There are over 27,000 restaurants in New York. I promise you will find something for every budget and every taste. For that reason I really don’t like to give recommendations because it’s not like you won’t have a thousand options that will suit you just fine.
I try and eat at places that aren’t like home. I don’t go to the Fast Food chain restaurants nor do I go to expensive fine dining. I don’t go for gimmicky themed places. I like to go for good priced, good value, good food. I like to go where the locals go (hence the advantage of having a daughter who lives there and has the local knowledge).
I also don’t prebook restaurants because I like to see where the day takes me rather than be tied into being at a certain restaurant at a certain time. NOTE – when I booked Tavern on the Green in Central Park for Christmas Day lunch last year I most definitely booked that months ahead of time. So if you have a super special occasion or there is a restaurant you must absolutely go to while you’re in the city, then go ahead and book by all means.
I like to wander. I like to see the vibe of the place and not just judge it by reading a menu online. Sometimes I’ll just want something quick and easy to take away, other times something more substantial that I’ll want to go and sit down and enjoy. I don’t always have a 5 star experience, but I’ve never had a truly awful meal either (well Applebees in Times Square was nearly truly awful but apart from that .. )
Don’t be afraid of the food carts. Some of the best hot dogs and mexican food I’ve had in New York were from the carts, cheap and cheerful for the win.
If you’ve had a huge day and simply can’t face walking any more steps, remember there are thousands of options on the food delivery apps and you’re sure to find things you can’t get back home.
Lastly, remember in the USA that what we call an Entree is called an Appetiser, and what we call a Main is called an Entree. Confusing much? You’ll get used to it. And since the portion sizes are generally extremely generous we only ever ordered one course anyway. Also remember that the price of the food isn’t really the price of the food as there will be tax and tip on top, so expect to pay another 27-30% on top of the price listed on the menu at the end of the day (more on tipping in a future blog).
I try and rate my restaurant experiences on TripAdvisor so if you’re interested to see where I’ve eaten and what I recommend, have a look at my Tripadvisor page here
Bon Apetit! Eating in New York is like most things in the city – it’s exciting, there’s a lot of it and you’re going to love it.
