Move aside, Michelin-star restaurants and other fancy dining destinations; because food halls in New York City are all the rage right now.

From industrial-looking warehouses to contemporary modern establishments, The Empire State’s food halls are as diverse as its demographics. Food halls are where you can sample a myriad of cuisines at relatively affordable prices.

The success of food halls is a win-win situation for all parties involved. A sense of community is restored, cooks get to showcase their products at a lower cost and patrons can relish in gourmet satisfaction at slashed prices. From Chelsea Market, Gotham West Market to The Plaza Food Hall, here are 8 Food Halls in New Yock City that you must include in your itinerary.

#1 CHELSEA MARKET

Chelsea Market boats more than 35 food vendors and attracts approximately six million visitors each year. From fresh lobsters, baked doughnuts to artisanal meat, you can easily spend half a day here and eat to your heart’s content.

75 9th Ave, New York
NY 10011, USA
Mon to Sat: 7am – 9pm
Sun: 8am – 9pm
Tel: +1 212-652-2110
Nearest Station: 14 Street

Source: Pinterest

#2 EATALY

The Eataly Brand can be found across the world, including in the Flat Iron district in the Big Apple. This is the go-to place whenever you need to purchase some specially imported Italian ingredients or indulge in some mouthwatering Italian cuisine.

200 Fifth Avenue, New York
NY 10010, USA
Tel: +1 212-229-2560
Daily: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: 23 Street

Source: NY Eater

#3 GANSEVOORT MARKET

The 8000-square-foot Gansevoort Market—located in the meatpacking district—is one of the locals’ favourite dining destinations. The sheer number of food vendors will leave you giddy with glee. Sink your teeth into Burger, Inc. NYC’s tantalising burgers, devour a nourishing bowl of Hawaiian poké from Gotham Poke, savour authentic crêpes from Crêpe Sucre and more!

353 W 14th St, New York
NY 10014, USA
Daily: 8am – 8pm
Tel: +1 646-678-3231
Nearest Station: 14 Street

Source: Yelp

#4 GRAND CENTRAL MARKET

Located in the iconic Grand Central Terminal itself, the Grand Central Market is where you can pick up local produce and a handful of munchies before you board the next train. From the world-famous Magnolia Bakery to everyone’s all-time favourite burger joint Shake Shack, there is indeed magnificent food at every turn.

89 E 42nd St, New York
NY 10017, USA
Tel: +1 212-340-2583
Mon to Fri: 7am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Grand Central Terminal

Source: Bon Appetit

#5 GOTHAM WEST MARKET

Spanning across 10,000 square feet, Gotham West Market features an eclectic mix of shops selling all sorts of food thinkable. From Mexican tacos, Japanese ramen to Spanish tapas, there is definitely something here for everyone.

600 11th Ave, New York
NY 10036, USA
Tel: +1 212-582-7940
Sun to Thu: 7am – 11pm
Fri and Sat: 7am – 12am
Nearest Station: 42nd St-Port Authority

Source: Smorgasburg

#6 SMORGASBURG

Smorgasburg is more of an outdoor market and we absolutely love its laid back vibes. It all started as a humble Brooklyn market, but its popularity grew exponentially and the rest is history. With more than 100 food vendors to visit, this is seriously every glutton’s paradise.

90 Kent Ave, Brooklyn
NY 11211, USA
Daily: 6am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Bedford Avenue

Source: NY Daily News

#7 THE PENNSY

The Pennsy is one of New York City’s newest food halls, but the 8,000-square-foot high-end food hall is already winning the hearts of New Yorkers. Look forward to a plethora of gourmet offerings such as meat-centric sandwiches, gluten-free fare and even vegan dishes!

2 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York
NY 10121, USA
Tel: +1 917-475-1830
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: 34 Street – Herald Sq

Source: Gowaterside

#8 THE PLAZA FOOD HALL

Located on the concourse level of The Plaza Hotel is a luxurious food hall. Walk around and you will find Lady M Confections, Luke’s Lobster and several other vendors. There is even a caviar boutique where you can indulge in premium fish roe.

1 W 59th St, New York
NY 10019, USA
Tel: +1 212-986-9260
Mon to Sat: 8am – 9.30pm
Sun: 11am – 6pm
Nearest Station: 5 Avenue

For more recommendations, read our New York’s food & travel guides.

Momofuku Milk Bar is renowned for their unique desserts, namely cereal milk soft serve, compost cookies and crack pies. Momofuku Milk Bar opened its first humble store in East Village seven years ago and had since amassed a legion following of loyal fans. Today, Momofuku Milk Bar has six stores across New York City and one store in Toronto, Canada.

