This summer I went to New York for the first time on a art/film expedition. It blew my mind in all ways. Lots of people had told me New York was basically like London but more condensed and with higher buildings... it wasn't anything like London!
I always enjoy visiting London but, without fail, find it difficult to relax in the city! People are rushing around, stressed, and I generally always manage to get lost even with the indispensable Google Maps app open on my phone 24/7.
Perhaps because I grew up in a gridded city in the Middle East, I found New York extremely easy to navigate and this made exploring all the more enjoyable (meeting up with friends who knew the city well was also a massive plus). More importantly, the city had a very relaxed vibe and everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. The weather helped as well.
Being a massive foodie, I obviously took the opportunity to explore the Big Apple's offerings.
Here's my round-up of New York foodie hits and misses:
1. BLACK AND WHITE COOKIES!
New York is famous for these cookies and I think I found a great one to try near the Flat Iron building at Madison Square from a little restaurant called Union Square. Fluffy, cakey, over-sized. It ticked all the right boxes.
I had actually trekked there in hope of finding one of their infamous red velvet croissant but unfortunately they had sold out (queue foodie heartbreak).
While I was in the area, I was also looking for Daniel Humm's restaurant Eleven Madison Park. They serve their own version of the New York Black and White cookies.
I had no reservation there, was aware it was under construction, and couldn't afford to eat there on my student budget... but was still super keen to see it in the flesh! Eleven Madison Park is the number one(?) restaurant in the world and I have been a fan of Daniel Humm since seeing him on the British Masterchef in 2014 or 15. He seemed so cool! Eating at Eleven Madison Park is definitely on my bucket list.
2. MAGNOLIA BAKERY BANANA PUDDING (but anything from there really...)
I feel like the picture for this one pretty much sums up why it should be on your list. I'm sitting here at my computer just making 'hmm' noises rather than being able to articulate how perfect this way. Sweet (not not too sugary) and relatively light - was a perfect midday pick-me-up after hours of walking through Central Park.
Best thing? They come in different sizes so you have some choice over how indulgent you are! (I was with two friends and we split the smallest three ways!).
There are loads of Magnolia Bakeries throughout New York. I also went to the one near the Rockefeller Centre....
... but it was crowded and there was no place to sit.
I would highly recommend the one on Columbus Avenue - the whole street is so atmospheric and really has that stereotypical New York feel.
3. LEVAIN BAKERY
Okay so my New York food hits are turning out to be cookies and desserts (I promise this is the last one!!)
...but if you are on Columbus Avenue, you must pop into Levain Bakery.
Dark chocolate and peanut butter? Soooo indulgent.
They also have Chocolate Chip and Walnut, Oatmeal Raisin, and Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip.
Disclaimer: I was walking everywhere! No metro! I needed the sugar, spare the judgement.
4. MANDOO BAR - Korean Food
This restaurant is right next to the Empire State Building and is so worth visiting.
After days of eating overpriced food lacking in strong spices, Mandoo Bar is the place to go for delicious Korean food at a really good price.
From memory, we ordered seafood or vegetable dumpings, seafood japchae, and seafood paejeon.
Portions were generous and food was top quality. Plus, no waiting time, which is great in NY when it feels like you are rushing everywhere trying to pack stuff in!
4. EMPANADAS AND MARGARITAS IN HELL'S KITCHEN - LIMON JUNGLE
One thing I learnt pretty quickly was that eating on Times Square = overpriced and highly disappointing food.
However, venture right behind Times Square and you will find Hell's Kitchen district where you will want to try every restaurant and, as there are so many, leave the city wanting more.
Okay, this picture really doesn't do this place justice but the selection of empanadas was unexpected (they had their own separate empanada menu!! - not available online) and they were just delicious (although on the pricey side).
And the margaritas were on the mark. As a long-time margarita fan (I think my first memory of sipping my mother's drink was when I was 4???), they were truly authentic and worth every dollar ----
but not too many dollars - Limon Jungle has a very, very generous happy hour deal on drinks. $5 dollar per margarita is a recipe for disaster (but the good kind!!!).
