Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi's restoration of the Seagram Pool Room runs mid-century power-lunch food in New York City. Honey-glazed duck, tableside Caesar.
OrderHoney-glazed duck for two, carved at the table.
TipLunch is the move; the same room without the dinner price ceiling. Dress code is enforced: no jeans, no sneakers.
Eric Ripert's three-Michelin-star seafood room in Midtown New York City has held its stars since 2005. Tasting menu $268, mostly raw and barely-cooked fish.
OrderThe Almost Raw, Barely Touched, Lightly Cooked tasting.
TipLunch prix-fixe at $98 is the entry point; same kitchen, same plate, half the price of dinner.
Shun Lee Palace has served Cantonese and Hunan food on East 55th Street in New York City since 1971. T.T. Order the beggar's chicken, ordered 24 hours ahead.
OrderBeggar's chicken, ordered 24 hours ahead.
TipOrder the General Tso's the first time as a history lesson; on return visits skip it for the Hunan beef.
The Grand Central Oyster Bar has poured oysters and clam chowder beneath the Guastavino tiles of New York City's Grand Central Terminal since 1913.
OrderA cup of Manhattan clam chowder and a half-dozen East Coast oysters at the counter.
TipSit at the counter facing the open kitchen; the pan roast is theatre when made to order.
Eric Ripert's three-Michelin-star seafood room on West 51st has held its stars since 2005 in New York City. Tasting menu mostly raw and barely-cooked fish.
Book4 weeks ahead
Thomas Keller's three-Michelin-star Time Warner Center room in New York City runs nine courses with a Central Park view. Located in Midtown.
Book8 weeks ahead
The Modern, on the MoMA sculpture garden in Midtown New York City, holds two Michelin stars under Thomas Allan. Six-course tasting with a Hudson Valley focus.
Book3 weeks ahead
Chef Kwame Onwuachi's Lincoln Center room holds one Michelin star in New York City. Afro-Caribbean cooking, jollof rice with curry goat, oxtail pepper-pot.
Book6 weeks ahead
Sungchul Shim's Hell's Kitchen skewer counter holds a Michelin star in New York City. Located in Midtown. Tasting menu $165. Book 3 weeks ahead.
Book3 weeks ahead
ABA Turkish Restaurant on West 57th runs charcoal-grilled lamb and Mediterranean mezes a block from Central Park in Midtown West, New York City.
OrderIskender kebab: vertically grilled lamb on pide bread under tomato sauce and yoghurt.
TipHalal kitchen, open 11:00-22:00 daily; the lamb chop platter and the kunefe dessert are the consistent picks across recent reviews.
Blue Bottle's Bryant Park counter in Midtown New York City pulls 48-hour-old roasts under the public library steps. Order the new orleans iced coffee.
DrinkNew Orleans iced coffee
TipPark benches across the street are part of the order. Avoid 08:30-09:30 if you want a fast cup.
Ralph Lauren's Madison Avenue cafe pours a custom-roasted house blend in Midtown New York City. Order the ralph's blend latte. At 888 Madison Ave.
DrinkRalph's blend latte
TipTwelve seats inside, six on the sidewalk. The chocolate-chip cookie is the unanticipated standout, not the latte.
Ess-a-Bagel on Third Avenue has hand-rolled bagels in Midtown New York City since 1976. Boiled in barley malt water, baked on burlap, sold dense and seeded.
Worth the queuePlain everything bagel with scallion cream cheese
TipThe line is 30 minutes at 09:30 weekends. Order over the counter; pre-paid online jumps the line.
Kashkaval Garden on Ninth Avenue pours Greek and Lebanese wines in Hell's Kitchen, New York City. Located in Midtown. Open daily 16:00-24:00.
PourDomaine Sigalas Assyrtiko by the glass
WineEastern Mediterranean and Greek
FoodMezze and fondue
TipThe mixed mezze platter for four feeds five. Greek wine list runs deeper than the small bar suggests; ask the sommelier.
