13 Delicious Spots to Eat in NYC
If you’re headed to New York City, it’s quite possible you’re feeling overwhelmed by the many options of things to do and places to eat.
I’ve been to NYC countless times but even I get that. The options are endless. With hopes of making your trip a little easier, here are 13 delicious spots to eat in New York City. Some are breakfast, some are lunch and dinner, while others are more snack related.
I’ve also put them all on a Google Map (along with the description) so you can open it on your phone when you get hungry and see what’s nearby.
Wafels & Dinges
I once spent over an hour wandering through the woods of Central Park trying to make my way to a Wafels & Dinges food truck. (It shouldn’t have been that complicated, but I thought I could do it without a map.) Once I finally found them, I was rewarded for my dedication with a hot and fresh, tasty waffle topped with all kinds of deliciousness.
Wafels & Dinges was started in 2007 as a food truck by a man from Belgium who wanted “to give America’s ‘Belgian waffles’ a serious upgrade.” Since then, they’ve added 8 more food trucks and a cafe.
The “dinges” in their name comes from the Belgian slang for “whatchammacallit” and refers to the many different topping choices — whipped cream, fudge, speculoos, strawberries, bananas, maple syrup, caramel, ice cream, nutella….
Find a location near you here: https://wafels.com/find-us/
Chelsea Market
I first discovered the Chelsea Market on my way to the High Line. (If you haven’t been there, definitely check it out!) The Market not only offers unique shopping opportunities, but also dozens of award winning restaurants offering almost anything your heart or stomach could desire — pastries, coffee, gelato, cheeses, burgers, salads, steaks, tacos, pasta, pizza, doughnuts, bagels, and more.
Grounded Organic Coffee & Tea House
Grounded is a small, community-focused coffee shop and tea house in the West Village. The space is cozy with lots of plants, local art on the walls, and an eclectic collection of tables, chairs, coffee tables, and couches. They also offer sandwiches, salads, and smoothies.
Garment District’s Freight Entrance Restaurants
New York’s Garment District has a unique history that is often overlooked by visitors (and locals). I won’t claim to know much about it (the neighborhood is still on my to-do list), but what most intrigues me is a piece I read about hidden restaurants “tucked away inside freight entrances.” They sound like the true definition of hole-in-the-wall and probably serve up incredible food at great prices with no frills. So if you’re looking to eat like the Average Joe local, this is probably the spot.
Looking for other things to do in the Garment District? Check this out: https://garmentdistrict.nyc/
Veselka
Veselka is a Ukranian diner that’s been serving the East Village since 1954, and it is an absolutely DELICIOUS, reasonably priced and low key spot to eat! Don’t miss out on their potato pancakes, pierogies, and award-winning blintzes.
And if you need another fun reason to eat here, Veselka has been used in some great movies, including most recently Ocean’s 8.
DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections
Sadly I have not yet been to DŌ, the edible cookie dough shop, but it sure does look amazing every time I see it discussed on Facebook and featured on Instagram. So please go and then tell me about it, so I can live vicariously through you.
Note: the owner is gluten free so I hear they have great options for everyone.
Dominique Ansel
Dominique Ansel is the creator of the cronut – the donut fused with a croissant that had everyone talking a few years back. Despite New Yorkers moving on, the cronut is still huge with visitors, and it’s still quite difficult to get your hands on one.
If you are not a celebrity (I hear they get special treatment) and don’t want to wait in line for hours, you can attempt to pre-order your cronuts here
But even if you aren’t interested in a cronut, I would recommend checking out the bakery. They have all sorts of wildly creative and whimsical creations. Check out the Zero Gravity Cake and Kiwi Sorbet Bar.
Stanley’s Pharmacy
Stanley George, born and raised in the Bronx, is a second generation Indian. He was introduced at an early age to Ayurvedic medicine and spent many years studying alternative health but also has a pharmaceutical degree. After decades of professional experience, Stanley opened “the world’s first wellness bar & pharmaceutical practice” in New York City.
Burger Joint
The Burger Joint is a speakeasy type burger spot hidden inside the Parker New York Hotel. It’s very casual and has the feel of a dive.
When you enter the hotel lobby, you will notice a curtain up ahead. Head behind there to the Burger Joint entrance. Feel free to ask someone working in the hotel, and they’ll tell you where to go.
Be sure to bring cash and expect to wait in a reasonable line.
Ovenly
I have a real soft spot for Ovenly. I don’t remember who recommended that I stop in, but THANK YOU, whoever you are.
When I first arrived in the bakery on Greenpoint Avenue, they had samples of a cake available on the counter. After I enjoyed a bite (or two) and chatted with the women behind the counter, they cut up a slice of another cake for me to sample. When all that was said and done, I bought a cupcake.
While they have multiple locations, if you make it to this one, take your cupcake down to the WNYC Transmitter Park and enjoy your tasty treat with an incredible view of the East River and NYC Skyline.
Stick With Me Sweets
Stick With Me is a tiny little sweet shop in Lower Manhattan. They make the MOST beautiful (and tasty) bonbons I have ever seen. Each one is hand-shelled and hand-painted, as well as locally sourced whenever possible and, if not, then ethically sourced from around the globe.
Be sure you do not miss out on the opportunity to treat yourself at Stick With Me.
LIC Market
LIC Market is a great little farm-to-table restaurant, hidden away in Long Island City (but a quick and easy subway ride out of Manhattan) offering delicious food and natural wines.
Anable Basin Sailing Bar & Grill
If you didn’t know what you were looking for, it would be hard to stumble across Anable Basin. You go down a random road (44th Drive), pass a chain link fence and find yourself at the waterfront. Here you will discover a bunch of picnic tables alongside a cash-only counter service bar and grill. When the weather is nice, this is a great spot to enjoy a delicious meal or grab a drink with the locals. And, of course, the view’s not too shabby either.