Expect to see the unexpected at Momofuku Milk Bar. From corn cookies to birthday cake truffles, the interesting menu never fails to excite its customers. The impressive mouthwatering creations are the brainchild of celebrity pastry chef Christina Tosi. You may find her familiar – she is now a judge on Master Chef starring alongside Gordon Ramsay and Graham Elliot.

//

Best-selling confections include Crack Pie (USD 5.50 per slice, USD 44 for entire pie) and Cereal Milk Soft Serve (USD 5 for 4 oz. cup, USD 10 for a pint). The former is a gooey butter cake with toasted oat crust, while the latter is a soft serve ice cream made with milk, brown sugar, cereal and a sprinkle of salt.

//

The winning formula of their addictive treats is simple yet genius – salt. Tosi’s personal preference of integrating contrasting flavours for a balance has unintentionally transformed New Yorkers’ notions of confectionary forever. Even those without a sweet tooth found themselves irresistibly hooked!

From Martha Stewart Weddings magazine to even The Tonight Show, Momofuku Milk Bar has made an appearance on almost every press possible. Over the years, word of Momofuku Milk Bar has crossed continents and became a must-eat destination for foodies worldwide. We were not disappointed – Tosi’s marvelous desserts were indeed worthy of its hype!

Momofuku Milk Bar
251 E 13th St, New York
Tel: (347) 577 9504
Daily: 9am – 12midnight
Nearest Station: 3 Av

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She was previously a marketing executive and freelance photographer in the food industry. Her work has been published on Epicure, Lifestyle Asia and Meld Magazine etc.

We’ve been on a mission to try the best lobster rolls in New York City over the past week, and our latest discovery is Red Hook Lobster Pound. Just to be clear, Red Hook Lobster Pound is not exactly a hidden secret. If any, it is a popular Brooklyn seafood chain with an outlet in Manhattan, as well as a food truck. Cool, yes?

Its Manhattan outlet is tucked in a small alley off East 1st Street. There are five lobster rolls on the menu – Maine Style (US$16), Tuscan Style (US$16), Connecticut Style (US$16), Lobster BLT (US$18), Bikini Style (US$16) – and every lobster roll comes with 1/4 lb fresh-picked Maine lobster on a grilled, top-split hotdog bun with a Brooklyn Brine Pickle.

The Maine Style Lobster Roll was lightly tossed with homemade mayo, but we preferred the hot and buttery Connecticut Style Lobster Roll, which was served warm with butter and lemon.

Lobster rolls aside, you can also find other lobster dishes such as Lobster Mac & Cheese (US$12), Lobster Caprese Salad (US$13), Lobster Elote (US$13).

If you go to its original store in Brooklyn, you can enjoy a full lobster dinner menu with more options, and that includes Lobster Cheese Fries (US$15), Lobster Rolls (S$20), Steamed 1lb Lobster (market price).

And the ultimate question – Luke’s Lobster or Red Hook Lobster Pound? We love that Luke’s Lobster is very focused and serves only three different rolls on the menu. Red Hook Lobster Pound, on the other hand, is somewhat like a more affordable version of Ed’s Lobster Bar, offering a variety of lobster dishes.

Either way, New Yorkers are very lucky to have both Luke’s Lobster and Red Hook Lobster Pound in the city. If we were living in the Big Apple, we’d be frequenting both outlets every week.

Red Hook Lobster Pound
16 Extra Place, New York
Sun: 12pm – 8pm
Tue to Fri: 11.30am – 9pm
Sat: 12pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: 2 Av

Morning walks in SoHo, Manhattan saw us combing the streets to feed our perpetual hunger for beautiful cafes and coffee places, and one of those finds include this gem of a place called Maman.

Slightly off the beaten tracks of SoHo, Maman is a coffee, bakery and lunch outlet – or what we would like to think of as one of our favourite finds in Mahattan.

There is something about florals and French jazz that gets our hearts. This rustic bakery is every bit visually arresting. The space is lavishly filled with fresh blooms in whites and purples, like a garden that Audrey Hepburn would be seen having cakes at.

The aroma of fresh bake perfumes the place daily, and French jazz tracks are on the loop. Bakers are hard at work, and diners start their days with gorgeous house bakes and coffee; Maman is an artisanal breakfast spot, indeed.

But actually, we would say to ditch the coffee and go for the Lavender Hot Chocolate (US$4 for small, US$4.90 for large). Infused with fresh lavender, this sweet drink is brilliantly fragrant and completely addictive. It was the best that we ever had, and we couldn’t help but to get a second helping.

