The culturally rich Manhattan neighborhood of
Chelsea is known first and foremost as New York City’s ‘Gallery District.’ Attracting hoards of tourists, it’s no surprise that Chelsea is also home to some of the city’s best restaurants. The Culture Trip profiles eight outstanding restaurants to try in this trendy NYC neighborhood.
Blue Ginger
Bar, Market, Restaurant, Sushi, Japanese
Blue Ginger
Need a sushi fix? Blue Ginger offers delicious sushi at fair prices. The interior is adorned with striking traditional paintings, and the general atmosphere is relaxed. Watch talented chefs prepare your sushi at an open bar. Start off with an order of miso soup and move on to the spicy tuna roll, or if you’re in the market for something new, try the ‘sex on the beach’ roll, filled with spicy tuna, avocado, caviar, and three sauces.
Blue Ginger, 106 8th Ave #1, New York, NY, USA +1 212 352 0911
Sushi | © Harald Groven/Flickr
The Grey Dog
Cafe, American, $$$
The Grey Dog
The Grey Dog is a popular neighborhood hangout with a rustic interior and an impressive menu. Great for an on-the-go breakfast, casual lunch, or brunch with friends, a date night, drinks, or coffee, The Grey Dog offers everything from challah French toast and scrambled eggs to tofu wraps, club sandwiches, and quesadillas. Most importantly for New Yorkers, it offers bottomless coffee!
The Grey Dog, 242 W 16th St, New York, NY, USA +1 212 229 2345
The Grey Dog in Chelsea, New York City, NY | © Stephanie McCratic/Flickr
Socarrat Paella Bar
Bar, Restaurant, Spanish, $$$
Socarrat Paella Bar
A Spanish restaurant that doesn’t disappoint, Socarrat Paella Bar offers diners a taste of Spain in an intimate dining room. You can eat at the communal table, where you will be seated with other guests, or you can opt for a private table. Dinner is pricey, so come from 4pm to 6pm or after 9pm from Sunday through Wednesday for the $35 prix fixe menu. Try the arroz negro paella, a squid ink seafood and rice dish, or the carne paella, filled with steak.
Socarrat Paella Bar, 259 W 19th St, New York, NY, USA +1 212 462 1000
Socarrat paella Bar| © Alexis Lamster/Flickr
Co.
Pizzaria, Restaurant, Italian
Co.
For some quality gourmet pizza in the heart of Chelsea, go to Co. This place is always bustling with customers trying to get their fix of Chef Jim Lahey’s renowned pizza. Lahey started off as a baker before moving on to pizza, so the restaurant’s motto is to center everything around bread. Co. offers soups artisanal meats, but specializes, of course, in some rather unusual pizza pies. Go for the ‘Popeye,’ topped with spinach and three different cheeses, or the ham and cheese pizza.
Co., 230 9th Ave, New York, NY, USA +1 212 243 1105
Pizza | © russellstreet/Flickr
Cafeteria
Restaurant, American, $$$
Cafeteria
Don’t let the name fool you; this is nothing like your grade school cafeteria. Cafeteria offers incredible fare at a reasonable price. Cafeteria is the perfect place for anyone in the mood for comfort food in the wee hours of the morning. Try the smoked Gouda and bacon mac and cheese or opt for one of the mac and cheese spring rolls. If it’s really late, try the classic burger with added goat’s cheese and double-smoked bacon. Cafeteria is open 24 hours a day.
Cafeteria, 119 7th Ave, New York, NY, USA +1 212 414 1717
Sinful mac ‘n’ cheese| © Gail/Flickr
Francisco Centro Vasco
Restaurant, Spanish
Francisco Centro Vasco
This family-owned restaurant has been around since 1979 and attracts people from far and wide with its amazing lobster. Francisco Centro Vasco offers traditional Spanish food of all kinds, but it specializes in seafood. The lobster is a must, but if it’s not your thing, try the seafood paella.
Francisco Centro Vasco, 159 W 23rd St, New York, NY, USA +1 212 645 6224
Paella | © Philippe Gama/Flickr
Los Taco No.1
Restaurant, Mexican, Fast Food, $$$
Los Taco No.1
For the true flavors of Mexico packed in an authentic taco, come to Los Tacos No. 1. Created by three friends from Mexico and California, the food is a compilation of family recipes. This is a grab-and-go place, so don’t expect to linger. Although the menu is limited, you will not be disappointed. Get the carne asada taco or opt for the quesadilla. The service is quick but the lines are long, so expect a bit of a wait.
Los Tacos No.1, 75 9th Ave, New York, NY, USA +1 212 256 0343
Tacos and Spanish Rice | © TheCulinaryGeek/Flickr
The Frying Pan
Restaurant, American, $$$
The Frying Pan
This ship has had quite the amazing journey. Built in 1929, The Frying Pan was originally a lightship, designed as a beacon to guide lost ships to shore. After ten years of abandonment, it was salvaged and brought to NYC, where it now serves as a docked restaurant. Open from May to October, The Frying Pan offers its guests a unique dining experience on the Hudson. If you’re going for happy hour, try the white sangria or blueberry beer. You can’t go wrong with the veggie burger for dinner, but above all else, the old bay garlic fries are a must.
The Frying Pan, Pier 66 Maritime, New York, NY, USA +1 212 989 6363
