Best Places to Eat & Drink in NYC

24 Places to Eat and Drink in NYC

We went to NYC for a week trip and found it amazing and well worth the experience during Beginning of August. Here is 24 eat and drinks to try out in New York City.

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Our NYC Culinary Adventures: Sips & Bites

Daydrinks

Absolutely, Yes! We stumbled upon Daydrinks in Chelsea Market on a scorching day, and what a find! The small café had an energetic vibe, with staff chatting warmly with everyone. Out of our two drinks, the Iced Lavender Oat Latte was unbelievably flavorful – we craved more immediately! So much so, we went back a second time before leaving NYC. We even emailed them for a rough recipe, and they graciously shared it. Daydrinks is our top pick and a definite must-try!

MIZNON

We absolutely loved Miznon, a vibrant spot known for its incredible stuffed pitas. We got the Steak & Egg Pita and Chicken Schnitzel Pita. Both were packed into warm, fluffy pitas and blend of tender steak, egg, and fresh topping were truly satisfying and gourmet street food experience!

Dunkin’ Donuts

Despite being all over the States, we’d never tried Dunkin’ Donuts until NYC. We ordered a Mango Pineapple Refresher and an Iced Double Double Coffee. Honestly, we just weren’t fans and couldn’t figure out the hype. Maybe their other drinks or food are better, but our choices didn’t quite hit the mark.

Yaya Tea

Always craving bubble tea, we found Yaya Tea online. We ordered a Thai Iced Milk Tea and a First Love Tea. This small shop had cute merchandise and a prominent logo. Both drinks were good and refreshing! We felt the Thai Milk Tea could have been less watered down for a richer flavor. It’s a cozy, inviting spot for a relaxed drink.

Cha Cha Matcha

We’d say Cha Cha Matcha is more for the ‘gram than the taste buds. We tried an Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte and an Iced Purple Drink. The Strawberry Matcha Latte largely tasted like milk, lacking flavor. The Purple drink was too sweet, though its blend of ube, lavender, and ashwagandha was an interesting concept. The vibrant, tropical decor certainly adds to the vibe, but the drinks didn’t quite live up to it.

Black Fox Coffee

We saw Black Fox Coffee around NYC and decided to give it a try. Our Iced Coffee Latte was good, but nothing out of the ordinary. Inside, they had plenty of merchandise, from tote bags to coffee beans. Its minimalist, modern ambiance makes it a good spot for work or a quiet break.

Blue Bottle Coffee

We stumbled upon Blue Bottle Coffee after seeing multiple locations. Initially, we just got a coffee, but then asked the barista for a refreshing non-coffee drink. They recommended the Cascara Fizz and even offered a sample – we instantly fell in love! Its bubbly, refreshing taste was so good, we bought one for our day’s adventures and ended up drinking Cascara several times throughout our trip.

Bird’s Branch Coffee Roasters

Enjoying a walk, we stopped at Bird’s Branch Coffee Roasters to cool down. We ordered a Macadamia and an Iced Nightingale. Both drinks were large and delicious! The Iced Nightingale had a lovely earl grey aroma with a perfect touch of sweetness to balance it. It’s a cute spot for a coffee chat or a refreshing break.

EAK Ramen

EAK Ramen was on our list, and it definitely didn’t disappoint! This was our first restaurant stop in NYC. The place was clean and vibrant, filled with the aroma of rich, flavorful broth. Their signature Yokohama-style ramen features a thick, savory pork broth and perfectly cooked noodles. It’s a cozy, inviting spot for lunch or dinner. We were too full for gyoza or karaage, but others rave about their tasty sides.

Four Four South Village

Initially, the empty storefront and interior of Four Four South Village made us suspicious, but we went for it. We ordered two Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soups (one spicy, one not). It was so incredibly flavorful – and the “spicy” one wasn’t even spicy at all! The exterior looks small, but there’s a hidden half-side of tables inside. We’ve had Taiwanese beef noodle soup everywhere, and this place beats many high-end spots. If you’re in NYC, we highly recommend trying this authentic gem!

Pat Lafrieda Meat Purveyors

At Time Out Market, Pat Lafrieda Meat Purveyors offers juicy, high-quality beef patties. When Colin ordered, we expected a bigger burger for the price. It wasn’t super filling, but it tasted good.

Jacob’s Pickles

Also in Time Out Market, Jacob’s Pickles right across from Pat Lafrieda Meat Purveyors. Julian ordered their Classic Mac and Cheese, and it was outstanding – ultra-creamy, cheesy, and perfectly baked. We devoured it in minutes! This is definitely the dish to try if you’re looking for comforting soul food.

Ping’s Seafood Chinatown

In Chinatown, we decided to try Ping’s Seafood. Unfortunately, it was quite a low standard compared to Vancouver’s Chinese restaurants. We ordered several basic dim sum dishes, and all were very disappointing and felt unauthentic.