Maman bakes lovely pound cakes, and the one to try is most definitely the Lavender Blueberry Pound Cake (US$3.50). Lightly sweet and as au naturel as it can get, this had us change our minds about pound cakes being dry and boring.

There is also a range of quiches daily, and they are US$6.53 for a huge slice. You can have your regular croissants (US$3.50) too. If you need something more wholesome, why not pick the Egg Salad Sandwich (US$6)? We love how it is not just your typical egg mayo sandwich, but one with avocado and dill.

Did we also mention that Maman has a merchandise corner where you can pick up healthy chips, preserves and baking needs too?

Maman
239 Centre Street, New York
Tel: +01 (212) 226 0770
Mon to Fri: 7am – 6pm
Sat: 8am – 6pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Canal Street/Spring Street

There are tons of restaurants that sell lobster rolls in New York City, but Luke’s Lobster has made a name for itself by bringing the best of the Maine Coast to New York City with fresh Maine lobster, crab and shrimp rolls at unbeatable prices.

The Shrimp Roll starts at just US$8, while the Crab Roll is US$13. Unlike most seafood restaurants in the Big Apple which charge over US$30 for a Lobster Roll, Luke’s is selling its Lobster Roll at a jaw-dropping price of only US$16!

Established in October of 2009, Luke’s Lobster has since gone on a rapid expansion and it currently has 16 outlets, including a Nauti Mobile food truck and its first shop in Chicago. An impressive showing for a humble lobster shack.

The Lobster Roll here is made of claw and knuckle meat, with lemon butter and a light mayo dressing which does not overwhelm the taste of sweet lobster flesh. Also very gratifying is the Crab Roll. Like the Lobster Roll, it is filled with chunks of crab meat that are almost spilling out from the bun. Wash everything down with a Maine Root Soda and chips – it is one of the best meals you can have in New York City for under US$20.

If you are feeling greedy, go for the Noah’s Ark set (US$44) – it comes with two 1/2 Lobster Rolls, two 1/2 Crab Rolls, two 1/2 Shrimp Rolls, and 4 Crab Claws.

Other than the original shop in East Village, Luke’s Lobster has outlets in Financial District, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Midtown East, Park Slope,

Luke’s Lobster
93 East 7th Street
Tel: +1 212 387 8487
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Astor Place/2 Av

The Big Apple: concrete jungle where dreams are made of. Unless you’re made of cash, a holiday in this ‘concrete jungle’ will easily set you back by the thousands. So if you’re looking to tour New York city on a budget, here’s a guide on how to have your cake and eat it.

How to Get There

While there may be numerous flight comparison websites these days, we reckon your best bet would be cheapoair.com and tripadvisor.com. Needless to say, if you’re planning a trip to The Big Apple on a budget, book your trip in advance.

The general rule of thumb is the earlier you book your flight, the cheaper they’ll cost you. Booking a year in advance may even save you up to SGD900. Tip: a flight to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) tends to cost less than one to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), a mere 15-minute drive apart—a distance small enough to justify the discrepancy in airfare.

Where to Stay in New York

Accommodation in New York City doesn’t come cheap. One way to overcome exorbitant accommodation is through Airbnb—a great way to experience the city the way the locals do, make new friends, and save some cash while you’re at it.

A decent private room starts from USD30 a night for places out of the city (Queens, Bronx and Brooklyn) and USD40 for within (Manhattan). If you’re looking to experience New York City in a Sex And The City way, the Upper East Side (Manhattan) is where the magic happens. A comfortable private room will set you back an estimated USD85.

How to Get Around in New York

If you’re traveling around without a local, the best way to get around (without losing your way) is by the Metro (train). Single fares start from USD2.50 per trip, taking you as far as Manhattan to Brooklyn. If you’re planning to stay for more than four days, be sure to get the seven-day pass (USD30) that gives you unlimited rides on the Met.

As train exits may be confusing for newcomers, trust us when we say, an unlimited pass would end up costing you less than paying single-trip fares. Tip: download the free MTA Weekender app that will alert you of real time disruptions or train breakdowns—you’ll thank us for it later.

Iconic Attractions to Visit in New York

If you’ve done your homework, you’ll know that museums and parks are a must-see in New York City. That however, can mean spending a hefty wad of cash tickets.

So here’s the lowdown on how to avoid entry fees: Bronx Zoo (pay as you wish on Wednesdays—a.k.a free if you’re gutsy enough), Brooklyn Botanic Garden (free on Tuesdays, 10am to noon on Saturdays and weekdays in winter; November to February), Brooklyn Museum (free every first Saturday of the month), Museum of Modern Art (free 4pm to 8pm on Fridays), New York Aquarium (pay as you wish from 3pm on Fridays; 4pm in summer), and New York Botanical Garden (free on Wednesdays, 9am to 10am on Saturdays). Other all-day free icons attractions include Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park and Times Square.

