The Top 10 Restaurants in NYC
Summer is a time for traveling, and you haven’t lived until you’ve taken a trip over to the Big Apple. That’s right, I’m talking about New York City, land of opportunity and affordable housing. I’ve eaten everywhere you can possibly eat in the city, and here are my top 10 spots to try on your next trip.
#10. Bubba Gump Shrimp (Times Square): When you plan your trip to NYC, you can’t skip over the crown jewel of the city, Times Square. It’s the center of the universe, and so fun for the whole family! You want some M&M’s? Boy do I have the store for you! Want a picture with Elmo and Optimus Prime together? Say no more! With all the action, you’ll get hungry quick. A Krispy Kreme donut is a nice treat, but it’s not going to satisfy your hunger. That’s why you have to check out Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in the heart of Times Square. They have shrimp, and other options! I think there is also some cool theming and they might even do some performances or something, I’m not sure.
#9. Olive Garden (Times Square): Another essential spot in NYC has to be the Olive Garden in Times Square. This is easily the most affordable spot on our list. Since they have unlimited breadsticks, you can get like 700 of those suckers and the per unit price becomes miniscule. They have soups, salads, and pastas too if you’re into that kind of thing. I’ve only ever had the breadsticks so I can’t speak for the rest of the menu.
#8. Taco Bell Cantina (Times Square): The Taco Bell Cantina is a great spot if you’re looking for a more exotic option. With their homemade tortillas and fresh guac, you’ll be salivating 3 blocks away. You may be asking me why I put a chain restaurant on this list and I’ll tell you. At this Taco Bell, you can get a frozen Baja Blast with tequila. Any more questions?
#7. Hard Rock Cafe (Times Square): New York is known for entertainment, and there’s no better place to get it than at the Hard Rock Cafe. I think that sometimes there are performances there while you eat your burger. They have a gift shop too so you can get a hat that says “Hard Rock Cafe” on it, which is pretty neat. It might be near Madame Tussauds as well, so you can see wax people after you’ve finished up.
#6. Red Lobster (Times Square): The most authentic seafood you’ll get on the East Coast comes from Red Lobster. Despite what the name says, they have other food that isn’t lobster. This includes the cheesy biscuits which rock, as well as crab legs. Bring the whole family and you might be able to get a full family platter if that’s something that they offer. Mention me when you order for 80% off.
#5. Joe Merchant’s Coffee & Provisions (Inside the Times Square Margaritaville): I wanted to make sure I included a coffee shop on this list, because sometimes coffee is the best meal. The New York locals love their coffee, and if you ask any of them where they get it, they’re gonna say Joe Merchant’s. They have light roasts, dark roasts, hot, and iced! That’s all you could ever need.
#4. License to Chill Bar (Inside the Times Square Margaritaville): Libations are an important part of any NYC experience, and you can’t beat this spot. Their food is great, but their drinks really bring the experience over the top. You can order anything you can imagine here! A beer? No problem! A margarita? They’ll do it for you! It’s so cool, and not many spots in the city will hook you up like this.
#3. 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar (Inside the Times Square Margaritaville): You will lose your mind at the food options here! They have fully loaded nachos, fried pickles, and even fun sandwiches! And if you go at 5 o’clock, they might even do a silly song or something. I can’t recommend this place enough.
#2. LandShark Bar & Grill (Inside the Times Square Margaritaville): Have you ever had the classic summer beer Landshark? Well here, they take it to another level. Every dish is made with the beer in some capacity. If you want a burger, they’ll dip the bun in Landshark. If you get a slice of key lime pie for dessert, they’ll pour a whole bottle on that slice! Note, you must be 21+ to eat here.
#1. Margaritaville Restaurant (Inside the Times Square Margaritaville): If you’ve read any NYC food blogs, you already knew this would be number one on my list. It’s a consensus to anyone who has taste buds that the Margaritaville in Times Square has the best food in NYC, and probably the world. There is a drink on their menu called The Perfect Margarita. They don’t let you say shit like that if it’s not true, especially in New York.
Let me know if you’ve been to any of these local spots, or if you plan to go in the near future! I can let my people know you’re coming in and you’ll get the best service in town. Because as the New York locals will tell you, when you’re here, you’re family!