The Best Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Spots in New York City

While there's a time and place for chain restaurants in Times Square, for many travelers to New York – especially those visiting for the art, culture, and excitement – experiencing the city's vibrant food scene is one of the highlights of their trip.

Sometimes you just need a quick bite to fuel your day before rushing off to the next meeting. Other times, you crave a satisfying mid-range meal that won’t derail your healthy habits.

Then there are those special moments when you're in the mood for a luxury dining experience that only New York can deliver.

This guide highlights nine standout New York restaurants, offering three options for each meal and budget, so you can find the perfect spot for any occasion.

Breakfast

Quick and Affordable: Russ & Daughters

For some, breakfast in New York is all about grabbing something on the go and eating while you walk down the street.

Charming Sit-Down: Balthazar

Not every trendy spot in SoHo invites you to relax and linger, but Balthazar’s warm atmosphere encourages just that, offering large bowls of café au lait and freshly baked croissants from their own bakery.

Eggs your way include options like 'en cocotte' (baked in a ramekin with cream), puff pastry (scrambled eggs with wild mushrooms and asparagus), or Norwegian style (poached with smoked salmon), often accompanied by the chance for a celebrity sighting.

More than just a meal: Norma’s at Le Parker Meridien

New Yorkers aloof? Not really. They love impressing guests with a show-stopping moment.

For some, it’s the moment the Wah-za waffle arrives – fruit on the outside, fruit on the inside, with a crème brûlée top. Because in New York, breakfast isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience.

Just a block away from Central Park, so guests can take a stroll after their meal to enjoy the park’s beauty.

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Lunch

Budget-friendly and tasty: Uncle Gussy’s

New York’s busiest lunch spot might just be a Midtown street corner. Options? Soggy pretzels, sad hot dogs... or you can enjoy a hot, freshly carved lamb gyro topped with all the fixings from a wildly popular food truck run by two brothers.

Mom’s homemade OMG tzatziki sauce is a must-try. Trust me, you’ll want to spend the extra 80 cents for a little more of this magic.

Cozy sit-down: Friedman’s

New York constantly pushes you to keep moving – through museums, up subway stairs, or along the lengthy High Line. By the time the day winds down, a special kind of exhaustion can lead to some less-than-ideal food choices.

Luckily, this local favorite offers everything from healthy veggie bowls to indulgent mac ‘n’ cheese, along with plenty of gluten-free options (even hamburger buns). With locations from downtown to uptown, you’ll always be near a good meal.

Not just a meal, but a true experience: Locanda Verde

Popular spots with long waitlists for dinner often have availability at lunchtime.

This vibrant Tribeca gem, co-owned by Robert De Niro, is perfect for a leisurely, star-worthy meal. The menu proudly states: 'Tutta la nostra pasta è fatta in casa.' Translation: All our pasta is homemade.

Order the famous My Grandmother’s Ravioli and you'll understand why no translation is needed.

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Dinner

Quick and budget-friendly: Tortilleria Nixtamal

If New York is a cultural melting pot, Queens is its heart, serving as the birthplace of diverse, authentic cuisines.

Experience life-changing tacos at the borough's authentic tortilla factory, the same supplier to the high-end Mexican spots in Manhattan.

Charming dine-in spot: Barawine

With over eight million people in the city, it's easy for visitors to feel isolated. But the communal dining setup at this lively Harlem brasserie offers the perfect remedy.

They offer a fantastic selection of wines by the glass and an exceptional roast duck breast.

Not just a meal, but an experience: The Four Seasons

Describing this sophisticated grande dame with words like ultimate, iconic, flawless, and incomparable is common, but they still fall short in capturing the glowing luxury of its mid-century style, the impeccably chilled martini, and the perfect rack of lamb for two.

For those seeking a truly classic New York experience, it's worth visiting the restaurant before it relocates in July 2016.

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