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Although less glamorous than its New York namesake, Kansas, Manhattan has plenty of culinary treats to offer diners everywhere. From fun takes on Mexican Old West and 50s dining, to the best wine bar in the entire state, the city is constantly offering new culinary surprises. Discover them and many other appealing restaurants, grills and bars in our guide to the vibrant dining establishments in this unusual town.

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Little Apple Brewing

Pub, Steakhouse, Pub Grub, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, $
On their website, Little Apple Brewing describes themselves as a great venue offering ‘great steaks and great beer’ – which is indeed what they do best. The combination of quality Angus Beef with their selection of hand-crafted ales has made this the place to visit in Manhattan for the best beer and beef in a relaxed, casual setting.

The Chef

Cafe, Diner, Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, Fast Food, Coffee, Tea , $
The first incarnation of The Chef opened its doors towards the end of the Second World War, where it stood with its famous horseshoe counter for over four decades. When a group of friends decided to open a diner in downtown Manhattan in 2008, they looked to fill the void left by The Chef closing in ’86 by reopening it and offering the best breakfast food around. The traditional meets the contemporary at the Chef, with a menu perfect for modern tastes, available inside a restaurant still using its original neon sign from the 1940s.

Rock A Belly

Bar, American, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, $
Rock A Belly is a bar and deli inspired by the food, sounds and visuals of the mid-20th century. That it manages this – with its diner-style booths and neon decor – without getting weighed down by nostalgia sets it above many similar establishments, as does its delicious lunchtime food selections of sandwiches, salads and bagels, which are the best casual lunch choices the city has to offer.

Bourbon & Baker

Bakery, Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, Vegan, Wine, Beer, $
Serving Midwestern and Southern cuisine exemplified by the cultures and families of the team, Bourbon & Baker offers a small but perfectly formed menu paired with an extensive bourbon list. All this, and an attached bakery offering delectable cakes to order, cookies and other sweet treats mean that the Bourbon & Baker is a perfect location for any occasion.

So Long Saloon

Bar, American, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, $
From the team that established Manhattan highlights Rock A Belly Deli and Taco Lucha comes to So Long Saloon, a venue that shares its sister restaurants’ sense of fun mixed with fabulous food. Featuring a mahogany and maple interior straight out of the Old West, they serve Old West favorites mixed with the best of modern American and Latin cuisine. Mosey is on down for great grub and an atmosphere truly like no other.

Bluestem Bistro

Bakery, Bistro, Pizzeria, Restaurant, Pastries, American, Fast Food, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, $
A local institution, the Bluestem turns the freshest ingredients into made-from-scratch meals and specialties. In addition to this, they have an in-house bakery offering artisan bread to enjoy in your own home, or from which the Bluestem team can craft a sandwich or pizza as reasonably priced as it is tasty. Choose to eat in and enjoy their regular live music, or come along to their long-standing popular Sunday Jazz Brunch for a relaxing weekend break.

Taco Lucha

Restaurant, Mexican, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, $
Continuing the fun of its sister restaurants So Long Saloon and Rock A Belly Deli, Taco Lucha takes the unique style of these establishments and applies it to its Mexican-style restaurant. Serving Mexican taqueria street food, Taco Lucha also offers a menu of the best cocktails in the Manhattan area as well as a long list of tequila. This, alongside modern flavorful Mexican staples like tacos, burritos and more make this the place to be in Manhattan.

About the author

Samuel is a London-based freelance writer who studied English Literature at King’s College London. In his work, he combines highbrow and lowbrow culture, which has seen him writing about everything from Michelangelo to Madonna (and sometimes both at the same time) for publications including NME, The Telegraph and Penguin Books. At The Culture Trip, he mostly writes about museums and restaurants, but his wide ranging interests have seen him discussing (amongst others) kung fu films, Cambodian temple-robbing and Norman Wisdom.

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