If you have visited New York City even once, you know that there is no shortage of good restaurants. The beauty of this city is that you can visit hundreds of times and experience a new flavor. I’ve been spending more time in lower Manhattan on my last trips to New York City. I made this humble little list of five places to eat in Downtown NYC:
Blue Ribbon Federal Grill
If you’re looking for a cozy, welcoming spot Blue Ribbon Federal Grill is the place for you. Located in the lobby of the AKA Wall Street Hotel, this restaurant offers modern American cuisine with a unique twist. I had one of their specials: a grilled avocado topped with poke. The smoky taste of the creamy avocado paired beautifully with the fresh ahi tuna poke. If the Blue Ribbon Federal Grill folks are reading this: please make this a permanent menu item!
Temple Court
When looking for places to eat in Downtown NYC, you must add brunch at Temple Court to your list. I was looking for a last minute brunch reservation and was able to snag the last reservation left for this beloved hot spot by renowned chef Tom Colicchio. The elegant dining room, the dapper servers, and their delicious brunch offerings will make you want to go back. The mushroom toast topped with savory marinated wild mushrooms and smoked ham is a must.
Nobu Downtown
Folks believe the hype about Nobu Downtown. The Nobu restaurants may be known for celebrity sightings, but it is so much more! I got a tip from a friend to try their weekday lunch prix-fixe menu of tuna sashimi, assorted sushi, and a decadent chocolate cake for dessert. We took baby Dining Traveler along for this culinary adventure. She approved of the rice and the miso glazed salmon that she shared with her dad.
Clinton Hall
Looking for a casual and fun experience in the Financial District? Head to Clinton Hall. Perhaps you may think that places to eat in Downtown NYC will be stuffy (and many are), but Clinton Hall is fun spot tucked away from the madness of Wall Street. Try their yummy kimchi dog and wash it down with a beer from their extensive drink menu. With its fun atmosphere, it is popular with the local after-work crowd.
Dominque Ansel Bakery
The “cronut,” a hybrid of a doughnut and croissant may no longer be the pastry du jour, but I say a visit to the beautiful Dominique Ansel Bakery in SoHo should still be a must on your NYC foodie list. Take a twenty-minute walk from the busy streets that surround the World Trade Center and order a buttery cronut filled with a beautifully sweet raspberry filling. On a warm, sunny day, head to their quaint patio and escape the world with a beautiful pastry in hand.
Places to Eat in Downtown NYC: The Verdict
There are so many places to eat in downtown NYC, so this is just a small snapshot of the many places where you can indulge. Other places my local friends recommend are Delmonico’s, Augustine, and Parm.