I also tried their burrito - 5/5.
5. $1 DOLLAR PIZZA - Hell's Kitchen
Not going to lie, I thought $1 pizza was a joke when I read about it in blogs before going. I refused to believe that anything for $1 in central Manhattan could both taste good and be visible without the help of a magnifying glass.
Alas, I stand corrected.
This was genuinely one of the best slices of pizza I've had. And without question, the cheapest. AND IT WAS HUGE!
Where from? NY Fresh pizza - right next to Mi Nidito Grill and a few doors down from Limon Jungle.
6. BUBBA GUMP - Times Square
So I may have just trashed Times Square eateries - and I stand by this.
But pop into Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for a drink as the staff are so lovely!
Their food is overpriced but - if you're in the mood for something that feels authentically American (does it have to be fried?) - then you can't go wrong.
I always enjoy visiting London but, without fail, find it difficult to relax in the city! People are rushing around, stressed, and I generally always manage to get lost even with the indispensable Google Maps app open on my phone 24/7.
Perhaps because I grew up in a gridded city in the Middle East, I found New York extremely easy to navigate and this made exploring all the more enjoyable (meeting up with friends who knew the city well was also a massive plus). More importantly, the city had a very relaxed vibe and everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. The weather helped as well.
Being a massive foodie, I obviously took the opportunity to explore the Big Apple's offerings.
Here's my round-up of New York foodie hits and misses:
HITS:
New York is famous for these cookies and I think I found a great one to try near the Flat Iron building at Madison Square from a little restaurant called Union Square. Fluffy, cakey, over-sized. It ticked all the right boxes.
I had actually trekked there in hope of finding one of their infamous red velvet croissant but unfortunately they had sold out (queue foodie heartbreak).
![]() |
Red Velvet croissant at Union Square (from http://pixel.nymag.com/imgs/daily/grub/2016/08/03/union-fare-croissants/red-velvet.w710.h473.2x.jpg) |
While I was in the area, I was also looking for Daniel Humm's restaurant Eleven Madison Park. They serve their own version of the New York Black and White cookies.
![]() |
Eleven Madison Park (from http://blog.umamimart.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/IMG_1203-1024x768.jpg) |
![]() |
Eleven Madison Park (from https://thisguysfoodblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/dsc_5279.jpg) |
I had no reservation there, was aware it was under construction, and couldn't afford to eat there on my student budget... but was still super keen to see it in the flesh! Eleven Madison Park is the number one(?) restaurant in the world and I have been a fan of Daniel Humm since seeing him on the British Masterchef in 2014 or 15. He seemed so cool! Eating at Eleven Madison Park is definitely on my bucket list.
2. MAGNOLIA BAKERY BANANA PUDDING (but anything from there really...)
I feel like the picture for this one pretty much sums up why it should be on your list. I'm sitting here at my computer just making 'hmm' noises rather than being able to articulate how perfect this way. Sweet (not not too sugary) and relatively light - was a perfect midday pick-me-up after hours of walking through Central Park.
Best thing? They come in different sizes so you have some choice over how indulgent you are! (I was with two friends and we split the smallest three ways!).
There are loads of Magnolia Bakeries throughout New York. I also went to the one near the Rockefeller Centre....
![]() |
Rockefeller Centre |
I would highly recommend the one on Columbus Avenue - the whole street is so atmospheric and really has that stereotypical New York feel.
![]() |
Columbus Avenue |
Okay so my New York food hits are turning out to be cookies and desserts (I promise this is the last one!!)
...but if you are on Columbus Avenue, you must pop into Levain Bakery.
Dark chocolate and peanut butter? Soooo indulgent.
They also have Chocolate Chip and Walnut, Oatmeal Raisin, and Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip.
Disclaimer: I was walking everywhere! No metro! I needed the sugar, spare the judgement.
