New York is the city of unlimited opportunities, where dreams come true.
New York is a place for everybody: it loves anybody, no matter their background, lifestyle, or quirks. From “social outcasts” like vegetarians, regular vegans, fruitarians, raw vegans; people who eat gluten-free, fat-free, sugar-free, or lactose-free; to those obsessed with specific food, such as kale, hummus or bagels.
New York is here to satisfy all your food and drink cravings.
It’s time I present to all New Yorkers, and individuals who find themselves in this amazing city, a list of places for food or drinks for every niche. Let’s begin:
1. Oatmeals
Let’s start with something very breakfasty–the good old oatmeal. Did you know that there is an entire place in Lower Manhattan dedicated to this healthy and hearty food? There are signature bowls, such as Tropical Sunrise (pineapple, dried mango, coconut, coconut milk), The Hot Date (dates, pecans, granola, peanut butter, honey), Croque Monsieur (diced ham, gruyere cheese, nutmeg, steamed milk), Thai Style Sweet & Spicy (pineapple, coconut flakes, peanuts, peanut butter, Sriracha) as well as build-your-own-bowl, where you can choose the size, type of milk, and toppings you want to add to your oatmeal. The interesting part is that you can make your oatmeal savory by adding bacon, pesto, and/or poached eggs, among other toppings.
2. Greecologies/ Chobani Café
This idea is simple and pretty familiar: choose your yogurt, select your toppings, add a splash of honey, agave, or maple syrup, and voilà . You (almost) cannot go wrong with your choice.
3. Kellogg’s NYC
And what is more breakfasty than cereal itself! Within a short distance from Times Square, folks can enjoy some of their favorite cereal presented in unique bowl combos. Interesting choices are The Corny Blues (corn pops, blueberry jam, lemon zest, pinch of salt) and Malted Banana (Krave chocolate, malted milk powder, toasted hazelnuts, fresh bananas). And if you’re still not impressed, you can even add different types of milk, milkshake, and ice cream to your bowl. Yes, it’s time for you to go crazy!
Obviously, you can make your own cereal bowl by choosing from the many different Kellogg’s products, fruits, nuts/seeds, jams, sweet sauces, and boosts, such as cocoa powder, espresso, lime zest, and much more.
4. Cha Cha Matcha
As you can tell by the name, this place uses Matcha as a main ingredient in all their products. They could vary from iced tea, lemonade, and latte, to frozen yogurt, macarons, cakes, and granola parfaits.
5. The Bagel Store
Deep in Brooklyn rests the ultimate bagel place. No, it’s not simply bagels with choices of different cream cheeses and fillings. That’s so basic.
First, it sells items such as Rainbow and Unicorn bagels (yes please!) and fusion bagels like Buttery Salted Pretzel Bagel.
Second, it offers every spread one can think of, from Nutella and peanut butter to jelly and honey. Third, it has over 25 homemade cream cheeses with different fat consistencies, as well as tofu spreads.
They have a huge variety of cold cuts, cheeses, fruits, and veggies you can add to your bagel. So what are you waiting for? Take the L train and go get your bagel!
6. Avocaderia
The first place in the US that manages to pay the respect avocados truly deserve.
From toasts and salads to smoothies and bowls, everything is based on delicious and fresh avocados. With fun item names, such as “Quinoa & Friends,” “Chill Out,” and “Let It Beet,” and creative combos, this place will soon turn into a hotspot not only for Brooklynites, but for all of NY and beyond.
7. Eatsa
Quinoa used to be referred to as the fancy food of the 21st century, which is believed to be a “superfood” without folks actually knowing what’s so “super” about it.
Well, nowadays, especially in developed cities like New York, quinoa is a necessity, a way to be healthy and to diversify your meal. It literally goes well with everything: avocado, cottage cheese, almonds, fruits–take your pick.
Eatsa is a quinoa bowl place, where customers can choose among a couple of well-thought and intriguing combinations.
Interesting choices are the Toscana Bowl (pesto, cauliflower, parmesan, minestrone, roasted winter squash, root veggies, lemon-toasted quinoa, fried spaghetti), and the Aloha Bowl (sesame seeds, edamame, orange miso sauce, portabello poke, taro root chips, pickled ginger, wakame).
8. Maoz Grill
We’ve already started with the signature bowls, so why not continue? At Maoz Grill one can choose the base of their bowl (salad/hummus/rice), add protein (different types of chicken, beef, falafel, cheese, eggs), and top it off with a selection of veggies and sauces FOR FREE!!! Hallelujah!
9. BarBacon
Let’s take a break from the bowls for a little bit and pay attention to a place situated in Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan, where each item on the menu has bacon in it. We all have a love-hate relationship with bacon, loving and hating ourselves for feeling that way.
Signature dishes from the menu are: Bacon tasting platter, Barbacoa grilled cheese, Lobster Loves bacon mac & cheese, Fish tacos (yes, they also have bacon inside). Shockingly, even the desserts are bacon-infused or covered with bacon. For the more adventurous side of you, I recommend trying the Vanilla Bacon Milkshake.
10. Crif Dogs
And as long as we’re talking about meat, check out this spot where every item on the menu should be a hot dog. Actually no, I lied; there are burgers as well. But what kind of monster would go to a place called “Crif Dogs” to get a burger?!
Anyway, they have more than ten different hot dog combos, as well as toppings like chili cheese, bacon, eggs, pineapple, avocado, and beans. And for those of you who don’t eat meat but still want to try this place, there’s a veggie option as well.
11. KavaSutra
Ok, let me explain. Kava is a “magical root from the South Pacific,” as their website claims, that “f**ks you up like weed” as the bartender in their East Village location told me. The menu includes traditional kava, served in a liquid form in a bowl, different types of kava shots, cocktails, and teas.
Definitely doesn’t taste like a chocolate milkshake, but it’s worth trying. Your whole face gets numb, which may sound bad, but I enjoyed every second of not feeling my face.
12. S’mac
What brings more nostalgia and warmth better than mac&cheese? If you’re a student away from home, missing your grandma’s traditional old-school mac and cheese, or an adventurist who lives for experiencing all the new and exciting aspects of life, go to S’mac, a place specializing in mac and cheese dishes.
From traditional All-American, to more fancy combos, this place won’t disappoint you. Interesting options on the menu are Parisienne (with creamy brie, figs, shiitake mushrooms and rosemary) and Masala (yes, this is a combo of your favorite Indian dish, macaroni and cheese! Try to stay calm.)