Best Restaurants Near Empire State Building

Don't know where to go for a good meal near the Empire State Building? If the heights have made you hungry, take note of the best restaurants around this mythical skyscraper!

Isabel Catalán

Isabel Catalán

8 min read

Best Restaurants Near Empire State Building

Typical American hamburger | ©Armando Ascorve Morales

Have you already got your tickets ready to visit the Empire State Building but you're afraid you'll get hungry halfway through your visit? Don't worry, in this article you'll find 10 restaurants where to eat near the Empire State so you don't have to go far to eat like a king.

The best tacos, in Tacombi

Mexican tacos| ©Unsplash
Mexican tacos| ©Unsplash

Located in the heart of the Empire State Building, Tacombi is a restaurant that brings the taste of the best tacos, tortas and aguas frescas from the beaches of Yucatan to New York.

It's a great place to get a taste of the authentic Mexican taco culture served in the traditional taquerias of the neighbouring country. The place is full of colour and good vibes, making it a great place to get to know Mexican culture a little better through food.

  • Address: 23 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10118
  • Distance from the Empire State Building: 4 minutes walk according to Google Maps.
  • Recommended dish: tacos al pastor and homemade pineapple water.
  • Ideal for: families and friends, Mexican food lovers.

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The best burger near the Empire State Building, at State Grill & Bar

American burgers| ©Unsplash
American burgers| ©Unsplash

You'll also find this restaurant inside the Empire State Building, so you can stop by after your visit to the observation deck of the skyscraper.

State Grill & Bar is a great place to enjoy a meal in true New York style. Decorated with a clear Art Deco inspiration in keeping with the Empire State Building, this is a place with a cosy atmosphere that invites you to come back more than once. In fact, it's not uncommon to see some of the skyscraper's office workers here, and that's a good sign.

  • Address: 21 West 33rd Street, New York, 10118
  • Distance from the Empire State Building: 4 minutes walk according to Google Maps.
  • Recommended dish: The beef burger, soup of the day and fried calamari.
  • Ideal for: Couples.

The best quesadillas, at Chipotle

Delicious quesadillas| ©Unsplash
Delicious quesadillas| ©Unsplash

For a casual snack before or after enjoying the view from the Empire State Building, I recommend you go to Chipotle on the ground floor of the skyscraper.

The atmosphere is friendly, the service is good and the food is delicious. It is characterised by using fresh and healthy ingredients to make popular Mexican recipes such as burritos, tacos, salads, quesadillas, fajitas, guacamole... They also have special menus for children and options for vegetarians, which is a positive point to take into account.

  • Address: 350 5th Ave Lobby 6, New York, NY 10118
  • Distance from the Empire State Building: 2 minutes walk according to Google Maps.
  • Recommended dish: burritos and quesadillas.
  • Ideal for: families and friends.

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Looking for Japanese food near the Empire State Building? A little sushi at Sushi-teria

A variety of sushi| ©Unsplash
A variety of sushi| ©Unsplash

If you're a sushi lover, after your visit to the Empire State Building, you won't have to go far to enjoy this delicious Japanese dish: there's a restaurant on the ground floor of the building!

It's Sushi-teria, a fast service place well known for its sushi (it's in the name!), its delicious rice bowls and sushi burritos.

Among the dishes on the menu you can also find Hawaiian pokes and other typical Asian recipes such as soups and teriyaki chicken. Don't forget to try some homemade Yuzu lemonade - it's delicious!

  • Address: 15 W 33rd St, New York, NY 10118
  • Distance from the Empire State Building: 4 minutes walk according to Google Maps.
  • Recommended dish: sushi or chicken teriyaki.
  • Ideal for: friends and couples.

The most complete salads for a healthy day, in Chopt

Complete salad| ©Unsplash
Complete salad| ©Unsplash

We didn't leave the Empire State Building to go to Chopt, a restaurant located on the ground floor where, if you're feeling peckish, you can kill your hunger pangs quickly with its healthy salads.

But don't let the word salad fool you, because you won't go hungry here. In this place they are not a mere side dish, but the main course where the portion is abundant and quite complete.

A perfect option to eat if you don't have much time but don't want to fall into the typical fast food or give up eating healthy.

  • Address: 17 West 33rd Street New York, NY 10118
  • Distance from the Empire State Building: 4 minutes walk according to Google Maps.
  • Recommended dish: The Orchad salad or the kebab cobb salad.
  • Ideal for: Solo travellers.

Jazz and fried chicken in the heart of Manhattan: at Turntable Chicken Jazz

The best fried chicken| ©Unsplash
The best fried chicken| ©Unsplash

Let's change tack and head for Koreatown, Manhattan's little Korea. In this neighbourhood you'll find Turntable Chicken Jazz, a modern, casual Korean restaurant with a varied menu based on traditional Korean dishes but with a twist.

