There’s a world of enthralling, thought-provoking art at New York’s MoMA. You could spend days at the mother of all modern art museums, browsing everything from Surrealist classics to colorful Pop Art masterpieces. But at some point, your hunger will battle your artistic inclinations, and your thoughts will turn to refueling. You’ll be pleased to hear that there are some great restaurants near MoMA. Here are the top picks for all tastes and budgets.
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The Modern at MoMA: the closest eatery possible
Two Michelin-starred contemporary American – $$$
Map – 9 W 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019
What could be more convenient for a meal than a restaurant situated within MoMA itself? Seek out The Modern on MoMA’s ground floor for two Michelin-starred contemporary American cuisine in a stylish setting. The Modern is somewhat of a New York hot spot, a fashionable place to see and be seen, and well worth a visit.
There’s plenty of choice at The Modern, which boasts three distinct dining experiences. The lively Bar Room offers seasonal contemporary cooking a la carte. Settle into the lounge while you enjoy roasted chicken with cabbage and violet mustard, or try a Modern Martini at the marble bar. The small dessert menu bursts with originality, from green apple and fennel vacherin to toasted sesame ice cream.
The Modern’s main restaurant, a more formal dining space, overlooks MoMA’s Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden. The food is as spectacular as the views, but there’s high demand for a table, so check availability and book ahead.
For the most exclusive experience at The Modern, upgrade your party to The Kitchen Table where you’ll sit at the heart of the cooking action. Watch the hubbub of the kitchen as you savor a bespoke tasting menu in a truly memorable dining experience.
The Modern is a great option for art aficionados who plan to spend most of the day at MoMA. More of a quick and ambitious visitor? Don’t miss this guide on how long to spend at MoMA for every kind of visitor.
Beyond Sushi: for a vegan experience
Vegan and kosher sushi, salad, and shared plates – $$
Map – 62 W 56th Street, New York, NY 10019
Beyond Sushi is the vegan sushi restaurant you didn’t know you needed. Here, plant-based sushi joins with dumplings, soups and shared plates in an imaginative menu packed with flavor. Try the Ginger “Beef” Dumplings, or indulge in the Spicy Jackfruit “Crab” with avocado, ponzu and toasted cayenne sauce. Or sample sweet chili or buffalo Sriracha cauliflower wings with pickled cucumber and yogurt dipping sauce. And, Beyond Sushi doesn’t overlook the desserts either; the black sesame avocado cookie comes with matcha (green tea) ice cream.
Beyond Sushi is not only vegan but kosher too, and the sushi menu is gluten-free. There’s a tempting but affordable lunch special and service is speedy, so this is the perfect spot for a quick bite on a busy day of gallery wandering.
This innovative restaurant group also has an interesting backstory. Long before the recent upsurge in veganism, husband and wife team Guy and Tali Vaknin opened the first Beyond Sushi in 2012. Tali’s vegetarian upbringing and lifestyle combine with Guy’s culinary talents; they are passionate about delicious plant-based food.
There’s no better restaurant near MoMA for flavorful, imaginative vegan dishes. Even if you’re a happy omnivore, Beyond Sushi is a must-try.
La Bonne Soupe: for bistro chic
Classic French bistro cuisine – $$
Map – 48 W 55th Street, New York, NY 10019
In La Bonne Soupe’s own words on Instagram, “Je suis un petit bistro á Manhattan”, or, “I’m a little bistro in Manhattan”. And this plucky little bistro excels in offering authentic French food near MoMA.
Standouts include steak frites, boeuf bourguignon, and moules frites. Let’s be clear, anything with frites – the original French fries – is always a good bet at a bistro. For the adventurous, there’s escargots – snails – and the highlight has to be the fondue, a bubbling pot of melted cheese which arrives with bread, potatoes, apple and pickled cucumber.
Unlike some traditional French bistros, La Bonne Soupe has a few vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The wine list is small but perfectly formed, and the Rosemary Gimlet is just one of an exciting selection of cocktails.
Enjoy your meal amongst stylish Gallic touches; the cute courtyard is a great place in good weather. This is a slice of genuine French cuisine, and French style, in the heart of Midtown in Manhattan.
Zibetto Espresso Bar: for Italian style
Italian coffee, paninis, and pastries – $
Map – 1385 6th Avenue, Corner of 56th Street, New York, NY 10019
Great coffee is as much an essential part of daily life in New York as it is in Rome, and Zibetto Espresso Bar is the ideal place for your daily caffeine fix. Zibetto’s baristas cherish the ways of coffee with top-notch espresso, cappuccino, and caffe latte.
Zibetto is a chic little place for food too. Savory staples brioche and panini join an array of enticing pastries and sweets, from Italian doughnuts known as bombolone to tiramisu. This is the perfect place to please your sweet tooth, and what could be nicer than a cornetto, the ‘Italian croissant’, filled with custard, apricot jam or chocolate cream?
This is a quick, eat-at-the-counter cafe bar rather than a full-blown restaurant near MoMA, but it’s great for a coffee top-up or stylish light lunch.
Mastro’s Steakhouse: for upscale dining and live entertainment
Sophisticated steaks and seafood – $$$
Map – 1285 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10019
Mastro’s Steakhouse is a trusty high-end dining experience focused on sizzling steaks and the best of the sea. You’ll find their New York outpost at 1285 6th Avenue, and there’s no better steak restaurant near MoMA.
The menu’s stars are the steaks, from fillet to rib-eye, but there’s plenty of exotic fish too. Shrimp and lobster cocktails are reliable starters, but the real treat is the Alaskan king crab.
This international cuisine travels from where it’s best, with sea bass from Chile and beef from Japan.
The bar hosts live entertainment seven nights a week, and Mastro’s ‘Guests for Life’ philosophy drives the attentive service. Do remember though that Mastro’s upholds a smart dress code; this smart eatery isn’t the venue for loungewear or anything too casual. But if you’re seeking one of the more stylish restaurants near MoMA, Mastro’s Steakhouse is a great pick.
