Where to eat in New York City after midnight, and the classic 2am move.
Where to eat in New York City after midnight. kitchens that keep going, post-bar staples and the classic 2am move.
Veselka on Second Avenue has served Ukrainian comfort food in the East Village New York City since 1954. 24-hour diner; pierogi, kasha varnishkes, borscht, breakfast all day.
Try: Pierogi and borscht
Tip: The fried pierogi at 03:00 is the institutional order. Cash and card both accepted; bar in the back pours kvas.
Great N.Y. Noodletown on Bowery has poured roast-meat congee until 04:00 in Manhattan Chinatown New York City since 1981. Salt-baked shrimp, BBQ duck, hand-pulled noodles.
Try: Salt-baked seafood, BBQ duck
Tip: The duck noodle soup at 02:00 is the order. Cash speeds the bill; counter and floor service both move fast.
Blue Ribbon Brasserie on Sullivan Street has poured drinks and raw oysters until the small hours in SoHo New York City since 1992. The pu pu platter is the late-night order.
Try: Pu pu platter, fried chicken, raw bar
Tip: Counter walks-in from 22:00. Industry crowd builds at midnight; the kitchen runs strong until close.
Minetta Tavern on MacDougal runs the kitchen until 02:00 in Greenwich Village New York City. The Black Label burger is on the late-night menu; bar walk-ins easy after 23:30.
Try: Black Label burger and pommes frites
Tip: The kitchen serves the full menu until 02:00. The bar takes burgers and steak frites past midnight without a wait.
Lucien on First Avenue has poured drinks and served bistro food until 02:00 in the East Village New York City since 1998. Steak tartare and French onion soup the late plates.
Try: Frites, steak tartare, French onion soup
Tip: The bar runs walks-in for the full menu after 22:30. The frites with bearnaise and a glass of cotes du rhone is the order.
L&B Spumoni Gardens on 86th Street has sold Sicilian-style square slices in Bensonhurst Brooklyn New York City since 1939. Outdoor patio, spumoni after midnight.
Try: Sicilian square slice
Tip: The square slice with the cheese under the sauce is the house signature. Drive or take the N train to 86th.
Peak food season in New York City is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. New York City rewards trust.