Winter is a beautiful time in New York City. The streets are decked out with holiday cheer, twinkling lights, and (if we're lucky) a light dusting of snow that makes our city gleam.
It's also a time when we have a massive influx of tourists that gather near every major attraction to feel the magic of the city.
If you're a native New Yorker, you probably like these places as much as a snowman likes the summertime.
Unfortunately, for both native New Yorkers and visitors, most of the restaurants surrounding these tourist attractions serve overpriced, inedible dishes.
Lucky for you, we've compiled a list of restaurants serving up impressive food at reasonable prices near major NYC attractions.
1. Central Park: Kefi (505 Columbus Avenue)
We admit, Central Park is pretty huge. Whether we're running through it in the middle of the summer or engaging in a snow ball fight in the middle of the winter, it's a beautiful attraction in this city.
A lot of visitors flock to Central Park to take in the beauty that we sometimes take for granted. Whether you're a tourist or a local, you probably want a restaurant near it that doesn't charge premium prices for terrible food just because of the location.
Try Kefi, a Greek tavern where the food is bursting with seasonal Mediterranean flavor. The menu is so delectable, you're going to have a hard time deciding what to eat for lunch or dinner.
We recommend the "Sheep Milk Ricotta Ravioli" with brown butter and sage. If you're not feeling that, the "Braised Lamb Shank," with orzo.
2. Rockefeller Center: Nino's 46 (39 West 46th Street)
If you asked us where to avoid during the touristy holiday season, Rockefeller Center would definitely make top three.
But that's only because we've seen it before. If you have never seen the area surrounding Rockefeller Center during the holidays in person, we highly recommend you battle out the throngs of people to catch a glimpse. It's definitely something to be seen and enjoyed.
However, battling to get through the overwhelming crowds of people will build up a pretty large appetite. You need to get to Nino's 46, and try some of their delicious brick-oven pizza.
This family-owned Italian spot will warm you up from the NYC cold. Start with the "Burrata" with macerated raspberries, grilled endives and charred onions, before digging into the Spicy Soppressata, Sweet Sausage, Vodka Sauce, and Queso Grande Pizzas made in their brick oven.
3. Times Square: Tony's Di Napoli (147 West 43rd Street)
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Times Square: the bane of our existence. You're not a true New Yorker if you don't at least intensely dislike this place with a burning passion.
But we're sure that lots of your visiting family and friends are going to request that you take them to see this tourist trap. Suck it up. Show them the flashing lights, and tell them to run from the strange creepy dudes in character suits.
You're still so lucky. Just because you have to enter this wave of slow walking, picture taking tourists does not mean you have to eat like one. If you're stuck in this area, try out Tony's Di Napoli. The family style service means you can try out more than just your own dish.
Try the "Eggplant Parmigiana," and the "Linguini with Seafood."
4. Broadway: Trattoria Trecolori (254 West 47th Street)
Broadway is always a popular tourist and native destination for the incredible talent performing. Whether or not you're heading there to see the signage flashing above the theaters or to watch the performance of a lifetime, you're going to need some food.
There are so many tourist traps in the theater district, but this isn't one of them. Trattoria Trecolori is a hidden gem with incredible, fairly priced food.
We'd recommend the "Gnocchi alla Baba," which is homemade potato-ricotta dumplings in a tomato-basil sauce with eggplant and mozzarella, or the "Chicken Scarpariello," which is diced chicken breast sautéed with sweet Italian sausage in a garlic, rosemary, olive oil, and white wine sauce.
,5. Empire State Building: Friedman's (132 West 31st Street)
Its one of the world's most well-known buildings, and therefore, an automatic tourist hotspot. Most people associate the NYC skyline with the silhouette of the Empire State Building. It's also one of the best spots to look out over the city.
If you're checking out the Empire State Building, you're probably doing so during the day... unless it's just to stand underneath and marvel at the color of the lights.
Hit up Friedman's for a really amazing breakfast or lunch. For breakfast, we'd recommend the pancakes smothered with caramelized strawberries and rhubarb.
If it's lunchtime, we're loving the "Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich" with kale slaw and honey tabasco sauce served with herbed fries.
6. Radio City Music Hall: Ipanema Restaurant (43 West 46th Street)
This spot is pretty much in the center of the tourist areas of Midtown. It's also a really amazing spot for some Brazilian and Portuguese cuisine.
Try the "picanha," which is aged top-sirloin served with vinaigrette and yucca flour. You can't leave without trying the "banana frita" or fried sweet bananas.
Along with amazing food, Ipanema has excellent cocktails. So if you need some food or just some liquid courage to deal with the holidays, you're in for a treat.
7. NY Public Library: Parker & Quinn (64 West 39th Street)
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So this is just another spot for a lot of tourists that come to NYC during the holidays.
No, they may not be checking out the spot where Jake Gyllenhaal survived the apocalypse in The Day After Tomorrow, but because it's near the site of major holiday window shopping attractions.
If you're stuck in the influx of window shoppers or avid readers, try out Parker & Quinn. Their "Alaskan King Crab Mac & Cheese," is as incredible as it sounds.
You should split that along with a "Lamb Burger" with peperonata, goat cheese, and harissa aioli.
Check out 10 Places to Get a Thanksgiving Dinner without Stepping Foot in the Kitchen.
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]