Whether you're craving a gourmet tasting menu, a classic New York slice, or innovative street food creations, the options are endless. Read on to learn about some of the hidden gems and hot new spots to eat, or just to discover a fun, local option you haven’t yet had a chance to experience.
Cooking and dessert making classes
Make dinner the whole of your plans by enrolling in a cooking class. Perfect for date nights or just learning a new skill on your own.
Cooking Classes: Make a meal out of your day
Want to spend a day learning a new skill in a class that also doubles as your dinner plans? Consider enrolling in one of the specialty cooking courses offered by one of New York’s hundreds of restaurants and teaching kitchens. Whether you want to learn how to make Indian, Thai, Italian, French, Chinese, or American cuisine, or you want to learn the fundamentals of cooking, there are a wide array of courses you can take after you get off of work. There are also couples cooking classes to serve as a unique date night and many of these classes offer a BYOB experience.
Pizza Making Workshop: Enjoy a slice of New York’s finest
There is nothing quite like pizza and there is, obviously, no shortage of options for fine (and not so fine) pizza to choose from in New York City. However, sometimes, you might feel like you’ve exhausted the usual options and you aren’t prepared to order from a chain or hope that a nearby pizza cart is doing anything you are interested in. Try spending a night (possibly with some friends) learning how to make authentic New York-style pizza. By the time the event is over, you will have your own pizza to take home and enjoy and be ready to recreate the dish at home and have a perfect pizza every time.
Pasta Making: Make perfect pasta every time
Who doesn't love fresh pasta, from silky fettuccine to perfect ravioli pillows? Spend an evening learning to make your own fresh pasta from experienced chefs in a homemade pasta class. Follow the steps to mix, roll, and cut the dough, and then enjoy your new creation. Pasta making classes are a great introduction to cooking even if you have never boiled water before.
Sushi Making: Discover the art of hand rolling
Have you always admired the perfectly luscious rolls at sushi restaurants? Experience the ancient and meditative art of sushi making. Spend an evening learning how it's done in a hand-rolled sushi class. These classes cover how to choose the best fish, prepare the special rice, and put together the perfect roll. Have fun creating veggie rolls and fish rolls to present your guests at home.
Cake Decorating: Work with fondant in a cake decorating seminar
If you’ve spent any amount of time on certain corners of the internet over the last few years, you know that cake decorating has become incredibly popular. Whether creating a perfectly designed and crafted wedding cake or making a cake that looks like a photorealistic roll of toilet paper, the cake is a surprisingly versatile canvas. You can spend an evening getting live cake decorating demonstrations and hands-on experience working with buttercream and fondant. This is a great way to pick up a new hobby and take the first steps towards becoming famous on the cake-loving corners of the internet.
Book a Cake Decorating Class Now
Make a Dessert: Croissants, macarons, cakes, and more
You may be looking for a cooking experience but you aren’t sure you are up for making a full dinner (or you have other plans for dinner with a group or a date). If that’s the case, NY Cake Academy is a great option for individuals or groups looking to enjoy a dessert making experience. In these hands-on baking and decorating events, you’ll get to make your own delectable dessert, with options ranging from traditional cakes to cupcakes, cookies, and more. Plus, at the end of the event, you’ll have a delicious dessert that you can take home and enjoy alongside the knowledge that it was something you handcrafted.
Hone your knife skills
Mastering knife skills in the kitchen is the key to culinary confidence and efficiency. When you know how to use your knives properly, you can chop, dice, slice, and fillet like a pro. In a knife skills class, you’ll learn the proper techniques not only to ensure safety but also to enhance the flavors and textures of your dishes. Plus, you’ll learn how to select the best knives, store them properly, and sharpen them at home.
Book a Hone your Knife Skills Class Now
Learn to make cheese
It’s not as hard as you might think to make artisan cheese at home. Learn how to whip up a fresh mozzarella for a delicious Caprese salad, or make ultra-creamy ricotta for your stuffed shells or dessert cannoli. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can move on to explore aged cheeses like cheddar and gouda. Don’t settle for ordinary cheese when you can easily craft your own.
