Midtown West – Dining

Restaurants in Midtown West run the full spectrum of options, from hole-in-the-wall take away to the Michelin-starred. There are some hidden gems – literally hidden behind secret doors – and others that have stood the test of time. As with much of Midtown West, Hudson Yards is leading in the neighborhood’s luxury dining scene, but there’s more to explore for those adventurous enough.

 

Zou Zou’s

The restaurant group behind Don Angie, the modern red sauce restaurant in the West Village, brings Eastern Mediterranean fare to the west side. The menu draws inspiration from a variety of cuisines, particularly the former Ottoman Empire with borek and kebabs on offer. As is common these days, food is delivered sharing-style with little distinction between appetizers and entrees.

 

Ci Siamo

This upscale Italian restaurant from Union Square Hospitality Group features a live-fire grill for cooking their signature 45-day aged, 45-ounce porterhouse. Chef Hillary Sterling has worked alongside Lilia’s Missy Robbins, so the pastas are also particularly good here. 

 

Citizens Culinary Market

For more casual food options, the Citizens Culinary Market offers a variety of trendy restaurants like Umami Burger, Plant Nation, and Sam’s Crispy Chicken. The upscale food hall is great when you’re looking for a quick bite without too much fuss, and it even made Eater’s recommendation list. 

 

Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare

Hidden in the back of a grocery store, this one-time three-Michelin-starred restaurant offers dinner seatings for a prix fixe menu Tuesday through Saturday. Two years ago, the restaurant abruptly closed during a legal dispute between the owner and chef, losing those stars in the process, but reopened in 2023 with Chefs Max Natmessnig and Marco Prins, who combine French technique with international cooking traditions for a daily changing tasting menu.

 

Sushi 35 West

Sushi 35 is literally a hidden gem – accessing the restaurant requires walking through a smoke shop to find an industrial elevator. But assuming you can locate the second-floor space, you will have come across some of the best takeout sushi in the city. There are a few tables to eat in where you can order Omakase, but most customers are taking their sushi to go.

 

Salumeria Biellese Delicatessen

This is a classic Italian salumeria, an Italian charcuterie delicatessen. Operating since 1925, this shop offers classic Italian hero sandwiches, hot Italian foods, catering, and all of the hard-to-find Italian cured meats.

 

Grab a beer

Craft beer has come to Midtown West. While there aren’t brewing facilities left on the west side, two breweries have opened tasting rooms. The Brooklyn-based Three’s Brewing has a sipping location in the Moynihan Train Hall. The brewery focuses on lagers and hop-forward IPAs, making their beers fairly accessible to the average drinker. Bronx Brewery has a taproom in Hudson Yards. As the name suggests, Bronx Brewery is based uptown in the Bronx, and their signature beer is an American Pale Ale, the first beer brewed at the company. If you prefer sipping hard-to-find beers at home, check out Urban Barley at 31st and 6th Avenue, where there is a huge selection of craft, imported, and hard-to-find beers.