New York Restaurants for Solo Traveller

FidelCashflow · May 8, 2011

I'm planning on visiting NYC end of June for 5 days - staying in Greenwhich village and hitting all the touristy spots throughout Manhattan. Can anyone recommend some good restaurants for breakfast/dinner/lunch - preferably ones that are comfortable enough for someone dining alone?

I love unique concept restaurants. One restaurant I'm already excited about visiting is Mac Bar on Prince Street which offers Lobster Mac N Cheese. From what everyone says, a visit to one of the famous pizza places and deli's is also a must. Any particularly good ones in Manhattan?

Any other such recommendations? I've started looking at urbanspoon - but am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of restaurants.

gomestar · May 9, 2011

few things beat a bagel from H&H for breakfast. I only ate breakfast in Manhattan in my youth (the french toast at Triomphe was my favorite).

you can hit up most of the great restaurants solo by just sitting at the bar and ordering a drink and some apps. In fact, this is what I do most of the time anyways, even when I'm not solo.

if you must have lobster, try Luke's for a lobster roll. A bargain compared to most places yet IMO better. And if you must have mac n cheese, hit up Dogmatic where the truffled guyere mac n cheese for $3.25 is one of the best deals I've had.

Other good ones to try, whether it be for lunch or dinner: Aldea, Eleven Madison, anything Daniel Boulud, Locanda Verde, Maialino, 15 East for sushi, Babbo (since you're in GV)

bibs · May 9, 2011

+1 or Daniel Boulud and you could probably hit one of the Momofuku's

the shah · May 9, 2011

Breakfast at Le French Diner, the best french toast in the city, though they open at 12 so not really breakfast..

SField · May 9, 2011

Toto Ramen.

A must, in my opinion. Pretty much any fine dining restaurant will accommodate a solo diner.

Renton · May 9, 2011

I had an dinner at Le Bernadin as a solo diner. It worked out that 5:30 was the only time I could get a reservation when I was last in the city, so I said to hell with it and enjoyed a tasting menu on my own.

bibs · May 9, 2011

Originally Posted by SField

Toto Ramen.

A must, in my opinion. Pretty much any fine dining restaurant will accommodate a solo diner.

Ippudo Ramen is also a must try if you're into that noodle stuff

SField · May 9, 2011

Originally Posted by bibs

Ippudo Ramen is also a must try if you're into that noodle stuff

Toto Ramen is considerably better. Much better.

Axelman 17 · May 9, 2011

Originally Posted by FidelCashflow

I'm planning on visiting NYC end of June for 5 days - staying in Greenwhich village and hitting all the touristy spots throughout Manhattan. Can anyone recommend some good restaurants for breakfast/dinner/lunch - preferably ones that are comfortable enough for someone dining alone? I love unique concept restaurants. One restaurant I'm already excited about visiting is Mac Bar on Prince Street which offers Lobster Mac N Cheese. From what everyone says, a visit to one of the famous pizza places and deli's is also a must. Any particularly good ones in Manhattan? Any other such recommendations? I've started looking at urbanspoon - but am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of restaurants.
What price point did you have in mind for the meals? Gomestar posted some good recommendations on the higher end side but depends on budget. Also, are you into wine? There are a number of wine bar type spots that would work well for a solo dinner......

changy · May 9, 2011

I find solo dinners are more comfortable (less awkward) when sitting at a bar. So I'm gonna say.

- Sushi Yasuda
- Ippudo (Go during lunch, it's less crowded)
- Robuchon
- Sakagura
- Grammercy Tavern
- Degustation

I find establishments like Katz and russ & daughters to be a rip off, but since you are being a tourist, it probably wont hurt to check it out.

SField · May 9, 2011

Yasuda for sure
EMP
Toto Ramen (again, do this way before you do Ippudo... the people that praise Ippudo haven't been to Japan.)
L'Atelier

bkdasher · May 9, 2011

+ 1 Ippudo (haven't been to Toto and feel compelled to go tonight)
+ 1 Momofuku
+ 1 Boulud (DBGB could be particularly good if your solo)

And just off the top of my head-

Burgers: Shake Shack, Minetta Tavern, or Corner Bistro (for the nostalgia, the burger has gone downhill)
Pizza: Motorino, Keste
Thai: Kin Shop
BBQ: Dinosaur or RUB
American: Peels
Weird but delicious: Shopsin's

I've got Brooklyn suggestions too, if you're interested.

patrickBOOTH · May 9, 2011

The Brooklyn Diner in Times Square.

SField · May 9, 2011

Originally Posted by bkdasher

+ 1 Ippudo (haven't been to Toto and feel compelled to go tonight)
+ 1 Momofuku
+ 1 Boulud (DBGB could be particularly good if your solo)

And just off the top of my head-

Burgers: Shake Shack, Minetta Tavern, or Corner Bistro (for the nostalgia, the burger has gone downhill)
Pizza: Motorino, Keste
Thai: Kin Shop
BBQ: Dinosaur or RUB
American: Peels
Weird but delicious: Shopsin's

I've got Brooklyn suggestions too, if you're interested.

Tell me about Shopsin's.

And please go to Toto Ramen. Get the pork belly over rice with yuzu mayo, then the chicken ramen (their speciality.) I am a snob of broth and I was very impressed, especially given the price.

Shake Shack is good as is the place at Parker Meridien. I still think Luger's has a good burger... the only thing I don't find disgusting at that place.

FidelCashflow · May 9, 2011

Originally Posted by Axelman 17

What price point did you have in mind for the meals? Gomestar posted some good recommendations on the higher end side but depends on budget. Also, are you into wine? There are a number of wine bar type spots that would work well for a solo dinner......
I think $50-60 is the most I would spend on a meal if it was amazing - but I'd probably only spend that much 2 or 3 times in my whole trip and I'd probably each cheap for like $15 at a few other places to try and balance it out. I'm not really into wine at all. I'm really into Moroccan, Indian, south western, and Italian food. Any suggestions on those fronts?

New York Restaurants for Solo Traveller

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