NYC Notes #4: My Go-To New York City Food Recs
Aka where to eat when you visit
After several friends and family members asked me for New York City recommendations in the last few weeks, I decided to create something I’ve wanted for a long time: A food guide to NYC with my tried and true recommendations! These are the spots I always come back to and the places I’m always recommending to my own loved ones. Now I have them all in one place for easy access, and I hope you find some new favorites here.
What are my credentials, you might ask? Well, I’m just a girl who really loves food, going out to eat, and finding fun and affordable things to do in New York City. I’ve lived in New York for 10 years, first as a cheap college student and now as a young married professional. I don’t have a fancy camera, but I do love taking pictures of all my meals.
If you’re looking for a guide to trendy downtown nightlife, I fear that you’re not going to find that here—my recs might not be the “coolest” but I love them just the same! I do tend to have a slight Upper West Side bias because it’s where I went to school and have lived so I’ll always have a special place in my heart for that area.
Since there are millions of other NYC guides out there, I tried to provide recs for more specific scenarios—if your trip to New York includes sweet treats, afternoon tea, and cozy dinners, you’re my kind of person! Many of these spots also have sentimental value for me, and while I’ve inevitably missed some recs, I’m sure, these are the ones I always come back to. After working on this guide for a few weeks, it’s time to put it out into the world, imperfections and all!
What other NYC recommendations are you looking for? I’d be happy to give more suggestions in the comments or use them as inspiration for another post. I hope you enjoy this round-up!
P.S. This post is too long for email, so I encourage you to read it on the Substack app or on a desktop for the best experience!
For cozy dinners
Cibo E Vino (2418 Broadway): I love this quaint neighborhood Italian restaurant because it’s where I celebrated the end of my college finals and also my engagement! It’s the perfect spot for a cozy evening of long conversations over big bowls of pasta.
Silvana (300 W 116th Street): This Harlem spot has a cafe on the ground floor, but I especially love their underground basement for live music and Middle Eastern food every night. You never know what you’re going to get with the music—some nights it’s jazz or soul but I’ve also found myself in the middle of a Yiddish rave here! Also I am fully obsessed with their fluffy potato chips.
Heidelberg (1648 2nd Avenue): This German restaurant on the Upper East Side has some of the coziest vibes in New York City. It feels like you’ve stepped into Germany for the night (without the decor feeling overly cheesy), and their schnitzel and spätzle in particular are always standouts for me.
Vin Sur Vingt (various locations): This French wine bar has locations across New York (and DC), but I am particularly fond of the Nomad and Upper West Side locations. My mom and I had a cozy dinner here pre-Covid, and I’ll always remember chatting with her over warm cocottes and French wine in this intimate environment.
For plates to share
ilili Restaurant (236 Fifth Avenue): This restaurant really kicked off my love for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern small plates, and my husband and I couldn’t stop talking about their muhammara. The shared plates are comforting and accessible, but the interior also has an elevated atmosphere so it’s a great place to celebrate a special occasion.
Smorgasburg (multiple locations): While this isn’t a singular restaurant, Smorgasburg is my favorite food market. I particularly love the Williamsburg location with views of the Manhattan skyline. There are so many food, drink, and dessert options—you can make a day out of it and come here with a group so everyone can try something different.
(For another food market rec, I also highly recommend Queens Night Market for tons of options and affordable eats—every dish is capped at $5-6!)
Plado Tasting Bar (192 E 2nd Street): I am still thinking about the watermelon carpaccio I had here with my husband for our anniversary dinner last year. I never knew watermelon could be sliced so thinly or be so flavorful! Their Mediterranean-inspired tapas menu rotates seasonally and is a beautiful assortment of small plates to share.
La Nacional (239 W 14th Street): I first visited this restaurant (part of the Spanish Benevolent Society) with my book club, and I really liked how much time they gave us just to chat over our tapas and drinks. I also appreciated how reasonably priced the drinks and food are! It’s rare to find cocktails under $15 in New York, so $10 margaritas and happy hour deals are always exciting to see.
For my favorite slices
Koronet Pizza (two locations): If you’re looking for a late night pizza slice that’s the size of your head, look no further than Koronet’s jumbo slices! I also have an emotional connection to the Morningside Heights location—my husband and I ate this pizza on one of our very first dates in college and also ate it right after we got engaged.
