Where to Eat in New York City – Midtown
New York City has no shortage of food options. You can find pretty much any cuisine you could think of here. From cute brunch restaurants and traditional Italian food to Michelin star Korean steakhouses and amazing coffee in flower shops, NYC has something for everyone. If you’re looking for food options in the Midtown area, check out this guide on where to eat in NYC!
If you’re looking for where to eat in Lower Manhattan, check out this food guide!
Restaurants
Ess-a-bagel
A New York classic, Ess-a-bagel has been open since 1976 and still has an old school feel to it. Pair one of their large, chewy bagels with one of their many different cream cheeses or try their Signature Favorite, a Nova Lox bagel with scallion cream cheese (my absolute favorite)!
- Address: 831 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10022
Scarpetta
This upscale Italian restaurant is located in the James Hotel Nomad and has a beautiful interior. They start every table off with a variety of fresh breads for you to try. Their dishes are on the more expensive side but the quality of the food, presentation, and service make it all worth it. They’re known for their classic tomato basil spaghetti, but I loved the short rib & bone marrow agnolotti! It’s a unique ravioli dish with a rich filling that paired well with the horseradish sauce. I recommend making reservations ahead of time!
- Address: 88 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016
COTE
This Michelin Star Korean steakhouse offers an elevated dining experience that is worth the splurge. You’re seated at tables with large grills in the middle and given a relatively simple menu with descriptions of the cuts and cows that it comes from. I recommend getting the Butcher’s Feast which comes with 4 cuts of beef and several accompaniments. I think it’s perfect for 3-4 people and it comes out to $64/ person. They also have a great wine & cocktail menu as well. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time!
- Address: 16 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10010
Izakaya Mew
Izakaya Mew has a vintage-industrial style interior that mirrors the lively pub style atmosphere found in Japanese izakayas. Here they serve up both traditional and modern Japanese-style tapas that are absolutely delicious! I recommend the Omu Soba, karaage, & Mew Special Roll! Make reservations here.
- Address: 53 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001
Ichiran
For a unique dining experience and delicious ramen, make sure to stop by one of Ichiran’s several locations. Here, you get to dine at a booth by yourself. The ramen is brought to you from behind a curtain, which really allows you to focus on the taste of the ramen itself!
- Address: Multiple Locations
THEP Thai Restaurant
THEP Thai is located on the Upper East Side and has great ambiance & friendly service. They serve authentic Thai food with popular dishes including Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, and Khao Soi.
- Address: 1439 2nd Ave New York, NY 10021
Bakeries/ Cafes
Milk Bar Flagship
A dessert lover’s literal dream. The inside is so creative and you can go around building your own cakes and cookies (be sure to make a reservation). Browse their dessert cases which showcase everything from their delicious truffles and cookies to their famous cakes, or shop around their little souvenir shop. I definitely their crack pie or their birthday cake slice! They also have many smaller locations throughout the city if you can’t make it to their flagship!
- Flagship Address: 1196 Broadway, New York, NY 10001
Doughnut Plant
I remember seeing this place on Food Network years ago and made sure to put it on my list as one of the first places to visit to start off my first New York trip. They have a wide selection of fresh donuts that you cannot go wrong with! A must try is their peanut butter and jelly doughnut!
- Address: Multiple locations
Dough Donuts
The donuts here are so incredibly fluffy and they offer such unique flavors. My favorites have to be the Café Au Lait or the Hibiscus!
- Address: Multiple locations
Bibble & Sip
Bibble & Sip combines French pastries with Asian inspired flavors. They’re most well known for their cute macarons and cream puffs. The earl grey and black sesame cream puffs here are a must try!
Address: 253 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019
Coffee/ Boba
Remi Flower & Coffee
Remi not only offers amazing coffee drinks but it also serves as a flower shop! The floral lattes here are a must try. The syrup is not too overpowering but strong enough that you get the hints of rose or lavender coming through.
- Address: 906 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10017
Machi Machi
This boba shop offers super aesthetic boba drinks that are also really tasty! They’re most well known for the drinks served with panna cotta in a cute bottle! It is a little pricey but if you want a cute pic and good drinks, check this place out!
- Address: 33 W 32nd St, New York, NY 10001
Teazzi
The house special milk tea here is super unique! They add a mix of oats and boba that help to add an excellent texture to the drink.
- Address: 47 W 14th St #3, New York, NY 10011
FIFTYLAN
This is the US branch of the Asian store, KOI. Their golden boba is perfectly chewy and the milk tea itself has a strong tea flavor!
- Address: 32 Union Square E, New York, NY 10003
Bars
230 Fifth Rooftop Bar
230 Fifth offers breathtaking views of the city and the Empire State Building! Try to snag a reservation for the rooftop and you might be able to get one of the igloos. We weren’t able to get a reservation but luckily, we got seated inside at a table right next to a window with just as amazing views as the rooftop! Their drink prices are comparable to that of other places and our drinks came out really fast.
- Address: 230 5th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Ophelia Lounge NYC
Ophelia is a rooftop cocktail lounge located in the Beekman Tower. It offers amazing 360° views of Midtown and East River and has a beautiful interior. They have a great drink & food selection as well! Make reservations here.
- Address: 3 Mitchell Pl 26th floor, New York, NY 10017
Pocha 32
The atmosphere of this place is so fun and the food is also really good! They have typical Korean pub food including chicken wings, corn cheese & Korean army stew. What this place is known for is definitely their Watermelon Soju which is served in a literal watermelon! Also try their pineapple soju or melon sojus!
- Address: 15 W 32nd St 2nd floor, New York, NY 10001
