Cajun & Creole

Two Boots Restaurant

511 E 12th St, New York, NY, 10009-3879, 
(212) 475-4357
Fun and funky Southern eats in a setting that only a Southern rock band could love.
 

54 Great Jones St, New York, NY, 10012,
 (212) 674-9304
With a bust of Elvis in the window, a bright orange paint job and Don DeLillo's eponymous novel framed on the wall, it just oozes cool.
  

827 Broadway, New York, NY, 10003-4702, 
(212) 254-6436
 

37 Avenue A, New York, NY, 10009-7624, 
(212) 505-2276
 

Two Boots To Go-Go

74 Bleecker Street, New York, NY, 10012-2410,
 (212) 777-1033
 

Caribbean 

13 1st Ave, New York, NY, 10003-9431, 
(212) 473-0108
Spicy fare, icy drinks-your reliable, affordable South American.
 

2199 Broadway, New York, NY, 10024-6611, 
(212) 874-2780
  

96 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY, 10011-5104, 
(212) 243-9946
  

14 Ave A, New York, NY, 10009-7939,
 (212) 475-8500
Festive East Village spot's more about hip-hop fetes than quiet tete-a-tetes.
  

Chinese

Grand Sichuan International--Chelsea 

9 Pell St, New York, NY, 10013-5134,
 (212) 233-8888
A Chinatown pioneer rests on its buns.
 

20 Mott St, New York, NY, 10013-5001,
 (212) 964-0380
Offering everything from wontons to snow-frog jelly, this multi-tiered Chinese succeeds on every level.
  

176 Mott St, New York, NY, 10012,
 (212) 941-8628
Surreal decor and funkadelicacies add up to a clean sweep.
 

229 Ninth Ave, New York, NY, 10001-6601,
 (212) 620-5200
Szechuan cooking at its best, served in a homey, hilarious environment.
 

22 Mott St, New York, NY, 10013, 
(212) 602-9988
From General Tso's to pig stomach, there's something for everyone at this Mott Street standby.
  

216 E 49th St, New York, NY, 10017-1546,
 (212) 888-4555
Conspicuous for its alluring setting and consistently enticing food
 

2199 Broadway, New York, NY, 10024-6611, 
(212) 874-2780
 

324 East 57th St, New York, NY, 10022-2906,
 (212) 751-9030
 

New York Noodle Town

28 1/2 Bowery, New York, NY, 10002,
 (212) 349-0923
Always packed, this bare-bones noodle shop remains a Chinatown classic.
 

2182 Broadway, New York, NY, 10024-6612, 
(212) 724-6700
A sleek and sceney homage to Chinatown.
 

43 W. 65th Street, New York, NY, 10023-6601,
(212) 595-8895
 

155 E 55th St, New York, NY, 10022, 
(212) 371-8844
"Palace" is an ambitious moniker, but the stylish room, impeccable service and excellent food live up to it.
  

76 Mott St, New York, NY, 10013-4811,
 (212) 334-8088
A fresh, fascinating take on Chinese cuisine tucked away on a bustling block of Mott Street.
 

17 Mott St, New York, NY, 10013-5029,
 (212) 267-2536
This Chinatown stalwart is a throwback to a simpler--and greasier--time.
 

Coffee Shops & Diners

225 E 60th St, New York, NY, 10022-1442, 
(212) 838-3531
A toy-store-and -ice-cream parlor nirvana.
 

71 Irving Place, New York, NY, 10003-2220, 
(212) 995-5252
Perfectly made coffees and teas, minus the evil green logo.
 

50 McDougal St, New York, NY, 10012,
 (212) 254-4678
Crepes and coffee are the keys to this charming French cafe.
 

255 W 84th St, New York, NY, 10024-4321, 
(212) 496-6126
Hearty fare, strong coffee and a refreshing absence of pretension give this hideaway its tell-tale appeal.
  

Jackson Hole--64th Street 

447 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY, 10024-5519,
 (212) 873-3444
Bring your kids, but just remember to fold those strollers.
 

232 E 64th St, New York, NY, 10021,
 (212) 371-7187
Western-themed burger joint that believes when it comes to beef, bigger is better.
 

228 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY, 10011-1628, 
(212) 206-0059
 

212 W 57th St, New York, NY, 10019-3200, 
(212) 581-8900
 

119 7th Ave, New York, NY, 10011-1802, 
(212) 414-1717
A Chelsea postmodern 24-hour greasy spoon that's propelled by dependable fare and a boisterous crowd.
 

3 West 18th St, New York, NY, 10003-1901, 
(212) 366-1414
Incomparable pastries and an only-in-New-York brunch experience, flying elbows and all.
  

214 E 45th St, New York, NY, 10017-3302,
 (212) 867-4555
  

522 9th Ave, New York, NY, 10018-2803, 
(212) 465-1530
Single-handedly nudging the cupcake off the kid's menu.
 

Ellen's Stardust Diner

1650 Broadway, New York, NY, 10019,
 (212) 956-5151
Are tacky singing waiters a Times Square tradition or a tourist trap. Isn't it time to find out?
 

210 10th Ave, New York, NY, 10011-4711,
 (212) 924-0011
A 24-hour classic in the old rail-car style, with tasty food to boot. 
 

386 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11201-5331, 
(718) 852-5257
 

96 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY, 10011-5104, 
(212) 243-9946
 

Miss Williamsburg Diner

920 Broadway, New York, NY, 10010-6004,
 (212) 533-3663
 

750 8th Ave, New York, NY, 10036,
 (212) 997-8885
 

206 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11211,
 (718) 963-0802
 

31-05 Astoria Blvd., Astoria, NY, 11102-1134,
 (718) 278-4853
  

Veniero's Pasticceria & Cafe 

2880 Broadway, New York, NY, 10025-7848, 
(212) 864-6137
 

342 E 11th St, New York, NY, 10003-7417,
 (212) 674-7264
Try the lush ricotta cheesecake and you'll know why people have been lining up here for over 100 years.
 

144 2nd Ave, New York, NY, 10003-8305, 
(212) 228-9682
The place for all-day breakfast or late-night borscht.
 

Coffeehouse

The Grey Dog's Coffee 

33 Carmine St, New York, NY, 10014-4428, 
(212) 462-0041
The strong coffee and charming rural vibe add up to a classic cafe. 
 

79 MacDougal St, New York, NY, 10012-2514, 
(212) 982-5275
Great Italian dolce and classic decor combine to offer a true escape in the heart of Greenwich Village.
 

255 W 84th St, New York, NY, 10024-4321, 
(212) 496-6126
Hearty fare, strong coffee and a refreshing absence of pretension give this hideaway its tell-tale appeal.

289 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11211-3723, 
(718) 387-2281
This old-school caffe and pasticceria holds the generations of Williamsburg together with love and gelati.
 

Cuban 

39 Downing St, New York, NY, 10014,
 (212) 352-2822
A Cuban winner in the West Village. 
 

1711 Broadway, New York, NY, 10019,
 (212) 956-1000
 

349 W Broadway, New York, NY, 10013-2240, 
(212) 625-1441
A bright place for Cuban and South American fare and soul-tingling drinks.