed by Brooklyn-based company, hOmE, spanning two floors, and featuring a 40-seat mezcal and margarita bar on the street level and a guacamole bar on the subterranean level. Expanded menu of Chef Ivy Stark’s healthy Mexican dishes as well as a selection of 120 premium tequilas.

Joe's Shanghai

Try their famous "soup dumplings", listed on the menu as "steamed buns", and their other delicious Shanghai specialties. Pricier than the Chinatown location.

John's Pizzeria

A popular pizza option with a lovely and spacious atmosphere and brick oven, coal fired, thin crust pizzas. Whole pizzas, no slices. Many fans, however, consider that the pizza at this location is not nearly as good as at their original Greenwich Village location. Also, pre-theater, it can be absolutely mobbed, with wait times of an hour or more.

Vice Versa

Simple, but tasty Italian fare.

Westway Diner

Real New York diner, excellent place for good value breakfast. Very good service.

Yakitori Totto

This is a great and very popular place for yakitori, which is Japanese food on sticks. If you're ordering drinks, be careful: their tea is very good but charged by the cup and the sakes are very expensive. However, the food is a very fair value.

Blue Fin

Sushi bar, bar and lounge area, communal table and expanded private dining room options.

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

This Brazilian steakhouse is renowned for its churrasco/rodízio experience, wherein servers bring various fire-roasted meats to your table. It's all-you-can-eat and includes an extensive salad bar and feijoada—a black bean and pork stew—as well as various sides such as pão de queijo (cheese bread).

Strip House

Steakhouse with a raw bar boasts walls covered with photos of old-Hollywood stars. Part of a small chain with another location on E. 12th St. and one in Las Vegas.

Nara Sushi/Kumo

Cozy sit-down sushi joint.

Nobu

World-renowned Japanese restaurant requiring reservations well in advance. For an alternative, try Nobu Next Door which doesn't require a reservation and serves the same creative, delicious food. May not be worth all the hype, but certainly worth some.

The Boathouse

Held in the Loeb Boathouse on the Lake, the Boathouse includes a sit-down restaurant with tables overlooking the lake, a sit-down bar area outside, and an express cafe with counter service for quick takeout and eat-in food.

Le Pain Quotidien

A branch of this local chain of sit-down restaurants with organic options like handmade bread and vegan ice cream. Pre-packaged picnic boxes are also available.

Poseidon Bakery

Serves wonderful Greek pastries, savory and sweet alike. There is no place to sit, but the staff are very friendly and helpful, and you can have a delicious, cheap meal for takeout.

The Halal Guys

An extremely popular and affordable food stand that is probably the only Mediterranean stand in Manhattan that was given a name. This is the original location and since it started in 2008, it has begun a chain and opened 5 more throughout Manhattan and Bergen County, New Jersey. Delicious gyros, wraps, and falafel, and each dish comes with rice and pita bread. There's also an incredible white sauce that's worth trying. If you want some on a weekend, you're going to have to get there early because there is guaranteed to be a long wait.

Wondee Siam

Small restaurant, so expect to wait on line at peak hours (e.g., Friday and Saturday nights); generally considered to be one of the best Thai restaurants in Manhattan. Food ranges in spiciness from mild to very spicy, not always consistent with what you ask for, but staff are happy to provide extra dried red pepper flakes on the side. Consistently tasty food, especially if you stick with the items on the "secret Thai" menu card on the table and ask for everything to be "very spicy and Thai style, not sweet."

Terry's

Deli popular with local students.

Barbetta

Brasserie 1605

Shorty's

Cheesesteak restaurant

Rockwell's

Independent eatery since 1995.

d Elici

Sandwiches

Watermark

Stylish restaurant overlooking the East River

O'Hara's

Irish restaurant

The Original Soup Man

Inspiration for the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld. Menu items change daily. The best soup in the area, but only if you follow the rules! "NO SOUP FOR YOU!"

The Malt House

Craft beer, classic cocktails, and American fare served in a swanky, industrial-chic tavern.

Highwater Rooftop

Elevated event space with a terrace, cocktails, and small bites.

Zizi Wine Bar

Cozy, intimate Mediterranean wine bar.

Blue Park Kitchen

Joe’s Pizza

Tartinery

Underground Pizza

Hole In The Wall

Playa Bowls

Fraunces Tavern

P. McDaid’s Irish Pub

Great place to drink after a long day at work.

McGee's Restaurant and Pub

This is an unpretentious pub in the middle of a pricey neighborhood. The pub also provides downright good food. Their dining room is upstairs. Service is pleasant and helpful.

The Perfect Pint

Two-story pub off of Times Square with good Irish beers on tap and pricey main courses. Definitely not typical pub-grub, but the price matches.

The Dead Rabbit

Atmospheric Irish pub, good cocktails.