Midtown West is a central location for New York tourism and also a great destination for dining. You can find it all in this neighborhood, from high-end restaurants to quick and casual classics to the tastiest of brewpubs. Read on for our guide for where to dine in Midtown West. (We've also got a helpful list of where to eat in the Theatre District.)
21 Club
Known for its status as a legitimate former speakeasy and its trademark row of lawn jockeys out front, 21 Club is home to three distinct (and huge) spaces—bar room, upstairs, and the lounge. If upstairs, don’t hold back. You’re in for foie gras, truffle-topped things, and your pick from a legendary wine cellar.
21 W. 52nd St., 212-582-7200, 21club.com
Abigael’s on Broadway
Abigael’s claims to be the world’s largest kosher restaurant. Naturally, that encompasses a bi-level space where you can get everything from Latin comfort food to sushi. Have to cover all the bases.
1407 Broadway, 212-575-1407, abigaels.com
Aureole
Pre-theater crowds and power diners are the typical clientele at this grand Charlie Palmer tasting menu flagship. Also note that the bar area here is huge, in case you’re in the market for a nightcap.
135 W. 42nd St., 212-319-1660, charliepalmer.com
Bar Americain
Bobby Flay’s perpetually popular and sexy brasserie, and a fine place to bring a date for anything from buttermilk fried chicken to duck confit.
152 W. 52nd St., 212-265-9700, baramericain.com
Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse
Ben & Jack's serves exceptional prime dry-aged steaks and chops, including the restaurant's signature porterhouse for one, two, three, or four, plus fresh seafood, mouthwatering side dishes, and exquisite desserts. 255 Fifth Ave., 212-352-7600, benandjackssteakhouse.com
Betony
An opulent two-story tasting menu spot that nails inventive takes on short ribs, seasonal vegetables, and cocktails. The wine selection and service are superb.
41 W. 57th St., 212-465-2400, betony-nyc.com
Burger Joint
One of the more unlikely hotspots in town is this, well, burger joint, tucked inside Le Parker Meridien hotel. Long lines form for the giant, messy patties these guys sling, but few complaints are ever heard.
119 W. 56th St., 212-708-7414, burgerjointny.com
Carnegie Deli
A legendary and legendarily crowded spot for pastrami and corned beef sandwiches the size of your head. If you’ve got an odd number in your party, be prepared to make conversation, since you’ll be sharing that table with another party.
854 Seventh Ave., 212-757-2245, carnegiedeli.com
Ceci Italian Restaurant & Bar
Ceci brings gusto to Times Square with authentic Italian flavor within a rustic, hospitable atmosphere. Every meal is cooked fresh and is complemented with a great wine list and excellent service. Choose from any classic Italian dish or build your own pizza! Prix Fixe or a la carte. Open 7 days lunch/dinner.
46 W. 46th St., 212-307-5484, cecirestaurantnyc.com
db Bistro Moderne
Danial Boulud’s massive, multi-room pre-theater French masterpiece. Come for everything extravagantly French—pate with venison, foie gras terrine and black truffle. And that’s just one dish.
55 W. 44th St., 212-391-2400, dbbistro.com
David Burke fabrick
If there was ever a gourmet restaurant with something for everyone, it’s the fabulous David Burke fabrick. New Executive Chef Michael Franey serves innovative dishes that call out New York’s classic nabes and flavors. Old favorites are still here, too, including the SaltBrick Prime NY Strip from the David Burke Group’s patented dry-aging room.
Inside the Archer Hotel, 47 W. 38th St., 212-302-3838, davidburkefabrick.com
Guantanamera
Diners sip sugar cane sticked mojitos (classic, raspberry, coconut crème, pineapple, and guava) to the cutting edge Cuban beat of legendary musicians. Food highlights: empanadas, ceviches with freshly caught seafood, deep-fried red snapper, and shredded skirt steak in garlic sauce nested in a tropical plantain basket. Complimentary hand-rolled cigars on Friday and Saturday nights.
