Tribeca/Lower Manhattan Restaurants
Tribeca is one of NYC’s “hot” dining destinations, so I’ve included several well-known restaurants that have garnered consistently positive reviews. (To be honest, I’ve only been in Tribeca once or twice – and I got lost and turned around both times. I did have a great lunch at Bubby’s.) I can highly recommend the Bridge Café in Lower Manhattan, which I have enjoyed many times following a Brooklyn Bridge excursion.
** Indicates my personal favorites
**Bridge Café ($$-$$$) American
279 Water St. (@Dover St.)
212-227-3344
Subway: A,C,J,M,Z,2,3,4,5 to Fulton St./Broadway-Nassau
Open Sun-Mon 11:45am-10pm, Tue-Thu 11:45am-11pm, Fri 11:45am-midnight, Sat 5pm-midnight.
www.eatgoodinny.com
Located in a 1794 wooden structure, and next to the Brooklyn Bridge, the Bridge Café has been in operation since 1836 – the oldest surviving tavern in New York City. Excellent New American menu, charming, quaint, relaxed. Try to stop in here before or after your Brooklyn Bridge walk. (This link takes you to my NYC Sightseeing page)
**Bubby’s ($$) American
120 Hudson St. (@N. Moore St.)
212-219-0666
Subway: 1,9 to Franklin St.
Open 7 days for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner.
www.bubbys.com
Everyone loves Bubby’s in Tribeca for simple American comfort food and a few more inventive offerings as well. Irresistible buttermilk biscuits, lovely soups and salads, fried chicken, sandwiches, meatloaf, home-baked pies and cakes. Friendly but notoriously slow service, so don’t be in a hurry. Great people-watching and even possible celeb-spotting.
Chanterelle ($$$$) French
2 Harrison St. (betw. Greenwich and Hudson)
212-966-6960
Subway: 1 to Franklin St.
Serves lunch and dinner Tue-Sun, dinner only on Mon.
www.chanterellenyc.com
For 25 years Chanterelle has had a reputation for exquisite cuisine, flawless service, and beautiful, tranquil atmosphere. Very romantic special occasion destination. Prix-fixe Menus only for dinner, $95 and $105; lunch available a la carte; the $42 prix-fixe lunch menu is considered to be an excellent value.
Ecco ($$-$$$$) Italian
124 Chambers St. (betw. Church St. and W. Broadway)
212-227-7074
Subway: 1,2,3 to Chambers St.
Open Mon-Fri noon-11pm, Sat 5pm-11pm, closed Sun.
Excellent Italian classics, quiet old-world charm, service, and atmosphere. Piano bar on Friday and Saturday nights.
F. Illi Ponte Ristorante ($$-$$$$) Italian, Beautiful View
39 Desbrosses St. (@Washington St.)
212-226-4621
Subway: 1,9 to Canal St.; A,C,E to Canal St.
Open Mon-Fri lunch and dinner, Sat dinner only, closed Sun.
www.filliponte.com
Incredible views of the Hudson at this out-of-the-way waterfront restaurant in Tribeca. Excellent traditional Italian food, romantic atmosphere, interesting space and rustic Italian décor.
Nobu Next Door ($$-$$$$) Japanese, Sushi
105 Hudson St. (@Franklin)
212-334-4445
Subway: 1,9 to Franklin St
Open 7 days for dinner (Mon-Thu till midnight, Fri-Sat till 1am, Sun till 11pm)
www.myriadrestaurantgroup.com
Nobu Next Door offers a similar menu to Nobu (see below), with the addition of a raw bar, late night dining, live music, and a no-reservations policy except for large parties. If you come at peak times, be prepared to wait. While you’re waiting, keep an eye out for celebrities!
Nobu ($$$-$$$$) Japanese, Sushi
105 Hudson St. (@Franklin)
212-219-0500
Subway: 1 to Franklin St.
Open Mon-Fri for lunch and dinner, Sat-Sun dinner only.
www.myriadrestaurantgroup.com
The quintessential NYC destination for creative, ethereal Japanese fusion cuisine, in-crowd vibe, and all that. This is the flagship restaurant created by chef Nobu Matsuhisa (whose partners include actor Robert DeNiro, and restaurateur Drew Nierporent) and designed by architect David Rockwell. Be prepared to book a month in advance, and to spend $100 per person. But almost everyone says it is worth it! I’ve never been, but if you go — please tell me about it!
