New York City: East Village

It seems a new upscale Italian restaurant, sushi bar, or chic café opens every day in the East Village . By contrast the homely Indian restaurants on E 6th Street and Ukrainian spots just a bit north will fill you up for very little.

AMERICAN AND CONTINENTAL

Gotham Bar & Grill 12 E 12th St (between 5th Ave and University Place) tel 212/620-4020.
This restaurant serves marvelous American fare in an airy, trendy setting. Generally reckoned to be one of the city's best restaurants, and it's worth a drink at the bar to see the beautiful people walk in.

Miracle Grill 112 1st Ave (between 6th and 7th sts) tel 212/254-2353.
Moderately priced Southwestern specialties (the catfish tacos are excellent) with interesting taste combinations and an attractive garden out back. Save room for the vanilla bean flan.

Prune 54 E 1st St (between 1st and 2nd aves) tel 212/677-6221.
The star addition to what has become the East Village's most popular restaurant row, Prune 's rustic country fare (rabbit, capon, bacon-wrapped pork chop) comes with some surprises (a rye omelette here, a deviled egg there). Slightly confusing menu, as appetizers, entrees and side dishes aren't designated as such, but the pricing (not cheap) will clue you in. Closed Mon.

ASIAN

Bond Street 6 Bond St (between Broadway and Lafayette) tel 212/777-2500.
Very hip, super-suave, multileveled Japanese restaurant (with happening bar on first floor). The sushi is amazing, the miso-glazed sea bass exquisite, and steak a treat. Fairly pricey.

Dok Suni's 119 1st Ave (between 7th St and St Mark's Place) tel 212/477-9506.
This dimly lit, somewhat cramped East Village restaurant has fast become a favorite for Korean home cooking like bibimbop , seafood pancake, or kim chee rice; moderately priced.

Shabu Tatsu 216 E 10th St (between 1st and 2nd aves) tel 212/477-2972.
This place offers great and moderately priced Korean barbecue. Choose a combination of meat or seafood platters, and have them cooked right at your table.

Takahachi 85 Ave A (between 5th and 6th sts) tel 212/505-6524.
Superior sushi, the best in the neighborhood, at affordable prices. For dinner you'll probably have to wait - they don't take reservations.

CARIBBEAN, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN

Boca Chica 13 1st Ave (at 1st St) tel 212/473-0108.
This is real South American stuff, piled high and washed down with black beer and fancy, fruity drinks. It gets crowded, especially late and on weekends, and the music is loud, so come in a party mood and bring your dancing shoes. Inexpensive.

Casa Adela 66 Ave C (between 4th and 5th sts) tel 212/473-1882.
Slightly off the beaten path, this neighborhood is a great spot to taste true Puerto Rican food. Try the mofungo (fried plantains mixed with pork and garlic) or the roast pork. All entrees $6.50-8. Cash only.

GREEK AND MIDDLE EASTERN

Khyber Pass 34 St Mark's Place (between 2nd and 3rd aves) tel 212/473-0989.
Afghan food, which, if you're unfamiliar, is filling and has plenty to offer vegetarians (pulses, rice and eggplant are frequent ingredients). The lamb dishes are tasty. Excellent value for around $10.

INDIAN

Gandhi 345 E 6th St (between 1st and 2nd aves) tel 212/614-9718.
One of the best and least expensive of the E 6th St Indian restaurants - also one of the more spacious, with two open dining areas. Try the lamb muglai and the light, fluffy poori bread.

ITALIAN

Frank 88 2nd Ave (between 5th and 6th sts) tel 212/420-0202.
This tiny, neighborhood favorite serves basic, traditional Italian dishes at communal tables. It's packed every night with hungry locals looking for the closest thing to a home-cooked meal at a very reasonable price.

Il Buco 47 Bond St (between Lafayette and the Bowery) tel 212/533-1932.
While leaning more toward Italian, this cash-only eatery boasts French and Spanish flairs as well. Once an antique store and sometimes eatery, Il Buco now serves food full-time. In fact, the food is amazing.

JEWISH AND EASTERN EUROPEAN

B & H Dairy 127 2nd Ave (between 7th St and St Mark's Place) tel 212/505-8065.
Good veggie choice, this tiny luncheonette serves homemade soup, challah and latkes. You can also create your own juice combination to stay or go.

Second Avenue Deli 156 2nd Ave (between 9th and 10th sts) tel 212/677-0606.
An East Village institution, serving up marvelous burgers, hearty pastrami sandwiches, matzoh ball soup, and other deli goodies in ebullient, snap-happy style - and not nearly as cheap as you'd think. The star plaques in the sidewalk out front commemorate this area's Yiddish theater days.

Veselka 144 2nd Ave (at 9th St) tel 212/228-9682.
East Village institution that offers fine homemade hot borscht (and cold in summer), latkes, pierogies, and great burgers and fries. Open 24 hours.

SPANISH

Xunta 174 1st Ave (between 10th and 11th St) tel 212/614-0620.
This electric East Village gem buzzes with hordes of young faces perched on rum barrels downing pitchers of sangria and choosing from the dizzying tapas menu - try the mussels in fresh tomato sauce, shrimp with garlic, and the mushrooms in brandy. You can eat (and drink) very well for around $20.

VEGETARIAN

Anjelica Kitchen 300 E 12th St (between 1st and 2nd aves) tel 212/228-2909.
Vegetarian macrobiotic restaurant with various daily specials for a decent price. Patronized by a colorful downtown crowd and considered by many to be the best veggie food in NYC.

New York City: East Village

New York City

Explore New York City

New York cities

Travel to

Hotels