As a foodie, living in New York City for nearly 3 years was truly a dream come true. During that time I was fortunate enough to dine at some of the most amazing (world renowned) restaurants. In addition to the fancy shmancy places, there were several cheap and delicious hole-in-the-wall joints too. Here are some of the best places I’ve wined and dined in NYC:
Cafes/Coffee shops
- Aroma Espresso Bar
- French Roast
- Joe
- Think Coffee
- Cafe Angelique
- Stumptown Coffee Rosters
- Roasting Plant Coffee
- Cafe Grumpy
Desserts/Bakeries
- Babycakes NYC (v)
- Stogo (v)
- Cocoa V (v)
- Lula’s Sweet Apothecary (v)
- The Soft Serve Fruit Co (v)
Quick/Takeaway chains
- Au Bon Pain
- Europan Bakery Cafe
- Pax
- Cosi
- Le Pain Quotidien *
- Pret A Manger
- Cafe Metro
- Europa Cafe
- Chop’t
Casual eateries
- Peacefood (v) * – get the chickpea fries
- Bonobos (v) *
- Nanoosh * – insanely creamy hummus
- Blossom Du Jour (v) – Blossom’s takeaway
- Curly’s Vegetarian (v)
- Josie’s
- Caravan of Dreams (v) *
- Liquiteria (v) *
- Quantum Leap
- Candle Cafe (v) * – best seitan in NYC (recreated recipe here)
- ‘snice (v) * – great sammies
- One Lucky Duck (v) * – quick/takeaway version of Pure F&W
- Hummus Place
- Murray’s Falafel & Grill (v)
- Maoz
- Galanga
- Fat Hippo
- Ozen
- Cafe Viva
- Alias
- Souen
- Land Thai
- Joya * – if you find yourself in Brooklyn
- Rosa Mexicana
- Eataly
- Bruno Ravioli – amazing fresh bread
Fine Dining
- Pure Food & Wine (v) * – holy raw
- Blossom (v) * – this place never got old
- Candle 79 (v)
- Dirt Candy (v)
- Angelica Kitchen (v)
- Zen Palate (v)
- Spring Street Natural
- Fig & Olive
- Tabla
- Del Posto *
- Hearth
- Gobo (v)
- Cibo
- Blue Hill *
- Le Bernardin
- Gotham Bar & Grill *
- Tavern on the Green
- The Boathouse
- Extra Virgin
- Redeye Grill
Bars
- B Bar
- Boat Basin *
- The Frying Pan
- Riviera Cafe
- Faces & Names
- Johnny Utah’s
- Oliver’s Bar & Grill
- Dive Bar/Dive 75
- Blondie’s
- The Parlour
- Me Bar/La Quinta
- Joshua Tree
- The Standard
- The Dove Parlour
- Bourbon Street
- Cleopatra’s Needle
- Jake’s Dilemma
- Pianos NYC *
- The Back Room (aka teacup bar)
- VON Bar
(v) = exclusively vegetarian/vegan
(*) = hippie fave
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Red Bamboo needs to be on here!
Yes! forgot abut that place. totally agree.
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Hi Elise!
This list is great.! I am heading to NYC for my first time this October and I am trying to scope out some really good restaurants with GF options as I have a gluten intolerance. We will be staying in Manhattan, I believe close to Columbus Circle (sorry don’t know the city too well – but I hear that everything is a hop, skip and a jump away). Out of this list, are there any here you’d specifically recommend for gluten free options or any additional restaurants that may have not made the list?
P.S. A friend recently recommended your webpage to me. I am now hooked on your quinoa granola recipe. Yum! On my second batch! Can’t wait to try some of the other recipes. 😉
hi jenna! you are going to have a blast. the columbus circle area is a great one! in terms of gluten free, youd be surprised by how allergy friendly nyc is…its really the best place for dietary specific dining. most of the places specified as vegan (v) above will all have gluten free options on the menu that are well indicated as such. id say candle cafe/candle 79 and blossom are my favorites. pure food & wine/one lucky duck will also blow your mind but its $$$.
ps glad youre enjoying the granola 🙂
Thanks Elise.
I will keep this list with me when we go 😉
By any chance do you remember where decent gluten free pizza can be found? My boyfriend is super excited to have a NY slice, but of course, I am more concerned with finding a place that meets my dietary needs.
Cheers!
Jenna
slice has vegan and gluten free options.
I live in NY and work in NYC. I can share a few of really good healthy places to eat.
1-www.candlecafe.com
2-www.franchia.com
3-www.angelicakitchen.com
Enjoy!