Best Lunch NYC: Unveil Hidden Gems
In the bustling heart of New York City lies a vibrant tapestry of culinary wonders, inviting locals and travelers alike to discover the quintessential lunch experience. From the aromatic delicacies of street-side vendors to the innovative creations of Michelin-starred chefs, NYC's midday meal scene is an eclectic feast for the senses. Whether you're in search of a quick bite in the shadow of skyscrapers or a leisurely feast in a sun-dappled courtyard, the city’s gastronomic landscape offers a flavor for every palate. Join us as we explore the crème de la crème of New York's lunch locales, where the only thing as diverse as the menu options is the pulsing energy of the city itself.
Nish nush
4.4
(1499)
Contemporary eatery offering creative kosher & Middle Eastern food featuring custom-made hummus.
Reviews:
We visited during a weekday visit to the city.Was crazy crowded but the service was excellent. Everyone from the guy at the order counter, to the chefs and servers worked in unison and super fast.Limited menu and seating but looked like a popular spot with loads of regular customers. The food is okay, not the greatest! Ordered the deluxe pita sandwich and the red hot chilli pita sandwich.These were of decent portion,loaded actually,stuffed with veggies and eggplant.Not the best pita sandwich I have had but I guess these are of Israeli cuisine.Never had one so can't comment on the authenticity! All food was served hot and within a few minutes.Overall happy with the service,a tad bit costly for the pricing and seating arrangements could have been better.
Dr.Anju Nair
Great food, variety of options! All dishes are freshly prepared and taste so good. They have big portion sizes so 2 dishes can be easily shared between 3 people. Crispy tomato garlic hummus is the yummiest. Will definitely visit again to try more from the menu.
Maitri Bhandari
Cannot recommend this restaurant enough! My two friends and I came here for a casual dinner and we split the falafel plate and greek salad for an incredible $30 total. The servings were very generous and the flavor was not lacking by any means. The falafel was delectably crispy and the hummus was the perfect balance of spices and smoothness. The pita was perfectly fluffy. The greek salad and salad on the platter were so refreshing and a perfect pairing with the rest of our food. Great quality, great price!! Thank you, will definitely be coming back!!
Sonia Mar
Big selection of all vegetarian meals. Had the Classic Forever Sandwich (felafel, hummus, salad, tahini, more) , Roasted Beets, Fried eggplant (not breaded and delicious!) and Haloumi salad for two of us. A lot of food and we took a bunch home. Not fancy. Casual. Friendly staff. Will go again.
Al Bunshaft
LOVE this place! delicious food and great value. the falafels are amazing and they have so many filling vegan/vegetarian options
Katherine Hui
88 Reade St, New York, NY 10013, USA
La grande boucherie
4.5
(3677)
Polished French restaurant in an expansive art nouveau–style space with an elegant heated atrium.
Reviews:
We had originally been en route to another restaurant when we stumbled upon this one. The setup caught our attention, and we were enticed by the dishes being served to other diners. Spontaneously, we inquired about walk-in availability and were fortunate enough to be seated immediately. The culinary experience surpassed our expectations. I relished a delightful bowl of French onion soup, while my husband savored the velvety vichyssoise. For our main courses, he opted for the scrumptious grilled scallops with polenta, and I selected the roast beef with cheese, served with a side of sauce and crispy French fries. To cap off our extraordinary meal, we shared a plate of delectable profiteroles. The ambiance was truly exceptional, and the service exceeded all expectations.
mae arg
My wife and I were eager to try the famous La Grande Boucherie during our weekend trip to New York City, so we made reservations for 8pm on Saturday night. Upon arriving, we were seated at a high table with a fabulous view of the elegant and bustling dining room. The ambiance was lively yet intimate. We began our meal with the green salad, which boasted a creative and artful presentation. For our main courses, we ordered the filet mignon and the lamb chops. As expected from a restaurant with such an esteemed reputation, the execution of both dishes was flawless - perfectly cooked and brimming with rich flavor. While the food certainly lived up to expectations, unfortunately the service fell short. We were attended to by no less than four different staff members throughout the night (2 of those seemed to be managers), which led to a disjointed dining experience. They seemed hurried and scattered, as if they were prioritizing the larger parties close to us. By dessert time, our original server was nowhere to be found, and we ultimately decided to forgo sweets and ask for the check. Overall, La Grande Boucherie offers exceptional French cuisine in a beautiful setting - ideal for large group dining. However, those looking for a more intimate, attentive meal may be disappointed, as the service can be inconsistent for smaller parties like ours. I hope to return to better experience their top-notch cooking, but ideally during a less frenzied night.
