Sadly, I don’t have that many images of the food in NYC, mostly because I am so busy stuffing my face with the amazing dishes! I have compiled a list of my favourite restaurants in New York. I am always looking for more places to try, so I would love to know your favourites too.

NoLiTa

My absolute favourite “hood” is NoLiTa, derived from “North of Little Italy”,  and where I choose to stay each visit, so these days it feels like a home away from home.

It was long regarded as part of Little Italy, but has since lost much of its Italian character. These days it has a budding reputation known as “little Australia” for all the new cafes, coffee stores and Aussie designers opening up in this cute little neighbourhood. Stocked with numerous cute cafes and small bars and little boutiques, Nolita has a village feel to it. It lies east of Soho, and once you cross the craziness of Broadway and walk towards Lafayette Street you can already feel the difference.

Restaurants/wine bars:

Epistrophy café – 200 Mott Street

Balzem – Mediterranean wine bar – 202 Mott Street
Cute and friendly service

Public –210 Elizabeth St.  Michelin Star Modern American, wine bar

Cafes

Café Gitane -242 Mott St
French Moroccan. A favourite with the models and celebs.

Ruby’s – 219 Mulberry St
Australian owned. All their burgers (more like a sandwich on panini) are named after Australian beaches. Their most famous and well loved is their Bronte burger, but my favourite has now become the “Blueys” which is a chicken burger with the most incredible sweet chilli mayo.

Easy eats

Cafe Habana  – 17 Prince Street, Nolita
There is usually a line but the wait is never too long, (and if you can’t wait there is a take away section in the shop next door). It is famous for its Mexican corn.

Taim – Corner Mulberry and Spring street, Nolita. Amazing felafel. A little bigger than a hole in the wall. There are a few stools around the windows to sit and people watch, but most people line up for take out.

The Grey Dog -244 Mulberry street, Nolita
A relaxed cafe for all your breakfast needs.

Parisi Bakery – 198 Mott St, Nolita  A family run bakery since 1903, serving New York the freshest Italian cold cuts and bread.

Something sweet

The little cupcake bakeshop – 30 Prince street. The force is too strong to resist this cute bakery. I usually find myself being pulled in for something sweet too many times that I care to admit.

LITTLE ITALY

Restaurants

DE Nicos – 164 Mulberry St. A large restaurant serving traditional Italian plates, and one of the better out of the plethora of restaurants in this “turned  pedestrian only” area at night.

La esquina – 114 Kenmare St, New York
This casual corner taqueria hides a dimly lit underground restaurant serving upmarket Mexican fare.

 

Breakfast/Cafes/coffee

Two Hands -164 Mott St, New York
Their motto is “Good food by Good Dudes”  and that pretty much sums it up for this Aussie Duo. Their smashed avocado on thick cut wholegrain bread and watermelon juice made me miss home.  I am not a coffee drinker, but I have it on good terms that their coffee rocks too.

 

Baz Bagel- 181 Grand St, New York
Amazing bagels and a choice of Jewish favourites like Matzoh ball soup, potato latkes and blintzes all served up in the cutest Florida type feel small bar, complete with a retro countertop.

Something sweet

Ferrera – Grand Street, between Mott and Mulberry Street
Open since 1892 and famed for its cannoli. Stop by for an ice cream or buy one of their many Italian desserts.

SOHO

The name “SoHo” refers to the area being “South of Houston Street”. Known in the 70s for its many artists, these days it’s more of a fashionista’s haven with its mix of chain stores and eclectic mix of boutiques.

Breakfast /cafe

Jack’s wife Freda – 224 Lafeytte street , Nolita/Soho

Restaurants

Balthazar – 80 Spring St Soho. French bistro with a pastry shop next door. Breakfast, lunch or dinner are all great.

The Mercer Kitchen  -99 Prince Street, Soho, b/t Greene St & Mercer St. Traditional American in a sophisticated space.

Something sweet

Lafayette – Grand cafe and bakery – 380 Lafayette Street (near Soho/Nolita)
A French style bistro serving incredible pastries.

NOHO

Restaurants

Buco Alimentari –53 Great Jones Street between Lafayette and Bowery. Mediterranean / Italian restaurant. A popular, trendy, rustic interior with communal tables.

Biancas –on Bleeker Street, near Bowery.  Cheap and great Italian food in a small candle-lit restaurant.