L’Industrie Pizzeria (two locations): My husband and I went on a self-created pizza tour, and L’Industrie was the clear favorite for us! There’s almost always a line, but I can confirm that it’s worth it (especially the burrata slice or the fig jam and bacon).
Mama’s TOO! (two locations): This was another spot on our pizza tour, and since the Upper West Side location is in our neighborhood, it quickly became our go-to spot for out-of-town guests and friends! They’re known for their square slices that are chock-full of flavor, and we especially love the Angry Nonna and the Cacio e Pepe.
For creative drinks + good vibes
Tiki Chick (517 Amsterdam Avenue): I always love a tropical rum cocktail, so this retro tiki bar is right up my alley. Bright pink and adorned with neon lights, it’s hard to miss, and their $5 chicken sandwiches are the real MVPs after a night of drinking.
Panorama Room (22 N Loop Road): This rooftop bar sits at the top of the Graduate Hotel on Roosevelt Island, and while I also really enjoyed the drinks, the stars here are the views of Manhattan and the overall experience! Since it’s a bit out of the way, I recommend making a whole day out of it (particularly around cherry blossom season)—it also gives you an excuse to ride the Roosevelt Island tram.
67 Orange Street (rotating location): Though this bar’s iconic Harlem location has since closed (I’m still upset about it), 67 Orange Street is currently hosting a residency at Back Bar’s speakeasy in Chelsea. I’m planning to visit this residency soon, and if the cocktails here are anything like the original location’s, they’ll be some of my favorites in the city!
Leyenda (221 Smith Street): This Latin American cocktail bar and restaurant is right across the street from one of my favorite bookstores, Books Are Magic, so it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a drink before or after a major book shopping spree. They clearly take a lot of pride in their cocktails, and I love that the menu gives you flavor profiles for each drink.
For a sweet treat
Dough Doughnuts (various locations): This was one of the first doughnut shops I tried in New York City, and if you love a big, yeasty doughnut, you’re in the right place. They offer tons of fun flavors like Hibiscus and Dulce De Leche, and I recommend enjoying them in a nearby park or green space.
Spot Dessert Bar (various locations): When I was in college, this dessert spot was really popular for its trendy desserts and drinks (boba tea in a lightbulb, dessert that looks like a plant you can water, etc.). But the solid flavors here kept me coming back! Their Western-style desserts are inspired by Eastern flavors, and their desserts always have a fun touch of whimsy.
Lysee (44 East 21st Street): I’m really glad that I saved this spot for my birthday because the exquisite desserts and pastries feel really special. Inspired by Korean and French flavors, the desserts here really are works of art—make sure you try the seasonal offerings and the famous corn pastry!
Radio Bakery (135 India Street): This bakery’s been getting a lot of attention lately, and I can now confirm that it’s worth the hype! It’s a bit of a trek for me out to Greenpoint, but I made a whole day of it, starting with these pastries. Definitely try the seasonal and savory croissants—I’m still thinking about the maple sausage croissant I had.
For a charming afternoon tea experience
Kings Carriage House (251 East 82nd Street): Set in a two-story carriage house on the Upper East Side, Kings Carriage House offers a cozy afternoon tea experience at one of the best price points I’ve seen in the city! I also had my bridal shower here (in March 2020, right at the beginning of the pandemic), so I’ll always have a soft spot for this location.
Brooklyn High Low (various locations): I wish I lived in Brooklyn just for Brooklyn High Low to be my neighborhood tea spot! With its kitschy decor, there’s immediately a cozy atmosphere when you walk in, and I really appreciated that they offer a variety of tea services at different price points. They’re also very accommodating for different dietary needs!
The Palm Court at The Plaza (768 5th Avenue): This location is iconic for a reason. Though it is quite pricey, I do think it’s worth splurging for special occasions. I came here with my mom after finishing my college classes, and you do get a decent amount of food—we even had leftovers! There’s a certain opulence here that you can’t get anywhere else.
Wishing you all the five-star reads,
Katherine
The post we’ve all been waiting for!
Definitely adding these spots to my list of places to try!