Restaurants are just one of the many draws of the area around Lincoln Center, that stretch of Manhattan's Upper West Side famous for attracting avid concert and theatergoers, dance and opera buffs, film and library lovers, and tourists from around the world. From the kindergarten set at Young People’s Concerts to seniors at matinee and evening performances, everyone wants to dine, drink, or “get a bite” nearby, before or after the show. Here are our picks for the 16 best places to eat around Lincoln Center, with something for all palates.
French Near Lincoln Center: Bar Boulud
Acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud dominates the corner of 64th and Broadway. Bar Boulud offers an authentic array of charcuterie and top wines; Boulud Sud features a Mediterranean menu and décor; and Épicerie Boulud provides light bites à la française. 1900 Broadway, 212-595-0303, barboulud.com
Afro-Caribbean NY Fusion: Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi
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Bronx-born chef Kwame Onwuachi brings together foods from the most influential flavors of his childhood. Growing up Onwuachi found no shortage of Italian bakeries, Chinese takeout, Caribbean roti shops, corner stores, and bodegas; his new Lincoln Center spot reflects these influences along with his Afro-Caribbean heritage. Feast on "Small Share" dishes like oxtail crab Rangoon and curried goat patties, or "Large Shares" of brown stew branzino, short rib pastrami Suya with boneless Wagyu short rib, caraway coco bread, and melted red cabbage, among other filling dishes. The "Bodega Special" dessert is a Cosmic Brownie, with powdered=donut ice cream and sorrel. 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, 212-875-5222, tatiananyc.com
Italian Cafe Near Lincoln Center: Cafe Paradiso
Your go-to spot for a bite at Lincoln Center is now open. Cafe Paradiso is a new Italian American restaurant snugly inside Film at Lincoln Center and across from Juilliard. The full service dining location and cafe duo is open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks. Newly added, try the Campari Passion cocktail: Campari, passion fruit, vanilla, orange juice, beets, and lime, created in conjunction with Campari USA. 144 W. 65th St., 212-869-8800, cafeparadisonyc.com
Seafood Near Lincoln Center: Atlantic Grill at Lincoln Center
Closing after 20 years in 2018, Atlantic Grill has opened once again, this time with a new look and menu from Monte Carlo Hospitality Group, under the leadership of Michelin-starred Chef Antonio Salvatore. An emphasis is placed on "house favorites for two," (ex. Red Snapper Crudo, or House Whole Lobster Salad) and 'catch of the day' dishes, including ceviche, sashimi, grilled, and more. 50 W. 65th St., 212-362-7800, atlanticgrill.com
American Near Lincoln Center: The Grand Tier Restaurant
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Located inside The Metropolitan Opera House, The Grand Tier Restaurant offers both a la carte and prix fixe menus, such as the $76 Matinee 2 course prix fixe, with options such as crab cakes, grand tier smoked salmon, seared Atlantic Cod, and steak and eggs. The New American cuisine and classic dining room, highlighted by Chagall murals and brilliant Swarovski crystal chandeliers, make it a memorable dining destination. The restaurant opens two hours prior to curtain time; reservations are required. Ticketed guests of the Metropolitan Opera may also dine in the restaurant at intermission, but must pre-order and reserve by phone. Brunch served 11am-1:30pm. 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, 212-799-3400, patinagroup.com
American Near Lincoln Center: The Smith
For something a bit more casual, The Smith is as American as s’mores! The staff smiles amidst crowds, dons red flags in gluten-free zones, and serves large, perfectly prepared portions of jumbo shrimp, lobster rolls, mac 'n' cheese, pork chops, and braised ribs. 1900 Broadway, 212-496-5700; thesmithrestaurant.com
Prix Fixe Near Lincoln Center: La Boîte en Bois
La Boîte en Bois is reached down ten steps and beyond lace curtains, which open into an intimate neighborhood brownstone. Among the petits plaisirs, there are escargots, traditional fish soup Marseillaise, house-cured salmon, and welcoming prix fixe lunch and pre-theater menus. 75 W. 68th St., 212- 874-2705, laboitenyc.com
Bistros Near Lincoln Center: Café Luxembourg
Café Luxembourg is an authentic, casual-yet-substantial, street-front French bistro. At breakfast, enjoy croissants; there are also classic omelettes, French onion soup, steak tartare, steak frites, and gluten-free options, all only a short walk up Broadway or Amsterdam. 200 W. 70th St., 212-873-7411, cafeluxembourg.com
Italian Near Lincoln Center: The Leopard at des Artistes
Located in historic residential Hotel Des Artistes, and surrounded by the astonishing 1920s murals by Howard Chandler Christy, The Leopard at des Artistes specializes in traditional Italian cuisine, incorporating influences from its French and Spanish neighbors. For a weekend bite before a performance, check out their live jazz brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30am-3pm. 1 W. 67th St., 212-787-8767, theleopardnyc.com
Italian Near Lincoln Center: Lincoln Ristorante
For an Italian alternative, the serene and spacious Lincoln Ristorante is part of the Patina Group, a culinary empire named for Joachim Splichal’s first award-winning Los Angeles restaurant. Here, chef Jonathan Benno earned a Michelin star for his authentic, contemporary cucina Italiana. 142 W. 65th St., 212-359-6500, lincolnristorante.com
Haute Near Lincoln Center: Nougatine & The Terrace at Jean-Georges
Nougatine & The Terrace at Jean-Georges is chef Jean-Georges's more-casual, sister restaurant (JGV is also founder of the new Tin Building down by The Seaport), where French cuisine is exquisitely sourced, prepared, and served. Its multi-course prix-fixe lunch facing Central Park ranks as one of the best values in town. 1 Central Park West, 212-299-3900, jean-georgerestaurant.com
Seafood Near Lincoln Center: El Fish Marisqueria
Lobster aguachile. Photo: Marconi Gonzalez.
