Navigating a New York City Foodie Weekend

For us food lovers, planning a quick weekend trip to New York City is a daunting task. Aside from the endless options for cuisines, vibes, and price points, you’re fighting for seats at tables with 12 million other hungry savages. NYC’s food scene is so cutthroat that the city had to recently outlaw the notorious reservation “black market”. Yup, smarter people than me used to (and probably still) build bots that would snag the most popular reservations at the hottest restaurants and put them up for sale. This created an unsustainable model that was bad for both restaurants and customers.

Forget all the bad press NYC gets in the news. It’s an incredible city that is more alive than any I’ve ever been to. In a single weekend you can stroll through ritzy row homes of the West Village, sit in the front row at a trendy Williamsburg Jazz bar, and knock down mezcal shots with the staff of one of the world’s best cocktail bars. This place is electric.

The key to success when planning your perfect itinerary and having the best chance at nailing the spots that you want to experience is to have a plan. Plan further ahead than you think. Start thinking about where you want to eat and drink at least 2 months ahead of time.

Below is the recent itinerary that we executed that will serve as a guide while planning your next foodie weekend in the Big Apple.

Day 1 – Early Drinks, Late Dinner

Whether you come in by plane, train or car, try to arrive as early as possible. Let’s shoot for early afternoon at the latest. This will give you enough time to eat a late lunch, check into your hotel, and get ready for a night out.

This weekend’s stay is at Public Hotel in the Lower East Side (LES). Public’s location is prime for what’s in store for this trip. Perfectly situated at the intersection of LES, East Village, and SoHo, and just a 20 min walk over to the West Village and Chinatown, staying here will make sure you’re never too far from where you need to go. (Pro tip: book through Tablet Hotels and you’ll get perks like an auto-upgrade, $25 hotel credit, and a bottle of wine sent to your room).

Hope you’re hungry from all that traveling coming in. Good news is the world is at your fingertips. You’ve got LES and NYC staples Russ & Daughters and Katz’s Deli within 5 min walk. If you’re in the mood for a top-notch smashburger head to Gotham Burger Social Club. Or, for burritos that will make you question if you’ve ever even had a burrito before there’s Son Del North. Lastly, if you’re craving a pizza slice try Scarr’s (recently named Time Out Magazine’s 2nd best pizza in the WORLD), Prince Street, or Joe’s (NYC classic).

You’ve got the option after lunch to take a stroll through LES or head back to the hotel to rest up before a long night out.

First stop tonight is at Monsieur, 5pm reservation. One of the newest additions to the East Village, Monsieur brings you into a gothic lair of fun. Walls dotted with oddities that make you question if you’ve accidentally stepped into Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride. In fact, it’s better than Disney because they serve a menu of perfectly crafted drinks and light bites. Think salted banana espresso martinis and Aperol margaritas. Don’t sleep on the shoestring fries which should help hold you over until dinner at 10pm. The staff embodies the vibe of this bar which only makes the experience better.

Next, it’s ‘World’s Best’ pick your poison. Nearby sits 3 of the world’s 50 best rated cocktail bars. Yes, it’s Friday night and you don’t have a reservation, but if you do it right, you’ll find yourself nabbing a seat. First try is at Double Chicken Please. Double Chicken is split into 2 bars: Free Range in the front of the house, and The Coop in the back. The Coop is the more refined menu with the fancier drinks while Free Range offers pre-batched cocktails on tap along with their banging menu of fried chicken items. Chances are there will be a wait for both with Free Range running at a shorter wait. Last time we went on a Friday the waits were 1 hour (front) and 3 hours (back).

Put your name down and head a couple blocks over to another dual ‘World’s Best’ bar, Attaboy. Again, you should expect Attaboy to be running a long wait. Expect 10-15 people to be ahead of you, which could take longer than you have. Good news is right next door is Attaboy’s new spritz and wine bar Good Guys. Getting a spot here should only take 10-15 min if any wait at all. Cozy up to the bar or a standing window seat and order yourself a few spritzes. The vibe here is top notch, you won’t be disappointed.

Now you’ve put yourself in a bit of a predicament. Stay at Good Guys or head back to Double Chicken to finish your pre-dinner bar crawl. Your choice depends on how you’re feeling in the moment. No wrong moves here.

When it’s time, start your walk into Chinatown for dinner at one of NYC’s newest additions, Bridges. Perfect lighting, vibe, and food define this French-leaning spot that is beaming with energy. The whole menu slaps, but go with standouts like the sardine toast, aged tuna with dates, some sort of shrimp with an uni custard (wow), Comte cheese tart with chanterelles and truffles (wow again), and the sweetbread main course cooked to perfection. We visited Bridges on Valentine’s Day so it was extra hard to snag a res, however, I’d still recommend being on top of your game when booking here. They go fast and don’t always open up on the notify list.

Walk back to the hotel from here or call a taxi if you’ve just had enough and want to go home.

Day 2 – Daytime Stroll, Mexican Shots, Michelin Star Noodles, Jazz

After an eventful and fulfilling first night, its time to keep that momentum going into your only full day of the trip. Start off with a workout class at the hotel, complimentary for guests, or take a morning stroll around the city. We opted for the morning stroll. Why? Because isn’t walking around a city just an excuse to eat something at the end?