Shorty’s Cheesesteaks (Now Closed)

We wanted to try a Cheesesteak sandwich for the first time. Sadly, Shorty’s Cheesesteaks was very disappointing; the bread was dry and cold, and the meat was overcooked and dry. This place did not bring any taste of Philadelphia to NYC. (We later found out it’s permanently closed on Google.)

Hole in the Wall

Hole in the Wall is definitely one of NYC’s hidden gems. They offer great brunch options like avocado toast and eggs Benedict. We tried the Pulled Pork Benedict and the Smoked Salmon Benedict, preferring the latter. We also sampled an Iced Aussie Latte (good for a first try but too strong) and an Iced Chai Latte (better). The food and drink presentation was spot-on and beautiful. They have decent indoor and outdoor seating. We found the pulled pork spices a bit too peppery. Portions were a bit expensive, and it was odd that the smoked salmon only came with one egg versus two for the pulled pork.

2 Bros. Pizza

Out of all the pizza joints, 2 Bros. Pizza was our favorite! With multiple locations, we found one near our hotel at 9:30 PM. The pizza slices were quite large with many toppings – great value! The only minor issue was the not-so-clean chili flake and parmesan shakers. The shop was busy, and the pizza tasted extraordinary – definitely worth a try!

Chicken and Waffles

We tried several chicken and waffle joints in NYC, and this one is our top pick! We ordered the 3-piece chicken with Mac and Cheese and a Chicken and Waffle sandwich. The waffle was super fluffy, and all three chicken pieces were nicely seasoned and tender. The Mac and Cheese was divine – the best taste and aroma of cheesiness! The restaurant was clean, with various sauces and cutlery available. While portions could be slightly larger, after finishing, we wished Vancouver had this place. It’s a great comfort food spot with plenty of seating.

Artichoke Pizza

Artichoke Pizza caught our eye with its name and huge pizza display. The slices were very thick but not as flavorful as we expected. There were a few standing spots to eat, but it felt more like a grab-and-go shop. We’d put it mid-tier – not awful, but something to try once for the experience.

Schnipper’s Burger Restaurant

A must-try for first-timers in NYC! We had the Mushroom Truffle Burger and the Mac and Cheese. The great thing about Schnipper’s is you can customize your patty’s doneness. For mac and cheese lovers, this place offers a super cheesy dish. They have plenty of seating, though the presentation could be better, with disposable plates and no spoon for the mac and cheese. Portions felt a bit small for the cost.

Momofuku Noodle Bar Uptown

Momofuku Noodle Bar Uptown was on our list as a Michelin-starred spot. While people should try it for the experience, we felt it was overhyped. We got seated quickly right at opening, and the customer service was good with constantly refilled water. The interior design was great. One ramen dish had perfectly seared, meaty pork belly. However, the portion-to-cost ratio felt lacking, leaving us not entirely full, and the broth was on the salty side.

The Original Soupman

Literally the best soup ever! We tried their lobster roll and lobster bisque, and within seconds, we were back for more. The lobster roll was buttery and crunchy with enough lobster and lettuce, but the portion wasn’t quite enough. The lobster bisque was the real star – its incredible taste and generous chunks of lobster made it so worth it, we ordered a jumbo size to go! This place is top-tier for our favorite lobster bisque.

Mom’s Kitchen & Bar

On our last day in NYC, we visited Mom’s Kitchen & Bar due to online reviews raving about their comfort food. We ordered the Chicken Bacon Waffle and Buffalo Mac and Cheese Bites. The Chicken and Waffle was definitely enough to share and the waffle was tasty and soft, but the chicken was dry despite the sauce. The Buffalo Mac and Cheese biteswere too smothered in buffalo sauce, overpowering the cheesy mac and cheese, and the overall noodle dish was dry with not enough sauce. Overall, it was below our standard compared to other spots.

Halal Guys Food Truck

On our last day, we visited Halal Guys Food Truck for brunch since it was near the airport. Their chicken shawarma platter bowl was delicious! The portion for the cost was so good, we even ordered it again for dinner. The staff were very nice, ensuring we had everything we needed, and we got extra sauce just how we like it. The only downside was limited shade for customers. Overall, this food truck is top of our tier list!

Prince Street Pizza

We visited Prince Street Pizza late one night. The atmosphere and celebrity photos on the wall were amazing. We ordered the classic pepperoni pizza to share. There were lots of pepperoni slices, but the crust was too hard for our liking, and the pepperoni produced a lot of oil, making the pizza heavy. We felt it was more of a hype location, though the line moved quickly. The shop is small, so we recommend eating outside like most others.

Conclusion:

Our NYC trip was a delicious adventure, from Daydrinks’ amazing lattes and Four Four South Village’s authentic noodles, to The Original Soupman’s divine lobster bisque and Halal Guys Food Truck’s incredible platters, making every bite unforgettable and making us want more.