Ignacio Gonzalez
This place is amazing!! The food is of excellent quality, and the ambiance. I ordered the margarita and the old-fashioned during the green hour (happy hour). This sophisticated place has excellent customer service. Primarily, the bartender, Fabio, was so welcoming to my guests and me. He ensured that we received everything we needed, and he was attentive. The managers were also really lovely. I will return to this place.
Heidi
Le Grande Boucherie’s Steak Tartare was a delightful experience. The presentation was on point, and the taste was excellent. It had the perfect balance of seasonings, and the texture was just right. A true treat for the taste buds. Highly recommended!
Trin Theerapongsakol
The food here is delicious! Escargots were tasty and the wagyu burger was tender! Get their cocktails as they're all bursting with flavor and make sure to save some space for dessert!
Nat C
145 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Boucherie union square
4.6
(2631)
Bistro for dry-aged steaks & other French fare, with a bar that's strong on absinthe.
Reviews:
Had a very lovely experience here. The food was delicious with a great portion sizes. The service was also top tier, Gaudi was Very attentive and hospitable. I also appreciate that the manager/ owner? was walking around making sure that everyone was satisfied and he even gave us complimentary coffee, so thank YOU! I will definitely be coming back! Highly recommend Oh and the restaurant is beautiful! Perfect for a date night!
lety yan
Nice spot for brunch and if you're in the mood for French cuisine! My party of 6 waited about 10 minutes on a Thursday morning without a reservation, which is not bad considering how many other parties I saw waiting as well. All their items were delicious and filling, even if it may not look to big upon serving. I also got a hot cafe meal which is basically a latte with honey and cinnamon - would recommend this if you're looking for a twist on a traditional latte.
Charlotte Miller
The food, the atmosphere, the service were all excellent. Ibrahim’s service was on top notch, he made our day!! I’ll definitely come back again
Mona Kaneko
I'd give 10 stars if possible. Haven't had such good french cuisine for a long time! From starters to desserts, everything tasted wonderful! Definitely try the creme brulee! Authentic tastes from France with the best service! Ibrahim is an amazing host! And super kids friendly too!
Erdem Kent
The food was good, service at the bar superb. The hostess at the front not welcoming smile with a few eye rolls was so charming. I might strong on the “might” be back again due to the service at the bar alone. The brunch menu had more American food than french food thought that was odd. I’m in Paris/Versailles often and I wanted something to remind me of there. The Brunch menu needs more authentic french options. I had the Champaign and Wagyu burger. Worth a try but not my first option for French food.
Pamela Darko
225 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10003, USA
Katz's delicatessen
4.5
(35128)
No-frills deli with theatrically cranky service serving mile-high sandwiches since 1888.
Reviews:
An important place on the NYC map for fans of meat sandwiches. The delicatessen is always crowded with customers, which means that the waiting time is very long (one star less). But if you like pastrami, it's really worth the wait. The sandwiches may seem pricey at $27, but the portions are huge and if you're not really hungry you can share one portion. The place is also known from movies and has been visited by many famous people. We recommend.
Irek Fojcik
Delicious pastrami sandwich with pickles! Had a taster at the counter and loved the tenderness, softness and well-seasoned pastrami. Lovely, quirky decor, like a old fashioned large dining hall, walls decorated with photos and poster. A pastrami sandwich was around $29-30 (inclusive tax), considered a big portion for me and packed half away to take away. Would love to come back again and try other things on the menu!