Book a Learn to Make Cheese Now
Make delicious plant-based meals
Growing evidence proves the benefits of a plant-based diet to your health and to the environment. You don’t have to compromise when you learn to make delicious and satisfying meals, entirely from plants. You can create classics from any cuisine, like pasta, Indian cooking, or even a festive holiday meal. Learn plant-based cooking techniques, vegan baking, and how to create a plant-based meal plan.
Book a Make Delicious Plant-Based Meal Class Now
Global cuisine: restaurants
New York City is home to approximately 23,000 restaurants, and if you tried to eat at all of them, it would take roughly 25 years. Obviously, this is impossible, so you should consider narrowing your options and trying to find the best eats in NYC at the price point you are willing to spend. Consider these options or explore the best restaurants in NYC in greater detail.
Read More
New World Mall
Though merchandise abounds in the shops, what this huge Asian mall is really known for is the food. A J Mart Asian supermarket fills two levels, and on the third floor is one of the largest Chinese dim sum restaurants and banquet halls in the Tri-State areas, with a capacity of hosting 1,500 patrons. The sprawling basement food court is one of the famous dining destinations in the neighborhood—known for its diversity of Chinese and other Asian cuisines and its affordability. Slurp some noodle soup, sample dumplings, or try a delicious dry pot.
Read More
Dine at one of NYC’s oldest restaurants at Gage and Tollner
Gage and Tollner was one of the oldest restaurants in New York when it shut down, having been founded in 1879 and running all through the 20th century before closing in 2004. 17 years later, the space was repurchased by a group of Michelin-starred chefs and a new Gage and Tollner was opened, attempting to carry on the traditions of the most famous restaurant in New York. While the steakhouse and seafood fare is on the pricey side, if you want to spend an evening enjoying the culinary history of NYC, there is no better place to do it than the newly revitalized Gage and Tollner.
Read More
Astoria Seafood
This family-owned seafood market and restaurant originates from three generations of Greek fishmongers. Owner Spyro Christakos brings his traditional family recipes to freshly prepared dishes. Here, seafood lovers can choose their freshly caught fish, shellfish, and other ocean delicacies and have them cooked to order on the spot. From classic fish and chips to mouthwatering grilled octopus, there's something to satisfy every seafood craving. This seafood buffet is unlike anything else in town.
Read More
Katz's Delicatessen: Enjoy an unforgettable pastrami sandwich
Katz Delicatessen is probably the most famous deli in the world and has been operating as a New York fixture since 1888. Possibly most well known for its cameo in When Harry Met Sally, the delicatessen is home to some of the best food in NYC, including a pastrami that can be shipped anywhere in the country. Stop in for a famous Reuben, some gefilte fish, or Nova Lox (or any of the famous sliced meats that the deli has to offer). No trip to New York is complete without a brief stopover at Katz’s.
Read More
Tatiana
This buzzy restaurant is the creation of chef Kwame Onwuachi, who was featured on Top Chef and won an esteemed James Beard Award for his game-changing Washington D.C. restaurant, Kith/Kin. Tatiana resides in an ethereal space on the Upper West Side, where sunshine streams in and cloud-inspired light fixtures waft overhead. The Afro-Caribbean-influenced menu features large and small plates of delights like goat patties, crispy okra, and braised oxtails. The standout, though, is a short rib pastrami that is New York City’s can’t-miss dish.
Read More
Nobu: Experience authentic Japanese cuisine
Founded by legendary chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Nobu Fifty-Seven (as well as Nobu Downtown) offers some of the finest, authentic Japanese cuisine that you are likely to find in the state. Famous for its signature Black Cod Miso, Nobu offers an array of seafood options as well as A5 Wagyu beef. First-time visitors are encouraged to try some of the Eight Highlight Dishes, including the Black Cod Miso, Rock Shrimp Tempura, and Yellowtail Jalapeno Sashimi. You won’t be disappointed with an evening spent at Nobu (and they also offer lunch and takeout if you want to give them another go).