4. MANDOO BAR - Korean Food
This restaurant is right next to the Empire State Building and is so worth visiting.
![]() |
The view from the Empire State is unmissable. |
After days of eating overpriced food lacking in strong spices, Mandoo Bar is the place to go for delicious Korean food at a really good price.
From memory, we ordered seafood or vegetable dumpings, seafood japchae, and seafood paejeon.
Portions were generous and food was top quality. Plus, no waiting time, which is great in NY when it feels like you are rushing everywhere trying to pack stuff in!
4. EMPANADAS AND MARGARITAS IN HELL'S KITCHEN - LIMON JUNGLE
![]() |
Limon Jungle (from: http://hellskitsch.com/img/2013/10/large/limon-jungle-expansion-exterior.jpg) |
One thing I learnt pretty quickly was that eating on Times Square = overpriced and highly disappointing food.
However, venture right behind Times Square and you will find Hell's Kitchen district where you will want to try every restaurant and, as there are so many, leave the city wanting more.
![]() |
Cheese and Caramel Apple I think? (I may have had one too many margaritas). |
Okay, this picture really doesn't do this place justice but the selection of empanadas was unexpected (they had their own separate empanada menu!! - not available online) and they were just delicious (although on the pricey side).
And the margaritas were on the mark. As a long-time margarita fan (I think my first memory of sipping my mother's drink was when I was 4???), they were truly authentic and worth every dollar ----
but not too many dollars - Limon Jungle has a very, very generous happy hour deal on drinks. $5 dollar per margarita is a recipe for disaster (but the good kind!!!).
I also tried their burrito - 5/5.
5. $1 DOLLAR PIZZA - Hell's Kitchen
Not going to lie, I thought $1 pizza was a joke when I read about it in blogs before going. I refused to believe that anything for $1 in central Manhattan could both taste good and be visible without the help of a magnifying glass.
Alas, I stand corrected.
This was genuinely one of the best slices of pizza I've had. And without question, the cheapest. AND IT WAS HUGE!
![]() |
Cute mid-bite snap smh |
6. BUBBA GUMP - Times Square
So I may have just trashed Times Square eateries - and I stand by this.
But pop into Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for a drink as the staff are so lovely!
Their food is overpriced but - if you're in the mood for something that feels authentically American (does it have to be fried?) - then you can't go wrong.
THE MISS LIST
1. ANYWHERE ON TIMES SQUARE
My friend's milkshake at Junio's |
Times Square is just a nightmare for eateries and it's a rookie mistake to try go there for dinner.
I had heard much about The Olive Garden so tried there first - but who in their right might would be almost $30 for a plate of pasta? Also, the atmosphere in the restaurant was awful - simultaneously dead and overcrowded.
I also tried Junior's (see the milkshake) on a night I was in too much of a rush to leave Times Square. For someone who tries to eat vegetarian or pescetarian most of the time, the menu was a nightmare. Everything looked greasy and the portions were huge. I ended up ordering a salad, which wasn't bad, but certainly wasn't what I wanted either.
2. BURGERS
On the topic of fried foods (not my fav)... I think perhaps miss the burger?
I almost felt obliged to have one since I was in America, after all. And New York is the homeplace of Shake Shack as well...
Meh...
It was just sort of disappointing and boring.
I'm really not a fan of fast food places so I just found it underwhelming and a waste of valuable food space!
I think if you're determined to do the burger thing then try one from a restaurant? They're normally a little more exciting. Anything from Shake Shack or other fast food places (I won't even say McD's after watching Cowspiracy) will take exactly like it does in the chain in any other part of the world.
3. PRETZELS
On the list that directed me to the black and white cookies was also the mention of Pretzels as being central to the New York food lexicon.
They're pretty much available everywhere - which may be the issue because WHO KNOWS HOW TO FIND A GOOD ONE?
A risky endeavor if you ask me.
Sense the immense dissapointment. |
Stale, too salty... give me my $1.50 back!
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