Where to Eat in New York

A plethora of good food awaits—whatever your budget. Most gastropubs offer value-for-money lunch deals with incredibly generous portions—we’re talking to share (in terms of Asian portions). Lillie’s is such. A three-course lunch set starts from $12 (valid 11am to 2pm on weekdays) and even comes with a beer! Opt for the Lillie’s seasonal—a dark full-bodied beer with a refreshingly hoppy finish.

Not to be missed is the iconic burger joint Shake Shack. For a full Shake Shack experience, visit their original location at Madison Square Park. Queues form as early as noon (even during the winter!) so be sure to head down early. Stuffed with 100% all-natural Angus beef on a soft burger bun, you’ll be hooked at the first bite. An original ShackBurger with homemade ShackSauce costs USD4.75, or make it a double (USD7.35)—it’s just too good to share.

Where to Shop in New York

Now that we’ve settled accommodation and getting around, it’s time to get down to the fun part—where to shop. For designer goods at a fraction of the price, vintage is the way to go. One of the best places in the world for vintage designer goods, flea markets and vintage stores are abound in New York City—you just need to know where to look.

One of the most well-known ones is the Brooklyn Flea with up to eight different locations (depending on the season). Expect to find vintage designer goods—we nabbed ourselves a leather Coach bag (USD70) and an old school Dooney & Bourke leather satchel (USD90). Also available are artisan food products, handmade jewelry, antique furniture and more. There’s even a food section where you can sample delicacies by gourmet purveyors. Showcasing almost 200 vendors, set aside a full afternoon for this flea—it’s time well spent.

About the writer
Mandy Lynn is a former I-S Magazine nightlife writer and current editor of Nookmag; her dining and nightlife features have been published in Appetite Asia and Catalog Magazine. For on-the-go food recommendations, follow her on Instagram and Facebook, or join her on a Gourmet Adventure.

This post is slightly late. I had wanted to share this in January, but I was so caught up with work and travelling last month that I did not have the chance to sit down and review my year of eating.

I had many exceptional meals last year, which makes it difficult to pick my ten favourite dining experiences. As I reflected back on the places that I have eaten at over the last 12 months, the meals that left an impression and came to mind were because of the company. The best meals are often not the ones at expensive and fanciful restaurants, but the ones that you share with good friends.

Here are the ten best meals that I had in 2012.

Bourke Street Bakery

When you are visiting Sydney, a visit to Bourke Street Bakery should be on the top of your list of things to do. It is a neighbourhood joint where locals meet their friends for coffee; or drop by to grab some pastries for breakfast. Everything that we had at Bourke Street Bakery was fantastic. In particular, the chocolate tart was the best that I have had in my life.

633 Bourke Street
Surry Hills, Sydney NSW 2010
Tel: (02) 9699 1011

Black Coffee Lyrics

Black Coffee Lyrics is one of the best kept secrets in Gold Coast. It is not difficult to understand why it is so popular. The restaurant and cocktail bar is an “insider” spot for coffee and good food. It has a kick-ass vibe – artsy, cosy and very very cool. In short, the sort of underground cafe for those “in the know” to hang out.

I had a fabulous meal there, and I think you will love it too. This is definitely a must-visit place if you are in Gold Coast.

60/3131 Surfers Paradise Blvd
Level 2 Centre Arcade
Surfers Paradise QLD 4217, Australia
Tel: (07) 0218 9437

Club Street Social

There are many restaurants serving brunch, but most of them are only mediocre. Club Street Social – located at Gemmil Lane, a quiet corner off Club Street – is definitely not one of them. I am not afraid to say that it is one of the best, if not the best brunch place in town. Trust me, that is no small praise.

With great, affordable food and cocktails served in a classy environment, I have no doubt that Club Street Social is the new “IT” restaurant in Singapore. It already has plenty of fans, so plan a trip this weekend.

5 Gemmill Lane, off Club Street
Tel: +65 6225 5043

De Ji Dai Pai Dong

This meal at De Ji Dai Pai Dong in Sha Tin, Hong Kong is not fancy, nor is it particularly fantastic. What it is, however, is a simple, cheap and delicious meal. The roasted pigeons were terrific, and so were the other dishes that we had. If you ever find yourself in Hong Kong, you must have a meal at a local Dai Pai Dong.

