New York City Neighborhood Food Lovers Guide

Eat Your Way Through New York City: A Neighborhood Guide for Food Lovers

New York City is filled with possibilities. With more than 50 million people visiting the city each year, the Big Apple thrives off of tourism. As such, the amount of things to do and see can be quite overwhelming when visiting New York. If you find yourself dreaming of all of the wonderful restaurants and bars you will be visiting, however, you are in luck. New York is a food lover’s mecca. No matter where you are in the city, there is always an outstanding new place to grab a bite or have a drink. With this in mind, try planning your itinerary around food. Here is a handy guide for the tastiest and most unique places to eat and drink in three of New York City’s most popular neighborhoods.

Greenwich Village

With New York University located here, Greenwich Village is bursting at the seams with cheap, delicious places to eat. With a small neighborhood feeling, visitors feel at home here right away, particularly in the area’s many restaurants and bars. Start your day in Greenwich Village off with a classic New York bagel at Murray’s Bagels (500 6th Avenue). With 15 varieties of bagels and a massive menu of bagel sandwiches and toppings, Murray’s is the perfect place to fuel up for a day in Greenwich Village. After exploring the area, grab an afternoon drink at the Spotted Pig (314 11th Street). This low-key, cozy, pub-like gastropub has an extensive wine list and delicious bar snacks to pair with your drinks. End your day at Camaje Bistro (85 Macdougal Street), where twice a month you can participate in the restaurant’s unique “Dinner in the Dark” experience. At this event, all dinner guests enjoy their food completely blindfolded. The menu if only revealed at the end of the night.

East Village

The East Village is best known for its plethora of coffee shops, bookstores, cafes, and general hipster vibe. This stylish neighborhood is also home to some of the trendiest and most innovative eateries in the city. When in the East Village, consider stopping by Momofuku Noodle Bar (171 1st Avenue), for one of the best bowls of ramen in the city. If something a bit more adventurous is what you are after, try Black Ant (60 Second Avenue). This Mexican restaurant is famous for its dishes featuring delicacies such as grasshopper-crusted shrimp and black ant guacamole. While it may sound strange and scary, many swear by the cuisine here. Finally, if you are in need of comfort food with a twist, try out S’MAC (345 East 12th Street). This macaroni and cheese restaurant serves up unique varieties of this classic dish. Options range from Masala to Cajun mac ‘n cheese. They also have a happy hour special with great deals on craft beers to help wash down your meal.

Upper East Side

Known as the home of New York City’s top socialites and the backdrop of Gossip Girl, the Upper East Side has a lot more going for it then designer shops and prep schools. This classy area of town sits alongside Central Park, where many residents can be found walking their dogs or enjoying some quiet time in the city’s biggest area of green space. Along the brownstone-dotted streets, visitors will also find a vast array of food options. Try Papaya King (179 E 86th Street) for a taste of New York’s quintessential New York hotdogs. This restaurant is an institution in the city, with an extensive menu of specialty dogs and combo deals. For a more upscale dining experience, try Sfoglia (1402 Lexington Avenue). Owned by famed restaurateur louis ceruzzi, Sfoglia is an authentic Italian eatery known for its high-quality cuisine and luxurious décor.