New York City has some of Daniel and my favorite restaurants we have ever been to, and while we were in town last week for Fashion Week we made sure to get in as many as we could and got to try some new ones as well. Here is a list of our favorite spots, but be sure to leave me yours in the comments so that we can try it during our next trip to the city!
Brunch, Lunch, & Dinner
Buddakan: This high-end Asian restaurant is located right outside Chelsea Market and it is hands down my favorite New York restaurant we have been to! It’s also the busiest and biggest restaurant I’ve been to. We arrived at around 8:45pm without a reservation and were told the wait was until midnight! Luckily we waited in the lounge and were able to sit at a lounge table and eat right away, but make sure to make reservations in advance if you know you want to go.
Beauty & Essex: This speakeasy restaurant is absolutely stunning on the inside and the food is just as good! We thought that our Uber driver dropped us off at the wrong location because the front of the restaurant is a pawn shop! You must get the “box of doughnuts” for dessert!
Balthazar: This feels like a classic New York restaurant is an iconic spot to visit when in the city. Make reservations in advance and stop in or dinner after shopping in SoHo, or for brunch before!
Sarabeth’s: One of the best brunch spots in Midtown.
Hillstone: When we are on vacation, there are times that we just want a “familiar” meal. Hillstone is one of our favorite restaurants at home, so if we aren’t feeling adventurous, we stop on here and order the Prime Rib French Dip. They don’t take reservations, but the wait is usually shorter than most New York dinner spots.
Shake Shack: While we are in the city, we have Shake Shack at least every other day. Daniel is obsessed, and would literally go every day if I agreed. They truly do have the best burgers and fries, and it’s the perfect quick lunch spot.
sweetgreen: Another perfect quick lunch spot, and there are quite of few of these in multiple locations across Manhattan. Think Chipotle, but for salads!
Bleeker St. Pizza: A no-frills pizza joint that is fairly inexpensive and extremely casual. One of favorite spots in the city after a long day exploring.
Jack’s Wife Freda: I’ve heard that this is the best brunch spot in the city, and right up there with Sarabeth’s. There are two locations within the city, but they only take reservationsfor parties of six or more, so try to go early if you don’t want to wait a long time.
by CHLOE (Vegan): This is a vegan restaurant with multiple locations, but has been recommended to me by mostly non-vegans! I’ve heard the must-try items are the burger and fries and taco salad.
Chelsea Market: This “market” has so many quick-eat spots and seems like the perfect place to stop-in for lunch. There are also a bunch a sweet spots in here too!
Other Restaurants Highly Reccomended:
Sweets & Treats
New York City has some of Daniel and my favorite desserts and sweet treats. We always get one for a snack mid-day and one more for dessert!
Levain Bakery: This is an absolute MUST while you are in New York City. It’s located uptown near Central Park, and has the yummiest (and biggest!) cookies you have ever tasted.
Wafels & Dinges: A food truck that serves Nutella and strawberry waffles. One of my favorite snacks while we are in the city.
Boqueria: We went here for the first time while we were in town for Fashion Week after we went to dinner at Hillstone. We ordered the Nutella-filled churros and the S’mores Churro sandwich. Definitely recommend getting the first (and order the large box)!
KITH Treats: Inside a shoe store in SoHo is this small “cereal” bar where you can pick your cereal and they make it into ice cream. My favorite part is the Lucky Charms marshmallows that you can have mixed into your ice cream!
Black Tap Milkshakes: We’v never been here in person, but you can find their over-the-top milkshakes all over Pinterest and Instagram! It’s on our list for next time.
10 Below Ice Cream: This ice cream is not only super cool looking, but is also super tasty. They customize whatever toppings you want in it and then create “rolls” of ice cream that make the final product look like a rose in your cup!
Ample Hills Creamery: Home of butter cake ice cream…so yummy!
The Press Lounge: Not really a sweet treat, but I had to throw this in because it is one of our favorite New York City spots. This rooftop bar is located on the edge of the city near the water, and you can see the whole city at once! It’s the best view we have found. We don’t drink, so I can’t speak to their drinks, but you must see the view after dinner one night!
