Lifestyle

Where to Bring Picky Eaters in NYC

By Kristen Esperanza at New York University

Even though NYC is renowned for its access to delicious food options from around the world, it’s just not some people’s style. Here are some places to take the picky eater in your life.

Tompkins Square Bagels

This place will hit the spot for your bagel cravings, whether sweet or salty. With twenty-one types of bagels, thirty-seven cream cheese flavors and eleven savory and sweet add-ons like banana and avocado, this is arguably the best place in the city to concoct your perfect bagel. Sweet tooths can get their fill by trying Tompkin’s famous French toast bagel with birthday cake cream cheese. Tofu cream cheese and gluten-free are also available for those with dietary restrictions.

The Bean

New York coffee is one of a kind. Save the trip to Starbucks and try The Bean’s Mocha Mona Lisa, which is my favorite coffee drink in the city. For those who aren’t fond of coffee, The Bean has a variety of teas including iced, white, green, black and herbal, along with a variety of sodas, sparkling water, vitamin water, coconut water, Naked Juice and Kombucha on tap at some locations.

Bareburger

The options here are limitless—you can mix and match buns, patties and toppings. Yay to DIY burgers, am I right? If you don’t dig elk or bison meat, the Classic is a solid choice. The mouthwatering burgers and sides (onion rings, anyone?) here will make for a tasty meal sure to satisfy any type of eater.

S’mac

For a simple meal you can’t go wrong with gooey macaroni and cheese. The various size choices available makes S’Mac a win-win if you want something exotic and your friend doesn’t. The set choices on their menu range from American Classic to Parisienne (mac and cheese with mushrooms and figs). You can also build your own and chose from an variety of fifteen cheeses, four herbs, twelve veggies/condiments and six proteins.

Lamarca

If there’s any universal food adored by the whole world, it’s probably pasta. This place is low-key and nothing fancy but the food is super good and served in big portions. You can also get two sauces in one dish if you can’t make up your mind! Note: Cash only and not open on weekends.

Veselka

I’ve never met a picky eater who was opposed diner food. Veselka offers American breakfast and lunch foods such as omelets, pancakes and burgers, plus Eastern European staples like pierogies, goulash and borscht. From veggies to meats to seafood, something on this menu is bound to please anyone. Bonus points for being 24/7.

Sundaes and Cones

Split a banana boat or fill up a cone with your favorite flavors. This place has flavors you can find in any ice cream shop but also has more foreign ones such as thai tea, corn, and avocado. Your cone can also be chocolate coated with sprinkles or peanuts. If you want something sweet to drink, the menu also has milk shakes, malts, ice cream sodas, teas, coffee, lemonade and hot chocolate.

Dough

Although they might not fancy hibiscus or lemon-ginger doughnuts, the cinnamon sugar or plain glazed will surely catch any difficult eater’s eye and their taste buds. Their menu has sixteen staple flavors and twenty-one rotating flavors, including chai cream and chocolate chipotle.

Let’s hear it for New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of—and by dreams, I mean satisfying taste buds of all sorts.

Looking for more NYC eats? Check these out.

• The 50 Best Things to Eat in NYC Before You Die
• The 38 Best Places to Brunch in NYC
• 27 of NYC’s Best Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly Restaurants