Where to eat in New York: 9 spots from bistros to the first pizzeria in the USA

Gastronomic New York is overwhelming in its choices. On a single block in SoHo or DUMBO there are more places than you could visit during an entire trip. A French bistro, Brooklyn pizza, and an Asian food hall sit on neighboring streets here, and without a plan you will waste time searching.

We have gathered nine places in different neighborhoods of Manhattan and Brooklyn, from morning coffee in Midtown to the first pizzeria in the US. For each one, we noted what to order, who it's for, and which neighborhood to find it in. All information has been checked against the official websites of the establishments.

Short answer: for dinner with wine, go to Balthazar in SoHo; for pizza, go to Lombardi's in Nolita; and for views of the Brooklyn Bridge, head up to Time Out Market in DUMBO. The full list is below.

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How to choose a restaurant in New York

💡 In short:

• In Midtown and the Financial District, breakfast is convenient: from there you can head out on foot.
• In SoHo and Nolita, book a table in advance: the dining rooms fill up in the evening.
• In Brooklyn, choose places near the waterfront: the windows look out onto the Brooklyn Bridge.
• Addresses: 09/2026, according to official websites of the establishments, for example on the official Chelsea Market website.

The neighborhood matters more here than the cuisine. New York is big, and an hour on the subway easily kills your appetite. First choose the area where you want to walk, then look for a restaurant nearby. Below are nine establishments by neighborhood: Midtown, the Financial District, SoHo, Nolita, and the East Village in Manhattan, Chelsea to the west, and DUMBO in Brooklyn. Most places have an address listed for your navigation app, but it's worth checking the hours on the official website before visiting.

1. Angelina Paris

Angelina Paris operates near Bryant Park in Midtown. People come here for the pastries: croissants, cakes, and their own tarts. In the morning, the menu includes eggs Benedict, salads, and fresh pastries to go with coffee.

A separate reason to stop by: the thick hot chocolate, which is served almost like a dessert. Portions are large, so one dessert and two drinks will be enough for two people.

• Cuisine: French pastries, breakfasts, and desserts.
• Location: Midtown, near Bryant Park.
• Who it's for: for morning coffee after a walk in the park.

2. La Parisienne

La Parisienne operates in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan. The cafe was opened by a young couple from France who previously worked in New York restaurants. The doors open early in the morning, so people grab breakfast here before work.

The menu includes avocado toast, yogurt, a croissant, and blueberry pancakes. For vegetarians, vegans, and those who don't eat gluten, there are separate dishes, so you'll find an option that fits your diet.

• Cuisine: French breakfasts and lunches.
• Location: Financial District, Lower Manhattan.
• Who it's for: for breakfast before a walk to the waterfront.

3. Balthazar

© Paul Lowry · CC BYPhoto: Paul Lowry, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), Flickr

Balthazar has been operating in SoHo since 1997 (Balthazar New York). It's a classic Parisian bistro with mirrors and high ceilings. The menu includes steak frites, oysters, and French onion soup, and for dessert, pavlova and chocolate doughnuts.

The restaurant serves a lot of guests and is open seven days a week, from breakfast to dinner. In the evening, without a reservation you risk not getting a table, so it's better to book in advance.

• Cuisine: French, bistro format.
• What to order: oysters, onion soup, steak frites.
• Location: SoHo, 80 Spring Street (address and hours).
• The catch: in the evening the dining room is very busy, and there are almost no free tables.

4. Al Mar

Al Mar cooks in Brooklyn's DUMBO, at 111 Front St (Al Mar DUMBO). From here you can walk to the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River waterfront. The kitchen stays true to classic Italian home cooking traditions.

The menu features seasonal appetizers, Alfredo's signature meatballs, and pasta made from different types of noodles. Locals consider it their neighborhood spot, so lunch here is calmer than in the touristy areas.

• Cuisine: Italian, pasta and home-style recipes.
• What to order: Alfredo's meatballs, pasta, seasonal antipasti.
• Location: Brooklyn, DUMBO, 111 Front St (restaurant website).
• Who it's for: for lunch before a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

5. Chelsea Market

© Giorgio Galeotti · CC BYPhoto: Giorgio Galeotti, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Chelsea Market occupies a full block at 75 Ninth Avenue, between 15th and 16th Streets (official website). It's not a restaurant but a market: under one roof you'll find supermarkets, kitchens, workshops, and offices. Entry is free, and it's open every day.

It's home to one of the best fish shops in the city, artisanal cheeses, and imported Italian seafood. Another reason to stop by: this building once housed the Nabisco factory, where, according to historical records, the Oreo cookie was born.

If you want to visit several markets and kitchens with a guide, check out New York food tours on GetYourGuide.

• Cuisine: food market, kitchens from different countries in one place.
• What to get: fish, cheeses, Italian seafood.
• Location: Manhattan, Chelsea, 75 Ninth Avenue (address and hours).
• The catch: it gets crowded on weekends, so look for a free table right away.