Ditirambo Ristorante

My partner and I had our first meal in Rome at Ditirambo, and it was one of our favourite restaurants in the Eternal City. Upon stepping in, you see tables of Italian families and couples, you hear Italian ringing everywhere. Dining among the company of locals added to the experience. The menu presented a selection of good Italian food at very humble prices. I would definitely drop by Ditirambo every time I am in Rome.

Piazza della Cancelleria
74, 00186 Rome, Italy
Tel: +39 06 687 1626

Foodbar Dada

2012 will go down in history as the year of Spanish tapas. New tapas eateries are opening every month, and in Singapore, a city full of amazing restaurants, it really takes something outstanding to make me sit up and take notice.

I have been to Foodbar Dada a few times, and I have nothing but praise for them. They use fresh produce, well-seasoned with good quality olive oil, maldon sea salt, and expertly-cooked in Josper grill.

60 Robertson Quay
#01-12 Singapore
Tel: +65 6735 7738

Jaan Restaurant

One of the best meals that I had in 2011 was at Jaan Restaurant Swissotel. I am happy to tell you that it has also made it to this list for 2012. I went back to JAAN and I had a spectacular meal – Chef Julien Royer did it again. For me, Jaan is one of the best restaurants in Singapore.

2 Stamford Road
70F Swissotel The Stamford, Singapore
Tel: +65 6431 5670

Momofuku

The two meals that I had at Momofuku Ssam Bar and Momofuku Noodle Bar might not be the best I had in New York, but they were special as I am a big fan of David Chang and what he has done in the culinary world. I was really happy to be able to finally have the chance to eat at his restaurants. This alone is a reason substantial enough for me to include it as one of my best meals in 2012.

Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Ave New York
Tel: +1 212 254 3500

Momofuku Noodle Bar
171 1st Ave New York
Tel: +1 212 777 7773

Mandarin Grill

Mandarin Grill is a 1 Michelin Star restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, one of the best hotels in Hong Kong. The lunch that I had there was amazing. A-m-a-z-i-n-g.

Having fun is an often over-looked part of fine dining. So it is really nice to know that the chefs at Mandarin Grill are enjoying playing with their food, and at the same time, we get to have fun while we eat. Case in point: the flower pot salad in the first photo of this post. I’d definitely recommend Mandarin Grill if you want to splurge on a good meal in Hong Kong.

5 Connaught Road, Central
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2522 0111

Trattoria Milanese

Trattoria Milanese is an institution in Milan. It is where locals and tourists enjoy good traditional Milanese cuisine in a fine dining setting. We sampled two of the classic dishes: the Risotto Alla Milanese, a saffron-flavoured risotto; and the Cotoletta, a fried breaded veal cutlet. Both dishes were terrific.

Via Santa Marta, 11, 20123 Milan, Italy
Tel:+39 02 8645 1991

Also read: my 10 Best Meals of 2011.

Standing at the top of Rockefeller Center, one cannot help but to be blown away by the spectacular view of New York City’s skyline. Several weeks ago, I visited this beautiful city and embarked on an eating spree.

Here is a guide to 5 of New York City’s best restaurants & most talked about eateries. From a small bar-concept Japanese diner to 3 stars Michelin French restaurant, there is bound to be one that you will like.

Visiting New York City should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list. I’ve already ticked it off mine, what are you waiting for?

Curry-Ya Japanese Restaurant

Featured in reputable press like The New York Times and New York Time Out, Curry-Ya is a humble looking Japanese bar-concept restaurant that you definitely do not want to miss. The dishes may look simple but the steps to attain the quality are definitely far from easy. The gourmet curry has been skillfully stewed for 8 hours alongside with a large variety of ingredients such as spices, fruits, vegetables, chicken and oxtail soup. You must try the Baked Curry where raw eggs and the special curry sauce are alternated between layers of fragrant rice.

214 East 10th Street, New York
NY 10003, United States
Tel: +1 212 995 2877
Daily: 12noon – 11pm

Jean-Georges Restaurant

Countless of restaurants have vied hard in earning just a Michelin Star but to no avail. Yet Jean-Georges has been bestowed the honour of 3 Michelin Stars, standing out as one of the World’s best fine dining restaurants. This topnotch dining experience is pricey and fancy – no jeans allowed and reservations are required. If you love indulging in gourmet food in beautiful high-ceiling interiors, this is the place to splurge your cash. The signature dishes include sautéed sea scallops and yellow fin tuna. The desserts are interestingly yummy, ranging from spiced pumpkin macarons to nougats infused with pistachios and cranberries.

