Eating in NY's Financial District

From prime beef to lobster rolls, these are a few of my favourites. Not every place I would have listed has survived the pandemic unfortunately but I hope everyone affected can come back stronger in one way or another.

The Area

Despite the preponderance of office towers and sunless canyons, NY's financial district (sometimes called FiDi) - running roughly south of Chambers Street to Battery Park - is home to a wide range of good eating options. It's quieter when the commuters head home to Jersey and Connecticut, but increasingly office buildings are being converted into residential apartments and the area is starting to gain more of its own personality. The post Hurricane Sandy rebuild of the South Street Seaport District is helping as is the rejuvenation of Battery Park.

Photo by Brandon Jacoby on Unsplash

Classic Steakhouses

There are some famous names in this part of town when you need to burn some corporate cash or just for fun. The formula is pretty much the same but unevenly executed. The food is generally American wood panelled dining - think large steaks, lobster, creamed spinach sides and white table cloths.

• The Capital Grille ($$$) - A favourite for larger parties due to the more boisterous atmosphere. The food is American steak house refined for corporate diners - good, rather than spectacular. The setting is classic but feels a little more contemporary than the competitors.

• Delmonico's ($$$) - Eating at Delmonico's is an experience worth doing at least once. The rich, storied dining room feels and smells like history with the experienced wait staff to match. The food and wine matches the location.

Photo: Delmonico's

• Cipriani ($$$) - I wanted to like Cipriani more than I actually did. The interior of the restaurant upstairs felt tired rather than classic and the food was good but unremarkable. It's not bad by any means but not my top pick. That's until you have an opportunity to visit the Greek revival ballroom downstairs - an extraordinary space.

Photo: Cipriani

• Harry's ($$$) - Tucked away in the basement on Hanover Square, Harry's is probably my pick for the food. It's cosy and especially welcoming in the middle of a New York winter.

• Bobby Van's ($$$) - A institution since 1969, you're unlikely to be disappointed in a prime beef steak in the elegant atmosphere here.

When You've Had All The Steak

When the novelty wears off or if you just need some variety, the following are reliable options where you can dine alone, do business or just bring some friends.

• Temple Court at the Beekman Hotel ($$$) - A fine dining offering within the old bank building of the stylish Beekman Hotel. Fortunately the food lives up the surroundings.

• Haru Sushi ($$) - Haru has a number of locations across NY and the US and never fails to delivery with its somewhat westernised Japanese fare. One of my go-to solo dining options - best tables are the two person booths by the window.

• Felice ($$) - Located inside the Gild Hall Hotel, Felice serves authentic and sophisticated Italian food with an excellent wine list in a warm and inviting interior. The small but lively brass bar is a great place to hang out especially if staying in the hotel (also recommended).

• Toro Loco ($) - A fun place with a group - large or small. Typical US-style Mexican food but a cut above some of the local competitors.

• Mad Dog & Beans ($) - A favourite after work drinks spot along with decent Mexican food. Come for the guac and frozen margaritas though - they have a dedicated guac kitchen serving up the goodness in stone bowls.

Mad Dog & Beans

• Adrienne's Pizzabar ($) - Thin crust pizza served in rectangular trays with a wide range of customisable options. An office favourite but even better straight out of the kitchen.

• Eataly ($) - The Italian market and restaurant, counter, cooking concept is open in the World Trade Center. Worth a visit for a variety of Italian dining options.

South Street Seaport District

It's taken a long time post-Hurricane Sandy but the Seaport district is finally coming into it's own. When I visited in November 2021 after a two-year absence, I was pleasantly surprised at how the area has developed. There are a wide variety of dining and drinking options for a range of budgets.

• Mr C Seaport Hotel ($$) - I stayed in the hotel but didn't have chance to sample the the Bellini Dining Room or Bar however given how popular this place was and the general levels of enthusiasm from the crowd I'm guessing it's a good time. Owned by the Cipriani family so it has a solid pedigree.

Mr C Bellini Dining Room. Photo: Mr C Hotels

• Il Brigante ($$) - A popular Italian eatery on the historic Front Street. It was packed when I visited sans reservation so I took a table in their annex on the street (a COVID innovation). Unfortunately it was charmless, music-less, mostly staff-less and cold. The food tasted better than it looked but there are better places to spend your money here.

• Barbalu ($$) - Another popular Italian place on Front Street. It was certainly an improvement on Il Brigante but again, the food was average. Not terrible, just middle of the road.

• SUteiShi ($$) - An unassuming looking Sushi place on the corner of Front Street. Despite feeling like you are in a canteen, the sushi and sashimi were both excellent.

• Fresh Salt - mostly a bar but a good spot on a warm evening to sit on the pavement. A little rough around the edges but a good vibe overall.

• Cowgirl SeaHorse ($) - Quirky, friendly and good food sums up the Cowgirl. Great fun for a relaxed night with a crew.

• Carne Mare ($$$) - across FDR Drive in the redeveloped Pier 17 are some excellent additions to the area. Describing itself as an Italian Chophouse, Carne Mare opened relatively recently to some fanfare and happily that wasn't just hype. Bring the corporate card and order the sublimely good gorgonzola marinated wagyu.

• The Fulton ($$$) - an excellent seafood focused restaurant with stunning views over the water. Works equally well with large or small groups and even better with an expense account.

Photo: The Fulton

Bars & Pubs

There are a wide range of watering holes in the area catering to everything from the after work office drinks crowd to cosy pubs.

• Stone Street - As soon as things warm up enough to sit outside, Stone Street is packed with outdoor tables serving food and drinks along its cobbled length especially on Thursday and Friday evenings with the after work crowd. Best time to visit is on a warm evening but there are plenty of inside options as well. Ulysses even has a Tardis-like live music venue downstairs if you plan to make a night of it.

• Fraunces Tavern ($) - Billing itself as NY's oldest pub, there are worse places to slide into on a freezing evening for a glass of red by the fire.

Fraunces Tavern. Photo: Jim.henderson

• The Dead Rabbit ($$) - Not the easiest place to get into due to enthusiastic bouncers and limited space but if you can score a table it's a good spot but not in the middle of summer.

• Killarney Rose ($) - Sometimes you just need a low-key spot for a burger and sports on the TV. If so, this is your go-to.

• The Lovelace ($$) - Large bar and restaurant on a square near Stone Street but without the communal table squeeze. Good food and wide range of specialty gins for something different. Great spot for outside dining /drinks.

Faster Food

This is NY after all so there is no shortage of options but these are a few of my defaults.

• Chipotle - Three nearby locations - Maiden Lane, Fulton Street and Broadway (although probably more tucked away somewhere). I'm a bit of sucker for a naked Burrito bowl especially stumbling back to the hotel after a long flight and a long day.

• Essen (100 Broad Street) - A classic NY deli - great bagels with all the classic cream cheese spreads along with every short order option you can think of.

Leo's Bagels (3 Hanover Square) - Another excellent spot for a morning bagel. Usually popular but worth waiting for.

• Insomnia Cookies ($) - Seriously good cookies!

• City Acres Market ($) - If you are in town for a bit longer and/or staying in an apartment, City Acres is the small supermarket you need.

• Black Fox Coffee ($) - Need a proper Australian coffee versus a gallon of filter? With a bit of a trend emerging, Aussie coffee is increasingly popular in NYC.

*****

Revised and updated November 2021. Hopefully more to come in 2022!