Dining in New York City, as in most large cities, is extremely adventurous. The choices are very wide, and prices run from cheap to astronomical. The list below offers some recommendations, but don’t be reluctant to explore and let your appetite lead you.
For the convenience of participants, the Juilliard/SAB Café, located in Lincoln Center, is a cozy and modern cafeteria-style dining facility that is open every day, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner (snacks and beverages are available from opening to just before closing time). All participants are welcome to partake of this service. Costs are reasonable, service is quick, and the food is wholesome.
Fine Dining
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O’Neal’s Restaurant |
49 West 64th Street • 50 West 65th Street (enter either side)
New York, NY 10023
Reservations: 212-787-4663
http://www.onealsny.com/1-flash.htm |
A true Lincoln Center mainstay, O’Neal’s grew up alongside Lincoln Center, and continues to serve as a standard haunt for dancers of the New York City Ballet, Philharmonic conductors, Metropolitan Opera singers, stage and television actors, Juilliard faculty, ASCAP administrators, CBS associates, and innumerable thirsty, hungry, and inspired souls. O’Neal’s offers “really good food at a fair price” in a sophisticated and comfortable setting. Directly across Broadway from Lincoln Center.
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Epices du Traiteur |
103 West 70th Street (between Broadway and Columbus Avenue)
New York, NY 10023
212-579-5904 |
Lovely and aromatic French/Moroccan cuisine in a cozy and elegant setting. Excellent service and reasonable prices. A nice choice for couples or small groups looking for a special meal.
A 5-minute walk from Lincoln Center.
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Bello Giardino |
71 West 71st Street (between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West)
New York, NY 10023
212-875-1512
http://www.bellogiardino.com/ |
A real “side-street” find. A sophisticated and varied menu, in a serene and comfortable environment that includes covered backyard garden seating in summer, and Sinatra crooning softly on the overhead speakers. The food is delicious and the service is very professional. A 10-minute walk from Lincoln Center. Note: cash only. |
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Nice-Casual
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Le Pain Quotidien |
60 West 65th Street (between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West)
New York, NY 10023
http://www.painquotidien.com/
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This popular French-bakery-inspired restaurant uses organic ingredients, and offers a creative health-conscious menu, as well as a wide assortment of classic French pastries, and waiter service at large wooden communal tables.
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Sushi A-Go-Go |
1900 Broadway (between 63rd and 64th Streets)
New York, NY 10023
212-724-7340
http://www.sushiagogonyc.com/
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Just across Broadway from Lincoln Center, this lively sushi spot offers lunch specials and summertime outdoor seating. It can get rather crowded, but service is usually quick.
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Ten Zan Japanese Cuisine |
285 Columbus Avenue (between 73rd and 74th Streets)
New York, NY 10023
212-580-7300
(no website)
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Nicely prepared sushi and Japanese cuisine at a reasonable price. A 10-minute walk from Lincoln Center, Ten Zan is a popular, though un-crowded, lunch spot.
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Patsy's Pizza |
61 West 74th Street (between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West)
New York, NY 10023
212-579-3000
http://www.patsyspizzeriany.com/locations.htm
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Classic New-York-style thin crust pizza, as well as other Italian dishes, with waiter service. Great for groups, Patsy’s is a New York institution that fortunately has this location on the Upper West Side. A 10-minute walk from Lincoln Center.
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Alice’s Tea Cup |
102 West 73rd Street (between Broadway and Columbus)
New York, NY 10023
212-799-3006
http://alicesteacup.com/
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A wide variety of perfectly brewed teas is only the beginning. This whimsical tearoom has a full menu of health-conscious and utterly delicious lunch and early dinner choices. Tea is the order of the day, but coffee drinkers are also tolerated. Their famous fresh scones with real clotted cream and jam are not to be missed! A 12-minute walk from Lincoln Center.
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Saigon Grill |
620 Amsterdam Avenue (at 90th Street)
New York, NY 10024
212-875-9072
www.saigongrill.com
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This large Vietnamese restaurant is a destination for the hungry, for large groups, and for anyone who loves delicious Vietnamese food at a great price. A short subway ride from Lincoln Center.
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Barney Greengrass, the Sturgeon King |
541 Amsterdam Avenue (at 86th Street)
New York, NY 10024
212-724-4707
http://www.barneygreengrass.com/welcome.php
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A New York classic, serving a beautiful variety of top-quality smoked and cured fish, as well as caviars, bagels, knishes, and other New York specialties. Eat-in or to-go by the pound. A short subway ride or twenty-five-minute walk from Lincoln Center.
