Here is a list of all of my favorite places to eat in NYC. This list was created over the last several years either as places that were recommended to me or just discovered along the way!
DINNER/LUNCH
Ravagh - Middle Eastern/Persian Food
I like the chicken kabab here! I also love the olives and sauces they bring you with fresh bread at the beginning of your meal.
11 E 30th St # 1
New York, NY 10016-7027
(212) 696-0300
Mama Juana's - Dominican Food
This is the hottest spot in Washington Heights. I have lots of favorites here - the Baccalou (cod fish inside of a plantain), their plantain sandwich is AMAZING, and their coconut shrimp. They also have passion fruit juice which is what I always order!
247 Dyckman St, New York, NY 10034
212-304-0140
http://www.mamajuanacafenyc.com/
Papasito's - Mexican Food
This is the second hottest spot in Washington Heights! Great tapas and I like their guacamole. I hear the drinks are fantastic, but I like my passion fruit juice :)
223 Dyckman St (between Broadway & Riverside Dr)
Manhattan, NY 10034
(212) 544-0001
La Esquina - Mexican
This is a crazy place to visit! It looks like a cheap Mexican diner, but actually has a beautiful, romantic styled restaurant hidden downstairs! If you go here, you MUST have their grilled corn on the cob fully dressed with cheese and paprika! You also must try their plantains covered in their salsa verde! You must make reservations in advance (although, the last time I went, we walked up to the lady at the door and tried to get in - and did!!!!! But I do know of other people that have waited almost a month to get in here)
Reservations for the brasserie are taken 21 days or 3 weeks to the day.
At 646 613 7100
114 Kenmare, New York, NY 10012
(between Kenmare & Lafayette)
Les Ambassades - Senegalese Food
*my favorite is their grilled lamb chops and fried tilapia fish
2200 8th Ave between 118th Street and 119th Street
New York, NY
(212) 666-0078
Eataly - Italian Food
This place is AMAZING!!!! It's an Italian marketplace/grocery store that has a restaurant in each section of the store! I have only eaten in the pasta/pizza restaurant but it was sooooooo good! I had a chocolate shot in the dessert area and have tried their amazing gelato!!!! SUPER place for a date or place to take people from out of town!
200 5th Avenue on 23rd Street
http://eatalyny.com/
The Porch - Hang out spot/bar
Great place to hang out and feel like you're in your backyard. Has a nice bar area and upstairs has a beautiful chandelier. When I was there, they didn't have food and you were able to bring your own food!
115 Ave C (Between 7th & 8th) New York, NY, 10009
http://www.porchnyc.com/
Shake Shack - Burgers
The BEST burger EVER!!!!! I love their Shack Burger and their milkshakes!!! I like to go to the Madison Square Park location, but just discovered their Theatre District location too!
Madison Ave and 23rd street
Ethos - Greek/Seafood
I’ve been here NUMEROUS times and they’re seafood is AMAZINGLY fresh! Absolutely LOVED it! Their appetizers are great too - try the tziki
495 3rd Ave (between 33rd and 34th street)
212-252-1972
http://www.ethosrestaurants.com/
Supper - Italian Food
New York, NY 10009
(212) 477-0823
http://www.supperrestaurant.com/
La Mela - Italian Food/ Little Italy
*If you go here get their family style meal...it's AMAZING (I usually don't get the meat platter because there is SOOOOO much food)
167 Mulberry St (near the end of Litlle Italy, walking north of canal)
(212) 431-9493
http://www.lamelarestaurant.com/
Red Rooster – American
http://redroosterharlem.com
Sugar Cane - Caribbean Food/ Afterwork spot
My absolute favorites are the bust up shot and shrimp salad. But I also LOVE the callaloo, peas and rice, and macaroni pie!
238 Flatbush Ave
http://www.sugarcanerestaurant.com/
Negril Village - Caribbean Food/Afterwork spot
70 W 3rd St between Laguardia Place and Thompson Street
(212) 477-2804
Sea (Williamsburg Location) - Thai Food
114 N 6th St. Brooklyn, NY 11211
SPICE is the sister restaurant to Sea and it's located in Union Square on 13th street just off of University http://www.spicethainyc.com/spice/http:/www.seathainyc.com/sea/brooklyn
Amy Ruth’s - Soul Food
113 W 116th St between 7th Ave and Malcolm X Blvd
New York, NY 10026
(212) 280-8779
www.amyruthsharlem.com
El Bahary - Alexandrian Grilled Seafood
473 69th St
Brooklyn, NY 11209
Kellari Tavern - Greek Food
19 West 44th Street (Bet. 5th & 6th Ave)
212-221-0144
Adrienne’s Pizza Bar - Fancy Pizza
54 Stone St. New York, NY 10004
http://adriennespizzabar.com/index.html
One if by land, two if by sea
17 Barrow Street
212-255-8649
www.oneifbyland.com
Spiga – Italian
200 W 84th St and Amsterdam
New York, NY 10024
(212) 362-5506
Katz's Delicatessen Inc - fresh cooked deli food
205 E. Houston Street
212-254-2246
http://www.katzdeli.com/
Balthazar - French
80 Spring St
(212) 965-1414
www.balthazarny.com
Schiller’s – French (Balthazar’s sister restaurant)
131 Rivington St New York, 10002
Madiba - South African
195 Dekalb AveBrooklyn
(718) 855-9190
http://www.madibarestaurant.com/
The Boat Basin Cafe - Burgers/Outdoor
WEST 79TH STREET & THE HUDSON RIVER
NEW YORK, NY 10024
It's tricky to get to, so here's how:
Walk as far west on 79th Street as possible, cross Riverside Drive on either side of the street. You'll see a green highway overpass bridge. Walk underneath the bridge. There are staircases on both sides that will lead you down to the restaurant. The staircase on the north side of 79th Street is wheelchair accessible.
PARKING:
There is no parking allowed in Riverside Park. There are private parking garages located on the North side of Riverside Drive and 79th Street and on the South side of 79th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.
AVAILABLE TRANSPORTATION:
The M79 Cross-town and M5 Fifth Avenue busses both stop at 79th Street and Riverside Drive.
If traveling by subway, take the number 1 train to the 79th Street Station and follow the DIRECTIONS listed above.
The River Cafe - French Food
1 Water StreetBrooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 522-5200
Dessert Places:
Chocolate by The Bald Man
841 Broadway and 13th Street (at Union Square)
(212) 388-0030
www.maxbrenner.com
Cafe Lalo
*I highly recommend the pecan pie a la mode! They also have an amazing brunch.
201 W 83rd St
(212) 496-6031
cafelalo.com
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/brooklyn-ice-cream-factory/
This is one of my favorite places to get homemade ice cream and coke out of a glass bottle! It’s located just underneath the Brooklyn Bridge and has an AMAZING view of the city. This is great both during the day and at night.
Cake Man Raven
708 Fulton St
(718) 694-2253
www.cakemanraven.com
www.mrchocolate.com
*I’ve been to the one in the city before, but I like the small boutique feel of this location. They make an amazing spiced hot chocolate and the best layered chocolate chip cookie!
62 Water St Brooklyn, NY 11201
Brunch Places:
Le Pain Quotidien
494 Amsterdam and 83rd Street (but there are lots of other locations throughout the city)
NY, NY 10024
Tel.: 212 877 1200
http://www.lepainquotidien.com/
Miriam Restaurant
Park Slope
79 5th Ave Brooklyn NY
11217
718-622-2250
Chez Oskar
211 DeKalb Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205
718-852-6250
http://www.chezoskar.com/
Bleu
808 West 187th Street
New York, NY 10033
Reservations: 212-928-6006
