A 3-day itinerary of the best things to do if you're a foodie and visiting New York City. From the popular food halls in the city to the best Michelin-starred restaurants to the hidden bars of the city. Follow us step-by-step as you plan your trip to eat through the Big Apple.
Day 1
1. Chinatown and Lunch at Joe's Steam Rice Rolls | 11 a.m.
261 Canal St, New York, NY 10013
The first stop on our trip brings us to Chinatown, which is filled with diverse foods from all across Asia. Joe's Steam Rice Roll is right on the main Canal St. which runs across Chinatown and serves the Cantonese classic. The rice rolls are thin, silky, and luxurious, and the signature has ample filling of beef, pork, and eggs. The price is also quite cheap and easy on the budget.
2. Kakigori at The Little One | 12 p.m.
150 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002
Walking over to the East side of Chinatown is a small cute shop that specializes in kakigori, or Japanese shaved ice. The interior has a soft woodgrain theme that gives it a zen sensibility. The kakigori was very light and soft, which is a sign of one done well, without being too sweet and comes in many flavors including the more classic matcha and hojicha to more seasonal flavors.
3. Jiggly Cheesecake at Kiki Modern Cakes | 1 p.m.
79 Mott St, New York, NY 10013
There's always room for one more dessert. Walking back to the West side of Chinatown, we stop by Keki Modern Cakes, whose specialty is its Japanese cheesecake. Videos of this type of "jiggly" cheesecake have gone viral, and we were glad that the taste lives up to the fad as it was light and fluffy. The store also had a number of other items including cheese tarts and castella cakes.
4. Shopping at Soho | 2 p.m.
The whole day can't be spent eating, although we wish it could! Walk up Broadway St. to Soho and be brought into a shopper's paradise. The main street contains many of the large major brands like Nike, Zara, and Madewell. Walk around the side cobblestoned streets and discover the world of fashion, from high end luxury brands like Dior and Chanel to street fashion such as Off-White and Palace.
5. Chocolate Break at MarieBelle | 4 p.m.
484 Broome St, New York, NY 10013
Take a break from shopping to sit down for some coffee or for their afternoon tea. Specializing in chocolate, the store has a room called the Cacao Bar in the back that transports you to the European cafes of Vienna and Budapest with its antique and glistening lights. Sit and enjoy one of their variety of hot chocolates or a number of other quick bites and desserts. Their gift boxes also make great souvenirs from a New York boutique chocolatier.
6. Explore Chelsea Market | 5 p.m.
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Take the A,C,E train or a cab north along the Hudson River on the west side of town to get to the culinary iconic destination in New York City. An indoor marketplace, Chelsea Market is home to a variety of shops and restaurants to fulfill all your food needs. From butchers and fresh seafood, to sit down restaurants such as Sarabeth's and Buddakan, to the numerous food stands like Num Pang's Southeast Asian sandwichs and Doughnuttery's donuts, there is something for every food lover.
7. Michelin Starred Meal at the Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare | 7 p.m.
431 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
Taking the A train one stop uptown, we arrive for dinner at perhaps the ultimate foodie's restaurant. Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare is 3-Michelin starred restaurant that is also probably the only one that is at the back of a grocery store. Taking this casual sensibility, we see it translated into the innovative dishes prepared by Chef Ramirez that break from tradition and redefine how we taste food. Although certainly pricey at close to $400 per person, it is certainly worth a once-in-a-lifetime meal.
8. Winding Down at The NoMad Bar | 10 p.m.
10 W 28th St, The NoMad Hotel
Taking a quick cab across town, we arrive at the NoMad Bar, which is located at the NoMad Hotel. The bar, which is consistently ranked in the World's Top 50 Bars, offers a sophisticated classic atmosphere with dark oak furnishings that still feel modern with its elevated 2-story open space and illuminated wall of bottles. The drinks also live up to the decor, with mixologists crafting cocktails which both look and taste great. The bar is a great place to wind down after a busy first day in the city.
Day 2
9. Off to Flushing for Authentic Asian Food | 11 a.m.
136-20 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11354
Day 2 brings us to Flushing, Queens, which is around a 45 minute ride on the 7 train from Times Square or Grand Central. Yes, it's really far out, but it's also really worth it in order to taste the most authentic Asian cuisine. Emerging out of the last stop on the 7 train, you're transported into the middle of the Flushing Chinatown. Right by the corner is the New World Mall, whose basement is a food court with shops specializing in cuisines such as hand-pulled noodles and dumplings. There are also a lot of stalls focusing on Sichuan cuisine if you can handle the ma-la (numbing and spicy) taste.
