Rachel Pelz

Every day across the five boroughs, food & bev establishments make their play to attract you—yes, you—with a few scant hours of cheap deals. We’re talking happy hour and, if you ask me, a native New Yorker with over a decade of bartending under my belt, there’s no reason to play hard-to-get. Maybe these bars and restaurants are trying to woo you with a few bucks off the top, a lagniappe on your order, an oh-so-special menu—a lot of places shoot their shot, but only a few really hit.  Look, if you’re content to hold off enjoying yourself until weekend evenings when nearly all of the best spots pack to the rafters and you’re paying through the nose to catch a buzz, knock yourself out. But if you’re smart, you’ll jump on an opportunity when you see it. To that end, below you’ll find some of the best happy hours across the city and the deals therein. Cocktailing, food, wine and beer, there’s a little something for everyone. Just keep in mind: once the word is out, no deal lasts (especially a great one) so don’t delay.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC

There are plenty of old school romantic restaurants in NYC—you know, the kind of place where you drop an engagement ring into a bubbly glass of Champagne—but there’s a whole new class of romance in the city, too. These spots are some of the best new restaurants, serving up incredible cocktails alongside inventive cooking. When you really need to impress your date, ditch the sweatpants and your regular pizza meet or night at the local dive bar and make it a night to remember. Start by scoring the reservation (crucial), then eat your way through a menu made for sharing. Only then can you pop the question…or apologize for that thing you did.  Whether you’re looking for an old school, Lady-and-the-Tramp-style Italian classic, a French feeling of amour sans fin or a table at one of the buzziest new restaurants in NYC, we’ve made it easy for you to set the stage for romance. Order classic aphrodisiacs like oysters and red wine, or find a new way to fall in love with palm cakes, poached radishes and a baked Alaska for two.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC Updated as of January 2025: We added La Tete d'or, Le Crocodile, San Sabino and Theodora. 

New York City’s dim sum scene has spread far from Manhattan’s Chinatown. While Mott Street is where you can still find some of New York’s very best Chinese restaurants, the Chinatowns in Flushing and Sunset Park–and beyond–offer some of the very best dim sum in the city. Whether you’re meeting up with a big group of friends or taking family out to see the sights, sipping tea and gorging on an endless array of dim sum is one of the best ways to spend a weekend morning or afternoon in NYC.  Some dim sum restaurants use the iconic rolling carts to serve all those jiggling dumplings, pork buns and turnip cakes through chandeliered halls, while others offer counter service and even delivery for a little dim sum in bed on a Sunday morning. With spots including a hundred-year-old restaurant on Doyers and the world’s most inexpensive Michelin-starred restaurant, we’ve rounded up the very best dim sum in NYC to try right now. RECOMMENDED: Find more of the best restaurants in NYC Updated January 2025: We added Bamboo Garden and Jing Fong. 

Sorry, Cronuts and Cereal Milk soft serves — cheesecake might just be New York City’s most iconic dessert. Fluffy, creamy, sweet and tart, that graham-cracker crust and tangy filling is beloved all over the five boroughs. Stuffed with candied citrus and ricotta in Little Italy, towering over three inches high and weighing as much as a newborn at a Brooklyn deli and reimagined for vegan eaters uptown, each slice represents both the past and future of NYC’s best desserts. Whether you want to be transported back to the New York of the early 1900s or try a new twist from one of NYC’s best bakeries, we’ve found the 14 very best cheesecakes for you to try in NYC right now.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC  

Few things are better than a cup of coffee from one of New York City’s best coffee shops, but a sweet, rich, marshmallow-topped hot chocolate is definitely close. Served alongside imaginative cookies and pastries at the city’s best bakeries or even as a hot cocktail on a frosty night out, a good hot chocolate features the finest coca, surprising mix-ins and deliciously ooey-gooey toppings. Our favorites also showcase the work of the city’s best chocolate shops, melting milk, dark and white bars into the perfect drink to sip as you stroll around the city. Grab your scarf, your gloves and your cup—and don’t forget the ‘mallows! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to best restaurants in NYC  

Some of NYC’s best restaurants feature Middle Eastern favorites: spicy kebabs, creamy baba ganoush and classic falafel sandwiches can be found on menus all over the city. From Astoria to Bay Ridge and everywhere in between, Middle Eastern fare is just as satisfying at a fine dining destination as it is when you stop for cheap eats after a night out on the town. Whether you’re craving kibbeh from Lebanon, stuffed Kurdish dumplings or a bubbling pan of shakshuka at brunch, you can find the best of NYC’s Middle Eastern dishes at these 12 restaurants.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

