Midtown East – Dining

Midtown East is a truly 24-7 place to live and work. Besides the high number of offices, the hospitals along the East River hum along day and night, and of course, many people live in the neighborhood, too. All of these people need to eat, and there are plenty of casual takeout places to choose from. One notable feature of the neighborhood is Curry Hill, a high concentration of Indian restaurants like Vatan, or vegetarian chain Saravanaa Bhavan. Located around Lexington Avenue between 25th and 30th Street, the restaurants initially opened, at least in part, because of the proximity to Kalustyan’s, where the ingredients could be purchased. The area continues to be a popular spot for Southeast Asian cuisine with a variety of styles and price points.

 

Let Them Eat Steak

Midtown is a great place to get a steak, but there’s no reason to head further west when Smith and Wollensky is on 3rd Avenue and East 49th Street. The steakhouse is known for the Swinging Tomahawk, a 44 oz steak, and their shellfish tower filled with lobster, crab, shrimp and oysters. Another great option is The Grill, located in the iconic Seagram Building. (Architectural aficionados will recall the Seagram Building as notable for being the first and perhaps best example of the International Style of design in the city.)

 

Flavors From The Top Of The World

Located near Curry Hill, the casual restaurant Taste From Everest offers dishes drawing on the traditions of Nepal. The menu features dishes like a Himalayan lamb hot pot and duck curry. The restaurant also has dishes inspired by Kashmir, the territory disputed by India and Pakistan.

 

The Campbell

This upscale bar and lounge is located in Grand Central Terminal (technically on the west side). It had once been the private offices of John William Campbell, an executive with the railroad. As a result, the historic interior is one of the most beautiful places to have a drink in Midtown, and Campbell spared almost no expense. The space was previously known as The Campbell Apartment, a bar with a reputation for turning people away for having the wrong footwear. The new dress code is perhaps a little more relaxed, but cocktails are even fancier. The bar also features live jazz.

 

Kjun

This Korean-Cajun restaurant combines Korean cuisine with cajun flavors. Chef Jae Jung was born and raised in Seoul, Korea, but in 2009, while attending culinary school, she took an externship at a restaurant in New Orleans. Here, she learned to cajole the Korean and cajun flavors into coherent fusion dishes. She launched her new restaurant during the pandemic, earning acclaim from places like the New York Times and The Infatuation. 

 

Zucker’s Bagels & Smoked Fish

What would New York City be without a good bagel? Zucker’s Bagels is a classic ‘appetizing’ store offering kosher-style deli dishes. The mini-chain has locations across the city and offers classics like whitefish salad and corned beef or pastrami sandwiches. Some of the specialty cream cheese options include recipes like Lemon Blueberry and Kalamata Olive Feta. The shop also offers catering for larger orders.

 

Tasti D-Lite

For the calorie-conscious consumer of a certain age, Tasti D-Lite is a cult-like experience. The frozen treat was initially founded on the Upper East Side by an ice cream enthusiast looking for a slightly healthier alternative. The chain grew rapidly in the 2000s during the froyo craze that saw block-long lines at places like Red Mango and Pinkberry. But like all great empires, Tasti D-Lite’s rapid rise nationwide collapsed about a decade ago. There are now just two locations left, with one in Kip’s Bay on Third Avenue.