Book Now
Sample the best of NYC
Best pizza
NYC is known for its pizza, whether it’s a pie with friends or a cold slice the morning after you had too much fun. The great news is that a crave-worthy pizza is easy to find in NYC. Check out some of the best pizzas in the city, where you’ll get a perfect hand-tossed crust, fresh savory toppings, and a pie served steaming hot from the oven.
Read more
Best seafood
With water all around, it’s no wonder NYC is a destination for some of the best seafood in the country. Whether it’s a seafood app tower or a delectably prepared meal on a white tablecloth, these restaurants or sure to deliver for your seafood cravings.
Read more
Best sandwich
New Yorkers love their sandwiches. Call it a hero, a hoagie, or a sub—regardless, it’s a magical concoction of thinly sliced deli meats and cheese, veggies, and savory condiments. Cut your search for the perfect sando short and head to these sandwich shops that are at the top of the heap.
Read more
Best lobster roll
New England has nothing on NYC for the beloved lobster roll. Tender chunks of crustacean are paired with herbs and mayo and a touch of lemon to create a swoon-worthy lobster roll. Check out some of the best in NYC; the only problem will be deciding which one you like the best.
Read more
Best hot dog
It just wouldn’t be NYC if there weren’t hot dog stands. This tube of meat handed out from under a red and yellow umbrella is the quintessential treat. This list of the best hot dogs in the city will take you from curbside carts to burger joints to fine dining. Grab the mustard and your fave toppings (sauerkraut or chili?) and go for a stroll.
Read more
Best sushi
What could be a happier challenge than the search for the perfect sushi? Sushi chefs make the most of simple raw fish and rice to elevate it to a higher calling. Dive into salmon roe, sea urchin, salmon, or spicy tuna to sample the best of the beloved rolls and nigiri in NYC.
Read more
Best Asian food
Asian food is topping “best restaurant” lists, spanning modern Korean and spicy Szechuan to innovative Indian and stellar dim sum, for good reason. The fusion of flavors, textures, and heat offers endless variety and invention. Dive into NYC’s best Asian restaurants for a soul and belly-satisfying meal.
Read more
Best happy hour
Are you looking for a wallet-friendly way to unwind or catch up with friends after work? Happy hour in NYC has got you covered. From dive bars slinging cheap shots to upscale lounges offering discounted cocktails, there's something for everyone. While you’re sipping on your discounted drinks, don’t forget to order some budget-friendly bites like oysters or a classic burger and fries. Get happy with the best early bird deals in NYC.
Read more
Best dim sum
Though Manhattan was once the epicenter of dim sum dining, it’s spread from Chinatown. You'll find some of the tastiest dim sum joints across the city. Dim sum is a feast of dumplings, pork buns, and turnip cakes, paired with endless pots of tea, where you can pluck your selection from the classic rolling carts or cozy up to a counter for service. With century-old eateries and even a Michelin-starred gem, these are the top dim sum spots in NYC.
Read more
Make cocktails, taste wine, and more
Enjoy a few drinks while learning skills that can save you money and impress your friends in any of these mixology or tasting events.
Mixology: Mix up a modern classic in a mixology & cocktail making event
If you want to be a bit more of a participant in your night of fun and libations, consider enrolling in a mixology class. In these instructive events, you’ll learn how to make a collection of classic and modern cocktails that are sure to impress. The best thing about these classes is that the menus are so varied that you can be sure you’ll find a class that teaches you how to make the drinks you want. If you want to just learn how to work with whiskey or rum (or any other spirit), you can find a course that introduces students to a collection of signature cocktails. Likewise, if you are looking for a more varied menu or you want something more complex than an Old Fashioned (or less complex than a Ramos Gin Fizz), those courses are just as easy to find.
