9 Best Places to Eat in Midtown New York

TLDR: Midtown Manhattan offers everything from century-old steakhouses to street food legends. Top picks include Grand Central Oyster Bar, Keens Steakhouse, and Koreatown BBQ. Expect tourist traps near Times Square but genuine gems scattered throughout.

Midtown Manhattan gets a bad reputation among locals, and honestly, some of it is deserved. The blocks around Times Square are full of chain restaurants and overpriced tourist traps. But if you know where to look, this part of the city has some genuinely excellent food hiding between the office towers and Broadway theaters.

I've spent plenty of time eating my way through this neighborhood, dodging the obvious pitfalls and finding spots that actually deliver. These nine restaurants represent what Midtown does best when it's not trying too hard to impress visitors.

1. Grand Central Oyster Bar

Grand Central Oyster Bar has been serving oysters beneath Grand Central Terminal's vaulted ceilings since 1913. The Guastavino-tiled arches create an atmosphere you won't find anywhere else in the city. I always sit at the counter where you can watch the shuckers work through dozens of oyster varieties.

The pan roast is their signature dish for good reason. It's rich, buttery, and perfect for cooler weather. Skip the full dining room if you're solo and grab a seat at the raw bar instead. The whispering gallery at the entrance is worth checking out too.

Did You Know? The restaurant served up to 30 oyster varieties when it opened, and the famous oyster stew recipe has remained virtually unchanged since the 1940s.

2. Keens Steakhouse

Walking into Keens Steakhouse feels like stepping back to 1885 when it first opened. The ceiling is lined with over 50,000 clay pipes that once belonged to patrons, including Babe Ruth and Teddy Roosevelt. The dark wood paneling and white tablecloths complete the old-school steakhouse experience.

The mutton chop is why people come here. It's actually a 26-ounce lamb saddle now, but the name stuck. Order it medium-rare with creamed spinach. The prime rib is also excellent if lamb isn't your thing. Reservations are essential, especially on weekends.

Did You Know? Actress Lillie Langtry sued Keens in 1905 for denying her entry to its men-only policy and won, becoming the first woman allowed to dine there.

3. Los Tacos No. 1

Finding genuinely good food near Times Square seems impossible, but Los Tacos No. 1 proves otherwise. The corn tortillas are made fresh and might be the best in the city. There's no seating, just counter space, but the tacos are worth eating standing up.

The adobada (marinated pork) is my go-to, though the carne asada holds its own. Add their green salsa for some heat. It gets crowded during lunch and before shows, so time your visit carefully. The prices are fair for Midtown, around $5-6 per taco.

Did You Know? Los Tacos started in Chelsea Market in 2013 before expanding to Times Square, and their tortillas are pressed fresh for every order.

4. Koreatown (32nd Street)

The single block of 32nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues packs in more Korean restaurants than entire neighborhoods in other cities. Jongro BBQ, Nubiani, and Kunjip all deliver quality KBBQ experiences with tabletop grilling and endless banchan.

I prefer Jongro for its never-frozen meats and indoor village atmosphere. The beef platter with brisket, ribeye, and marinated short rib is substantial enough for two people. These spots stay open late, making them perfect for post-theater dining. Expect waits on weekends.

Did You Know? Koreatown has been concentrated on this single block since the 1980s, and many restaurants stay open 24 hours on weekends.

If you're planning to explore Midtown's diverse food scene at your own pace, StoryHunt's Personal Tour Guide can help you create a custom audio walk that connects these culinary gems while sharing the neighborhood's history.

5. The Halal Guys (53rd & 6th)

The Halal Guys at 53rd Street and 6th Avenue has been serving its famous chicken and lamb over rice since 1990. What started as a hot dog cart serving Muslim cab drivers became a New York institution. The line can stretch down the block late at night, but it moves fast.

Get the combo platter with both chicken and gyro meat. The white sauce is mandatory; the red sauce is for those who like serious heat. Skip the brick-and-mortar restaurants and come to this exact cart. There's another one a block away with no line, but somehow this one tastes better.

Did You Know? The original founders switched from hot dogs to halal food in 1992 after realizing NYC's Muslim cab drivers had nowhere to get quick, affordable halal meals.

6. Le Rock

Located inside Rockefeller Center, Le Rock brings French brasserie elegance without the stuffiness. The Art Deco-inspired space feels grand but approachable, with a front bar that's perfect for solo dining. The team behind Frenchette runs this spot, which should tell you something about the quality.

The steak frites are reliable, but I've been impressed by the seafood tower when dining with groups. It's not cheap, but the location and execution justify the prices. Great for pre-show dining if you're headed to Radio City. Lunch is more manageable price-wise than dinner.

Did You Know? Le Rock was named one of Esquire's Best New Restaurants in America in 2022 and has been featured in the Michelin Guide.

7. P.J. Clarke's

This Third Avenue saloon, P.J. Clarke's, has been serving classic American fare since 1884, making it one of NYC's oldest continuously operating restaurants. The tiny original building somehow survived while skyscrapers rose around it. The atmosphere is pure old New York, with checkered floors and a mahogany bar.

The burger here is famous for a reason. It's simple, juicy, and comes on a soft bun without pretense. The raw bar is surprisingly good too. I like grabbing a seat at the bar during off-hours when it's quiet enough to appreciate the history. Cash isn't required but adds to the experience.

Did You Know? Frank Sinatra was a regular here, and the restaurant inspired the 1945 film 'The Lost Weekend' starring Ray Milland.

8. Burger Joint

Hidden behind a velvet curtain in the Le Meridien hotel lobby, Burger Joint is the anti-Midtown Midtown restaurant. The space is cramped, covered in graffiti, and serves exactly one thing well: burgers. It's the kind of place that would be unremarkable in any other neighborhood, but here it feels like a secret.

The burgers are straightforward and excellent. Get yours with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and their special sauce. The fries are fine but secondary. Expect to wait during lunch rush, but turnover is quick. This is comfort food executed correctly, at prices that won't destroy your wallet.

Did You Know? Burger Joint opened in 2003 and deliberately has no signage, relying entirely on word of mouth to draw customers through the hotel lobby.

9. Aquavit

Aquavit brings Scandinavian fine dining to Midtown East with a refined atmosphere and precise cooking. Executive Chef Emma Bengtsson, one of few women to earn two Michelin stars in the US, leads a kitchen that takes Nordic ingredients seriously without being precious about them.

The tasting menu is the full experience, but the bar menu offers a more affordable entry point. The herring plate and Swedish meatballs satisfy without requiring a three-figure commitment. Reservations are necessary for the dining room, though bar seats sometimes open up for walk-ins.

Did You Know? Aquavit has maintained its Michelin stars since 2014, and the restaurant's interior was designed to evoke the clean lines of Scandinavian architecture.

Explore Midtown Your Way

Want to discover Midtown Manhattan's culinary scene while learning about the neighborhood's history?

StoryHunt's Personal Tour Guide lets you create your own audio walk with an interactive map. Whether you're exploring Koreatown, hunting down historic restaurants, or finding the perfect pre-show dinner, you'll have personalized guidance at your own pace.

The app connects food finds with architectural landmarks and cultural stories, making every meal part of a bigger New York experience.