That “food at the end” just happens to be one of the most talked about (and delicious) pastry shops in the city at the moment, L'appartement 4f. Smack dab in the middle of the West Village lies a pickup window shelling out French pastries so good you’ll think you’ve been transported across the world to a cozy corner of Le Marais. Order the flaky croissant of your choosing (maybe add in a kouign amann if you’re feeling spicy) and grab a spot in nearby Jefferson Market Garden to cap off a perfect morning breakfast.

Continue your exploration of lower Manhattan’s bougie neighborhoods by heading up to Chelsea. Take a walk on the famous High Line for unique vantage points and pops of colorful flower gardens. Maybe even take this opportunity to peak into Chelsea Market for some midday shopping, or for an adobada (marinated pork with pineapple) taco at Los Tacos No. 1, who’s mouthwateringly tasty taco consistently competes for my favorite in the whole country.

Find yourself back in the West Village and into SoHo for some boutique shopping, window-peeping (the act of staring into rich people’s homes on the street, wondering what it must be like to have all that money), and a sweet tooth satisfying pit-stop into Lil Sweet Treat, a specialty European candy shop sure to put your typical gas station gummy bears to shame.

For a late and light lunch, make your way over to the East Village for authentic Japanese hand cut udon and soba noodles at Sobaya. Just like the Japanese always have, this shop has mastered their craft. Try your hand at hot (in broth) or cold versions of your favorite noodles alongside your choice of traditional addons like tempura veggies, fried bean curd, unagi (barbequed eel), and fish cakes. It’s hard to go wrong with any choice here. Just make sure not to go too noodle overboard considering where tonight’s dinner is!

I’d consider that a successful day on the NYC streets. Now is the optimal time to regroup back at the hotel and charge up the ole batteries for your last night on the town.

Rested and recharged? Let’s get the night started! The evening’s first stop is a 7 min walk from the hotel at Superbueno. Recently voted the 27th best bar in the world, Superbueno is the perfect combination of Mexican flair and NYC style. This lively spot has a deep bench of unique cocktails, agave spirits, and light bites. Think Roasted Corn Sours, Mole Negronis, and the best Vodka (y) Soda you’ll probably ever have. This combined with a bumping playlist and gratefully helpful staff makes Superbueno a must visit when you’re in town. Pro tip: even if you’re not eating, make sure to snag a reservation 1-2 weeks advance. This will guarantee your spot without having to take any unnecessary chances.

Now it’s time to transport your palate halfway across the world from Mexico to Korea for dinner at Jeju Noodle Bar. Jeju was the first noodle bar in the country to receive a Michelin Star in 2019 and has kept that distinction to this day. That, among other accolades, is just one testament to how well this staff can nail a meal. Don’t just take some fancy magazine’s word for it, though. See for yourself.

Start with the Toro Ssambap, which is basically a build-your-own toro handroll with caviar. It’s impossible for this to be bad. Next, opt for some cold options like the Wild Fluke Hwe (similar to crudo) and the Clam and Seabream Somyeon, which can only be described as the best cold noodle dish I’ve ever had. Then, the main attractions: Jeju’s famous fried chicken (because what’s a Korean spot without at least one KFC option on the menu) with a yogurt dip that could be eaten off the street outside and still be good, and Lamb Ja Jang Myun which takes everything you know about ragu and throws it out the window. Lastly, there’s one dessert option, and you have to order it. Chocolate truffle soft serve with shaved black truffle on top. Enough said.

Quite simply, Jeju is an absolute standout restaurant and should be on every food lover’s hit list when visiting NYC.

Hope the energy levels are still running high, because it’s time to keep the party going. Grab a cab or Uber to Williamsburg Brooklyn to witness the mastery of a local NYC Jazz band at St. Mazie. St. Mazie is a funky bar in one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods. Jazz is offered up here multiple nights per week and features a variety of styles of music, guaranteed to please the whole crowd. Cozy up to your table and take a moment to enjoy artists at work. A few drinks and a couple hours of sultry sounds are sure to serve as the perfect night cap after an eventful day in the city that never sleeps.

Day 3 – Departure Sandwich

It goes without saying, you made the most of your short weekend. It’s with mixed emotions that you’ve got to go home today. Since you stayed out late the night before, let’s consider this morning a chill one. Your stomach might even still be full from the endless eating done in the last 48 hours, so no need to plan breakfast. Traveler’s choice here.

Depending on your energy level and time of departure, you can, however, plan to grab one last delicious meal before heading out. Luckily for you, we have a place in mind to perfectly round out your trip, Faicco’s Italian Specialties on Bleeker Street in the West Village. Faicco’s Italian hoagies are nothing short of incredible. The friendly staff will make you feel like you’re a regular. They’ll also help you navigate the variety of sandwich options they serve up in their deli. Try one of their specialty heros or build your own. You’re guaranteed not to go wrong.

Wrap-Up

Overall this was a 10 out of 10 trip. You accomplished (and ate & drank) more in 60 hours than most visitors experience in a full week. No, you didn’t hit the MoMA or go to the top of the Freedom Tower or see a show on Broadway or Radio City Music Hall. You could have if your heart desired. But how could your inner foodie have gone without the forever memories you made indulging on all the delicious eats? And don’t worry,. there are endless more memories to have in this mesmerizing city to keep you coming back and never get bored. Cheers to next time.