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Carmine’s |
2450 Broadway (between 90th and 91st Streets)
New York, NY 10036
http://www.carminesnyc.com/
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Delicious southern-Italian-style cooking in outrageously large portions and a festive ambience. Only go with a large and hungry group, and plan to eat family style. A short subway ride from Lincoln Center.
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Casual-Casual |
Emerald Inn |
205 Columbus Avenue (between 69th and 70th Streets)
New York, NY 10023
212-874-8840
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A cozy and homey Irish pub that serves standard pub grub and a tasty shepherd’s pie.
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Big Nick’s Burger and Pizza Joint |
Two locations, both nearby:
70 West 71st Street #1 (between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West)
New York, NY 10023
212-799-4444
2175 Broadway (between 76th and 77th Streets)
New York, NY 10024
212-362-9238
http://bignicksnyc.com/ |
Great burgers at a great price, plus pizzas, and a HUGE menu of other comfort foods, in a fast-paced burger joint atmosphere. Eat in or take out. Great for when you’re really hungry but watching your budget. Open 24 hours! Both locations about a 12-minute walk from Lincoln Center.
Note: Cash only.
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Francesco’s Pizza |
186 Columbus Avenue (between 68th and 69th Streets)
New York, NY 10023
212-721-0066
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Good pizza, calzones, salads, and pasta dishes, as well as room to sit. A 4-minute walk from Lincoln Center.
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Lunch Spots |
| The restaurants listed below focus on lunch, but most of the restaurants listed above also serve lunch and offer lunch specials. |
Old John’s Luncheonette |
148 West 67th Street (between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway)
New York, NY 10023
212-874-2700
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A real New York diner, and an old favorite of a certain local conservatory president, Old John’s has nice sandwiches, burgers, eggs, omelets, soups, and, of course, diner coffee, all at a decent price, and served with a smile. The grilled salmon sandwich is an especially delicious healthy choice.
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La Traviata Pizza |
101 West 68th Street (between Columbus Avenue and Broadway)
New York, NY 10023
212-721-1101
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This tiny pizza joint is easy to miss, tucked away on the side street. There’s not much room inside, and not much décor, but the pizza is some of the neighborhood’s best. Try the delicious white pizza. A 3-minute walk from Lincoln Center.
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Rigoletto Pizza |
208 Columbus Avenue (between 69th and 70th Streets)
New York, NY 10023
212-721-2929
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A thinner crust than other neighborhood pizzas, and more generous on sauce. Very nice pizza, a cheery décor, and usually room to sit. A 5-minute walk from Lincoln Center.
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Lunch Box |
886 9th Avenue (between 57th and 58th Streets)
New York, 10019
212-969-9642
http://www.burritobox.com/
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Directly across the street from its sister lunch counter the Burrito Box, the Lunch Box serves delicious and healthy sandwiches, soups, and snacks, as well as fresh fruit and vegetable juices, espresso, and capuccino. Don’t be scared away by the line outside of loyal patrons. The counter service is fast and friendly, and the value is excellent, with high-quality food at a good price. Seating is very limited during peak hours, so it may work best to-go or as a picnic stock-up. A 10-minute walk from Lincoln Center.
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Burrito Box |
885 9th Avenue (between 57th and 58th Streets)
New York, 10019
212-489-6889
http://www.burritobox.com/
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Directly across the street from the Lunch Box of the same owners, this counter-order burrito joint has an amazingly diverse menu, ranging from the classics of Tex-Mex cuisine to West-Coast-style vegetarian and vegan options. Gourmet tacos, burritos, wraps, quesadillas, and salads are all very nicely prepared, reasonably priced, and served quickly. Very limited seating, so plan to take it to-go. A 10-minute walk from Lincoln Center.
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Grandaisy Bakery |
176 West 72nd Street (between the Broadway/Amsterdam intersection and Columbus Avenue)
New York, NY 10023
212-334-9435
www.grandaisybakery.com
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Specializing in breads and exotic pizzas, including a delicious cauliflower and gruyère pizza, and their signature pomodoro, Grandaisy also has excellent, if rather expensive, deserts, and coffee. Service is quick and friendly, and there is very limited seating. A 10-minute walk, or one subway stop, from Lincoln Center.
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Inexpensive |
Gray’s Papaya |
2090 Broadway (at 71st Street)
New York, NY 10023
212-799-0243
http://www.hollyeats.com/Grays.htm
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Hands-down the cheapest meal in town. With a menu of little more than hot dogs and fruit drinks, Gray’s Papaya makes a cult of cheap, and was deeply apologetic to its patrons when rising expenses forced them to raise their hot dog price, after 8 years, to $1.25 (street-cart hot dogs are more like $3). “When you’re broke, or hungry, or just in a hurry…” is the motto on their sign. Save a few bucks by dining on their “recession special”: two hot dogs and a small drink for $3.50. A 7-minute walk, or one subway stop, from Lincoln Center. Open 24 hours!
