The Best Restaurants on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City
Once a hub for immigrants, the Manhattan’s Lower East Side is no stranger to diversity as evident by the exciting variety of restaurants, bars, and businesses populating the area today. The neighborhood attracts a mixed crowd of locals, gallery goers, and barhopping revelers, all of whom can find their own perfect restaurant nearby. Honoring its vibrant and varied spirit, here are 10 of the best restaurants on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
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Dimes
Health-food haven Dimes specializes in fresh, filling dishes that are as pleasing to the body as they are to the eye. With its colorful acai and pitaya bowls, hearty nori wraps, and whole fish dinners, this trendy Chinatown spot makes healthy eating fun for even the most devoted junk food enthusiasts. For those celebrating ‘5 o’clock somewhere,’ be sure to sample the popular wheatgrass margarita made with tequila, wheatgrass, and lime.
Known mostly for its crowd-pleasing breakfast menu, Clinton Street Baking Company also boasts exciting lunch and dinner options. From classic cheeseburgers to more adventurous dishes like fresh fish tacos and flavorful queso mac and cheese, this American restaurant offers something for everyone (as proven by its similarly successful locations in Tokyo and Dubai).
Cafe Katja
Cafe Katja offers lower east side diners a culinary passport to Austria, serving up authentic ethnic staples like bratwurst, goulash, and extra-large soft pretzels. The popular charcuterie and sausage sampler plates pair well with the restaurant’s impressive stock of Central European beers and wines. Its low lighting, cozy environment, and efficient service make this cultural enclave a great spot for an intimate dinner or adventurous date.
Sweet Chick
Creative chicken and waffle flavor combinations, Sweet Chick’s claim to fame, are only one of the restaurant’s rave-worthy offerings. The daring team behind this American restaurant delivers refreshing, imaginative twists on familiar dishes, including duck sloppy joes, vegetarian meatloaf, and black bean cake. The restaurant’s playful menu, relaxed atmosphere, and friendly service ensure that every visit is a sweet one.
Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery
For smaller appetites, the namesake dish at Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery comes in a variety of classic flavors. Standing since 1910, the establishment has perfected Eastern European staples such as potato latkes, hearty borscht soup, and kugel. Share in the city’s history, and treat yourself to a delicious snack today.
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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
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