Ardesia on West 52nd Street has poured French wines in Hell's Kitchen, New York City since 2010. Twenty pours by the glass, charcuterie boards.
PourDomaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont sec
WineOld World wines, Loire and Burgundy heavy
FoodSnacks and charcuterie
TipPost-theatre walk-ins after 22:30 are easy. The Vouvray Le Mont is the under-$20-by-the-glass standout.
Jimmy's Corner near Times Square has poured cheap beer and bourbon to off-Broadway crowds in New York City since 1971. Boxing photos on the walls, jukebox.
DrinkCheap beer and bourbon
FoodNone
TipCash only. The bar takes Bud, Bass and Bourbon orders. Sing along with the jukebox.
The Halal Guys cart at 53rd and 6th has served halal chicken and rice in Midtown New York City since 1990. At W 53rd Street and 6th Avenue New York.
TryChicken and rice with white sauce
TipThe original cart sits on the southwest corner; a second cart on the southeast corner is the same kitchen. The line is shorter at the southeast.
Adel's cart sits across from the Halal Guys at 53rd and 6th in New York City. Located in Midtown. Open mon-sat 11:00-22:00. At 1221 6th Avenue.
TryChicken and rice with white sauce
TipThe line is half as long as the Halal Guys for arguably the better chicken. The white sauce is tangier.
The 53rd and 6th late-night cart corner is a New York City institution: three carts side by side, the Halal Guys and two rivals, feeding bar crowds.
TryLate-night chicken and rice
TipOrder from whichever cart has the shortest line; the three menus are nearly identical at this hour.
Uncle Gussy's cart at Park and 51st has grilled pork and chicken souvlaki for Midtown office workers in New York City since the 1970s. Tzatziki.
TryPork souvlaki platter
TipLunch only, weekdays. The line moves fast at 12:30; the platter feeds two if you split.
H Mart on 32nd Street runs the biggest Korean supermarket in Midtown New York City. Located in Koreatown. Open daily 08:00-23:00. At 38 W 32nd St.
TipThe food court upstairs runs noodle counters and a tofu room. Skip the lunch rush at 12:30; 11:30 or 14:00 are the easy seats.
The Ninth Avenue International Food Festival fills Ninth Avenue from 42nd to 57th Streets in Hell's Kitchen for a spring weekend; the organisers call it New York's oldest continuing food festival.
TipBoth days run 10am to 6pm along 9th Avenue between 42nd and 57th Streets; the festival is produced by the Ninth Avenue Association.
Taste of Times Square, the Times Square Alliance's annual tasting evening, returned on Wednesday 9 September 2026 with wristband tastings of signature dishes from neighbourhood restaurants and live entertainment.
TipWristbands are sold at tents on Broadway and 46th Street; advance sales ended before the 2026 date but tickets could still be bought at the tents from 2 pm.
Burger Bash is the headline night of NYCWFF every October at the Seaport in New York City. Pat LaFrieda Meats presents; 30 chefs each build a burger.
TipTickets ($295) include unlimited burgers and drinks. The line for in 2025's winner runs 30 minutes; circulate to lesser-known chefs.
Winter Village at Bryant Park runs a free-entry holiday market and food hall from late October to early January, with raclette, bratwurst and stuffed crepes.
TipThe food hall is busiest between 17:00 and 20:00 once the rink lights up. Shops open daily at 11:00; the skating rink runs on into February.
Birdland on West 44th runs jazz, big band and New Orleans sets across a downstairs club and an upstairs theater room. The Birdland Big Band plays.
TipSet covers run $35 to $56 with a $20 food or drink minimum. The 17:30 and 19:00 sets are the easier walk-ins.
Pen Top, formerly Salon de Ning, sits 23 floors above Fifth Avenue on the Peninsula Hotel roof, with two terraces over Billionaire's Row and heated chalet.
TipClosed Sundays and Mondays. Reserve via Tock for the East Terrace; the winter dome bookings open in October each year.
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