NYC RESTAURANTS
Melba’s Restaurant (Harlem) •
Cost: $$$ Ambiance: Home-style soulful cooking for a great sit down experience.
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From perfectly cooked catfish to crab cakes and lemon honey chicken tenders the family recipes run deep here! The “Tres Mac and Cheese” oozes three amazing blends of cheese together and their short ribs and beef peel away right into the deep flavors drowning in sauces.
There’s a true family feel to the place, staff is amazing and the hustle of Harlem is wrapped up in this staple of the neighborhood.
TAVERN ON THE GREEN (Central Park)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Upscale casual vibe.
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Historic restaurant nestled inside the gorgeous Central Park foliage.
Plenty of natural lighting and outdoor seating. Burgers, steak, subs and fish scour the menu.
buona notte (little italy)•
Cost: $$ Ambiance: Secluded ambient upscale yet casual vibe.
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With an unassuming back patio filled with lights and music, a serene vibe swallows you up as you step off the busy streets for a bite to eat here.
From classic caprese to calamari and filet mignon the Italian options are abundant. If pasta is your vibe I suggest the fettuccine alfredo. Fresh pizzas also will satisfy any craving for a true Italian style NYC experience.
miss lily’s (Multiple locations)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Lively and vibrant sit down experience.
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Caribbean culture reflects directly off the bright colors on the wall into the food. With amazing shrimp dishes, wholesome mac and cheese, and oxtails it’s clear that dishes are not limited here.
Seasoning and flavor burst through every dish here and their seasonal cocktails are unique and extremely tasty as well. Their sensational jerk sauce pairs well with almost everything from corn to salmon. It can’t be duplicated!
RUE 57 (Manhattan)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Upscale casual lunch and dinner spot.
Steaks, burgers cooked to perfection and much more.
Great spot to feel fancy while doing so comfortably.
PEPPINO’S (Brooklyn)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Casual family vibe.
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Legendary social media posts match the energy put into the food here.
Pizzas, sandwiches, pastas and wine all flow freely here.
JACOB’S PICKLES (Brooklyn)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Located inside Timeout food court.
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Some of the most delicious pickles you’ll have in your life compliment the largest chicken sandwich ever.
Honey sops up flavors in the biscuit which tries in vain to fold around the enormous fried chicken.
Anthony & Son Panini shoppe (Williamsburg, brooklyn)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Rich authentic Italian Deli vibe.
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Pungent vodka sauces and luscious breads wrap up sizzling chicken cutlets and more Italian classics at this Brooklyn hotspot.
Located in Williamsburg everyone from locals to construction workers flood the doors daily for their infectious and full-bodied flavors.
Empanada Mama (Manhattan)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Fast casual dining/takeout vibe.
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Steaming empanadas fresh out the oven and options for house-made lemonades and juices.
Electric spices and seasonings go into each dish at this bustling hub for savory food.
JOE’s Pizza (ALL Ova)
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Cost: $ Ambiance: Top notch on the go pizza joint.
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The name has a reputation for a reason. Blink and you might miss quick service and amazing slices.
You can’t go wrong.
CASA BELLA (Little Italy)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Upscale casual vibe.
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Energetic friendly atmosphere filled with authentic Italian classics.
Pasta and wine options match the elegant inside atmosphere.
KUKU ChiCken (Long Island City)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Fast casual dining/takeout vibe.
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Seared chicken and shrimp embedded in fried rice cooked to perfection with local beer options and more.
A perfect stop for great Korean classics as well as wings and burgers.
EL MAGUEY (Jackson Heights)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Casual dining.
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Authentic Mexican cuisine with vibrant seafood dishes.
Karaoke nights, fresh nachos and guac highlight the family vibe given off here.
JUNIOR’S (Multiple Locations)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Casual dining.
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World famous cheesecake is a main attraction here.
Fast paced NYC style service and dishes from burgers to pastrami Reuben sandwiches.
LUCKY CHEN (Flushing)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Casual dining.
Lucky Chen offers a wide array of Asian dishes and seafood specialities.
Make sure to start out with the tea! With a fast casual ambiance this spot is a great stop.
LA BELLA FERRARA (Little Italy)
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Cost: $ Ambiance: Old school bakery.
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Historic pastries with decades in business.
Mint cannolis and their ever popular lobster tail desserts are some of the favorites locals rave about.
BK JANI (Brooklyn)
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Cost: $ Ambiance: Classic burger joint.
Pakistani halal burgers. Middle eastern spice mold irresistibly with tender burger meats.
Homemade ketchup and a perfect bun with aromatic smells top it all off.
LELLA ALIMENTARI (Brooklyn)
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Cost: $ Ambiance: Petit breakfast cafe.
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Fresh Piadina, frittatas, eggs, coffee and tea.
This authentic spot presses tortillas and molds perfectly cooked bagels to your liking.
LEAF BAR & LOUNGE (Flushing)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Casual rooftop dining.
Taiwanese influenced dishes with American classics.
Chili Oil Dumplings, burgers, chicken, quesadillas and stellar drinks in this cozy rooftop sanctuary.
BACON EGG & CHEESE (ANY BODEGA)
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Cost: $ Ambiance: There better be a cat inside or it’s not a real bodega.
This is mando. If you’re in NYC you can’t even board the plane without proof of having a bacon egg and cheese!
Any store, any corner, any borough tap in.
MEXOLOGY (Brooklyn)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Located inside the lively Timeout food court.
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Supreme tacos. If you left it up to me, I’d eat these el pastor ones every day.
Meat and ingredients dripping with tasteful juices.
CAFFE NAPOLI (Little Italy)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Buzzing Italian joint.
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Decades of experience producing legendary Italian dishes. Grandmother’s secret recipes and the younger generation of the family serving.
You’ll feel right at home.
GENA’S GRILL (Manhattan)
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Cost: $$ Ambiance: Quick grab latin food.
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Family run, authentic plates and platters.
Oxtails to chicken and seasoned rice, this spot is a great stop.
BAGEL BOSS (Manhattan)
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Cost: $ Ambiance: Bodega style vibe.
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Fresh bagels cooked daily and sold so quick they don’t even need to reheat them.
Smoothies available too.
