Looking for restaurants near the Metropolitan Museum of Art?
Our renegade tours of the Met need fuel, and sometimes you just can’t settle for the classic hot dog and soft pretzel outside on the Met steps.
You’re probably either already near the Met and your stomach’s growling, or you’re planning a trip and want the lowdown on the best restaurants near the museum. Maybe you’re doing a corporate event with us and want to grab a bite afterwards.
Either way, we’ve got you covered. Below is our current shortlist for amazing spots for food near the Met.
Restaurants Near the Metropolitan Museum of Art
We’ve spent years in and near the Met, and have the full scoop on the best places to fill your gullet before/after/in-between an awesome trip to the best museum in NYC.
Quick Eats
Dos Toros Taqueria — Fast, friendly, delicious. Similar to Chipotle, some even like it better. The tables are usually taken, so perfect for grabbing a burrito or a bowl on the go.
Vinnie’s Pizzeria — Great pizza joint with an old world feel. Get it by the slice, fold the crust like a true New Yorker, and eat while running to meet your friend who’s waiting for you on the stairs of the Met.
Pick-A-Bagel — Classic NYC bagels. Fresh, doughy, tasty. Highly recommended if you’re from out of town and haven’t tasted the international wonder that is NYC bagels.
Bang For Your Buck
Lolita’s Kitchen — Charming hole-in-the-wall with authentic Mexican food at amazing prices. Might be one of the best values in NYC, and certainly for restaurants near the Met. You can get a delicious, quick lunch for $8-10.
Shake Shack — Pros: delicious burgers, great prices, casual atmosphere. Cons: often crowded, takes a while to get your food, and you might have to wait a bit to find an empty table. Recommended if you have some time before heading to the museum.
Mama Gyro — Easygoing Greek spot offering gyro sandwiches, plus salads, sides & desserts. Serious Eats describes it as “the comforting familiarity of a Big Mac, but with the exotic ingredients of a gyro.”
Burger One — A good alternative to Shake Shack if you want a more intimate, quiet and cozy experience. Solid burgers and excellent value at this tiny lunch counter.
Delicious Sit-Down
The Meatball Shop — Our post-tour meal of choice. Sumptuous and savory… you’ve never had meatballs like this. And yes, they do have vegan/vegetarian options too 🙂
Cafe Sabarsky — Classy and cozy German/Austrian cafe with great decor and ambiance. Reservations recommended, along with the Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Cake. Located inside the Neue Galerie.
Beyoglu — Authentic Turkish cuisine. Lively atmosphere, good service, great value. Recommend the Mezze platter and hummus.
Ichie — Sushi anyone? Homemade hearty Japanese food at this sushi bar on Lexington avenue. Well-priced with lots of variety on the menu.
Up Thai — Some call it the best Thai in NYC. Beautiful decor, intricate lighting, a nice date spot. Good option for lunch near the Met because the lunch special is a great value and comes with plenty to fill you up for your entire adventure at the museum.
Brunch & Coffee
Oren’s Daily Roast — Oren’s is a New York staple. If you want to grab a great roast on your way to the Met, this is your jam. It’s small, so not recommended if you’re looking for a sit-down spot, but perfect if you want to grab a quick coffee on the go. They have some vegan treats as well.
Table d’Hote — The French toast. THE FRENCH TOAST. Intimate little brunch spot with authentic French food. Might make you feel like you’re in Paris. Reservations recommended.
Bluestone Lane — A stones throw from the Met and located inside a church, Bluestone Lane has reliable, breakfast & coffee with nice outdoor seating and a great view of Central Park. Fills up quickly, so you’ll want to get there early. No reservations.
Vegan & Juice
Candle 79 — A little on the pricy side, but if you want delicious vegan food near the Met, you’ve found it. Might make omnivores reconsider their life choices. Bonus: great cocktails and plenty of gluten-free options.
Pressed Juicery — Great juices on the go, amazing service (you can try any juice you want before buying), and surprisingly reasonable prices. Highly recommended.
Green Life Juice Bar –Wide selection of juices. Small, clean, colorful, but most importantly: killer smoothies. Perfect refreshment for the summer excursion to the best museum in NYC.
Drinks
Caledonia Bar — By far our favorite place to grab drinks before/after a trip to the Met. Unpretentious, fun, dim, and cozy. Big selection of scotch/whiskey to choose from. Some say they have the best Old Fashioned in NYC, and certainly out of the restaurants near the Met.
Heidi’s House By The Side Of The Road — Cozy, intimate hole-in-the-wall with yummy comfort food and a good selection of wine. Mac and Cheese is out of this world. If you can get a table, you’re in for a treat.
Blake Lane — Nice low-key spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and drinks. Good value, the pancakes are amazing and suuuuper fluffy.
Splurge
The Mark — Modern, upscale, sophisticated restaurant near the Met owned by Jean Georges. Lots of quality options to choose from: burgers, pizza, seafood, you name it.
Lady M Cake Boutique — Fancy, decadent desserts for your sweet tooth. Crepes, cake, cupcakes, tea, cappuccino with sit-down service. Time to indulge.
Ristorante Morini — Fresh, upscale Italian fare within walking distance from the Met. Comfortable, quiet, welcoming. Owned by Chef Michael White.
More Restaurants Near the Met Museum
Looking for more places to eat near the Met? Check out our similar list of restaurants near the American Museum of Natural History, which is located just on the other side of Central Park
