New York City: Where to Eat

You can find anything to devour in New York, including food. Here's what not to miss:

Big Gay Ice Cream
125 E. Seventh St. or 61 Grove St.
(212) 533-9333
With a signature cone called the “Bea Arthur” and milkshake flavors like ginger-curry and horchata, this place is a must. Besides, who wouldn’t want a “Big Gay” unicorn coffee mug as a souvenir? Get down to either the East or West Village and tickle your taste buds in a very gay way.

Garage
99 Seventh Ave.
(212) 645-0600
Bottomless brunch in a jazz club in the heart of the West Village is pretty much exactly how brunch should be done. The food is great but the atmosphere and live music are what you’ll remember. You can booze it up on unlimited mimosas and still manage to feel classy. Garage is also a few steps away from Stonewall and the Duplex, in case you’re badly in need of a drink after brunch.

ABC Kitchen
35 E. 18th St.
This gorgeous restaurant located near ABC Carpet & Home (which you should put on your shopping list for unique home furnishings) is the perfect place to splurge on a night out or celebration. The menu is seasonal  and locally sourced and the atmosphere is airy, relaxed, and haute organic.

44 and X
622 10th Ave.
(212) 475-5829
This great little dinner option is located within two blocks of the OUT NYC hotel in Hell’s Kitchen. The menu has a more than fair collection of wines by the glass that pair well with hearty but elegant options like sautéed duck with poached mission figs and red wine reduction or ancho chili rubbed pork tenderloin with Vermont cheddar cheese grits and cranberry and apricot chutney.

La Esquina
114 Kenmare St.
(646) 613-1333
This unassuming taqueria in SoHo is secretly two restaurants rolled into one location. Upstairs at the café, the food is fresh and the vibe is casually cool. It’s a great place to stop in for a killer margarita, a deliciously simple taco, and some prime people watching. Underneath the taqueria is what used to be a super secret and now not so secret brasserie and tequila bar for people who enjoy feeling like they’re part of an exclusive club. Reservations have to be made weeks in advance if you want to dine downstairs. No matter which dining experience you choose, the food is fantastic.

Dirt Candy
430 E. Ninth St.
(212) 228-7732
The menu at Dirt Candy boldly proclaims, “Anyone can cook a hamburger. Leave the vegetables to the professionals.” That pretty much sums up the creative menu at this vegetarian restaurant in the East Village. Even carnivores will appreciate what this place can do with beets and broccoli. There aren’t many tables at this restaurant so it’s best to make a reservation.

Blossom
multiple locations
For a more hearty approach to vegan food and more elbow room than Dirt Candy, try Blossom. The atmosphere is elegant and so is the food. There are also several locations sprinkled throughout Manhattan so you can take your pick from Chelsea to the Upper West Side.