The Lower East Side’s food scene is as diverse and dynamic as its history. Brushing up against Chinatown and Little Italy, it’s the sort of neighborhood where you can find the best New York deli just steps away from some of the city’s best sandwiches. Snack your way through some of the city’s best ice cream shops, order a slice of unparalleled pizza and soak in the living history of New York City one bite at a time.  This time, we added Kisa, Datz Deli and Dhamaka to the list thanks to their fabulous offerings. RECOMMENDED: See the full guide to Lower East Side

The bohemian roots of the West Village have long since branched into one of the buzziest, busiest Manhattan neighborhoods. The dining scene, though, maintains many of the nabe’s intimate charms—lean over a small table while dining outdoors or dish about last night’s date at a weekend brunch with friends. Whether you’re stumbling out of a bar to grab some cheap eats or nabbing a reservation at one of the best Manhattan restaurants, the West Village restaurant scene has it all.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

Is there a better meal than a burger between two buns? Whether it’s fast food chuck that smashed flat and griddled hot or a high-end take that costs nearly as much as a steak, New York has some of the best cheeseburgers and hamburgers on the planet. In a city known for its sandwiches—like the chopped cheese, bacon egg and cheese, bagels piled high with cream cheese and lox and even (controversially) hot dogs—the hamburger sandwich remains one of the greatest. Order yours smothered with special sauce, gooey with cheddar or American cheese, piled with crispy lettuce or smashed with quick-fried onions. Add a pile of crispy, salty french fries, pair it with an ice-cold martini or a bubbly bottle of champagne and enjoy one of the very best meals in NYC. RECOMMENDED: The best veggie burgers in NYC 

Looking for a new spot to watch the big game? Our list of NYC’s best sports bars includes rowdy beer halls, low-key hangs with craft brews, some of NYC’s best dive bars and even a bar dedicated to all things Canadian. Whether you need a weekly place to root for your footie team or just want to drink a few great brews with friends, we’ve rounded up our favorite places to shout at a really big TV. RECOMMENDED: See all of the best bars in NYC

When in Florence, eat like the Florentines—and that means dining on the freshest homemade pasta, traditional pastries like crispy schiacciata and glasses of Chianti wine straight from the vineyards in the rolling Tuscan hills. By exploring Florence and the nearby countryside through a culinary tour or cooking workshop, you’ll get to experience the food, culture and astounding history of Florence with the help of local chefs and food and wine experts. GetYourGuide helps you make memories with locally-vetted, expertly curated tours that take the stress out of planning your trip and help you find the best-of-the-best of Florence’s culinary scene. We’ve looked through every last tour and workshop to find the ones that’ll turn your trip into an absolutely unforgettable experience. In the heart of Florence, you can learn the secret to making the world’s creamiest gelato and enjoy a crispy, almond-studded cantuccini cookie as you stroll through a street market packed with local fruits, veggies and cheeses. Or jump on a bus and be whisked to the countryside to make your own pizza on a country estate or stroll the lush vineyards of the Chianti region—with every bite and sip you take, you’ll make memories of the City of Lilies to last a lifetime.

Like New York’s beloved dollar slice, tacos have it all: Portability, versatility and the ability to be jazzed up with an endless array of crackling meats, gooey cheeses and eye-wateringly spicy sauces. The city’s very best tacos includes traditional tastes from fan-favorite Mexican restaurants, stellar cheap eats options and trendy dishes from fine dining hot spots. With out-of-the-way taquerias firing up juicy al pastor, a Bushwick tortilla factory cranking out the city’s best chorizo and a beachside spot for hyper-fresh fish tacos, we’ve made it muy easy to plan your next city-wide taco crawl. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

Open 24 hours a day from Tuesday to Saturday, this Korean comfort food spot offers up spicy hot pot, noodles and K-barbecue. If you’re stopping by after a late night out (ahem), you may be compelled to order up the hangover soup: made with dried pollack, pork bones and greens, it’ll fortify you to face the day ahead. It’s a perfect spot for big groups, so don’t be surprised to see a bachelorette party stop by fresh from a karaoke lounge.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by BOBO🍬Foodie (@bobo_foodie.ny)

Want a cold brew with a side of … fruit? Not As Bitter specializes in coffee that’s sweet, tart and anything but bitter. Cold brew shaken with fresh grapes, a durian latte and even a “Butter Beer”—that’s coffee and syrup whipped into a sweet and creamy foam—star on their menu, which changes with the seasons. The colorful cups look good on the ‘gram, but they’re also legitimately delicious. While we like a cup of bitter, black coffee first thing in the morning, a fresh strawberry matcha makes for the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.  RECOMMENDED: This new LES coffee shop serves a butter beer worthy of Harry Potter

Serving up Sey and Uncommon beans, this coffee shop is one for the coffee-heads. It’s also one for the egg sandwich fanatics. Their gigantic version features pimento cheese, green tomatoes and paprika mayo, turning the classic bodega BEC into a destination-worthy meal. The cafe’s interior is small and slick-ly designed (the owners of Che also run the cool-kind wine bar Daughter and concept shop Sincerely, Tommy), so it’s one of our top picks for impressing on a getting-to-know-you coffee date.