Wine Tasting: Learn to think like a sommelier
If adding a bit of drinking to your evening is the plan, why not just cut out the middle-man and enjoy a wine tasting experience? In these classes, which can cover everything from introductory explanations for those unfamiliar with wine to specialty courses covering specific regions, varietals, or styles, like reds or Italian wines. Whether you are an aficionado looking for an evening experience with new wine or someone who is new to wine and wants to learn their way around fermented grapes, you’ll be able to find a compelling evening activity in NYC.
Whiskey Tasting: Sample some American spirits
While NYC probably isn’t your first thought when you think of whiskey, artisan, and craft whiskey bars and tasting experiences are becoming all the rage in the city. Whether you are a complete whiskey novice or you know exactly what kind of mash you prefer, there is sure to be a whiskey tasting event for you. These events include samplings of rare or high-end whiskeys, lessons on the history and traditions of American whiskey production, or introductions to the whiskies of the world. These experiences are an excellent way to spend an evening adding a bit of flair and sophistication to an otherwise mundane night out drinking.
Book a Whiskey Tasting Class Now
Wine and Cheese Tasting: Add a touch of sophistication to your evening
Up the level of sophistication of your evening by adding a cheese tasting component to the mix in one of NYC’s many artisanal wine and cheese tasting events. In these classes, you’ll learn the art of properly pairing wine and cheese and you’ll learn about the history and science of making cheeses and wines. If you’ve ever wondered why French and Italian wines are so different or why every European country has a claim to its own varieties of cheese, these courses are a great introduction to the world of wine and cheese.
Book a Wine and Cheese Tasting Class Now
Upscale cocktails: bars and speakeasies
One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to spend a night out is to go enjoy a few drinks at one of New York’s many, many, many bars and clubs. Whether you are in the market for a 38-dollar Sidecar or a slightly more affordable Manhattan (possibly in Manhattan), there are far too many bars to choose from. While we’ve sampled a few of our favorites here, you should consider looking over all of the best bars NYC has to offer.
Read More
Drink a clover club
Located in Brooklyn, Clover Club is a combination bar and restaurant that aims to provide guests with some of the finest cocktails and platters in the city. Named for its signature cocktail (itself named for a pre-prohibition club), Clover Club serves an array of evening cocktails and hosts regular brunch events if you want to schedule your drinking a bit earlier in the day. If you are in the market for an upscale drink in Brooklyn, Clover Club is worth considering.
Read More
Saint Tuesdays: Toss back drinks in a prohibition-era speakeasy
During the last half a decade, NYC saw a large number of ‘speakeasies’ open up. These bars called back to the days of illegal drinking under prohibition and the culture that developed around these establishments, which were common in NYC. Featuring live music, prohibition-era cocktails, and modern inventions from professional mixologists, this is one bar that should be on every New Yorker’s shortlist of places to get a drink.
Read More
Westlight
This rooftop bar is a stylish glass box capping the neighborhood’s tallest skyscraper. Take the dedicated elevator 22 stories up to the industrial yet swank space—set with black-and-white tiled floors, bright globe lights, and a beamed ceiling—to experience a hotel rooftop bar that has all the goods to be a standalone New York cocktail den. Besides the best views this side of the East River, you can imbibe in inventive cocktails like the tiki-lite Sling and the College Fund.
Read More
Pilot
This anchored boat bar shifts and sways with the current while you enjoy your favorite beverage under the Brooklyn Bridge. Situated off Pier 6, you’ll watch jet skiers zoom by, the Staten Island Ferry lumber past, and yes, an occasional garbage barge. The skyscrapers of lower Manhattan tower nearby. Cocktails like Life at Sea and Spirit Animal capture the vibe and wet your whistle. Get some factoids from your attentive wait staff, like how this 1924 vessel is the oldest-known boat in use in the city, or that it was the longest-serving pilot ship in American history.
