Lunch in New York: Tips and Hotspots

January 22, 2025 New York Info Comments Off

After a good breakfast, a good lunch in New York is of course also important if you want to have enough energy for the rest of the day for all the fun things you want to do in the city. But what is the best thing to eat for lunch in New York and what are the hotspots in New York for lunch? In this blog we will tell you all about that.

having lunch in New York

Lunch in New York is usually around noon to 3 p.m. And not all New Yorkers go for an extensive lunch in a diner like you see in many films on television. They usually bring something from home to eat during lunch. And if they do buy lunch, it is often a bagel, soup or salad.

What do New Yorkers eat for Lunch

Most New Yorkers don’t go to dinner or a restaurant for a long lunch at lunchtime. And when the New Yorker buys lunch, it is usually a Bagel or a salad, but soup and a takeaway meal from a Food Market are also very popular.

Where is the best place to have lunch in New York?

New York is known for its food trucks, hot dog carts and pizza slices. And of course you should definitely try it, but if you walk a lot all day during your city trip, then a good healthy lunch in New York is a must. And there are many nice places in the city where you can buy a tasty healthy lunch. We have listed a few of the hotspots for you below.

1. Eat a bagel for Lunch in New York

Many New Yorkers eat a bagel for breakfast, but they also often opt for a bagel for lunch. And that is not surprising, because the bagels in New York are extremely popular and are among the best and tastiest bagels in the world. And it almost doesn’t matter where you are in New York, because on every street there is a bagel shop where you can buy bagels for your lunch in New York. Learn more about where to buy the best bagels in New York at the link below.

2. Have lunch in New York at the Time Out Market

If you are going to take a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and then visit the Brooklyn Bridge Park, the best place to have lunch is at the Time Out Market. This two-storey indoor Food Market on the water has a collection of eateries serving local dishes and drinks, such as Bagels, hot pastrami sandwiches, Thai fish dishes, Barbecue dishes, salads and of course pizza. Having lunch in New York at the Time Out Market is a must during your city trip. You’ll find the Time Out Market at 55 Water St in Brooklyn next to the Brooklyn Bridge and Jane’s Carousel.

3. Have lunch in New York at Whole Foods Market

The nice thing about having lunch in New York is that there are many beautiful parks where you can sit quietly to eat your lunch and enjoy everything around you during your lunch. One of those beautiful parks in New York is Bryant Park. This beautiful green city park is located in the middle of Manhattan and opposite the park is the Whole Foods Market. In this organic supermarket you can not only do your shopping, but also buy a self-composed takeaway meal to take with you and eat in Bryant Park or at your hotel. There are about fifteen Whole Foods Markets in New York City, but the supermarket across from Bryant Park is at 1095 6th Ave in New York.

4. Have lunch in New York at the Chelsea Market

If you visit Hudson Yards in the morning to admire the Edge and the Vessel, have lunch at the Chelsea Market. This indoor Food Market is one of the most popular places for lunch in New York. In the Chelsea Market you will find several eateries, such as Amy’s Bread where you can buy the tastiest sandwiches in New York. The Chelsea Market is located at 75 9th Ave in New York.

5.Vanderbilt Market

Close to Grand Central you will find the Vanderbilt Market. This Food Market is a perfect place to have lunch in New York when visiting the sights around Grand Central terminal. In the Vanderbilt Market you will find several eateries where you can have a delicious lunch, such as pastry shops where you can get delicious sandwiches and donuts, but also if you feel like a healthy salad or sushi, this is the place to have a nice lunch. You can find the Vanderbilt Market at 230 Park Ave in New York.

How much does a lunch cost in New York?

You can make lunch in New York as expensive as you want. For a typical New York bagel with a topping you pay around 17 dollars. For a self-composed meal in a food market you pay approximately 9 dollars per 450 grams.

How much tip should you pay in New York

In New York it is very normal to pay at least 20% tip when you eat in a diner or a restaurant. Not paying a tip is very rude and will not be appreciated. If you have lunch in New York at a Food Market where you prepare your own food, you do not have to pay a tip. If you have lunch in New York at the Time Out Market, pay close attention to your receipt, the restaurants here often automatically add the tip to the final bill.

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