New York's Best Restaurants for Black Friday and Holiday Shopping Breaks
Shopping in Manhattan’s Soho (Photo: Thinkstock)
New York City is one of the world’s most popular shopping destinations, particularly at this time of year, with travelers coming for the holiday department store windows, the Rockefeller Center tree, and of course, the great shopping all over town. Unsurprisingly, there are terrific restaurants in the city’s most essential shopping neighborhoods. Because, let’s face it, even the most fervent shopaholic needs to eat.
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Here’s our rundown of the best places around town to refuel, whether you’re planning a lavish occasion-worthy meal or just want a quick takeout snack to continue shopping without dropping.
Midtown
Arguably New York’s most quintessential neighborhood for Christmas shopping, midtown Manhattan is filled with both luxury and mass retailers, plus legendary department stores… and, of course, those must-see holiday windows.
La dolce vita at Armani Ristorante (Photo: Armani Ristorante)
Although it’s smack in the middle of a bustling, luxurious stretch of Fifth Avenue — near Tiffany and Company, Bergdorf Goodman, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci — Armani Ristorante is a bit of an insiders’ secret, accessed through a low-key side-street entrance. It’s admittedly pricey, but the Milanese food is delicious (particularly the pastas) and there’s an excellent wine list, too.
Steal: Burger Joint, La Bonne Soupe
Pour some ketchup on me at the Burger Joint (Photo: Burger Joint/Facebook)
Hidden inside the Parker Meridien Hotel, Burger Joint is exactly what the name implies: an unpretentious spot for a quick and juicy and perfectly cooked burger.
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La Bonne Soupe, a New York institution (Photo: La Bonne Soupe)
For a broader menu, New Yorkers have flocked to nearby La Bonne Soupe for decades to sample its fondues, salads with distinctively Dijony vinagrette, and, indeed, warming soups.
Grab & Go: Juice Press
A mean green juice at Juice Press (Photo: Juice Press/Facebook)
For healthy refueling, an easy choice is the West 55th branch of Juice Press, a local chain that offers snacks like nutty raw granola, along with an array of juices and what they’ve dubbed cracko del jacko (a guilt-free take on Cracker Jacks).
Herald Square
Macy’s is a magnet for shoppers this time of year; the bustling area (which also includes a long stretch of shops on West 34th Street) has an almost tangible holiday feel.
Splurge: Ai Fiori
Sleek dining at Ai Fiori (Photo: Ai Fiori)
Just a few blocks from Macy’s, inside the Langham Place Fifth Avenue, Ai Fiori is refined, sophisticated, and more than a little bit fancy. It’s an ideal place for, say, a birthday dinner, but locals come for brunches and power breakfasts, thanks to indulgent dishes like lobster Benedict and duck confit hash with poached eggs.
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Steal: New Wonjo
Korean barbecue at New Wonjo (Photo: New Won Jo)
The stretch of 32nd Street west of Fifth Avenue is also known as Koreatown, a block that is literally packed with restaurants offering great authentic food that’s not too pricey. As long as you like Asian food, it’s hard to go wrong here, but a local favorite is New Wonjo, which specializes in addictive barbecue.
Grab & Go: No 7. Sandwich Shop
Hipster sandwiches at No. 7 Sandwich Shop (Photo: No. 7 Sandwich Shop/Facebook)
At the side of the hipster-beloved Ace Hotel sits No 7. Sandwich Shop, with plenty of hearty and urbane choices (and a particularly deep assortment of vegetarian options). Our favorite: the zucchini parm, with fontina cheese and pickled jalapenos.
Soho
Once the core of New York’s artist community, Soho is now an appealing mix of large stores (both affordable and luxe) and tastemaker boutiques, making it a particularly inviting neighborhood for shopping and a stroll.
Splurge: Crosby Street Hotel
Crosby Street Hotel — a British import (Photo: Crosby Street Hotel)
The cozy Crosby Street Hotel, part of the British Firmdale chain, is particularly popular for afternoon tea. (In addition to scones and sandwiches, the drink itself is special here, supplied by the England’s connoisseur-favorite, the Rare Tea Company.) But the food here is excellent all day long — especially at Sunday brunch — and the vibe is downtown cool without being intimidating.
Steal: Hampton Chutney
Dosas and chutneys at Hampton Chutney Co. (Photo: Hampton Chutney Co.)
Hampton Chutney has a hippie-meets-zen feel, but its trademark dosas — giant griddled rice crepes stuffed with fillings like grilled chicken with goat cheese, spinach and roasted tomato — are straightforward and absolutely delicious.