1 Central Park West, New York
NY 10023, United States
Tel: +1 212 299 3900
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Friday: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Saturday: 5.30pm – 11pm

Momofuku Milk Bar

“One of the most exciting bakeries in the country” said Bon Appetit Magazine. Momofuku Milk Bar is a cute bakery filled with heaps of delicious and creative goodies. The must try item would be cereal milk soft serve ice cream with cornflake crunch. Christina Tosi, founder of the milk bar, has made all these genius culinary ideas possible. She is also named as the rising chef of James Beard Foundation in 2012.

251 e 13th Street New york
NY 10003, corner of 13th street / 2nd avenue
Daily: 9am – 12midnight

Norma’s

Located at Le Parker Meridien Hotel, this breakfast place is extremely popular and crowded. Reservations are mandatory if you would like to have breakfast there. Having made a reservation, we still had to wait for another 20 minutes! While the service lacks efficiency, the scrumptiousness of the food does make it up. Orange juices are freshly squeezed and food comes in large portions. A complimentary shot of strawberry-papaya-pineapple smoothie is given to each customer – who doesn’t like free yummy stuff? The super cheesy French toast with caramelized onions and apple wood smoked bacon are to die for, definitely the best I ever had. If you are outrageous enough, feel free to order the USD$1000 caviar omelette and let me know if it is worth its absurd price.

119 West 56th Street, New York
NY 10019, United States
Tel: +1 212 708 7460
Mon to Fri: 7am – 3pm
Sat & Sun: 7.30am – 3pm

Lady M Confections

The widely acclaimed Lady M Confections have been featured in so many magazines i.e. Oprah Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and even VOGUE magazine for a reason – they are downright delicious! The Mille Crepes sell like hotcakes and Lady M Confections usually close its store before its official closing hours. These 20 layer thin crepe cakes comes in 3 flavours, namely orginal, green tea & chocolate. The Mille Crepe is indeed a tasty complex creation; it’s extremely thin, and light yet rich in flavour. The best part is when it melts slowly in your mouth.

41 East 78th Street, New York
NY 10021, United States
Tel: +1 212-452-2222
Mon to Fri: 10am – 7pm
Saturday: 11am – 7pm
Sunday: 11am – 6pm

About the writer
Hui Jun Ng is a Media and Communications student at RMIT University, Melbourne. She loves indulging in good food and traveling. She is part of a media productions group called CUTXPACE Productions and they recently completed a promotional video for Melbourne Art Show. You can follow her adventures in Melbourne here.

Earlier this year, I had the chance to travel to New York to visit Dean & Deluca, and I had the time of my life. During that week, I ate, and ate, and ate some more. New York is a destination for every food lover, and I was simply blown away by the dining scene.

Here’s my New York City Dining Guide. I’ve included my favourite restaurants, cheap eats, bakeries and desserts, which will make you want to buy a ticket and fly off to NYC immediately.

Where to eat in New York City? Read on and find out more!

Restaurants

Imperial No. 9 (first picture of this post) is my dream restaurant. I fell in love with it at first sight. You must go there for brunch when you are in New York.

I will jump straight to one of my favourite places in New York. Prune (54 E 1st Street First Avenue New York Tel: +01 212 677 6221) – a tiny restaurant on the fringe of East Village which has an almost cult-like following – does not take reservations for brunch on weekend, so I was there early to queue up for a spot. I was not disappointed. The food is unpretentious and delicious. I’d highly recommend going there for a meal when you are in NYC.

On W Houston Street, you have Burger and Barrel (25 West Houston Street New York Tel: +01 212 334 7320) – a gastrobar restaurant that serves simple comfort food like burgers and sandwiches. It has a terrific atmosphere, making it the perfect place to have a nice dinner with a glass of wine or beer.

Ippudo (51 4th Avenue New York Tel: +01 212 388v0088) in NYC was quite an experience. Cool music, trendy vibe, and good ramen. There’s only one word to describe it: wow. Remember to have the pork buns for appetisers when you are there.

Momofuku Noodle Bar (171 1st Avenue New York; between 10th and 11th street Tel: +01 212 777 7773) has often been compared with Ippudo, so I had to make a trip there to find out. Dining at Momofuku Noodle Bar is a casual affair and I enjoyed my meal there. While Ippudo has better ramen than Momofuku, the latter wins in terms of the famous pork buns.

Another David Chang’s restaurant, Momofuku Ssam Bar (207 2nd Avenue New York; corner of 13th street and 2nd Avenue Tel: +01 212 254 3500) is a place which serves pretty good food in a cool setting.

At $28, the Prix Fix menu ($28) offered excellent value. The signature tripe pork – an ideal dish to start the meal – was spicy and refreshing. I also had a duck sandwich which was very good, and I ended the meal with a grapefruit tart. I am a fan of David Chang, so don’t take my word for it. Try out his restaurants when you are in NYC.