Yanwan Foo
Very intimidating at first, but you quickly get the swing of things. It was a cold, rainy day so I ordered the half pastrami sandwich with matzo ball soup. I loved the matzo ball soup and pickles, but the pastrami wasn’t my favorite…fatty and too rich for me. But, the portions are good sized. I was alone and finally found a table I could squeeze into with two other groups after walking around asking if I could join people.
Rebecca Dean
It’s chaotic and brilliant in equal measures. The experience of watching them carve the meat and make the sandwich in front of you is well worth the trip alone but the taste of the food makes it even better. Amazing pastrami, and super tasty Philly cheese steak. So glad we made the effort to go and the queue wasn’t to long either at about 1pm on a Monday.
Louise Dennis
It is really a legendary place. I'm impressed by how the staff here keeps things running smoothly. Despite the crowd, it's clean, fast, and the food is absolutely delicious. It's more than just a great dining experience. It's hard to put into words, but you can feel the history and culture here through the photos on the walls. Like a scene from "When Harry Met Sally," you find yourself looking around and thinking, "I'll have what she's having."
Viktoriia Bochkova
205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002, USA
Bubby's
4.4
(5877)
Weekend brunch hot spot serving homestyle American eats with many locally sourced ingredients.
Reviews:
We came early during a weekday and experienced no wait at all. Service was friendly. We ordered the Nutella and berry jam pancakes, they were amazing! Definitely enough to share with friends as you cannot finish it by yourself! The chicken sandwich was also great. I’d give 4/5 for the food because on one occasion that I came for brunch i found a piece of steel wool in my pancake.
Yuki N
Before coming here we read about Bubby's New York that it is a beloved restaurant with locations in several neighborhoods across New York City. The restaurant is well-known for its comforting and classic American fare, including delicious breakfasts, hearty brunch options, and mouthwatering comfort foods. We really got what we read about it. As we guessed it will have a line outside, glad we went early in the morning which made our wait time shorter. The ambiance at Bubby's is warm and inviting, with a rustic and retro-inspired decor that adds to the overall charm of the dining experience. The atmosphere is perfect for gathering with friends or family, providing a cozy setting for a relaxing meal. The menu features a wide range of dishes, with highlights such as fluffy pancakes, fluffy buttermilk biscuits, flavorful burgers, and a variety of comforting desserts. The use of fresh and locally sourced ingredients ensures the quality and authenticity of the dishes. We literally saw the fresh ingredients coming to this place while we were standing in line !! The service is attentive and friendly. Overall, Bubby's New York is a delightful spot to enjoy classic American comfort food in a welcoming and homey setting. Whether it's for a leisurely brunch or a comforting dinner, Bubby's delivers a satisfying dining experience that keeps patrons coming back for more.
Ritesh Singh
First time been here! We had the sourdough pancakes with mix berries compote and they were super delicious! That was our favorite! They have plenty of outdoor and indoor seating with a bar inside. Also, they sell merchandise from the restaurant and some of the things are really cute like the mugs, apron and tote bag. Plus the sell their Sour Cream Pancake Mix. The staff is friendly, but I think the service could have been faster, there was not a lot of people when we were there, other than that everything was great! I’ll come back to try some of the desserts!
Adriana De Pitkin
My husband and I never go into the city without eating here! At this point I use it as a bribe to get him to drive in. It’s honestly some of the best food I’ve had. The service and vibe are also league above most other restaurants. Highly recommend
Em Jayne
We eat @ Bubby’s every time we’re in the city. I highly recommend the Abe Lincoln- add blueberries to the pancakes. Don’t waste the $3 on a 8 oz glass Coke, NYC water is great!
Adrienne Wise
120 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013, USA
Jean-georges
4.5
(1314)
Sophisticated New French eatery boasting floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Central Park.
Reviews:
We visited numerous Michelin star restaurants in our New York City visit and all were great but Jean-Georges blew them all out of the water the food was spectacular service was personal and exceptional the sommelier was personable and accommodating the atmosphere was just beautiful the table lighting was beautiful and unique. My wife and I both agree on our last trip Jean-Georges was our favorite and exceeded all our exceptions. I would highly recommend and I want to thank the team for providing us a lasting memory and even allowing us a picture at the pass exceptional!!!