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It’s not the cronut, but Birdgate’s pretzel croissant is equally addictive (Photo: City Bakery/Facebook)
Birdbath on Prince Street is part of a local chain run by baker Maury Rubin, inventor of the much acclaimed (and truly addictive) pretzel croissant. Those are unquestionably tasty, but not to miss here are the huge vegan chocolate chip cookies, as gooey and rich as the traditional variety.
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Flatiron/Union Square
Anchored by Union Square, which hosts an inviting European-style holiday market, and the Flatiron building, this area is a quirky mix of national chains (like Anthropologie and J. Crew) and local stores with a precise edit of distinctive finds.
Spurge: ABC Kitchen
Healthy and stylish at ABC Kitchen (Photo: ABC Home)
At ABC Kitchen the quality of the ingredients — most of which are locally-sourced and seasonal — is a priority, as is having a menu that’s on the healthy side but never feels like health food. (Case in point: Roasted kabocha squash toast with ricotta and apple cider vinegar, a signature dish.) Also worth trying, particularly in the evening: ABC Cocina, its sister Mexican restaurant, just around the block.
Steal: Dos Toros Taqueria
Order the carne asada taco at Dos Toros Taqueria (Photo: Dos Toros Taqueria/Facebook)
Just south of Union Square, Dos Toros Taqueria is a tiny, casual counter-service Mexican spot that’s ideal for a quick bite. (There are several other locations in the city.) Standouts include killer guacamole and tacos with fillings like pollo asado and carne asada.
Grab & Go: Eataly
Eataly — an Italian import (Photo: Eataly/Facebook)
Flatiron’s hub of Italian deliciousness, Eataly, is worth braving the crowds, which can get intense this time of year. (Our strategy: come early.) Although it’s got a choice of sit-down restaurants, there are impressive takeout treats, from freshly-baked focaccia with a variety of toppings to worth-the-calories gelato.
Nolita
This cluster of streets just east of Soho is where many New Yorkers head for unusual gifts, easily found at its many tastemaker boutiques.
Splurge: Cherche Midi
Cherche Midi, a cousin of Balthazar (Photo: Cherche Midi)
Earlier this year, restaurateur Keith McNally (the force behind chicster favorites like Balthazar) reworked Pulino’s, formerly a Bowery pizzeria, into Cherche Midi. The quintessentially French-styled café (albeit one in a trendy Manhattan neighborhood) is packed at dinnertime. Many locals opt for weekend brunch, which is a bit more relaxed (but equally delicious).
A perfect pie at Lombardi’s (Photo: Austin King/Flickr)
Lombardi’s is, quite simply, a New York institution, dishing up pizza for over a century. (They claim to have brought pizza to the U.S.) While the carbtastic, richly sauced-pie is the main attraction here, the meatballs are also worth ordering.
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Grab & Go: Eight Turn Crepe
Offbeat combinations at Eight Turn Crepe (Photo: Eight Turn Crepe)
Eight Turn Crepe on Spring Street, offers Japanese-style crepes filled with inventive stuffings, from (the very New York combination of) cream cheese and lox to chicken teriyaki, all folded to make street-eating easy.
West Village
The charm of the West Village is hard to resist, with its truly neighborhood-y feel and delightful small boutiques catering to style-savvy customers.
Slurge: RedFarm
The spread at RedFarm (Photo: RedFarm)
Although there’s often a long wait at reservationless RedFarm on Hudson Street, trust us, it’s worth it. The inventive, upscale spin on Chinese food here is hard to resist, particularly dim sum like steamed lobster dumplings.
Steal: Westville
Westville, the place for comfort food (Photo: Westville)
Just off Bleecker Street on West 10th Street, cozy Westville specializes in comfort food — hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, Cobb salad — that’s fresh and often seasonal. As you might imagine with that menu, it’s ideal for families, so be prepared for a kid-friendly vibe on weekends.
Grab & Go: A Salt and Battery, Magnolia Bakery
A taste of Britain at Salt and Battery (Photo: A Salt and Battery/Facebook)
For a (literal!) taste of the U.K., New Yorkers (and homesick ex-pats) head to A Salt and Battery for perfectly fried fish and chips.
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Pumpkin cupcakes are way superior to pumpkin lattes. (Photo: Magnolia Bakery)
For dessert, Magnolia Bakery — the cupcake specialists featured on Sex and the City — is an easy stroll away.
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