Midtown is no one’s idea of a culinary capital, but most New Yorkers find themselves there once in a while for work, Broadway shows, or tourist attractions when relatives come to town. Because of its central location and accessible public transportation, dancers find themselves there a lot. And the only thing worse about being in Midtown? Being hungry in Midtown.
A few months ago I stumbled upon Corvo Coffee, a hole-in-the wall cafe on 39th and 8th Avenue with delicious coffee drinks (they use La Colombe coffee beans) and pastries for just $2 each. Yup, any kind of small coffee or espresso drink is $2 and any kind of pastry is just $2 –– all day long.
But besides Corvo and Cask Bar and Kitchen, a dimly lit cocktail bar with roomy tables and good new American food, I never know where to eat in Midtown when I’m taking class or going out social dancing. So I asked Abigail Koffler, a native New Yorker, freelance writer and the creator of This Needs Hot Sauce, a food newsletter and community, for the best places to eat in Midtown.
Abigail and I met last summer at a fitness class and quickly became friends. She’s an amazing writer (her newsletter is one of the very few ones I read every week!) and has been so supportive and full of great tips as I’ve navigated my own freelance journey these past few months.
The Best Places To Eat in Midtown
Abigail’s Spots
Gotan
Right by Rockefeller Center is Gotan, a cafe with excellent coffee, breakfast and lunch options. Their Israeli breakfasts and salads are so filling and fresh and there’s room to work on their wifi. The only downside? They close at 5 p.m.
Woorijip
Ktown isn’t quite midtown, but it’s a short walk away. Grab noodles and kimchi from their buffet or one of the preset boxed meals with miso soup. Nearby HMart is a great spot to stock up on groceries as well.
Casellula
This is a perfect spot when you need a drink and snack with a friend or coworker. It’s a small space, so swing by early or late to get a seat. They specialize in cheese plates and each cheese comes with a small snack (the popcorn is incredible). The wine list is big, so ask the staff for some pairing help.
Inday
Like an Indian Sweetgreen, Inday is a spot to grab something healthy for lunch. If you’re not a salad person, you’ll appreciate that most of the bowls are warm. They have three locations and the menu changes seasonally. FYI, the bowls are on the light (read: small) side, so don’t go if you’re starving. The chickpeas are great and so is the house-made hot sauce.
Cava
Cava is expanding fast and honestly, thank goodness. It’s the freshest of the fast-casual options and you get unlimited toppings for no extra cost (yes to the pickled banana peppers). Another fun thing: you can split your protein, so get half falafel, half chicken and thank me later. The bowls are huge and very filling.
The Swedish Church
This is a hidden gem, an actual Swedish Church with a small cafe. It’s quiet as a library and the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle. They sell sandwiches, Swedish pastries (try the buns), and coffee and tea.
Little Collins
An Australian coffee shop with a full food menu is always handy. Especially in Midtown. For more avocado toast, visit the Bluestone Lane by Bryant Park.
Danji
This Korean spot is perfect for dinner before a show or for a night with friends. They have spicy rice cakes, great cocktails, and such good dumplings. Make a reservation if you can to avoid a wait.
Culture Espresso
Home of the best chocolate chip cookies in midtown, Culture is a spot for a mid-afternoon sweet treat and caffeine fix. They make fresh batches all day long so you might even get a warm cookie.
Urbanspace
Food hall are not my favorite places to eat, largely because of the atmosphere, but the Urbanspace locations in midtown (near Grand Central, in Midtown East and Times Square) are useful in a pinch. They’re open till 9 and have lots of options. Don’t go during peak hours and take a lap before committing, as portion sizes vary widely. Get a cookie from Ovenly at the Vanderbilt location.
Otto’s Tacos
This is not the best Mexican food in the city, but it’s a casual spot for tacos when you’re running late or really hungry and it’s way better than Chipotle.
Wine Escape
Wine Escape is a cozy wine bar close to 10th Avenue. It’s small and lovely, with a thoughtful selection of appetizers.
Nothing sound good? Try packing your own food and grabbing some friends to eat outside in Bryant Park or Herald Square. Abigail used to work near Penn Station, so she understands the struggle of being in a neighborhood with poor food options. Try some of her favorite lunch strategies (they work great for dinner too!).
Thank you so much Abigail!
Be sure to subscribe to Abigail’s weekly newsletter for more delicious New York restaurant recommendations, weekly recipes, good reads and conversation. You can also follow her Instagram.
What are your Midtown recs?! Please share those hidden gems with us in the comments below! 👇