Michael
What a delightful experience. From the ambience and service to the food, everything was on point. We were celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and we felt this was a very special experience. We chose the 10-course omnivore tasting menu and it did not disappoint. The only dish we didn't particularly enjoy was the squab. It was cooked perfectly and the ingredients were very interesting, but it felt too heavy as the ninth course and the flavor of the meat had a strong aftertaste. This, I'm sure is a matter of personal taste. I would have personally preferred the wagyu beef from the 6-course menu. The other nine courses, the amuse bouche, the special anniversary mousse dessert and the mignardises were all fabulous! The French and SE Asian flavors were delicate and complex at the same time, combining textures, temperatures and all four flavors plus umami. Just exquisite. Thank you for making our day so special. Shout out to our friendly server from Georgia.
Paola Robles Gil
Jean Georges is always a wonderful treat! Every detail from the gorgeous dining room and comfortable seating to the impeccable service is THE BEST. And the food is always the star. We loved the 10 course menu and I included photos of our very favorite dishes.
Amy Edelman
I’m happy to see that Jean-Georges is every bit as good as it was when I was last in NYC with time for an exceptional dinner 9 years ago. It shines in every way and everything is without exception, exceptional. Perhaps in French one would say it’s magnifique! I met Jean-George’s brother Philippe and his daughter both of whom have a role in the tremendously great hospitality on display. It shows that you can be a two star Michelin restaurant and be warm and friendly with customers who prefer a convivial atmosphere rather than a formal one (not that there is anything wrong with that as Seinfeld might say—to each their own!). On my first visit I got to see Burt Reynolds at the table next to ours. On this visit I got to meet Philippe. Maybe next time I will meet Jean-Georges himself and then I can tell him personally how much I’ve loved his restaurants and that I remember and miss Vong from a long time ago.
Ken Hershbell
The very best in fine dining. Jean Georges is a master at creating beautiful and amazing tasting food. You'll never find a classier restaurant.
Mary Nelson
1 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023, USA
Marc forgione
4.6
(602)
Bold farm-to-table cuisine in candlelit, rustic-chic environs attracts romance-minded foodies.
Reviews:
Came here for dinner. I like the decorations and lighting. I ordered the Hiramasa tartare, and the famous chicken under a brick (in half size, for myself). I like the flavor for both dishes and my taste bud was activated joyfully. Will come back for more dishes.
James L
Romantic, cozy, and dimly lit Michelin starred restaurant in Tribeca that fires on all cylinders! From the ambiance to the suave service, from the starters to the dessert, everything was top notch! With a small seasonal menu, the chef doesn't fail to disappoint on any item. The ravioli were tasting many quality, savoring every bite. The duck with cherry sauce was among the best duck dishes we've had, and the chicken under a brick was 120% something to write home about. Absolutely elegant in its simplicity! I love to cook at home and it got me thinking how I could recreate something this amazing with beautiful ingredients! The "egg" dessert is a surprise, but it's like something out of a Netflix cooking show, spectacle and flavor in every bite!! Don't hesitate to splurge on an evening here!!
Andreas Apostolopoulos
Had a great experience here. The chicken under a brick was phenomenal. Definitely a sharing plate between 2-3 people, perhaps even 4 if you're light eaters. We started with the bread and butter. It was great. Loved the onion butter. The chicken under a brick was exceptionally excellent. Highly recommend. And we finished it off with the cookie and melted ice cream desert. It was the perfect amount of sweetness. Also best if shared between 2-4 people.
Alycia Sofia
Wonderful food, good service. The place had a good vibe despite a few loud banking bros. The starters were phenomenal. Must try the Hiramasa.
Amir Shevat
Food is very delicious. You can taste the high ingredients they use. They did a good job of getting the lamb smell out. The seasoning is on point. Customer service is probably the best in the city so far
Sanghoon Han
134 Reade St, New York, NY 10013, USA