Where to eat in New York City after midnight. kitchens that keep going, post-bar staples and the classic 2am move.

After-hours picks

Veselka ★ 4.6

Eastern European$$east-villageUntil Open 24/7

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.

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 ★ 4.3

American BBQ$$chinatownUntil Daily until 04:00

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.

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 ★ 4.5

Brasserie$$sohoUntil Sun-Thu until 03:00, Fri-Sat until 04:00

Blue Ribbon Brasserie on Sullivan Street has poured drinks and raw oysters until the small hours in SoHo New York City since 1992. At 97 Sullivan Street.

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 ★ 4.8

Burgers$$greenwich-villageUntil Daily until 02:00

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.

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 ★ 4.2

French bistro$$east-villageUntil Daily until 02:00

Lucien on First Avenue has poured drinks and served bistro food until 02:00 in the East Village New York City since 1998. Booking recommended.

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 ★ 4.0

Sicilian$$bensonhurstUntil Daily until 24:00

L&B Spumoni Gardens on 86th Street has sold Sicilian-style square slices in Bensonhurst Brooklyn New York City since 1939. Booking recommended.

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.

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