Got a late night craving and in Manhattan? Here are some great Manhattan restaurants that are open 24 hours:
Wo Hop – 17 Mott St
Wo Hop, one of the city’s best loved Chinese restaurants, has been around for decades. It’s atmosphere is somewhere between trendy “Asia fusion” restaurants that are so popular nowadays and the cheap takeout spot around the corner, but don’t expect a menu of things you’ve never tried. Wo Hop serves all the Chinese classics, and prepare them as well as anyone. For a low price – most entrees are under $7 – you just can’t beat this little gem in New York.
Highly recommended: Lemon chicken.
Tick Tock Diner – 481 8th Ave
The menu may be that of a traditional diner, but the taste is anything but. Tick Tock produces great traditional diner food, like steaks, salads and burgers. The service is a little slow sometimes, but the atmosphere is pleasant, mixing a big city feel with a homey diner tradition. You could be extravagant at Tick Tock by ordering a hot plate, but most entrees are reasonable, and you probably won’t spend more than $20. Not to mention that they serve the always irresistible Junior’s cheesecake.
Highly recommended: Portobello mushroom garlic wrap.
Veselka – 144 2nd Ave
Veselka looks like a pretty standard diner from outside, but it’s got a few things going for it. For one, the Eastern European/Russian food brings a unique air to the diner. Second, I know of no better place to sit for hours and extend the evening just drinking coffee. The wait staff is courteous and the crowd is always friendly. The specials and combo plates can run a little pricy, but you can have a great time at this little hole-in-the-wall just noshing on small dishes like pierogies and bigos. Make it a multi-ethnic meal – get kielbasa and chicken salad.
Highly recommended: Bigos.
Restaurant Florent – 69 Gansevoort St
French restaurants tend to have a pricy menu, but Florent offers high quality food for a relatively low price any time of day. The feel is that of a standard New York diner, but the wait staff is personable enough to produce an air of coziness about the place. Perhaps most notable is the owner, Florent Morellet, who for years has been a social advocate for liberal politics, such as gay rights and the right to die. With French and American classics, Florent is not to be missed.
Highly recommended: Cinnamon raisin French toast.
Wonjo – 23 W 32nd St
Wonjo will hit you hard in the wallet, with dishes between $15 and $45, but fans of Korean food or sushi should drop the cash at least once in their life and give it a whirl. The wait staff can be hard to deal with sometimes, but the food is stellar. It’s some of the best Korean food I’ve ever had. The atmosphere is pretty modern. You can look out and see the neon glow of Manhattan, and it feels the same in the confines of the restaurant.
Highly recommended: Kimchi pa jeun.
El Presidente – 3938 Broadway
El Presidente’s menu of Caribbean and Latin American cuisine is expansive, but what the restaurant is truly known for is the lunch special. For a measly $4.50, you can get a huge amount of authentic Caribbean food, with specials that rotate based on the day of the week. Other times of day, a meal will cost you $10-$15. In everything, El Presidente strives for authenticity, from the food to the music, and diners really feel like they’re in the Caribbean. One downside is that they only take reservations for groups of 20 or more, and it can be difficult to get a seat.
Highly recommended: Mofongo.
Charlys – 110 Trinity Pl
Charlys serves stellar Americana. Philly steaks, burgers, chili cheese dogs and fries dominate this comfortable little spot in the Financial District. Customers rave about the burgers, and I can’t say I disagree. Their burgers are some of the best you can find. With a comfortable, traditional setting and a price range that doesn’t exceed $15, you’re in good hands.
Highly recommended: Charlys burger with cheese.
The Donut Pub – 203 W 14th St
After all that food, you’ll probably want dessert, right? Fear not, The Donut Pub produces the best donuts in the city. For only 99 cents, chow down on a traditional favorite, like cinnamon or sugar, or go for one of their famous fruit or cream-filled donuts. They make excellent hot chocolate as well.
Highly recommended: Strawberry-filled donuts.