It’s tough to find Cambodian food in NYC, but you can get a bite on the Upper East Side. At Bayon (which was recently opened by the owners of the beloved Angkor, and in the same location), order the prahok, the salted, fermented fish paste that adds an umami burst to every bite, and the baked amok, which is one of Cambodia’s best-known dishes. This souffle-like meal is steamed, fragrant with scallops, coconut milk and lemongrass, and totally transportive.

Chef Julian Medina has conquered Mexican and Cuban restaurants—now, he’s turning to Italian food. In a cozy townhouse on the UES, he’s serving up his take on the traditional cuisine. Try zucchini blossoms stuffed with cheese and Calabrian chilis, arancini with black truffle and even a spicy pizza topped with sweet peaches. Bring a date to twirl up some pasta—their Sunday gravy, which is made with beef cheeks and slow-cooked tomato sugo, is thankfully served every day—and order from their martini menu or peruse the entirely Italian wine list. 

This new spot in a modern office tower serves up Sichuan and Hunan food—the spicier, the better. It’s an upscale-ish spot to bring a date, especially since it doubles as a cocktail lounge. Their specialty is baijiu (a spirit often made from, you guessed it, sorghum), and you can try it in their take on a Negroni, a sling or in a flight of four. Pair your baijiu with some dim sum to share—we like the crispy taro puffs and the spicy wings with garlic.

Late night or early morning, Cuban breakfast always hits. Grab an order of sweet pan dulce, an omelet topped with ham and cheese or French toast smothered with banana, nuts and gooey peach jam. They’re known for their sandwiches, too, with a solid Cubano that rings up at just $6 (a total bargain, as the line will prove) along with mofongo served with shrimp, chicharrón and other proteins. With a stubbornly affordable menu and always-open hours, the place is usually packed with local regulars for you to rub shoulders with.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Floridita Restaurant (@floriditanyc)

This elevated neighborhood spot turns the classics (think burgers, a big chopped salad) into parent-pleasing delights. In the early evening hours, the intimate tables are full of young parents and their toddlers, but as the night grows later, don’t be surprised if you see a celeb sitting down for dinner. Make sure to finish the night with a slice of seven-layer cake, which might be the best thing on the menu. It’s technically sized for two, but if you want to let Mom and Dad share and get your own, we wouldn’t blame you.  This is the sister restaurant to Gertie.

Pasta Louise, situated along a fairly quiet stretch of South Slope’s 8th Avenue, was basically purpose-built for parents. It’s allergen-friendly, super laid back and you certainly won’t be the only table dining with two or three generations of family. Every night, they serve a single homemade pasta shape—you get to choose the sauce and the toppings, including meatballs, homemade ricotta and a silky, salty cacio e pepe. The food menu is as full of crowd-pleasers as the drink menu, which offers a selection of spritzes designed for moms to love. 

This just-opened Ecuadorian sports bar in Park Slope serves up hard-to-find dishes like salchipapas, made with thin-sliced sausage and salty fries and ideal for eating under a giant TV. At happy hour, they serve up a mini version of salchipapas for $8, plus a $5 Ecuadorian hot dog with chorizo and crushed potato chips on a baguette. Wings are only a buck then, too, and they go down real easy with $5 Coronas, Corona Lights and Miller High Lifes. Classic margs, daiquiris and mezcal negronis are $10, and wines and sangria are $9. 

Michelin-starred chef Sungchul Shim has followed his fine dining restaurants with a new, more casual concept. Here, he’s serving up Korean hand rolls alongside mini bowls of pho and wang mandu, which are dumplings stuffed with pork, chive and tofu. With a nearly translucent wrapper and a pleasingly hefty size (wang mandu translates to “king dumpling”), a single mandu and a set of four hand rolls make for a perfect midtown lunch. 

This Hong Kong-style cha chaan teng has been crowded since it first opened its doors last year. Modeled after casual Hong Kong cafes, then imported to the U.S. from a successful run in Toronto, the food is both adorable and delicious. The tables are made from mah jong tiles, the noodles are served purposely spilling out of their cups and the Ovaltine condensed milk French toast is an instant classic. Stop by for breakfast or lunch and, if you’re lucky enough to score a table, take a peek at the giant menu and choose what calls to you. Sweet and salty pork and maple syrup French toast? Baked spaghetti? A teddy bear floating in a cup of tea? They’ve got it all.