I love good food and would definitely call myself a true foodie. And New York City is a real mecca with an estimated 24,000 restaurants (even if you visited two restaurants a day, it would take you over 32 years to visit them all!) There really isn’t a nationality that isn’t represented here with a restaurant or food spot, from low budget to high end, you’ll find it all.
Unlike the Neighborhoods like the West Village, SoHo, Williamsburg or Tribeca, however, I sometimes found it quite difficult to find good restaurants in Times Square. There are plenty of choices here, but not that much quality. Here are my highlights, where the price-performance ratio is good!
Which restaurant should be on the best list in your opinion? I’m looking forward to your comments!
I love the concept of Carmine’s: the portions are huge and – like an Italian family meal – are meant to be shared. Just put them in the middle of the table, add a glass of red wine and you feel like in Italy! The waiters are super-nice and the restaurant itself is suitable for families with children. I was there with my family (2 children) and both of my friends were delighted.
A lot like Carmine’s is Tony’s Di Napoli. Thanks to the friendly and cordial staff, we felt like we were in an extended Italian family. Pleasant atmosphere & hustle and bustle do it by the way. The portions are also large here, so that they are perfect for sharing. My tip: try the Frozen Peach Bellini as an aperitif!
As soon as you enter the restaurant (it’s in the hotel lobby, the bar is one floor up) you will notice the noble atmosphere. Dark wood and many shades of red determine the interior, we especially like the bar. The food itself is sensational, not cheap but definitely worth its price. Main courses start at $30, the multiple awarded wines start at $15 per glass (!). For a romantic ending or the beginning of a musical The Lambs Club at Times Square is perfect.
Here at Benoit you can get the French classics like cassoulet or onion soup. The restaurant is famous for its fantastic fish dishes and steaks. Be sure to order the fries with it – they are second to none. The Benoit is also ideal for a romantic dinner for two, as the selection is large and the wines are sensational. Here the emphasis is on French wines.
Around Times Square there are many Japanese restaurants, most of which are unfortunately not recommended. A real exception is the “High End” Japanese Sushi of Gari 46 (this is the nickname of the owner and sushi chef). It is a bit more expensive but extremely tasty! If you are looking for a noble restaurant suitable for a visit to a musical, then Sushi of Gari 46 is a suitable candidate.
Los Tacos No. 1 in Times Square is rightly very popular: in the “standing snack bar” everything revolves around tacos & quesadillas. Wonderfully traditional, cheap and really delicious. What’s special about it? The handmade tacos taste like in Mexico, because instead of wheat flour (as it is unfortunately often done for cost reasons) real corn flour is used for production. My tip: Take the tacos with grilled cactus!
Toloache is a chef-owned Mexican restaurant with locations in the Upper East Side and the Theater District. These fine-dining restaurants are modern and will give you the perfect culinary experience. They have a tasting menu with three types of guacamole, including traditional guacamole, fruity guacamole, and spicy guacamole. The menu is Mexican fusion, and each of their tacos is made with innovative components. For example, try the vegan calabacita taco with zucchini, corn, spicy kale, and queso fresco. If you feel like a classy taco, try the langosta tacos made with spicy lobster. These spicy lobster tacos are some of the best tacos in New York.
Shake Shack is a burger chain with more than 20 stores in New York alone. We got this spot recommended by a New Yorker as the “best burger in town” with the warning that you have to wait an hour for your burger – but it was worth the wait! From the outside the burger shop may seem quite inconspicuous, but the burgers are certainly among the best in New York.
Gayle’s Broadway Rose features singing waiters and waitresses that will sing classic and modern Broadway hits to you while you indulge yourself in a delicious and fancy-looking milkshake.
Bacall’s Family Steakhouse is one of the most highly regarded restaurants in NYC, known for its delicious steaks and romantic ambiance. Located in the heart of Manhattan, Bacall’s is the perfect spot for a special dinner with your loved one.
The restaurant offers a wide selection of succulent steaks, including filet mignon, ribeye, and New York strip, all cooked to perfection and served with your choice of sides. In addition to the steaks, Bacall’s also has a selection of seafood dishes, including lobster tail and pan-seared salmon, as well as vegetarian options.
If you are looking for Spanish cuisine, the Boqueria in New York is a great option. With four branches in New York City (in Midtown, Flatiron, Upper East Side and SoHo), the Spanish restaurant and tapas bar Boqueria has successfully brought many culinary traditions from Barcelona to New York City in recent years.
The Del Frisco Restaurant is a luxurious three-story restaurant near Times Square and Rockefeller Center. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows you can relax and watch the hustle and bustle on Sixth Avenue. The Del Frisco is famous for its steaks, but on Thanksgiving you can also order a typical turkey roast menu.
One thing is for sure, whoever loves the Hard Rock Cafe should also stop by in New York. The selection in the shop is gigantic and 1 floor below you find the restaurant. On the menu you will find the Hard Rock Cafe typical dishes and you will definitely get full, because the portions are huge. Attention: with the beer the surprise comes with the bill. Unfortunately there are no prices on the menu.
Schnippers is a very popular restaurant that falls into the fast food category. Here you can also find healthy food, which is actually healthy and the price is also right. By the way: even the wine and beer is recommendable.
Newer than most Irish restaurants, Sean’s Bar and Kitchen is a great place to go for a casual meal. The menu is simple, but features all of your favorite Irish dishes along with an incredible 2 for 1 happy hour during the weekdays. Plus, they have an excellent whiskey selection! If you’re looking for a no-frills Irish pub in NYC, Sean’s Bar and Kitchen is the perfect place to go. Don’t forget to try Meg’s Curry for a delicious treat!
The Long Room is a mix of a club atmosphere featuring elements of the classic Irish pub. With a large selection of imported and craft beers on tap, as well as an extensive whisky menu, this bar is perfect for those who want to experience a bit of everything. The food menu includes Irish staples like shepherd’s pie and fish and chips, as well as American favorites like burgers and pizza. Plus, they have live music every night. Make sure to try the Bavarian Uber Pretzel and the Skillet Roasted Chicken when you visit!
Wolfgang’s is an institution in New York. Beside the classic steaks like Rib Eye, Sirloin or Filet Mignon, you can also order the Porterhouse variations for two, three or four persons. The steaks are roasted to the point and only first-class meat is used.
Der Beitrag The 17 BEST Restaurants in Times Square NYC erschien zuerst auf Loving New York.
