Greenwich Village Restaurants
I love wandering in the Village (and ‘wander’ I do – easy to get turned around here!). With so many wonderful restaurants in the Village, it was hard to limit my recommendations here. Promise me you’ll explore on your own as well!
** Indicates my personal favorites
Blue Hill ($$$-$$$$) American
75 Washington Pl. (betw. 6th Ave. and MacDougal St.
212-539-1776
Subway: A,C,E,B,D,F,V to W. 4th St.
Open for dinner Mon-Sat 5:30pm-11pm, Sun 5:30pm-10pm
www.bluehillnyc.com
Features creative, seasonal New American cuisine prepared with locally-grown Hudson Valley ingredients (the restaurant is named after the co-chef/owner’s family farm) Many diners regard Blue Hill as their favorite among NYC’s top restaurants, and it is a bit less expensive than most. Entrees are $26-$32; a 5-course Tasting Menu is $68. An outdoor patio seats 20. Blue Hill is “on my list” to try soon.
**Blue Ribbon Bakery ($-$$$) American, French, Fun
35 Downing St. (@ Bedford St.)
212-337-0404
Subway: 1 to Houston St; A,C,E,B,D,F to W. 4th St.
Open Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri noon-2am, Sat 11:30am-2am, Sun 11:30am-midnight.
www.blueribbonrestaurants.com
By no means just a bakery – serves all kinds of wonderful and interesting food, all price ranges. It doesn’t look like much, but yes, this is the place – go on in! They even serve root beer floats.
**Caffe Reggio ($) Italian, coffee
119 MacDougal St. (betw. Minetta Ln. and 3rd St.)
212-475-9557
Subway: A,C,B,D,F,V to W.4th St.
Open Sun-Thu 10am-1:30am, Fri-Sat 9:30am-3am.
CASH ONLY.
www.caffereggio.com
A classic, the Village’s oldest coffee house (1927) is a lovely stop for cappuccino, Italian pastries, maybe a crepe or omelet. Featured in movies such as The Godfather and Serpico!
Corner Bistro ($) American
331 W. 4th St. (@ Jane St.)
212-242-9502
Subway: A,C,E,L to 14th St-Eighth Ave.
Open 7 days, 11:30am (noon Sunday) – 4am.
CASH ONLY.
Very popular, famous for the juicy Bistro Burger. Also excellent chicken sandwich and grilled cheese.
**Le Gigot ($$) French, Mediterranean
18 Cornelia St. (betw. Bleecker and W. 4th Sts.)
212-627-3737
Subway: A,B,C,D,E,F,V to W. 4th St; 1 to Christopher St.
Open Tue-Sun for lunch and dinner, closed Mon.
ONLY ACCEPTS AMEX OR CASH
Le Gigot is a quaint, lovely, moderately-priced French bistro. Feels like Paris. Located on pretty, leafy, romantic Cornelia Street, where there are several excellent restaurants (Home, Po, Cornelia Street Cate, Pearl Oyster Bar.)
Le Pain Quotidien ($-$$) Belgian bakery/café
10 Fifth Ave. (@ 8th St.)
212-253-2324
Subway: N,R,W,to 8th St; 6 to Astor Pl.
www.painquotidien.com
A very fine Belgian bakery/café with several outlets in town. Fresh, organic salads, sandwiches, etc., and of course lovely bread and pastries.
Lupa Osteria Romana ($$) Italian.
170 Thompson St. (betw. Bleecker and Houston Sts.)
212-982-5089
Subway:A,C,E,B,D,F,V to W. 4th St.; 1 to Houston St.
Open 7 days for lunch and dinner.
www.luparestaurant.com
“Authentic Roman trattoria,” another Mario Batali endeavor (see Babbo), reasonably priced, very popular and well-regarded. Like so many NYC restaurants, can be noisy and crowded. In nice weather try to get a table outside.
OTTO Enoteca Pizzeria ($$) Italian, Pizza
1 Fifth Ave. (@ 8th St.)
212-995-9559
Subway: N,R to 8th St. Open & days 11:30am-11:30pm.
www.ottopizzeria.com
A casual, moderately-priced Mario Batali establishment, serving unusual gourmet pizza, antipasti, wine.
Pastis ($-$$$) French
9 Ninth Ave. (@ Little W. 12th St.)
212-929-4844
Subway: A,C,E,L to 14th St-8th Ave.
Open Mon-Wed 9am-midnight, Thu 9am-2am, Fri 9am-2:30am, Sat noon-2:30am, Sun noon-2am.
www.pastisny.com
Balthazar-goes-Greenwich Village. Range of prices, great French bistro food, outdoor dining, bar; you might see a celebrity or two. Enjoy for breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, or late night.
Pearl Oyster Bar ($$) Seafood, American
18 Cornelia St. (betw. Bleecker and W. 4th St.)
212-691-8211
Subway: A,C,E,F,V to W. 4th St.
Open Mon-Fri noon-2:30, Mon-sat 6pm-11pm.
www.pearloysterbar.com
There’s almost always a line here for superb seafood. Renowned chowder, lobster and oyster rolls, grilled whole fish – everything is first-rate. (If you can’t get in, try Mary’s Fish Camp www.marysfishcamp.com over at 64 Charles St @ W. 4th.)
Sapore ($$) Italian
55 Greewich Ave. (@ Perry St.)
212-229-0551
Subway: 1,2,3,9 to 14th St.
Open 7 days, noon-11pm.
CASH ONLY.
Wonderful Italian home cooking. Outdoor dining, inexpensive lunch and brunch specials. Save room for tiramisu.
Sevilla ($$) Spanish
62 Charles St. (@4th St.)
212-929-3189
Subway: 1 to Christopher St; A,C,E,B,D,F,V to W. 4th St.
Open Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri-Sat noon-1am, Sun 1pm-midnight.
www.sevillarestaurantandbar.com
A Village institution since 1941. Wonderful sangria, paella, tapas. Gets pretty noisy and lively. There is often a wait for a table, but it goes quick.
**Tanti Baci Caffe ($$) Italian
163 West 10th St. (@ 7th Ave., lower level); lunch and brunch served at The Flower Room (135 ½ 7th Ave, betw. Charles and W. 10th)
212-647-9651, 647-9655
Subway: 9 to Christopher St.-Sheridan Sq. Open 7 days, 11am-11pm, serves brunch on weekends.
www.tantibacicaffe.com.
This little subterranean restaurant it is hard to find – but keep looking! You will be rewarded with a cozy, classic GV neighborhood favorite (the waitress inquired how we knew about it!). Wonderful authentic Italian, freshly prepared, all natural ingredients, they use organic meats and free-range chicken. Lunch, dinner, brunch on weekends. I love these little places where the atmosphere is unlike anything “back home.”
The Spotted Pig ($$) Italian, Irish, English “Gastro-Pub.”
314 W. 11th St (@Greenwich St.)
212-620-0393
Subway:1,9 to Christopher St-Sheridan Sq; A,C,E to 14th St.
Open 7 days noon-5pm and 5:30pm-2am.
www.thespottedpig.com
This “gastro-pub” is a bar with simple but interesting “bar food.” Think: London + New York + talented chefs + music industry investors = cool, casual, just right. Noting like the “bar food” (or bar scene) where I live!
