Eating out is a way of life in New York, from the famous diner breakfasts and brunches, to some of the finest restaurant experiences in the world. Even grabbing a hotdog from a street vendor feels somewhat iconic.
An eating out guide for New York is an encyclopaedic task in itself, but visitors should still make a reservation well in advance to avoid disappointment. It is not unreasonable for patrons to call for a table in the trendiest restaurants a few months in advance. Sales tax of 8.875% is automatically added to the bill but service charges are only standard for large groups.
The New York restaurants have been split into three price categories:
Expensive (over $65)
Moderate ($35 to $65)
Cheap (up to $35)
These prices include starter, main course and dessert. Tax and a customary tip of 15-20% are not included.
Expensive
Blue Hill
Cuisine: Modern AmericanOne of New York's best farm-to-table restaurants, Blue Hill serves beautifully prepared dishes that showcase top produce from biodynamic farms of the Northeast. Dishes aren't overly complex and let the delectable ingredients speak for themselves - Berkshire pork, perfectly ripe vegetables, Hudson Valley duck and decadent chocolate bread pudding. Top-notch service and elegant ambience add to the experience.
Address: Greenwich Village, 75 Washington Place, New York City, 10011Telephone: +1 212 539 1776.
Website: http://www.bluehillfarm.com
Daniel
Cuisine: FrenchNamed after renowned chef-owner Daniel Bolud, this restaurant consistently ranks among the city's most opulent venues for French fare. With an accent on seasonal ingredients, culinary masterpieces have included Louisiana crayfish with Iberico ham, Quebecois suckling pig and whole-baked American red snapper in a salt crust. Jacket and tie are required for gentlemen.
Address: Upper East Side, 60 East 65th Street (between Park and Madison Avenues), New York City, 10065Telephone: +1 212 288 0033.
Website: http://www.danielnyc.com
Porter House New York
Cuisine: GrillhouseCome for the views (of Central Park), stay for the food. This is about as good as it gets for carnivores, with steaks done to absolute perfection, including a subtle chilli-rubbed Rib Eye. In case that all sounds too healthy, there's also butter-poached lobster for some wild indulgence. Chef Michael Lomonaco oversees the meat feast.
Address: Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Circle, New York City, 10019Telephone: +1 212 823 9500.
Website: http://www.porterhousenewyork.com
Moderate
Balthazar
Cuisine: FrenchA slice of Paris in Manhattan, this is chef Keith McNally's latest New York venture. It has won plaudits aplenty for its authenticity, and remains a haven of sophistication and suave for Manhattan's bon viveurs. French classics, such as duck confit, salade Niçoise and bouillabaisse (the speciality on Friday) are superb. It's also a great place to come for weekend brunch.
Address: Soho, 80 Spring Street, New York City, 10012Telephone: +1 212 965 1414.
Website: http://www.balthazarny.com
Eataly
Cuisine: ItalianOn the edge of Madison Square Park, you'll find Eataly, a sprawling Italian food emporium with dining spaces for lovers of antipasti, cheese, wine, seafood and much more. Up top, is La Birreria, a rooftop restaurant and beer garden, where you can linger over a hearty meal (market-fresh fish, beer-braised pork shoulder), matched by tasty microbrews.
Address: Madison Square, 200 Fifth Avenue, New York City, 10010Telephone: +1 212 229 2560.
Website: http://www.eataly.com
Locanda Verde
Cuisine: ItalianRobert de Niro is famously a part-owner of this rustic style Italian eatery in the Tribeca district. Celebrated chef Andrew Carmellini brings the classics to a town that knows its Italian food. Fennel-glazed duck with sunchokes and pioppini mushrooms appears on the menu along with simpler fare such as 'My Grandmother's Ravioli'. The atmosphere is casually stylish and relatively affordable.
Address: Tribeca, 377 Greenwich Street, New York City, 10013Telephone: +1 212 925 3797.
Website: http://www.locandaverdenyc.com
Cheap
2nd Avenue Deli
Cuisine: DeliThis iconic New York Jewish deli used to be on 2nd Avenue, but now inhabits a narrow counter-lined storefront in Midtown with booths in the back. The stars of the show are the vast range of prepared meats like succulent pastrami, brisket and corned beef, and it's a great place to try matzoh ball soup, blintzes and pierogi.
Address: Midtown East, 162 E 33rd Street, New York City, 10016Telephone: +1 212 689 9000.
Website: http://www.2ndavedeli.com
Barney Greengrass
Cuisine: JewishGoing strong for over 100 years, this traditional Jewish deli serves all the Kosher classics, including cheese blintzes, caviar and loads of smoked fish. Sturgeon and smoked salmon are superb here, and best paired with a bagel and cream cheese. The ambiance at this Upper West Side haunt is casual, and makes a great start to the day, New York Times in hand.
Address: Upper West Side, 541 Amsterdam Avenue, New York City, 10024Telephone: +1 212 724 4707.
Website: http://www.barneygreengrass.com
Café Select
Cuisine: InternationalThis busy café attracts diners ready to tuck into Swiss-inspired fare. Dishes range from rösti, a large, rich potato fritter topped with bacon, avocado and other treats, to specials like lobster bisque with creamy polenta. The back room hosts an oyster shack in the evenings.
Address: Soho, 212 Lafayette Street, New York City, 10012Telephone: +1 212 925 9322.
Website: http://www.cafeselectnyc.com
Westchester County Airport Hotels
New York LaGuardia Airport Hotels
New York John F. Kennedy International Airport Hotels
Long Island MacArthur Airport Hotels