Where is the best food in NYC?

Question

We go to NYC about once a year and we've been to Daniel, Jean-george, per se, babbo, Lombardo's pizza, Caffe lolla, etc. I want to know where the off the beaten path bad-a*s food is. Example: "The guy on the corner of broadway and 52nd has the dank gyro's." That sort of thing. Back alley bars, hole in the walls, anything that only the locals know and consider the best.

Answer 1

Carmine's is very good. Check out New Green Bo if you like Chinese in Chinatown

Answer 2

There is a really great Indian restaurant called Vatan on 409 3rd Ave.  If you want to try some spicy and exotic food you should go there.  There is a set menu with about three courses and it is all you can eat.  If you decide to go, go with a very empty stomach.  Vatan is spectacular.

Another must is Serendipity 3. The food is great and the Frozen Hot Chocolate is to die for.  It is on 225 E 60th St.

Have fun in NYC!

Answer 3

You've been to some fantastic restaurants.  As far as back alley bars go, i would recommend "the back room" on norfolk and delancey street.  you walk down a dark alley and open a random door.  the bar is speakeasy/prohibition style (you drink cocktails out of teacups and beer bottles come with paper bags)  it's a very elegant place, but can get packed on the weekend.

For IMHO, the best margaritas in the city, check out Barrio Chino on Broome and Orchard street in the LES.  Very hip and trendy, filled with locals, it is crowded everynight of the week, so arrive early to sample their habanero margaitas and steak tacos.

There's also a burrito truck on bedford avenue and north 5thh street in williamsburg, brooklyn (1st stop on L train)  they are pretty d**n good.

Answer 4

I went to Carmine's when I was there and it was absolutely amazing. The dishes are big and are meant to be split between several people so don't be put off by the prices. It is pretty hard to get a reservation though so I'd call ahead.

Answer 5

Paquitos Burritos - 3 locations, I can only think of 2, though. 1st ave and 9th street, and 3rd ave near 17th st. Best Mexican food outside of Mexico (I guess, I've never been to Mexico). Definitely a hole in the wall.

Crif Dogs, St. Mark's Place between 1st and A. Super hot dogs plus tater tots AND a Pac-Man table!

7A, 7th st and Ave A, best brunch ever for cheap (like 11 bucks). Get there early.

Not exactly a local secret, but 40 Carrots cafe at Bloomingdales has the best frozen yogurt in the world. I get half coffee half plain with granola. Amazing.

Answer 6

At home

Answer 7

indian restaurant.

Answer 8

The National Restaurant in Brooklyn has excellent Russian food and good entertainment.

Answer 9

Nathan's Hotdogs, Surf Avenue, Coney Island, Brooklyn

Totonno's Pizza, Neptune Avenue, Coney Island, Brooklyn

DeFara's Pizza, Avenue J and 15th Street, Midwood, Brooklyn

Steak, Peter Luger's, Williamburg, Brooklyn

Corned beef and/or pastrami, Katz's Deli, Houston Street, Lower East Side

Cuban Sandwich, Casa Havana, Eighth Avenue and 20th Street, Chelsea, NY

Polenta with wild mushrooms, L'Impero, 41st Street in Tudor City, NY

Lobster risotto, Cafe Centro, Grand Central, NY

Black and white cookies, William Greenberg Bakery, Upper West Side

Flan, Cafe Con Leche, Upper West Side

Bagels, Murray's Bagels, Sixth Avenue & W13th Street, Greenwich Village, NY

French fries, Pommes Frites (all they make is fries) Second Soft-serve ice cream, Custard Beach, World Financial Center, Financial District, NY

Brownies, Fat Witch Brownies, Chelsea Market, 15th Street and Ninth Avenue, Chelsea, NY

Answer 10

The Dosa Man hands down if U R into different ethnic foods. You may have seen him "plugged" on Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels show. Here's the 411

*****The Dosa Man

Washington Square Park  

West 4th and Sullivan

New York , NY  

Tel: [phone]

Or, if your in the mood for something a bit sloppy & saucy but ohh soo.. satisfying try

Daisy May's BBQ USA

623 11th Ave. (corner of 46th St.)

New York, NY

Mon. 11am-9pm

Tue. - Fri. 11am-10pm

Sat. 12pm - 10pm

Sun. 12pm - 9pm

212-977-1500

p.s. they've rec'd the award for best bbq in NYC from Zagat in '05 til now! Well enjoy your feast! :)

Answer 11

any kind of Jewish Deli. i was in NYC a few yrs ago and was utterly amazed at how home-made, fatty and good it all tasted. nothing like anything in Chicago, St. Louis or any other places that claim to make best matza ball soup or have the freshest lox.