939 Eighth Ave., 212-262-5354, guantanamerany.com
Heartland Brewery Midtown West
Conveniently located in the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the newest Heartland Brewery, the Midtown West location features a welcoming mahogany bar, spacious dining room, and Founder Jon Bloostein’s personal collection of “breweriana” on the walls.
625 Eighth Ave., 646-214-1000, heartlandbrewery.com
Heartland Brewery and Rotisserie Empire State Building
New York City’s most famous landmark, the Empire State Building, now houses New York’s number one brewery, a two-story 450-seat Heartland equipped with two large bars and four giant flat-screen TV’s.
350 Fifth Ave., 212-563-3433, heartlandbrewery.com
Joe’s Shanghai
Amidst the grand business lunch spots and the tourist favorites is the Midtown outpost of this Chinatown favorite, where you can’t leave without tasting the crab soup dumplings.
24 W. 56th St., 212-333-3868, joeshanghairestaurants.com
Keens
For more than 130 years people have come from all over the world to try Keens’s legendary mutton chop and wash it down with what is most definitely the prototype of a martini. The bar room is filled by 5:30, so make sure to get a reservation in the dining room.
72 W. 36th St., 212-947-3636, keens.com
Kingside
A palatial bistro at the Viceroy Hotel and your spot for post-work cocktails, two-man steaks with giant marrow bones and the feeling of supple leather on the massive arched banquette beneath your outstretched arms.
124 W. 57th St., 212-707-8000, kingside-restaurant.com
Má Pèche
Downtown celebrity chef David Chang’s inventive, subterranean attempt to woo the Midtown crowd. Nowadays, you can expect everything from large-format chicken and lamb over rice to spicy coconut chowder. Also: an excellent cocktail selection.
15 W. 56th St., 212-757-5878, momofuku.com
Michael’s
Art on the walls, pink flowering trees hanging over white tablecloths, and a spectrum of plates that look like artworks of California cuisine. Michael’s is known as a regular hangout for media giants.
24 W. 55th St., 212-767-0555, michaelsnewyork.com
Norma’s at Le Parker Meridien
Norma’s is easy to like. It’s attractive, airy space just off the hotel’s grand lobby is the perfect setting for its superlative versions of homestyle breakfast staples like blueberry pancakes. It’s also worth noting that a $1000 caviar omelet exists here.
119 W. 56th St., 212-708-7460, parkermeridien.com
Patsy’s Italian Restaurant
A neighborhood classic, Patsy’s has been doing sterling versions of red sauce classics in its muraled dining room since the mid-40s. It was one of Frank Sinatra’s haunts back in the day.
236 W. 56th St., 212-247-3491, patsys.com
Petrossian
A decadent, marble-clad French house of luxury where, whatever you end up choosing, you’ll want caviar with it. Failing that, you’ll settle for truffles or lobster.
182 W. 58th St., 212-245-2214, petrossian.com
PizzArte
A colorful, super modern spot for creative Neapolitan pies that look, yes, like piece of art. Of course any pizza topped with heaping amounts of bacon and mushrooms could be considered art.
69 W. 55th St., 212-247-3936, pizzarteny.com
Quality Italian
A vast, bi-level ode to hearty Italian and the wines that love it. Make sure to try the pizza-sized chicken parmesan for two on either a dinner date or a friendly business meeting.
57 W. 57th St., 212-390-1111, qualitybranded.com
Russian Tea Room
A one-of-a-kind, legendary expanse of opulence opened in the ‘20s by dancers in the Russian Imperial Ballet. This one’s for special occasions—ones that call for vodka menus, caviar tastings, and, of course, afternoon tea.
150 W. 57th St., 212-581-7100, russiantearoomnyc.com
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
New York’s location of the international steak chain. Expect the traditional setup of tender filets, huge porterhouses and large-format sides. And expect a business crowd.
148 W. 51st St., 212-245-9600, ruthschris.com
Toloache
In an elaborately tiled room with white tablecloth and brick walls, you’ll find some inventive Mexican dishes and huddled business crowds yearning to not eat steak. The upscale take on huevos rancheros and fried grasshopper (that’s right) tacos are standouts.
251 W. 50th St., 212-581-1818, toloachenyc.com