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H&H bagels |
2239 Broadway (at 80th Street)
New York, NY 10024
212-595-8003
http://www.hhbagels.com/
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Believed by many to be New York’s very finest, H&H bagels are served by the better delis and sandwich shops around the city. The H&H store itself sells little more than bagels and cream cheese, and does not have eat-in seating, so it’s perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast for one, a dozen for your group, or an inexpensive picnic lunch. A short subway ride, or twenty-minute walk, from Lincoln Center.
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Cafes |
Café Lalo |
201 W 83rd St. (Corner of Amsterdam Ave.)
New York, NY 10024
212-496-6031
www.cafelalo.com
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Famous for great coffee and desserts, and a lively atmosphere. A half-hour walk or short subway ride from Lincoln Center.
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Caffe Reggio |
119 Macdougal Street (between 3rd Street and Bleeker Street)
New York, NY 10012
212-475-9557
http://www.cafereggio.com/
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Not exactly nearby, but a very special spot for musicians visiting New York. About a 15-minute subway ride from Lincoln Center, this truly old-world style café in Greenwich Village is a favorite hangout for musicians and music lovers of a classical bent. The coffee, desserts, and food are very nice (and even modestly priced, by New York standards), everyone there is talking about music, and you never know who might pull up at the next table.
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Special Diets |
Ozu |
566 Amsterdam Avenue (between 87th and 88th Streets)
New York, NY 10024
212-787-8316
http://www.ozunyc.com/
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Macrobiotic and kosher Japanese cuisine, with an emphasis on vegetarian and vegan dishes, but also a good variety of fish dishes.
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Le Pain Quotidien |
60 West 65th Street (between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West)
New York, NY 10023
http://www.painquotidien.com/
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All organic ingredients, with many good vegetarian and vegan options. This popular French-bakery-inspired restaurant offers a creative health-conscious menu, as well as a wide assortment of classic French pastries, and waiter service at large wooden communal tables.
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Kasbah Kosher Barbeque and Grill |
251 West 85th Street (at Broadway)
New York, NY 10024
212-496-1500
Fax: 212-496- 2264
www.delikasbah.com
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Top quality glatt kosher meats. A 25-minute walk, or short subway ride, from Lincoln Center.
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Lunch Box |
886 9th Avenue (between 57th and 58th Streets)
New York, 10019
212-969-9642
http://www.burritobox.com/
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Good vegetarian and vegan options. Directly across the street from its sister lunch counter the Burrito Box, the Lunch Box serves delicious and healthy sandwiches, soups, and snacks, as well as fresh fruit and vegetable juices, espresso and capuccino. Don’t be scared away by the line outside of loyal patrons. The counter service is fast and friendly, and the value is excellent, with high-quality food at a good price. Seating is very limited during peak hours, so it may work best as a picnic stock-up. A 10-minute walk from Lincoln Center.
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Burrito Box |
885 9th Avenue (between 57th and 58th Streets)
New York, 10019
212-489-6889
http://www.burritobox.com/
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Many good vegetarian and vegan options. Directly across the street from the Lunch Box of the same owners, this counter-order burrito joint has an amazingly diverse menu, ranging from the classics of Tex-Mex cuisine to West-Coast-style vegetarian and vegan options. Gourmet tacos, burritos, wraps, quesadillas, and salads are all very nicely prepared, reasonably priced, and served quickly. A 10-minute walk from Lincoln Center.
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| Near Metropolitan Museum |
E.A.T. |
1064 Madison Avenue (between 80th and 81st Streets)
New York, NY 10128
212-772-0022
http://www.elizabar.com/eat.html
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Exciting and delicious gourmet cuisine, served, but not priced, casually. With counter service as well as a seating area, one can eat-in or buy something to-go. Owned by Eli Zabar of New York’s famous Zabar food dynasty, E.A.T merits at the very least a stop-in and look. Though pricey, it may just be worth it. A 3-minute walk from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art, various dining facilities |
1000 Fifth Avenue (at 81st Street)
New York, NY 10028
212-535-7710
http://www.metmuseum.org/visitor/dining_main.htm
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The Met Museum offers a wide variety of dining options in various price ranges within the museum. Some may be less expensive than outside dining options on the pricey Upper East Side. For more information, ask at the museum, call ahead, or consult the website listed above.
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