The restaurant's star dish is fried chicken in its many versions (thighs, wings or breasts) seasoned with soy sauce and garlic or spicy sauce, which you can accompany with a plate of fried rice or other dishes such as mozzarella sticks, fried squid or dumplings, among many others.

The place is big but cosy and the waiters are very professional. If you like chicken and jazz (the music will liven up your meal!), Turntable Chicken Jazz is definitely the place for you.

  • Address: 20 West 33rd Street New York, New York 10001
  • Distance from the Empire State Building: 4 minutes walk according to Google Maps.
  • Recommended dish: The half soy/half spicy chicken breasts and the kimchi fried rice.
  • Ideal for: friends and couples.

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The home of tofu at BCD Tofu House

Typical tofu dish| ©Unsplash
Typical tofu dish| ©Unsplash

Another highly recommended Korean restaurant near the Empire State Building and in the heart of Koreatown is BCD Tofu House. At first you may not be a fan of tofu, but I'm sure this place will change your mind.

Don't let the name fool you, because although the speciality is tofu, there are also other recipes on the menu.

The dishes may seem simple but they are hearty. Vegetarian and vegan options are also included, which is a plus.

  • Address: 5 W 32nd St, New York, NY 10001-3801
  • Distance from the Empire State Building: 5 minutes walk according to Google Maps.
  • Recommended dish: Spicy pork Bulgogi, the spicy crab or the tofu combo salad.
  • Ideal for: friends and couples.

Grab a bite of everything at Urbanspace Vanderbilt

A variety of dishes| ©Unsplash
A variety of dishes| ©Unsplash

Another cool option for lunch near the Empire State Building is Urbanspace Vanderbilt, a food hall with a variety of food stands where you can try a little bit of everything from pizzas and salads to tacos and sandwiches. This place makes it easy for you so you don't have to choose just one dish, you can order several at once.

You'll love the Urbanspace Vanderbilt experience. The advantage of food halls is that if you're travelling with a group of friends who can't agree on where to eat, going to one of these spaces makes things much easier since everyone can order what they want and then eat it together at the dining room tables. It's that easy!

  • Address: 230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169
  • Distance from the Empire State Building: 17 minutes walk according to Google Maps.
  • Recommended dish: Roberta's pizzas.
  • Ideal for: Friends and families.

Eat healthy near the Empire State Building, in Market Crates

The healthiest sandwiches| ©Unsplash
The healthiest sandwiches| ©Unsplash

If you're spending a few days in New York, you'll probably want to put aside the burgers and hot dogs for a healthy meal at some point. A good option downtown and near the Empire State Building is Market Crates.

Pasta, salads, bagels, sandwiches, quinoa, eggs... you'll find a wide variety of dishes to suit all tastes on the menu. The service is quite good and the kitchen is open, so you can see how cleanly everything is prepared. The views at Market Crates are also another reason to stop by, so don't hesitate.

  • Address: 26 W 33rd St, New York, NY 10001
  • Distance from the Empire State Building: 5 minutes walk according to Google Maps.

Recommended dish: the roast beef sandwich or the goat cheese quiche.Ideal for: friends and families.

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Best pizzas at Famous Amadeus Pizza

A tasty pizza| ©Unsplash
A tasty pizza| ©Unsplash

A classic pizza is a must on this list of restaurants to eat at near the Empire State Building. The pizzas at Famous Amadeus Pizza are delicious and very reasonably priced.

The service is fast and they have plenty of options to choose from. The portions are plentiful so you won't leave hungry. The dough is just the right thickness (ideal for those who don't like their pizza too thin or too thick) and they're always just right for eating - many say it's the best pizza in New York!

However, on the menu at Famous Amadeus Pizza you'll find other delicious dishes such as pasta, salad, chicken, wraps and much more.

  • Where: 408 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001,
  • Distance from the Empire State Building: 13 minutes walk according to Google Maps.
  • Recommended dish: The pepperoni pizza.
  • Ideal for: Friends, families and couples.

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Where to eat in New York?

Manhattan restaurants| ©Unsplash
Manhattan restaurants| ©Unsplash

The above are some of the restaurants you can go to if hunger strikes near the Empire State Building, but in a city like New York there are options for all tastes and budgets.

Eating well in the Big Apple and not going broke trying is not mission impossible, although I recommend you always keep your eyes peeled so you don't fall into a tourist trap.

If you want to find out about other restaurants where you can enjoy eating in the city, don't miss the post The 10 best places to eat in New York.

Remember that prices do not include tips!

Unlike in other countries, tipping in restaurants in the United States is not an optional decision, but rather something obligatory, as not doing so is considered rude. Waiters' salaries are supplemented by tips.

Doing so is common in all restaurants where a waiter serves you at the table. However, in fast food restaurants, the most common thing is that there is a jar where you can give change as a tip if you wish, although it is not compulsory.

The tip is calculated on the amount of the bill and it is normal to leave a minimum of 15% for good service and upwards, the more satisfied and happy you are.