Oh Midtown. Oh Penn Station, Port Authority, and Times Square. We left Grand Central off that litany, because Grand Central is heaven and the other places we rattled off, well, they're pretty much New York City's inner circles of hell.
Admit it, you avoid Midtown whenever possible, don't you? It's okay to admit it, we do too.
We'd much prefer the relaxed splendor of the West Village or the eclectic energy of the East Village, or even the semi-pretentious Upper East Side than the smoggy, depressing, crowded section of NYC called Midtown.
Still, there are some extremely tolerable bars in Midtown, which we discovered to our surprise. Now, we're bringing you 7 Midtown restaurants that don't suck.
Why? Well, avoid it as we try, most of us work in Midtown. If we don't, it's near all NYC's major transportation hubs, and we're all bound to be in Midtown looking for a good meal every now and again. Read on to find out where in Midtown to eat.
1. Andrew's Coffee Shop (463 7th Avenue)
dreamyjayne Drinking a Peach Bellini & dining like a local at #AndrewsCoffeeShop for my birthday with @candzdavis #DreamyInNYC 🎉 #NewYorkCity #GarmentDistrict #Foodie #Burger #Fries #Slaw #AmericanFood
Would you expect a real chill diner to be so proximate to Penn Station?
We certainly wouldn't, and yet, Andrew's Coffee Shop is literally right across the street from Penn Station, defying every expectation of the area.
It's got everything you'd hope for from a diner: unlimited coffee, burgers, pancakes and spaghetti. It's extremely reasonably priced, and we'll be shocked if you ever have to wait for a table.
Are you near Penn Station and looking to satisfy your craving for onion rings or a Belgian waffle sundae? If so, we think Andrew's Coffee Shop is where you should have your next meal.
2. Spice (various locations)
If you're anything like us, you live by the mantra that Thai food is life.
With that in mind, Spice is an entirely pleasant Thai restaurant with plenty of locations. In fact, they've got two locations in Midtown, the area in question. One is located at 236 8th Avenue and the other is located at 199 8th Avenue.
Here's the lowdown. Their "drunk man noodles" are to die for, and the aged pork chops will leave you unspeakably satisfied. They're juicy, tender, and seasoned to perfection. Plus, we'd never hate on the ever classic pad Thai at Spice either.
A word of warning: Be careful with your Spice visits. It may quickly morph into an obsession.
3. Benares (various locations)
bangladeshikitchen #Spiced #quail supreme & quail egg atop a bed of summer #vegetable #biriyani, with some creamy #raita on the side. Another really good main course at @BenaresOfficial in #Mayfair, #London. Full review now up on the blog, link in bio 🍚 **************************************************** #benares #benaresrestaurant #michelin #michelinstar #foodbloggers #fdbloggers #food #foodie #instafood #foodstagram #restaurant #restaurantreviews #indian #indianfood #indianrestaurant #fusion #finedining #gourmet #gourmethalal #bangladeshikitchen
Benares has two locations; one downtown and one in Midtown. We're obviously going to discuss the one in Midtown.
If you're craving Indian food, look no further than delicious Benares. Their naan is crispy and buttery, their paneer is perfectly firm, and their chicken tikka is delicious, with a lemon pang.
We'd have to humbly suggest that you order the chicken curry if you love curry. The curry sauce at Benares has got to be some of the best in the city. Plus, the space is inviting and spacious, and the employees are friendly and knowledgeable.
On a final note, their lunch special is all the rage. For $10-$18 (depending on your meat choice) you can get a delicious three-course meal.
4. Little Collins (667 Lexington Avenue)
littlecollinsnyc We love it to bits, this bun filled with schnitz, get one before, we call it quits. #bacon #lettuce #tomato #mayo #sriracha
Do you love Australian cuisine? Are you from Australia and craving a taste of home? Did you study abroad there and would love to feel like you're back in the eternal sunshine and happiness of Australia?
Great, then you've absolutely got to dine at Little Colins, which is even named after the main street in Melbourne.
They've got flat whites that are more authentic than Starbucks' (obviously). They've got delicious smash toast and the Sweet Uncle Fred is a genius combination, with toasted banana bread, ricotta and strawberries drizzled with honey.
The truth is that it's so good that the line is often out the door and getting a seat is a trying task. It is worth it, however.
,5. The Smith (various locations)
The Smith kills it on both sides of Midtown: Midtown East at 956 2nd Avenue and Midtown West at 701 8th Avenue.
They've also got locations on the Upper West Side and in the East Village, but that's not what we're here to talk about, is it?
Here's what we love about The Smith. Their chicken pot pie is absolutely delectable, and we've never met a plate of biscuits and gravy that we loved more than the one we met at The Smith. They've also got delicious Sicilian baked eggs, which have a nice kick.
We'd also suggest you try the pork chop, and never be the same again. Oh, and order the Brussels sprouts. We mean it.
The space at The Smith is inviting too, and great for groups. Who knew Midtown could be this excellent? Nobody. Literally, nobody. That's why we're here.
6. House of Lasagna (334 Lexington Avenue)
iannibabe You're one fine looking beef lasagna. 😍 The best so far :) The sauce was evenly distributed in every layer with generous amount of cheese 💜 The serving is good enough for 2 persons but i was able to finish it. (with a little help) haha 🐷 We will definitely go back to try other dishes next time 😄😊 #PogiSiGarwin #HouseOfLasagna #Love #Cheese #TGIF #HappyWeekend
Yum. Our stomachs are rumbling just thinking of the prospect of eating at this delicious, lovely little Italian restaurant.
Let's begin where you'll begin: the house salad. The dressing is unique, and unlike anything we've ever tasted. It's a secret vinaigrette recipe that you've absolutely got to try.
We'd also like to shout out the crispy, tender, incredible chicken parmesan, even though the main event at House of Lasagna is obviously its namesake, its lasagna.
It's also a really lovely date spot, especially if your date goes as bonkers for Italian food as we do.
If you live in NYC and have yet to discover this gem, we urge you. Go this week, go tomorrow, you know what, go today. You won't regret it.
7. Margon (136 West 46th Street)
dnalyen22 #cubanfood #margonnyc #rabo Amazing lunch, never fails! Nothing better than lunch spots in NYC! #nyc #nyceats #spanishfood #arrozmoro 🍺🐄
A delicious Cuban and Dominican restaurant in Times Square? We must be dreaming.
Well, we're not dreaming. Times Square is not just a capitalist wasteland overrun with Applebees and Olive Garden. There is some hope yet.
They've got a delicious bistec, an even better roast chicken, and you've absolutely got to try the $2 octopus salad. Plus, we crave their black beans and plantains on the regular.
The prices are relatively relaxed and the delicious portions are huge, the service is fast, and the baked chicken is tender and juicy. Plus the oxtail stew is an absolute go-to. Basically, you can't go wrong. Margon is delicious.
It gets crowded at lunch, obviously. Go at an off hour if you want to avoid the rush.
Check out 6 Amazing Boozy Bakery & Dessert Spots in NYC.
[Feature Image Courtesy dreamingon5th]