Read More
PDT: Sneak away to have a cocktail
PDT, short for Please Don’t Tell, takes its speakeasy theming to the extreme, requiring guests to place a phone call from a nearby hotdog stand to enter through the concealed entrance. Their menu is kept private and the interior is rarely photographed, so you’ll have to experience it in-person to truly get a sense of the space. If the theming sounds like something that intrigues you, there are few better places in the city to enjoy a nice prohibition-era classic or modern cocktail creation.
Read More
Visit an outdoor market
Outdoor markets come to life with fresh eats, live entertainment, and an explosion of local culture and cuisine. Here are some markets you don’t want to miss.
Read More
Bronx Night Market
The Bronx Night Market isn't just any food event. It’s the longest-running series in the borough, and it's transformed the food scene and become a part of the Bronx's identity. A remarkable lineup of 50 local vendors offers a diverse range of cuisines and draws over 4,000 guests each time. You don’t want to miss this bustling hub of community and gastronomic bliss. But it's more than just food; the Night Market celebrates the borough's unique identity in a fusion of flavors, cultures, and people. If you want to experience the true essence of the borough, the Bronx Night Market is the place to be.
Read More
Queens Night Market
The Queens Night Market is NYC’s first and most affordable night market. This large, family-friendly open-air night market features over 100 independent vendors selling merchandise, art, and food and featuring small-scale cultural performances, all celebrating the rich cultural diversity and heritage of NYC and Queens. The foodie festival runs on Saturday nights through the summer at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Read More
Uptown Night Market
Uptown Night Market is a foodie mecca in the heart of Harlem. Over 80 vendors serve dishes and libations from all corners of the world, bringing unmatched authenticity and passion to your meal. From mouthwatering Mexican-style hot dogs to tantalizing tacos and everything in between, there's something for everyone at this epic street bash. You don’t need a ticket to catch all the excitement here.
Read More
Latin Night Market
Celebrate the cuisine and culture of the Latin diaspora in Uptown. The Latin Night Market shows off South and Central American cuisine from over 50 vendors. Sample Latin and Caribbean food, and catch live performances featuring genres like Salsa, Reggae, Rumba, Jazz, Latin Pop, and Hip Hop. Enjoy activities for the whole family, art shows, raffles giveaways, and more.
Read More
Brooklyn Night Market
Sample cuisines from around the world while you listen to live music at this foodie festival in Industry City. The Brooklyn Night Market is hosted against the backdrop of a stunning sunset and between two iconic city blocks. You’ll get a taste of the best of Brooklyn here, with a fusion of flavors, cultures, and community spirit.
Read More
Vegan Market
Find your plant-based mecca in Central Park. From die-hard vegans to curious folks, to “I got dragged here by my partner but it’s actually pretty good, ” everyone will discover something that pleases their palate. This market leads the way in plant-based foods and broader plant-based living. Innovative vegan entrepreneurs deliver not just cruelty-free cuisine and share a broader cultural shift toward sustainable and compassionate choices.
Read More
Foodie Fun
Queens County Farm Museum
Discover a pastoral oasis at Queens County Farm Museum, where history, agriculture, and community converge on 47 acres of farmland. Founded in 1697, this living museum preserves Queens' rich agricultural heritage and offers a taste of rural life for urban dwellers. The sprawling grounds are dotted with historic farm buildings, lush orchards, and gardens teeming with seasonal crops. Meet the barnyard sheep, chickens, and goats, or hop on a hayride to claim your prize Halloween pumpkin. The farm offers workshops and seasonal events for visitors of all ages. Be a volunteer farmer and tend the fields alongside farmers; you’ll get some exercise and fresh air, and learn what it takes to grow your own food. Queens Farm is open to the public seven days a week with free admission.
Read More
Forage for your dinner
Discover the hidden flavors in plain sight at local nature parks, yours for the picking. From the garlic-scented greens to savory roots and even gourmet mushrooms, this adventure is sure to tickle your tastebuds and show you the bounty of nature firsthand.
Grow your own food
What’s more fun and satisfying than buying your food directly from the farmer? You can be the farmer, even in the middle of NYC. Classes show you how to grow food in containers, rooftops, and vertical gardens that fit right into the concrete jungle of the city. You’ll learn about the best plants for your urban garden and how to prepare your soil so they’ll thrive.