The Korean Fried Chicken trend took New York City by storm a few years ago, and Bonchon Restaurant (957 2nd Avenue New York Tel: +01 212 308 8810) was, and still is, one of the most popular Korean Restaurants in town.

We shared a medium platter which had a mix of wings and drumsticks in soy garlic and spicy flavours. They were finger licking good (for a lack of a better term), but I have to say that there are equally good Korean fried chicken in Singapore. If you are planning to go on a hunt for the best Korean Fried Chicken in NYC, you should also check out Kyochon (350 5th Avenue New York Tel: +01 212 725 9292).

Eatalty (200 5th Avenue New York Tel: +01 212 229 2560) by Celebrity Chef Mario Batali is a gigantic food emporium with everything – from cured meats and cheeses, fruits and vegetables, fresh meats, fresh fish, handmade pasta, desserts and baked goods – under one roof. Definitely worth a visit.

Balthazar Restaurant (80 Spring Street New York Tel: +01 212 965 1414) is also a must-visit. Stepping inside Balthazar, it felt as though we were transported to Paris. It’s hard to explain but I was definitely enchanted here in a way I haven’t been in quite some time.

I had a fantastic meal at Saxon and Parole (316 Bowery New York Tel: +01 212 254 0350). Everything that we had was good, and prices are actually very reasonable for the quality of food. Try the Bone Narrow, Chicken Liver for appetisers ($11-15); Roasted Pork Belly and New York Strip for main courses (USD$20-30 for mains, and USD$28-98 for steaks).

ABC Kitchen (35 East 18th Street New York, NY 10003, United States 212 475 5829) by Jean-Georges is a very cool restaurant that focuses on offering the freshest organic and local ingredients. We tried wood oven roasted maine lobster ($57), tuna sashimi marinated with ginger and mint ($16), and roasted kabocha squash toast ($10); with the exception of the wagyu burger ($22) which was too dry, the other dishes were well-done.

The Mercer’s Kitchen (99 Prince Street New York Tel: +01 212 966 5454), another restaurant opened by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, also emphasizes pure, locally produced ingredients. A good place to grab lunch if you are shopping in the SoHo area.

We had breakfast at The Standard Grill (848 Washington Street New York Tel: +01 212 645 4100) – a steak house with an old world charm that’s really nice for all day dining. We tried almost everything on the brunch menu, and my Steak & Eggs was excellent. Definitely a place that I can see myself returning to have steaks for dinner.

Cheap Eats

Ben’s Pizza at SOHO (177 Spring Street New York Tel: +01 212 966 4494) – a place where locals go for a quick fix – offers the classic New York slice. If this is your first time in the Big Apple, you must get a slice of the famous pizza here.

Shake Shack (11 Madison Avenue New York Tel: +01 212 889 6600), arguably one of the most well-known burger places, is one of the must-eats for folks who are visiting the city for the first time. I thought that the burgers were good, but did not live up to the hype. That said, I don’t mind having it if someone is willing to wait in line to get it.

You like fried chicken? You will love Mama fried chicken (2158 8th Avenue New York Tel: +01 212 531 4595). This is the place to get American fried chicken. For less than USD$10, you can have a meal with three pieces of finger-licking good fried chicken. They are, without exaggerating, the best fried chicken I’ve had in my life.

Katz’s Delicatessen (205 East Houston Street New York Tel: +01 212 254 2246) has the best pastrami sandwich (USD$15). I repeat: Best. Pastrami. Sandwich. Make a trip there, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

On the same street, you have Russ and Daughters (179 East Houston Street New York Tel: +01 212 475 4880) – an institution in New York. Everyone goes there for its smoke-salmon bagels.

S’mac (345 East 12th Street New York Tel: +01 212 358 7912) You like Mac & Cheese? You will like S’mac. This is a Mac & Cheese specialty restaurant – they offer Mac & Cheese with interesting flavours like four cheese, cheeseburger, cajun, and masala. The Mac & Cheese comes in different portions, with the small starting at USD$4.75, medium at USD$7.75, and big at USD$13.5.

You mustn’t miss out on trying Lobster Roll when you are in New York City, and you can find the best at Luke’s Lobster (93 East 7th Street Tel: +01 212 387 8487). They use fresh lobster, and each roll comes with a generous portion of lobster meat. Besides lobster roll (USD$15), they also have crab roll ($11) and Shrimp Roll ($8). I’d go so far as to say that this is one of the things that you must eat in New York.