10. Xiao Long Bao, Dumplings, & Boba Tea | 1 p.m.
We can't go all the way to Flushing to only eat at one stop. We mapped out a couple places that we had wanted to try out, including Kung Fu Xiao Long Bao (Yelp), which is supposedly the best XLB in New York City. The skins on the dumpling were thin, and the inside had lots of juice - all marks of a XLB done right. The trip to Flushing also takes us to White Bear (Yelp), a non-descript shop known for its chili oil won tons. It packs great flavors without being too spicy and is the perfect snack. The last stop takes us to Xing Fu Tang (Yelp), an import from Taiwan specializing in brown sugar boba that is caramelized at the top. The boba is chewy with the right amount of bounce, with the milk not being overly sweet. Take one with you to go on the way back to Manhattan.
11. Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookies at Levain Bakery | 3 p.m.
1484 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028
Taking the 7 train back to Grand Central, we then switched over to the green line uptown to the Upper Eat Side. Close to the 86th stop is one of the most famous bakeries in NYC. Famed for its huge chocolate cookies, they are crunchy on the outside while being soft in the middle with chocolate oozing out. A perfect pick-me-up snack after the long subway ride.
12. Admiring the Art at the MET | 3 p.m.
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Only a few blocks away is one of the greatest museums in possibly the world, the MET Museum. One could literally spend the entire day here and still not fully explore the whole museum. There are art pieces ranging from the Greek and Egyptian to European and Asian art to Modern paintings. No matter what your interest, there is something for everyone.
13. Omakase at Sushi Noz | 6 p.m.
181 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075
Staying on the Upper Eat Side, we had reservations at Sushi Noz, which is one of the most popular sushi places currently in the city. Book for the counter for a more extensive menu and experience, with the omakase consisting of several small dishes and a large selection of nigiri. While very expensive at over $300 per person, you can taste the freshness in the fish and the art and mastery that is in crafting each piece by the sushi chefs.
13. The Truely Hidden Gem of Attaboy | 10 p.m.
134 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002
A visit to New York is never complete without visiting a speakeasy. This time, we headed south to Lower East Side to another one of the Top 50 bars in the World. Behind a door simply marked "AB", you have to wait until you are brought inside. Once inside, you tell the bartender what flavor profile you like and they will create something specifically for your taste. The drinks as well as the vibe are both top notch.
Day 3
14. Outdoor Fun at Smorgasburg | 11 a.m.
90 Kent Ave East River State Park, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Cross over to the hip district of Williamsburg in Brooklyn by train or better yet by the ferry. Smorgasburg is a large open-air food market that is open on Saturdays and has a huge variety of vendors from lobster rolls to ramen burgers to ice cream. The selection is endless and there will be something for everyone's taste. The view is also unparalleled, as it sits right by the East River and you can look across to get a perfect view of the Manhattan skyline.
15. Financial District - Eataly & Le District | 1 p.m.
Come back to Manhattan and this time to the Financial District. Visit the World Trade Center, 9/11 Memorial, as well as the new Oculus which has a number of retail shops. While down here, don't forget to visit Eataly (Yelp), a multi-level center dedicated to Italian food. With outlets around the world, it has both dry good and products to take home as well as restaurants and food to enjoy there. If you feel like you've been to Eataly too many times, cross the West Side Highway to go to Brookfield Place. A large shopping mall with stores like Gucci and lululemon, it also has a food hall on the second floor with large floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson River. The bottom floor also has Le District (Yelp), which is the French equivalent of Eataly. While a lot smaller, it offers unique foods and products imported from France.
16. Pre-Dinner Drinks at The Dead Rabbit | 5 p.m.
30 Water St, New York, NY 10004
Perhaps the best bar in the city for true connoisseurs. The bottom floor is a casual stand-up counter, while the actual sit-down bar is on the 2nd floor featuring a hefty menu of unique and innovative cocktails. While small and often crowded, the bar is one-of-a-kind and serves drinks that are thoughtfully crafted and must be tried at least once.
17. Atomix | 7 p.m.
104 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016
Take the green line up to the Herald Square area near K-Town. While K-Town is more known for its 24 hour barbecue restaurants and karaoke spots, Atomix stands out as a refined upscale and modern take on Korean cuisine. The recent recipient of 2 Michelin stars, it is well deserved as it takes Korean ingredients and techniques and pushes the boundaries on creativity. The food is meticulously detailed and is executed flawlessly to taste as good as it looks.
18. ChikaLicious | 9 p.m.
203 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003
A quick cab or train ride on the green line brings us to the East Village and to end the night on a sweet note. ChikaLicious is run by a husband and wife team that serves a dessert tasting menu, complete with amuse bouche, an entree, and mignardises. With their signature Fromage Blanc Island Cheesecake that melts in the mouth, it is truly a unique experience and a beautiful way to end a foodie's tour of New York City.