Museum of Ice Cream: See the dessert in a whole new light
While NYC has no shortage of quiet, respectful museums filled with classical art and covering significant groups and moments in history, it is also home to places like the Museum of Ice Cream, a site dedicated to educating guests on the history, diversity, and science of ice cream. You’ll have a chance to unleash your inner child as you engage with interactive exhibits, sample ice cream, and enjoy a relaxing and educational experience at one of New York’s many specialty museums.
Get Tickets
NYC Food Tours
With so many great restaurants in NYC, it’s hard to know where to begin. You could spend a fortune exploring everything from the local digs to award-winning dining experiences. One way to discover some of the best NYC has to offer is to book a food tour of the city.
Read more
Food Tasting Tour: Savor Italian Food on Arthur Avenue
Sample the best bites in this bastion of Italian culture—olive bread, prosciutto bread, fresh mozzarella knots, clams on the half shell, cured meats, and of course, fresh-filled cannoli. Italian Immigrants settled Arthur Avenue in the early 19th century and created a mecca of shops and services from the homeland. Today, the street teems with high-quality butcher shops, cheese makers, seafood markets, bakeries, pasta stores, markets, and restaurants. You’ll leave with a full stomach and new appreciation for the delights of Italian cuisine.
Tasty Global Bites – A Culinary Journey through Nolita (North of Little Italy)
Take a tour of one of NYC’s most vibrant foodie neighborhoods. You’ll get to taste food from six restaurants that represent five different cultures around the globe. Sample foods from Spain, the Mediterranean, Italy, Japan, and China, while your guide entertains you with secrets of the area’s past. You’ll get to enjoy unique offerings like a Spanish churro breakfast sandwich, NYC pizza, delicious falafel, and pasta with the perfect glass of wine. Save some room for the last stops—an amazing Japanese rice ball called onigiri and a decadent scoop of gelato.
Market 57 Chelsea Food Tour
The James Beard Foundation expertly curates this food tour, featuring diverse minority- and women-owned businesses. Market 57 Food Hall is the latest foodie destination, and this tour features seven different tastings and enough recommendations to keep your dinner ticket full for months. At Market 57, you’ll discover the rich flavors of the city while you enjoy breathtaking views of the NY Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, Little Island, and Historic Pier 57.
Book a Market 57 Chelsea Food Tour Now
Shop & Cook: Chinatown for Fish
Learn to navigate the markets of Chinatown like a pro, select fish and groceries for your dinner, and cook it up in a variety of delicious ways. This class covers all the best ways to cook fish, including saute, poach, bake, and grill. Plus, you’ll learn to fillet your fresh catch like a pro. The class is held in a working restaurant kitchen in Greenwich Village.
Farmer’s Market Tour + Cooking Class
This combination tour and class shows you how to shop for the freshest produce and farm-made products, and then use them to prepare a seasonally-inspired lunch. Union Square Greenmarket is NYC’s largest and most beloved farmers market. Here you’ll wander through the farm stands, sampling and learning along the way. Learn about local and organic products, explore the items that are currently in season and at the peak of their flavor, and get tips for choosing the best produce. You’ll prepare a lunch that features a local cheese and fruit platter, a hearty seasonal vegetable and local grain dish, and fresh or roasted seasonal fruit served with local creme fraiche or homemade creme anglaise.
Book a Farmer's Market Tour + Cooking Class Now
Museum of Ice Cream: See the dessert in a whole new light
While NYC has no shortage of quiet, respectful museums filled with classical art and covering significant groups and moments in history, it is also home to places like the Museum of Ice Cream, a site dedicated to educating guests on the history, diversity and science of ice cream. You’ll have a chance to unleash your inner child as you engage with interactive exhibits, sample ice cream and enjoy a relaxing and educational experience at one of New York’s many specialty museums.
Get Tickets