It has been said that Manhattan restaurants are on the rise with more than 6,300 active menus to search through online. With all those choices, how do you fit everything you want to try into one vacation?
Answer: you don’t. However, you can start with a nice cross-section of world foods providing the best of the best. In the following article, we’ll be delving into our five favorites.
1. Cosme
One of the more unique restaurants in NYC, Cosme is upscale Mexican food with a twist. The unique menu items include duck wings, mushrooms with poblano, and the highly recommended white bean hummus.
A small but delicious selection of desserts also populates the menu with the Tres Leches Cake and Berries leading the charge. The large on-site bar makes guests feel welcome with a variety of coffees, milk, wine, beer, and cocktails to choose from. If you haven’t done so yet, you’ll want to take a taxi for the first time to keep from holding back on that drink selection!
2. AbcV
No discussion of what to eat in New York is complete without a vegetarian selection. The rise of vegan and vegetarian meals is undeniable throughout Manhattan. AbcV does it better than most.
The brainchild of Jean-Georges Vongerichten follows a seasonal menu. Summer recipes include the luscious linguine with clams, chile, and parsley; an almond cake with market strawberries; and heirloom tomato crostini.
A striking blend of cocktails rounds out the proceedings. The ginger margarita, peach melba, and cucumber mint martini top the list.
3. Frenchette
Frenchette is one of the most fun places to eat in NYC because of the great blend of French favorites and the revolving door of daily surprises. Get together with friends for a nice brunch or plan ahead for a romantic dinner.
Menu favorites include the poulet roti, which is a roast chicken with maitake and frites. The rotisserie lobster (aka homard a la broche) is also a show-stealer, served with a curry beurre fondue.
4. Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria
How could any of the cool food places in NYC compare to great Italian food? That’s exactly what you’ll get at Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria.
Staging at a communal table, you and your friends will be able to taste a variety of dishes at your leisure. Featuring a large selection of pasta, cured meats, pizza, and panini, Il Buco is also surprisingly affordable for Lower Manhattan.
5. Red Rooster Harlem
The final of the best restaurants downtown Manhattan has to offer is Red Rooster Harlem. RRH is your go-to location for soul-comfort food that includes Marcus’ Cornbread with sweet potato butter; Rooster Slam snickerdoodle waffle with beef sausage, hot honey chicken, crispy bacon, and a fried egg; and the Creamy Stone Ground Grits served with chives and aged white cheddar cheese.
These Manhattan Restaurants Offer a Diverse Launch
Manhattan restaurants are known for their diversity and culinary greatness. It’s a melting pot of all the world’s foods, and summing that up in such a small space is impossible.
So, once you try the five on this list, do some exploring of your own! Best of luck in your dietary journey of Manhattan, and check out some of our additional posts for more food articles, tips, and recipes.
