5 New York Restaurants for Tourists

One of the best things about going on vacation is getting the chance to sample foods from exotic locations. In fact, this is what makes New York one of the best destinations on the planet; the healthy mix of cultures brings out the very best in varied cuisine.

Tourists, especially, help make the Big Apple what it is. When you arrive there, the only thing you need concern yourself with is transportation on the insanely busy streets and walkways – everything else, from food to shopping to entertainment, is taken care of.

With TopView Sightseeing as your chauffeur, even your mode of transport can be a breeze, as you sit high above the crowds on a tour bus and absorb the essence of the city. These are the five restaurants you should make sure to get off the bus for.

Celestine Restaurant

Never mind the wondrous view of the Manhattan skyline; Celestine brings you delectable Mediterranean cuisine on the waterfront of the Brooklyn Bridge. The menu is filled with North African dishes, Italian, Lebanese and more pedestrian food that is nonetheless exquisite.

Try the roasted chicken with lime puree and delicata squash if you get a chance – you’ll never look at poultry the same again. If you know a bit about celebrity chefs, the famed Garrett McMahon mans the operation behind the scenes at Celestine.

Momofuku Nishi Restaurant

Just reading about some of the available dishes here leads to a mouth-watering seizures. There’s the brown butter-supported chicken liver dish, accompanied by fried sunchokes buttressed with delicate mushrooms and lightly-cooked kale. Chef David Chang has truly realized his vision for the place, and it shows in Momofuku Nishi’s wall-strung banquettes and charcoal leather seating. Most of the menu is Italian and Japanese dining.

Atla Restaurant in Noho

A quintessentially Mexican establishment, Atla is the perfect place for those who tire of Tex Mex and want the real thing – with a touch of the casual. It’s quite a bit healthier than most restaurants in the area, with a strong emphasis on vegetarian cuisine. But don’t worry – there’s plenty of meat in the quesadillas, ceviche verde and tostadas. The salads are quite good, and brimming with pico de gallo and cucumbers.

Daily Provisions at Union Square

This neighborhood cafe is an excellent option if you want to avoid the crowded Union Square Cafe. The rotisserie chicken sandwiches are (almost) to die for, and the selection of baked goodies like croissants and crumpets will leave you coming back for more every morning. A protein-rich breakfast of eggs over easy and thick cut bacon will set you up nicely for a day of touring the best sights that New York has to offer.

Empellon Elegant Mexican Cuisine

Chef Alex Stupak has really outdone himself with this upscale exemplar of Mexican cuisine. Empellon is famous for its high-quality tacos, which are bursting with flavor and more elegantly presented than any taco you’ve ever seen anywhere else. You must try the crab nachos, too – the characteristic ground beef is replaced with boiled crab and nacho cheese, as well as red prawns and a dollop of sea urchin.

You can, of course, find many more restaurants and wineries while you’re on vacation in New York; but these are some of the acclaimed favorites among tourists we interviewed. Try at least a couple of the above and see if the experience matches your expectations.