Greenwich Village

Often referred to by locals as simply “the Village”. Greenwich Village was allowed to keep the 18th century street pattern of what is now called the West Village, so don’t expect to be following a grid in this section of town and expect to perhaps get lost. The four main areas have also been ranked as the top 10 most expensive Zip codes in the United States. Quite a long way away of being known as an artists’ haven and the Bohemian capital back in the 50’s.

Restaurants

Lupa–170 Thompson St just past w Houston. Awarded Michelin’s Bib Gourmand award. Chef Mario Batali’s Italian is to die for.
If you can’t make a reservation for dinner, try for lunch.

Cafe

Blue stone Lane – 55 Greenwich Avenue (Perry Street)
Australian-styled coffee/cafe located in West Village – several coffee shops throughout Manhattan.

West Village

Restaurants

Buvette  – 42 Grove Street (between Bleecker and Bedford Streets). An adorable French-inspired part bar/part cafe. I have only eaten breakfast here, but it would definitely be a cute romantic restaurant for dinner.

 

BarButo – 775 Washington St, West Village/Meat Packing District. Famous New York Chef Jonathan Waxman’s chic restaurant

Murray’s Cheese Bar – 264 Bleecker St, New York
Cheese for breakfast, lunch or dinner? Yes, please!
A small, casual restaurant, pairing cheese-laden meals with wines and beers.

Something sweet

Big Fat Gay Ice Cream – 61 Grove Street, between 7th Avenue and Sheridan Square. Soft serve bizarre toppings. “Bea Arthur” is the most popular, so naturally that’s what I tried. There is also one in the East Village.

Meatpacking District

Restaurants

Budakkan – Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave
One of my absolute favourites. Not to be missed. It is huge inside and ask to be seated downstairs where you will be greeted by a massive chandelier, which you may remember from the Sex and the City movie when Carrie and Big have their engagement party. The edamame dumplings are a must. Everything else on the menu is solid along with their amazing cocktails.

STK – 26 Little W 12th St, New York
There are several locations of this famous steak place but this one comes with a cool rooftop area where you can dine.

Spice Market– 403 W 13th St, New York
South East Asian street food served in an exotic setting.

Dos Caminos – 675 Hudson St, New York
One of my favourite Mexican chains, fun atmosphere, amazing guacamole and fresh farmers’ market ingredients.

Chelsea

Restaurants

Cookshop – 156, 10th and W20th
Known more for their incredible breakfasts, it is a favourite dinner place of mine. The menu is American-style with a focus on seasonal availability.

RanaNYC  -Chelsea markets, 75 9TH AVE. Chocolate Ravioli. Need I say anymore?

Crispo – W 14th St. A rustic Italian restaurant with an outdoor dining space.

 

Lower East Side / East Village

Deli/cafe

Katz’s Deli  -205 E Houston St. Only suggesting it because you all know if you have never been to New York before, you will end up here to see where that famous “When Harry met Sally” scene happened. There are so many other places to buy Pastrami and Rye, but if you want to eat where Meg and Billy ate, go ahead.

Restaurants

Beauty on Essex – 146 Essex Street, Lower East Side. A funky, rather large restaurant considering it is hidden inside a pawn shop. It has good food and a fun atmosphere with the best part being the free champagne served in the women’s bathrooms.

Stanton Social – 99 Stanton Street, Lower East Side. Tapas/small plates, great for groups.  High-end cocktails and music.

Momofuku Ssam bar –207 2nd Avenue.  Restaurant with an edgy vibe serving Asian-European fusion dishes.

Midtown

Restaurants

TAO – 42 East 58^th Street. Modern asian fusion. I have heard the Las Vegas restaurant is better, but if you are a fan of big restaurants with great decor (and Sex and the City), you will enjoy this place. The large fortune cookie filled with chocolate mousse is to die for.

Easy eats

Little Collins – 667 Lexington Avenue (East 55th Street). Great coffee, great food, great accents. Making Aussies proud again of their service and great food. This tiny little cafe /take away joint serves vegemite on toast with a big smile for all those Australians living in New York, along with gourmet type sandwiches. My favourite is the “Schnitzel” – chicken, hummus, pickles, caramelised onions, and sriracha.

Shake Shack – several locations but Madison Square Garden is the original and you can sit in the park. Be prepared to stand in a queue up to one hour wait, but once you eat your burger, fries with cheese sauce and a shake (all a must), you will see why it was worth the wait.

Honourable mention:

For those who love (or don’t know if they like it or not) you must try Artichoke pizza. It is incredible, trust me. (There are several pizza joints selling them so just look out for them or google).

You might also like 9 Best rooftop bars in New York

 

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