6. Lombardi's

© Beyond My Ken · CC BY-SAPhoto: Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Lombardi's operates in Nolita, at 32 Spring Street on the corner of Mott Street (official website). According to the site, it's the first pizzeria in the US, and the pizza here is still baked in a coal-fired oven.

Inside there are wooden floors, brick walls, and red-and-white tablecloths. The crust is thin, and the toppings are simple: tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. In the evening the room fills up quickly, so come at opening time or get your pizza to go.

• Cuisine: Neapolitan pizza in the American tradition.
• What to order: the classic pizza with mozzarella and basil.
• Location: Manhattan, Nolita, 32 Spring Street (pizzeria website).
• The catch: the menu has barely changed in decades, and the selection is narrow.

7. Time Out Market New York

© (User: Wgreaves ) · CC BY-SAPhoto: (User: Wgreaves ), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Time Out Market New York occupies two floors of the Empire Stores building in DUMBO, at 55 Water Street (market page). Under one roof, it brings together two dozen kitchens and several bars, plus a stage for live performances.

Among the vendors are fried chicken from Jacob's Pickles, pizza from Fornino, and ice cream from Sugar Hill Creamery. The rooftop terrace overlooks the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge, so people come here at sunset. The market is open daily, and on Friday and Saturday it closes later than usual.

• Cuisine: a food hall with kitchens from different countries.
• What to order: fried chicken, pizza, and ice cream from local producers.
• Location: Brooklyn, DUMBO, Empire Stores, 55 Water Street (address and hours).
• Who it's for: for sunset and a walk near the Brooklyn Bridge.

8. Sweetgreen

© Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA · CC BYPhoto: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The sweetgreen chain is a good fit for those who eat light and want lunch without a long wait. They make tofu, quinoa salad, corn, and watermelon salad, and you can wash it all down with iced tea or lemonade. The menu changes with the season, so the selection is wider in summer.

There's no single address for this place: locations are spread across the city, and you'll find the nearest one on the map. People stop in between museums and walks, when there's no time for a full sit-down meal.

• Cuisine: salads, vegetarian and light dishes.
• What to order: tofu, quinoa salad, watermelon salad.
• Location: a chain with locations throughout the city.
• Not for: those looking for the atmosphere of a standalone restaurant rather than a chain location.

9. S'MAC (Sarita's Macaroni and Cheese)

© Mack Male from Edmonton, AB, Canada · CC BY-SAPhoto: Mack Male from Edmonton, AB, Canada, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

S'MAC is located in the East Village, at 197 1st Ave (official website). The first location opened here on June 24, 2006, and it's a restaurant dedicated entirely to macaroni and cheese. It's made with cheddar, and you can add bacon.

Portion sizes and prices vary, but the sauce is always baked and served hot. Some dishes are made low-carb and gluten-free, so people who watch what they eat come here too.

• Cuisine: American, macaroni and cheese.
• What to order: classic cheddar mac and cheese, with bacon.
• Location: Manhattan, East Village, 197 1st Ave (restaurant website).

What to choose: cuisines and neighborhoods

If you're still deciding between French, Italian, and American cuisine, compare the spots by neighborhood. The table below shows where to find what.

Pick a row based on your mood and neighborhood, not the cuisine name. You can't cover the whole list on foot in one day, so spread the spots across the days of your trip.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Where can I try French pastries in New York?

Go to Angelina Paris near Bryant Park or La Parisienne in the Financial District. Both serve croissants, toasts, and desserts with coffee. For a full Parisian-style dinner, go with Balthazar in SoHo: they have oysters, onion soup, and steak frites.

Which pizzeria in New York is considered the first?

Lombardi's in Nolita. According to the official website, it's the first pizzeria in the US, and the pizza is still baked in a coal oven. Tables fill up fast in the evening, so come at opening or get your pizza to go.

How is a food hall different from a regular restaurant?

Time Out Market in DUMBO doesn't have a single menu: there are about twenty kitchens and several bars, and you order food at each counter separately. Sit at a communal table or on the terrace overlooking the East River. For a large group, this is more convenient than a traditional restaurant.

Where can I grab a quick lunch in New York?

The fastest option is a market: at Chelsea Market you can get takeout from any kitchen, and the sweetgreen chain prepares salads and light dishes in just a few minutes. At food halls you pay per dish, so you build your own final check.

Is Chelsea Market worth visiting for groceries?

Yes, if you're renting an apartment or want to bring food home. There are cheese shops, a fish market, and counters with imported Italian products. Evenings are less crowded than weekend afternoons, and the lines at the kitchens are shorter.

In short: what's worth booking

• If you want a Parisian-style dinner, go with Balthazar in SoHo.
• If you're after pizza, look for Lombardi's in Nolita.
• If you want views and a communal table, head up to Time Out Market in DUMBO.
• If you need a quick lunch, stop by sweetgreen or Chelsea Market.

French breakfasts are easy to start in Midtown, and an Italian dinner in Brooklyn. It's worth booking a table in advance for weekends, when the dining rooms fill up. You can compare food tours around the city on GetYourGuide.