East Village is a foodie paradise, and just a few steps down from Luke’s Lobster, you have Porchetta (110 E 7th Street 1st Avenue Tel: +01 212 777 2151) – a small little joint that is known for their Prochetta Sandwiches (USD$10).

If you are familiar with the New York food scene, you would have probably heard of Big Gay ice cream truck, which combines traditional soft-serve ice cream with imaginative toppings such as wasabi pea dust, Nilla Wafers, Dulce de Leche, olive oil and sea salt. Big Gay ice cream shop (125 East 7th Street; between 1st Avenue & Avenue A) is the owners’ first brick and mortar store, and they offer the full menu to satisfy your ice cream cravings.

For those of you who want a quick meal, Yakitori Taisho (5 St Marks Place between 3rd Ave and Astor Place Tel:+01 212 228 5086) – a popular izakaya in East Village – has decent yakitori at affordable prices.

For other cheap eats in New York, you need to get your hands on hotdogs. I was told by friends that Gray’s Papaya (2090 Broadway New York Tel: +01 212 799 0243) has a pretty decent hotdog. Chipotle (various outlets) – a popular Mexican fast food restaurant – has surprisingy good taco and burrito. And of course, there are plenty of food trucks around New York City, while not all of them are good, there are some really special ones like Kimchi Tacos, Greek Souviaki, and Wafels and Dinges. Fresh, cheap, and amazing street food.

Bakeries and Desserts

How can anyone visit New York without having the red velvet cupcake from the world famous Magnolia Bakery (401 Bleecker Street New York Tel: +01 212 462 2572)? While there are some people who feel that Magnolia Bakery is over-rated, I beg to differ – the cupcakes are surprisingly good, albeit a little too sweet.

Ceci Cela Patisserie (55 Spring Street New York Tel: +01 212 274 9179), a humble French pastry shop – came highly recommended. They have excellent desserts, remember to drop by when you are shopping in the SoHo area.

Another cafe that you should check out in SoHo is Vive La Crepe (51 Spring Street New York Tel: +01 646 484 6897) – just two shops away from Ceci Cela, – which offers delicious savory and sweet crepes.

Pinkberry (41 Spring Street New York Tel+01 888 757 2331) is probably the best froyo in the States. If you have not tried it before, you must get it!

Dominque Ansel (189 Spring Street New York Tel:+01 212 219 2773) is not your usual neighbourhood bakery. It is opened by Dominique Ansel, who was the pastry chef at Daniel for six years. Besides the usual croissants, macarons and éclairs, something that you absolutely can’t miss, is the DKA pastry.

For organic pastries, go to Bird Bath Bakery (169 Prince Street New York Tel: +01 646 722 6565). Trust me, there’s no way you are going to leave the shop empty-handed. There’s also Ivy’s Bakery (138 W Houston Street New York Tel: +01 347 598 3452), a small and cosy cafe that serves different pies and cupcakes.

If you are looking to get gifts for your friends, drop by Xocolatti (172 Prince Street New York Tel: +01 212 256 0332) – one of the most popular chocolate shops – where you can find handcrafted chocolate and exotic truffles. I am not kidding about the exotic flavours. Expect ingredients like Indian cardamom, Iranian pistachios and Spanish saffron.

Junior Cheesecake (Grand Central Terminal New York Tel: +01 212 692 9800) has often been mentioned as one of the best, if not the best cheesecake in New York, and indeed, it did not disappoint. It was so good that I hand-carried three whole cakes back to Singapore.

For something more refined, Chikalicious Dessert Bar (204 E. 10th St, between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave, 212 475 0929) has a dessert prix fix menu where you get an amuse bouche, dessert and petit four. Across the street, their sister cafe, Chikalicious offers simpler but equally delicious desserts like chocolate pudding, cupcakes, and chocolate lava cake. We had a Chocolate Eclair – which was wonderful, and Sloppy Dough – a deep fried donut filled with vanilla cream custard.

Fans of Laduree will be delighted to know that they have a store in New York. Enough said.

One of my favourite cupcake places is Georgetown cupcakes (111 Mercer Street New York Tel: +01 212 431 4504). This is definitely a place you can’t miss if you are going on a quest to find the best cupcakes in New York.

If you like Japanese desserts, you must check out Kyotofu (705 9th Avenue New York Tel: +01 212 974 6012) – New York’s award-winning Japanese Dessert Bar & Bakery. Since opening, Kyotofu has quickly become New Yorkers’ favourite hangout place.

Amy’s Bread (250 Bleecker Street New York Tel: +01 212 675 7802) is a cosy bakery cafe where locals go for breakfast, lunch and desserts. We tried their Red Velvet Cake, and I’m happy to say that it was one of the better ones that I’ve had.