This food guide on the top places to eat in NYC was updated in November 2019
What’s better than a NYC Girl’s Trip? A Girl’s Trip with friends that love searching for the best places you must eat in NYC! Recently, I traveled to New York City to volunteer for the New York City Wine & Food Festival, hosted by and benefiting the Food Bank For New York City and No Kid Hungry.
In between my volunteer shifts, I planned my day carefully to try as many foods as possible. Following is a guide of of the top 10 Places you must eat in NYC on your next girls trip.
Top 10 Places you Must Eat in NYC
Supermoon Bakehouse
When you walk into Supermoon Bakehouse, you may feel overwhelmed by the gorgeous artisanal pastries. First, ask yourself if are you in the mood for something sweet, savory or well-balanced. Then, ask the friendly staff for recommendations based on what you are craving. The Supermoon staff was not only friendly, but very well versed in each pastry and is quick to offer recommendations.
Cruffin, Passion Fruit and Chocolate Croissant, and Black Coffee.
I was immediately drawn to the beauty of the Passion Fruit and Chocolate Croissant. The fruit and delicate touch of chocolate in this croissant works beautifully. In addition to the croissant, I sampled the Cruffin filled with an intoxicating vanilla praline cream. As well as the beautiful flavors, it is important to note the gorgeous and impeccable construction of these pastries.
Passion Fruit and Chocolate Croissant
If you visit Supermoon, order the Cruffin and your choice of croissant. The bakehouse may be small, but it has charming pink marble tables and white chair stools for guests to enjoy their pastries and coffee. A noteworthy kudos to Supermoon for their choice in music. They definitely know how to get down while baking.
Doughnut Plant
My family and I have been loyal Doughnut Plant patrons for about 15+ years and counting. If our schedule allows, we will literally visit the original Grand Street location every day. If I am traveling with my family, an assorted doughnut order is a must, since everyone has their own favorite. My all time favorite Doughnut Plant item is the Peanut Butter & Jam square donut. The Plant’s jams are made in house and the flavors change seasonally. Other family favorites include the Creme Brûlée, the Tres Leches, and the Coconut Creme doughnut.
Peanut Butter & Blackberry Jam square donut.
SERRA D’AUTUNNO by Birreria
SERRA by Birreria is a seasonal rooftop restaurant located on the 14th floor of Eataly’s Flatiron. The NYC rooftop changes both it’s décor and menu seasonally. Serra not only offers a diverse dining experience to its frequent customers, but its Instagram worthy décor makes it a coveted spot for food, lifestyle, and fashion bloggers.
Although the restaurant has some wonderful cocktail options, I ordered the PERA Mocktail. The libation is made with Pear Pureé, Honey Syrup, Lemon, Apple Cider, and it is garnished with Cloves. Although it is a Mocktail, I added Vodka for an extra kick.
PERA Mocktail with Vodka.
My favorite bites featured on SERRA’s Autumn menu includes the TAGLIERI DI SALUMI E FORMAGGI, a Chef Selection of Cured Meats and Cheeses, and the ARANCINI with Urbani Black Truffle and Lemon Aioli. Independent of what you order, don’t for get to soak in the décor and capture your perfect selfie with the gorgeous back drop.
TAGLIERI DI SALUMI E FORMAGGI
Mia’s Bakery
A NYC trip would not be complete without a visit to Mia’s Brooklyn Bakery. I’ve been stalking the bakery’s Instagram for a year now and I knew I had to stop by one of their locations. If you can’t make it to Brooklyn, Mia’s has a Time Square location. Two items that I have had my eyes on are the bakery’s Blackout Cake and the Italian Rainbow Cookies.
Italian Rainbow Cookie.
If you enjoy a rainbow cookie, every bite of Mia’s rendition is lovely. The almond flavors are on point, as well as the marriage of raspberry and apricot jams that glue the cookie layers together. The thin top and bottom layers of dark chocolate is a delicious bonus. My only regret during my visit is not taking a Blackout Cake to go. I had the full intention of returning for a slice, but my unpredictable schedule had other plans. If you haven’t had an Italian Rainbow Cookie in NYC, yet, a visit to Mia’s is a perfect introduction.
Totto Ramen
I came across Toto Ramen on Yelp and it was coincidentally a 15 minute NYC walk from where I was working. I ordered the restaurant’s best seller, The Spicy Mega Paitan. The chicken paitan is loaded with char siu pork, pork belly chunks, garlic, onion, bean sprouts, scallions, cabbage, and a half boiled egg. I loved the thick hot broth and the noodles were cooked perfectly. Before you decide to dine at Totto, here are few pro tips:
- This is a cash only eatery.
- There will be a wait.
- Write your name and amount of guests in your party at the hostess stand.
- Be ready to provide the hostess with your food order when she calls your name.
- You will be seated shortly after the hostess takes your food order and your food will be provided shortly, thereafter.
Totto Ramen’s Spicy Mega Paitan.
Levain Bakery
When I first visited Levain five years ago, the bakery only had one location in the Upper West Side. During this recent trip, I discovered that they have four additional NYC locations with one in NoHo coming soon.
