You’ve taken in some of New York’s most iconic sights, and now you’re ready for a memorable meal. If you find yourself wondering where to eat near the Empire State Building, a little research is well worth your time.
Midtown is notorious for overpriced, touristy meals. Luckily, we’ve done the homework for you so you can enjoy a delicious and well-priced meal whether you’re craving rustic Italian, festive Tex Mex, or classy cocktail bars.
Ready to dig in? Here are our four favorite dining options near the Empire State Building:
If you’re looking for a delicious meal in a cozy setting, Bread & Tulips is your spot. Tucked beneath the Hotel Giraffe, this rustic Italian restaurant has the feel of a welcoming neighborhood joint—right in the middle of Midtown. Enjoy handmade pasta and pizzas like their Rigatoni al Funghi, Pappardelle with braised leg of lamb, or their not-to-be-missed Burrata & Nduja pizza with spreadable sliced salumi, San Marzano tomatoes, roasted onions, garlic, and basil.
Visit Bread & Tulips’ Instagram for more pictures of their menu items, cocktails, and more. Their space has indoor and outdoor seating plus a rooftop bar so depending on the weather you can dine near their cozy brick oven or enjoy some sun alfresco
Here’s what recent Bread & Tulips guest, Marjan, said of their visit: “The rooftop is gorgeous and the food is amazing. I recently traveled to Italy but I could easily stay in New York for some authentic Italian pizza because it was one of the best I’d ever had. The decorum is beautiful and the staff amazing. Our server was Sarah and she was delightful. Definitely coming back for more…”
Looking for something a little livelier? Let’s head to El Rio Grande for some neighborhood Tex-Mex. You know the deal: you’ll have all the nachos, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and burritos you could ask for.
We love El Rio Grande’s walk-through kitchen that offers a look behind the scenes where the magic happens. Our favorite taco is the Pescado with grilled swordfish, lettuce, pico de gallo, mango salsa, and chipotle aioli. Pair that with some Mexican Street Corn, Steak Nachos, and a Smoking Pineapple margarita, and you are guaranteed a good time.
We should also mention El Rio Grande excels at brunch, Taco Tuesdays, and Happy Hours so plan accordingly. Here’s what a recent guest, Hannah, said in her Google review: “Great spot with a group! We had appetizers and drinks. A lot of margaritas and a lot of spiked hot chocolate. The spiked hot chocolate is fantastic, highly recommend! There is plenty of space for a big group and the terrace is nice and on a quiet street.”
Follow El Rio Grande on Instagram for more Tex Mex food porn.
There’s something about Midtown that makes us want to post up in a trendy cocktail bar. If you’re looking for something classy (but not snobby) with a vintage vibe, The Independent is a great choice. Sitting pretty in the Garment District, “The Indo” has a nice list of handcrafted cocktails and imported wines and beer.
Menu-wise we recommend an order of White Wine Garlic Mussels and a hearty Harvest Salad with market greens, quinoa, goat cheese, sweet potatoes, beets, apples, cranberries, toasted pumpkin seeds, and a maple balsamic vinaigrette.
Your meal will be a nice intermission from Midtown’s hustle and bustle; an experience not easy to find as mentioned in guest, Jason’s, five-star review: “Pleasantly shocked. For the location, it should be either a rip-off or generic. It's neither. Walking in felt like an exhale from the strain of Times Square. The service was pleasant and casual. The whole experience was a relaxing oasis.”
We couldn’t finish our list without including one speakeasy, right? Raines Law Room, located in The William Hotel, is facetiously named after the 1896 law designed to curb the consumption of alcohol. A chic cocktail bar with an enticing library vibe, this is the perfect spot for some shared snacks and fabulous drinks.
Order a Tuna Tartare and Meat and Cheese Board and let the extremely capable Raines Law Room servers guide you through the drink menu. Word is that the Aurora cocktail with dill aquavit, raspberry, peach liqueur, lemon, honey, and sparkling wine is not to be missed.
A slightly splurgier option than others on our list, this space is typically large enough to accommodate small party walk-ins and is an incredible event space for a private event. Here’s a happy guest, Michael’s, take: “An amazing experience from start to finish. Exceptional cocktails made by an awesome staff. Alex and the team are amazing. It deserves all the accolades it has received and then some!”
Hopefully, you’ve found your stand-out option on our list. Keep in mind all options on this list work well for both small parties or private events if you are visiting New York as a larger group.
If you’d like even more options, check out EventUp Venue Directory to find the perfect space for you.
[Image Credit: Bread & Tulips, El Rio Grande, The Independent, Raines Law Room]