- jazz or eats, it’s all about the smoke at blue smoke
- if it can be barbecued in a smokin pit, they serve it here
- jazz nightly gigs pull some of the countrys biggest names
BLUE SMOKE
USA
- 255 vesey st, new york, ny 10282
- 1 212-889-2005
- JAZZ
- BARBECUE
- MANHATTAN
KENKA
USA
- 25 st marks pl, new york, ny 10003
- 1 212-254-6363
- boisterous vibe and bold on the eats
- go early, get ready to wait, lines of kenka faithful people snaking out the door are a nightly norm
- food is as wild as the atmosphere.
- if you’re up for truly odd eats we can recommend crispy frog legs, but we took a hard pass on turkey testicles
- AUTHENTIC
- JAPANESE
- ROWDY
AFRICA KINE
USA
- 256 w 116th st, new york, ny 10026
- 1 212-666-9400
- senegal home cooking is alive, well and living in harlem
- family style, family run and as west african as sweet fried plantain
- more than a hint of traditional senegalese street food here
- grilling is a big deal, go for lamb dibi or grilled fish
- eat slow, plates are enormous and the mood is warm, cheerful and plenty lively
- HOMELY
- SENEGAL
- LIVELY
TEMPLE CANTEEN
USA
- 45-57 bowne st, flushing, new york, ny 11355
- worship what you like, temple canteen welcomes all comers.
- authentic south indian home cooking
- head down at the weekend for lunchtime specials and drop in anytime for snacks and sweets
- cannot be called anything but a hidden gem, try the dosa
- TRADITIONAL
- TEMPLE
- INDIAN
THE RIVER CAFE
USA
- 1 water st, brooklyn, new york, ny 11201
- 1 718-522-5200
- officially one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world
- a boat bound restaurant on the hudson, moored under the brooklyn bridge
- service is flawless, subtle and polite as a whisper
- definitely one to share with someone you love (or like very, very much)
- try the Colorado Lamb with handmade merguez
- SKYLINE
- ROMANTIC
- BOAT
MAX BRENNER
USA
- 841 broadway, new york, ny 10003
- 1 646-467-8803
- this is chocolate for all the senses (there’s even a choc themed playlist)
- décor is low-key, so stuff like chocolate/marshmallow pizza can really shine
- hot chocolate is served in a hug mug (yes, you will want to own one)
- MOUTHWATERING
- SWEET
- CRAZY
NOM WAH TEA PARLOR
USA
- 13 doyers st, new york, ny 10013
- 1 212-392-6800
- nom wahs mooncakes had lines out the door in the 1920s
- does the same with its stellar dim sum these days
- different taste, different generation, same family all the way
- big on tradition with sly new twists to keep things fresh and it works
- try shanghai soup dumplings, shrimp rice rolls and feather light pork buns
- NO-FRILLS
- AUTHENTIC
- CULTURE
MOMOFUKU NOODLE BAR
USA
- east village, 171 1st avenue, new york, ny 10003
- 1 212-777-7773
- tiny, crazy packed and does not do bookings, unless you want caviar
- friendly, expert staff know what is what on the menu
- spicy beef ramen and pork belly buns are our go to here
- LOCAL
- AUTHENTIC
- RAMEN
A TASTE OF KATZ’S
USA
- 1 dekalb ave, brooklyn, new york, ny 11201
- 1 212-254-2246
- less a deli and more a living nyc legend
- been around since 1888 and still rustling up the city’s finest pastrami on rye and the rest
- wears the starry rep lightly and is still keeping it real after all these years
- DELI
- LEGEND
- SANDWICHES
LA TACUBA CANTINA MEXICANA
USA
- hell's kitchen, 802 9th ave, new york, ny 10019
- 1 212-245-4500
- big, colourful cantina all the way from long tables to wall tiles and tunes and a mariachi band play here on sundays
- food is as mexican as all day cooking in an abuelas kitchen.
- feel showered with love and attention by the wait staff
- go for the tacos and then thank us
- MEXICAN
- MARIACHI
- TACOS
LE FRENCH DINER
USA
- 188 orchard st, new york, ny 10002, united states
- 1 212-777-1577
- as french as a gallic shrug, but a lot friendlier
- teeny-weeny, cuddle-up-cosy and feels like family
- no reservations, go ready to wait
- they say it’s all about the vibe and they’re not wrong
- we’re recommending nothing because it’s all good
- ok, we might recommend their natural wines
- CHARMING
- HOMELY
- DELICIOUS
DIRT CANDY
USA
- 86 allen st, new york, ny 10002
- 1 212-228-7732
- will you ever call vegetables anything but ‘dirt candy’ now?
- new york’s first vegetarian restaurant and vegetable forward movement pioneer.
- dirt candy’s was saying ‘eat your greens’ long before your mama, probably.
- lists as one of ‘the 10 Rrstaurants that changed america’.
- VEGETARIAN
- UNUSUAL
- EXTRAORDINARY
TOKYO RECORD BAR
USA
- 127 macdougal st, new york, ny 10012
- 1 212-420-4777
- a dinner to remember? record your own soundtrack.
- curate a playlist, tokyo commits it to vinyl, you set the mood, they serve dinner.
- cross between a japanese listening room and an izakaya bar.
- think japanese tapas (with a bit more heft) and be ready to share.
- UNUSUAL
- VINYL
- JAPANESE
TRAILER PARK LOUNGE
USA
- 271 w 23rd st, new york, ny 10011
- +1 212-463-8000
- Heavy on kitsch, light on trashy: that’s Trailer Park.
- Go for year-round Christmas lights, fake flowers and seats in stick-to-the-thighs vinyl.
- Tasteless and a lil bit trampy on looks, full Americana on the menu.
- Go for classics like Mac n Cheese with Tater Tots or mile-high BLTs.
- Casual
- Authentic
- Culture
DINOSAUR BAR-B-QUE
USA
- 700 w 125th st, new york, ny 10027
- +1 212-694-1777
- they don’t BBQ t-rex steaks, yet. but just about everything else is good to grill.
- plates come piled with pulled pork, wings, ribs, steak, burgers or brisket.
- sides are homemade and as homey as mac n cheese.
- family BBQ relaxed and friendly, just no drunk uncles manning the grill.
- Barbeque
- Relaxed
- Indulge
BANGIA
USA
- 11 e 32nd st, new york, ny 10016
- +1 212-679-6790
- take comfort from realer than real korean street food.
- blink-and-miss bangia is a secret korea town locals would love to keep.
- hush-hush but not so hidden there aren’t lines every night after 10pm.
- late opening pulls crowds for clever cocktails and korean beer.
- HIDDEN
- COSY
- STREET
THE BLACK ANT
USA
- 60 2nd ave, new york, ny 10003
- +1 212-598-0300
- Insect by name, insects on the menu.
- Not so much bugs-galore, more a subtle, insect-infused take on Mexican street food.
- Supremely slick on presentation. Even crickets seem cool.
- Cocktails come creepy-crawly-free and slip down easy.
