New York has every type of restaurant one can imagine. In fact, Manhattan and the other boroughs probably have more restaurants than you could visit in a lifetime. Many of the best New York City restaurants are well known and often crowded, but what about the lesser-known ones? In this article from a contributor to Boston's Hidden Restaurants, a Boston and New England-based restaurant guide, a selected list of some of the best hidden restaurants in New York City are featured. NEW YORK RESTAURANTS: Burger Joint (in Le Parker Meridien) 118 W 57th Street (Midtown), Manhattan, NY 10019 (212) 245-5000 Literally a hidden dining spot, this hole in the wall is buried inside the upscale Parker Meridien hotel. Imagine getting a juicy burger, fries, and a milkshake in Midtown for about $10. That's what you get at Burger Joint. Chumley's 86 Bedford Street (West Village), Manhattan, NY 10014 (212) 675-4449 Chumley's may be well-known to West Village residents, but this former speakeasy is literally a hidden gem. Between the fireplace, the old wooden decor, and the comfort food, Chumley's is a winner. Doyers Vietnamese Restaurant 11 Doyers Street (Chinatown), Manhattan, NY 10013 (212) 693-0725 Formerly called Vietnam, Doyers Vietnamese Restaurant is located in the basement of an old building on a narrow street in Chinatown. If you can find it, the restaurant is well worth going to for its soups and other entrees. Focacceria 87 Macdougal Street (Greenwich Village), Manhattan, NY 10012 (212) 253-8049 A favorite of Boston's Hidden Restaurants, Focacceria is a tiny, romantic trattoria that serves some tremendous Italian food to the Greenwich Village locals. La Caridad78 Restaurant 2199 Broadway (Upper West Side), Manhattan, NY 10024 (212) 874-2780 Like red beans and rice with your chow mein? If so, La Caridad 78 will satisfy your need for Cuban and Chinese cuisine. Don't expect friendly service at this homely little restaurant, but the food is tough to beat. Manhattan Diner 2180 Broadway (Upper West Side), Manhattan, NY 10024 (212) 877-7252 The Manhattan Diner is a popular place with the Upper West Side locals, but no one else seems to know about it. This bustling little Greek diner is a great place for a quick, satisfying breakfast or lunch. Marinella Restaurant 49 Carmine Street (West Village), Manhattan, NY 10014 (212) 807-7472 Cozy, intimate, and low-key, Marinella is one Italian restaurant in New York that should not be overlooked. Marinella is a hidden gem that may not be hidden for long. Old John's Luncheonette 148 W 67th Street (Lincoln Center), Manhattan, NY 10023 (212) 874-2700 "Lincoln Center's best-kept secret" is just that; Old John's Luncheonette is little-known, but serves outstanding meals all day long. It is worth coming to this friendly hole in the wall just for the Brooklyn-style french toast. Red Flame Coffee Shop 67 W 44th Street (Times Square/Theater District), Manhattan, NY 10036 (212) 869-3965 Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, yet a stone's throw from Times Square, the Red Flame serves up some very reasonable breakfast dishes. It is tiny, and often packed with locals, but worth any short wait you might encounter. Sekku Restaurant 343 Lexington Avenue (East Side/Grand Central), Manhattan, NY 10016 (212) 697-9020 A calm, quiet, peaceful place, Sekku is a great restaurant for those who want a respite from the hustle and bustle of New York. The sushi is terrific, as are the dinners such as the steak and chicken entrees. Veselka 144 Second Avenue (East Village), Manhattan, NY 10003 (212) 228-9682 Veselka is a friendly East Village restaurant that serves terrific Ukrainian comfort food, including borscht, pirogis, and potato pancakes. Vinnie's Pizza 285 Amsterdam Avenue (Upper West Side), Manhattan, NY 10023 (212) 874-4382 Vinnie's makes thick, gooey New York pizzas for the Upper West side locals who live near this terrific pizzeria. Tourists haven't caught on to this place, so enjoy the true New York experience here. Copyright 2005, Boston's Hidden Restaurants. All Rights Reserved. |