Oatmeal Raisin, Chocolate Chip, and Chocolate Chip Walnut are three of the four 6oz softball size cookies that are baked on site of each bakery. The fourth cookie, which is also my favorite, is the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip. Although it has been five years since my last visit, each bite of the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip is perfectly delicious as I remember.
Levain’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip.
What makes Levain’s cookies special? Obviously, these 6 oz beauties are breathtaking, however, their thick almost bread like appearance has a beautiful and moist texture without being too sweet or over indulgent. That said, I can never finish one Levain cookie in one sitting. I typically will share one Levain cookie with three to four friends.
Chocolate Chip Walnut.
Fat Witch Bakery
10 years ago, I was gifted a box of Fat Witch brownies and to this day I am a loyal fan. In addition to their Chelsea Market location, Fat Witch Bakery also has a storefront in Japan. The brownies are sold in 3.5 oz and 1.5 oz. packaged and sealed bites.
The original brownie, Fat Witch.
Fat Witch is the original brownie, but there are more than ten assorted flavors, including Coffee Witch, Caramel Witch, and Matcha Witch. White Chocolate Lovers will need to try Snow Witch! A couple of my other favorites are Blonde Witch and Double Chocolate Witch.
Snow Witch is a white chocolate lover’s dream.
Magnolia Bakery
As much as I tried to visit all the foodie spots on my agenda, there were a couple that I just could not tackle. I only had one hour to spare between work and a ticketed event at the NYC Wine and Food Festival and luckily, I was able to power walk my way to the Magnolia Bakery on the Upper West Side. The banana pudding at this bakery is iconic and I agree that it delicious. In addition to Magnolia’s famous banana pudding, the bakery also sells a chocolate pudding, and a flavor of the month!
Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding.
The Columbus Avenue location has plenty of seating inside to enjoy a cup of coffee and their signature desserts. In addition to these items, Magnolia also sells assorted cookies, pies, cheesecakes, cakes, and cupcakes. Some of my other Magnolia favorites include their Peanut Butter Cookie and Lemon Pound Cake.
In addition to these items, Magnolia also sells assorted cookies, pies, cheesecakes, cakes, and cupcakes.
My Pie Pizzeria Romana
Let’s be honest. Is it possible to get a bad slice of pizza in NYC? Regardless of where I go in NYC, the pizza is always on point. I was in the neighborhood of My Pie Pizzeria one night and given that it had great Yelp reviews, it was a no brainer that I would check it out.
Truffle Oil & Mushroom Slice and The Nonnina.
I ordered the Truffle Oil & Mushroom Slice and the Grandma – “Nonnina”. Of the two, the Nonnina was my favorite. It’s made with organic tomato sauce, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella, roasted garlic, Parmesan cheese, and Italian virgin olive oil. If my stomach would have allowed it, I would have ordered five more rectangular sized slices of the Nonnina.
Honorable Mentions of the Best Places you Must Eat in NYC:
Clinton Street Baking Company
Although Clinton Street Baking Company may be perceived as touristy, their breakfast options are delicious. If you are in the mood for a savory option or just not sure what to order, The Country Breakfast is a great start. Three eggs are prepared any style, alongside Heritage Maple Cured Ham, Hashbrowns, and a Biscuit.
The Country Breakfast.
Clinton Street’s biscuits also deserve an honorable mention, alongside their raspberry jam. If you want to kick up this Country Breakfast up a notch, order a side of cheesy grits. Not only was I surprised to see grits on the menu, but they were prepared deliciously with a generous amount of cheese. Pro tip: this is a cash only restaurant that will only seat complete parties.
Red Eye Grill
If pancakes are your weakness, a visit to Red Eye Grill is in order. I admit I was not convinced when the restaurant’s host mentioned that the pancakes were Red Eye’s breakfast specialty. Our table ordered the Classic Buttermilk Pancakes and everyone was wishing they had a personal stack for themselves. The pancakes are delicately thick and pillowy. They are topped with strawberries and served with a side of maple syrup and whipped cream. Not only were these pancakes a favorite for the adults, but most importantly the four year old in our group.
Classic Buttermilk Pancakes.
America Girl Café
If you have a little girl in your life, chances are you have heard of the American Girl doll. The American Girl store not only sells dolls, clothes, doll furniture, doll accessories, books, but some cities have an America Girl Café. Although I do not own a doll, my niece does and a NYC girls trip with her requires a visit to the NYC café. The menu is naturally kid friendly with some decent options for adults. Pro tip: make a reservation and don’t forget your American Girl doll. Each restaurant has a special seat designed so the doll can join in on Café experience.
America Girl Café has plenty of satisfying adult option entrees.
If you are feeling guilty about consuming these decadent treats, don’t. I have not had a NYC trip to date where I didn’t exceed my 10,000 steps to balance the amount of calories I consumed each day. In addition to the places you must eat in NYC, here are some non-food essentials that are guaranteed to make your trip pleasant.
- A good pair of walking shoes or sneakers.
- An umbrella or poncho
- An unlimited subway pass for the duration of your trip.
I will save this for when we travel NYC
Awesome! So glad you can use it as a reference!