Super-chef Julian Medina (Toloache, Tacuba Mexican Cantina) has expanded his empire in New York City with El Fish Marisqueria, a Mexican seafood-centric bistro just two blocks from Lincoln Center. A beautiful restaurant, with a menu that goes far beyond what other seafood restaurants in NYC offer, El Fish understands the clock-conscious demands of a Lincoln Center audience with timely ordering and delivery. There’s a broad range on the menu, from ceviche and a full raw bar—no need for cooked food if you’re in a real hurry—to Platos Fuertes like pan-fried lobster with Mexican fried rice and pinto beans, or El Surf & Turf, a welcome combination of dry-aged New York Strip with a half-lobster for those who can’t commit to seafood only. Specialties like Medina’s Schnitzel de Pescado, an unusual swordfish preparation with pomegranate-jalapeño Israeli salad and mashed sweet plantains, are outstanding, as are the cocktails and wine list to match. The blue and green décor is all about the ocean and it might remind you of a seafood shanty done up Manhattan-style—especially with the Oyster Bar counter. —Meryl Pearlstein. 155 Amsterdam Ave., 212-874-2000, elfish67.com
Bar Food Near Lincoln Center: P.J. Clarke’s
P.J. Clarke’s is a New York institution, with a saloon atmosphere to match the historic images on its walls. At the marble oyster bar or at tables with red checked cloths, homemade potato chips are devoured with seafood and burgers, tuna tartare, and a free-range chicken pot pie. 44 W. 63rd St., 212-957-9700, pjclarkes.com
Mexican Near Lincoln Center: Rosa Mexicano
At Rosa Mexicano, the menu stars three starters to share: a great guacamole prepared tableside (with warmed tortilla chips), queso fundido—a cheese melt on corn tortillas— and crispy tortilla nachos. These arrive with or without braised chicken or beef. There are many classics to follow on an upscale entree list. 61 Columbus Ave., 212-977-7700, rosamexicano.com
Chinese Near Lincoln Center: Shun Lee West
Shun Lee West—within a chic, black-lacquered space accented in red—obliges with haute Chinese food from dim sum to shredded beef, Peking duck to crispy prawns. Their adjacent café serves similar fare, but faster and for less. 43 W. 65th St, 212- 769- 3888, shunleepalace.net
Plant-Based Near Lincoln Center: Le Botaniste
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Vegetarians and vegan lovers (or meat-lovers simply looking for something tasty but different) can explore the entrees at Alain Coumont's Le Botaniste, which promotes itself as "the only organic, plant-based, and carbon-neutral restaurant in New York City." Years earlier, Coumont dreamt of opening a 100% plant-based, organic restaurant and began experimenting with innovative, flavorful recipes. It has an apothecary aesthetic-rustic shelves and antique pharmacy bottles with vintage labels, white marble counters, abundant bowls of fresh vegetables, colorful enamel cast-iron pots, original art, and colorful wallpaper patterned with plant leaves. Their 'bowl' menu varies from selections such as Spicy Chili Sin Carne, to Tibetan Mama, with brown rice, coconut peanut butter curry sauce, steamed greens, ghentse kimchi, to others, including "To Share " dishes. In addition to the UWS location, there are also spots on the Upper East Side, SoHo, Midtown East, and Bryant Park. 156 Columbus Ave., 646-998-4605, lebotantiste.us
Additional reporting by Linda Sheridan and Meryl Pearlstein.
