Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Things to eat in NYC
31
items There’s so many places to go in the city but there’s only so many meals in a day. These are some of my go to restaurants and desert places cause I know they wont disappoint. I’m still trying new things so this will change as I find more wonderful pla...
Map
Sections
8
Midtown
East village/Alphabet City
Long Island city / Astoria
West village/ SoHo
Chinatown (lower manhattan)
Flushing
Midtown
Here are some of my favorite spots in midtown. I used to live and work around this area so I’ve tried more of the restaurants here.
Great authentic soba spot just a block away from the NQRW line. You can pick your serving of soba from S|M|L at no extra charge.
Soba Noodle Azuma
This is probably the best Georgian restaurant I’ve been to so far. If you like cheese and bread, you’ll love this place. Staff was super friendly so feel free to ask away if you have questions on the food.
Aragvi
One of my favorite cream puffs at a very reasonable price. They have seasonal desserts if you’re willing to try something new!
Bibble & Sip
Nothing fancy but a go to spot for a nice bite of cheap pizza. They don’t take card so have your cash ready. There’s a lot of dollar pizzas around but this one and 2bros are the only ones that I’d go back to.
$1.50 Fresh Pizza
Easy to miss since the shop is downstairs in the basement. Great assortment of Japanese food. It can get busy here so a reservation would be a good idea.
Izakaya MEW
Bone marrow pho is my go to here. Love the marrow especially on a cold day.
Cha Pa's Noodles and Grill
This used to be small ramen shop but they’ve actually expanded to have a second floor for more seating. Great tasting ramen and my favorite appetizer “chicken bumps” which is fried crispy chicken skin. It’s probably the best one I’ve had in New York.
KIN RAMEN - Updated August 2025 - 1599 Photos & 625 Reviews
East village/Alphabet City
If you like Tsukemen (japanese dipping ramen) then this is the spot to go. Serving size is generous, food is great and definitely worth a visit. The broth will be on the saltier side since it’s meant for dipping so keep that in mind!
TabeTomo
This is my go to smash-burger style hamburgers. Their main location is a hole in the wall with just a few outdoor seating. But I find that quality across the chain is pretty good so any location should satisfy that burger crave.
7th Street Burger
Little upscale Filipino cuisine. They have their own take on lechon kawali with extra extra crispy skin. Drinks are unique and delicious though a bit pricey. A reservation is a must as they turn people away for walk ins.
Naks
Border of east village and lower east side with their famous pastrami sandwiches. Lines can get really long so just plan ahead.
Katz's Delicatessen
If you’re down to try halal this is one the best in town. Friendly staff, food is quick and delicious. Always down to get an order of mixed combo when I’m in the area. No seating since it’s a truck so keep that in mind.
Farook Halal Food
Another great halal place off of 6th avenue. There’s another location up by Hell’s Kitchen.
MIDO'S HALAL FOOD - Updated August 2025 - 83 Photos & 41 Reviews
Mango mango isn’t exclusive to New York and there’s quite a few locations throughout the city. I have yet to have a bad one.
Mango Mango Artisan Lab
Long Island city / Astoria
Small hole in the wall place with only 4 over the counter seats. This place has a slightly altered menu for take out but still worth a visit.
Gulp LIC
It’s a fish soup with rice on the side. The classic and the mushroom ones are fantastic. Go with the mushroom if you’re not feeling a spicy dish.
Nai Brother
Opened in the new food hall in LIC. They serve fresh flat bread with select fillings. I’ve never had this before and I wasn’t sure what to expect but it’s actually a really solid snack. Going to have to try other ones to compare for sure.
FAT CAT FLATBREAD - Updated September 2025 - 2717 42nd Rd, ...
I’m a bit hesitant to add this one to the list as it’s a little hidden gem between my friends. This is probably one of the best Mexican places I’ve been to in NY and their homemade hot sauce was so good. Only downside to visitors is that there really...
Cafe Xochimilco
West village/ SoHo
Great Israeli Mediterranean food - gets busy so make sure you book if you plan to sit down. There is a location in Brooklyn but I prefer this location.
12 Chairs Cafe
One of the best unagi (eels) I’ve had in nyc. (Which is one of my favorite dishes) Though still doesn’t match up to the ones in Japan for obvious reasons. Staff is super friendly attentive. Sushi was also fresh and delicious.
Momoya SoHo
Great Italian restaurant with their special of 100 layer lasagna. Really can’t go wrong with any of their pasta dishes.
Babbo
Chinatown (lower manhattan)
Great dim sum spot in Chinatown Manhattan. Gets really busy so plan ahead!
House of Joy
I’m a huge fan of egg noodles and I always stop by here for their wonton noodle soup (or something similar). This place was cash only the last time I was there so bring cash if you plan to stop by
Great NY Noodletown
Flushing
If you want Chinese food there’s nowhere better than flushing. China town is also great but I feel like recently this area has been more creative and innovative to keep up with the demand.
If you’re going out to flushing this is a great hotpot place. Atmosphere is unique and the food is great.
Chongqing Lao Zao 重慶老灶
This skewer cart right next to a parking lot has some of the best skewers in flushing. Each skewer costs about 2-3 bucks. Great little snack on the go
Xinjiang BBQ stand · 136-38 39th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354
Another chain but the flushing branch is by far the best one for soup dumpling.
Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings - Flushing
Jersey
Yes I know it’s not New York but they’re standouts and fairly close. Worth it if you happen to pass by
One of my favorite desert ube pudding. While this is not New York, it’s just a short path train away. There used to be one located in manhattan but unfortunately it closed down.
Baonanas Banana Pudding Cafe
Not so hidden, hidden gem of Jersey. While you’re there you can go drive 10 minutes to visit “The Mall at Short Hills”.
Millburn Deli
Things to avoid
This isn’t so much a food rec but NYC has a lot of scammers so please be careful. I see way too many people get fooled so just pointing out the most obvious ones.
Please please avoid the these tricycles. The prices are marked up and I see way too many visitors looked shocked when they get billed. Their prices are hidden and a 15 min ride can go up in the hundreds. Avoid at all cost!!
Need help with Pedicab Driver Scam - New York City Forum - Tripadvisor
Ok this is real and they try to hand you “free stuff”. Do not I repeat do not take anything free unless it’s from a well known brand that you’ve heard of. The rest are likely scams!
Got fooled by the CD scam on Times Square and I feel like an idiot.
Like CD scams these bracelets are not free. They want money and they’re pretty aggressive ngl. Just act like a New Yorker and just walk past and show no interest honestly the best way to avoid getting scammed.
🚨 Tourist Alert: Never take anything from the fake monks in Times Square! It’s a classic NYC scam—don’t fall for it