Whether you're a culinary enthusiast searching for Michelin-starred restaurants and James Beard Award-winning chefs or just a hungry traveler craving iconic regional comfort food, New York City is jam-packed with options.
Each of the five boroughs, with its unique flavor, offers countless places to eat — for every appetite.
Head to Midtown Manhattan, both storied and restaurant-rich, and choosing a place to eat may even seem downright daunting.
Choose from this list of 10 places to grab a bite, and you can't go wrong.
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Luke’s Lobster
Located inside The Plaza Hotel Food Hall, Luke's Lobster is a perfect place to grab a picnic lunch to enjoy in Central Park. Try the Luke's Lobster Roll – a quarter pound of chilled, wild-caught lobster served in a fresh bun, topped with melted butter, mayo and secret seasoning.
Order: The Lobster Roll, naturally, but you can also try the Luke's Trio, "½ Lobster Roll, ½ Crab Roll, and ½ Shrimp Roll," for a bit of everything.
Angelo's Pizza NYC
"Our crust has to be blackened and crisp. Only fresh tomatoes and mozzarella," said legendary pizza chef Angelo when he opened his pizzeria four generations ago. Today, his grandchildren carry on his dedication to traditional New York-style pizza at Angelo's Pizza NYC.
Order: Try an Old-Fashioned Square Pie or an Old School Round Pie. If you aren't in the mood for pizza but want a deal in the heart of the city, stop in for a "pasta (or panini) and salad" lunch special.
Black Tap
You might never see a milkshake as colorful and fun as the creative shakes at Black Tap. New York native and Michelin Star-awarded chef, Joe Isidori, brings you Black Tap, an experience to top the best burger and shake you've ever had.
From thoughtful décor to musical playlists, Black Tap creates something more than just shareable food. It's a must-stop for every food tourist and burger-obsessed New York local.
Order: Try the Bison Craft Burger with a side of onion rings. Wash it down with a famous shake.
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Brooklyn Diner
The Brooklyn Diner is more than just an ideal place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It's the comfort food you really want to eat, including top-notch takes on wholesome classics. There might be nothing better than a bowl of the diner's famous chicken soup to settle a traveler's stomach on a chilly day.
Order: The Chinese chicken salad and the cheeseburger deluxe were voted the Best of New York by New York Magazine. Alternatively, the pastrami is hand-carved to order, and the chicken pot pie is so good it sells out every day.
Guantanamera
Guantanamera captures the essence of Old Havana with exposed brick, candle-lit tables, rattan-covered ceiling fans and hand-painted folkloric murals. In addition to the unique dining experience, Guantanamera offers a distinctive assortment of fine wines, rums, liquors, specialty cocktails and exceptional appetizers.
Those who enjoy dining to the beat of salsa, rumba and cha-cha, visit from Tuesday through Sunday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. for live music and dancing.
Order: Empanadas (But leave room for the paella marinara for a taste of the tropics.)
Tanner Smith's Speakeasy
Inspired by a 1920's New York drinking house the Instagram famous Tanner Smith's is a unique experience in a warm, welcoming setting. Patrons will enjoy sharable plates and a wide selection of creative cocktails, a rotating craft beer menu and a carefully curated wine list.
Order: You can't go wrong with the Thai deviled eggs, a cheese and charcuterie board or New York-style poutine.
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Fig and Olive
Visit this sprawling Provence-inspired restaurant to experience the authenticity of Mediterranean cuisine focused on fresh and simple ingredients. Relax on the first floor with a signature cocktail like the Cucumber Cosmo at the scene-stealing white marble bar. Then, make your way upstairs to dine in one of the two spacious dining rooms.
As a bonus, this Midtown Manhattan restaurant is an ideal spot for private party rentals. Each dining room comfortably accommodates 40 to 80 people or reserve them both for a real party.
Order: Enjoy specialty cocktails like the Soulflower or a Champs de Fraises.
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Russian Tea Room
History, elegance and fine cuisine — all the makings of a culinary experience worth trying. From the meticulously sommelier-curated wine selection to the thoughtful design, the Russian Tea Room spares no detail.
Classic dishes include traditional tearoom red borscht and tearoom blintzes. Top off your visit with a traditional Russian vodka; you have more than 40 varieties from which to choose.
Order: A traditional tea is always in style, but you can also enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner. Stop here on your way to a Broadway show to try the extensive caviar menu for an elegant start to the evening or bring the kids to enjoy children's tea. Other kid-friendly options include a good old hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows.
Milos
Prepare for a culinary adventure through the freshest and most diverse selection of fish outside of the Greek Isles. This Midtown eatery promises a Mediterranean gastronomy experience based on quality, flavor and refined Grecian culinary tradition.
Sourced directly from the shores of the Mediterranean with the help of traditional Grecian anglers, the perfect catch is waiting for you.
Order: Try it all. The à la carte menu tastes best when shared with good company.
Nobu
Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa's Japanese restaurant is known for fusion cuisine, blending traditional Japanese dishes with Peruvian ingredients. And the result is a playground for the taste buds. Select from the menu or embrace the element of surprise with the Omakase Tasting Menu to experience the essence of Chef Matsuhisa's cuisine. Plan to dine here for lunch or dinner or — if visiting on a Sunday — try the lunch pre-fixe.
Order: Try Nobu's signature black cod in miso, or dine hibachi style on Wagyu beef, mixed seafood or Shabu-Shabu.
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