NRF 2023: The best places to eat and drink in NYC

NRF is here, and to keep you fueled and ready to go, the Ordergroove Team (HQ’d in NYC) put together our best food and drink recommendations near the Javits Center and beyond. From coffee to cocktails, we have you covered.

Morning

Bluestone Lane

Spacious, sunlit, and chic, Bluestone Lane is an Australian-influenced cafe just minutes from the convention center. Swing by for a coffee on your way to a morning session or partake in a healthy breakfast. 

What to order: Banana bread topped with whipped ricotta, toasted pecans, and berries.

Walk from Javits Center: 6 min

Address: 55 Hudson Yards, New York, NY

Hours: 

• Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday – Sunday: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Easy Victor Café 

Located inside Legacy Records (a fantastic dinner spot), Easy Victor Café is a hidden gem serving tasty baked goods and even tastier coffee. Just around the corner from the Javits Center, it’s perfect for a quick one-on-one catch-up. 

What to order: Classic croissant or homemade baguette.

Walk from Javits Center: 5 min

Address: 517 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018

Hours:

• Tuesday – Saturday: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Afternoon

Friedman’s

Everyone in your party can find something they’ll want at Friedman’s, a small local chain with a handful of locations throughout Manhattan. The first restaurant was founded in 2009 in Chelsea Market and focused on using local meats and produce. This ethos is still present more than a decade later.

What to eat: Homemade tomato soup and the hand-cut pastrami sandwich

Walk from Javits Center: 7 minutes

Address: 450 10th Ave, New York, NY

Hours: 

• Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. 
• Saturday – Sunday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Gotham West Market

Not sure what you want to eat for lunch? Then head to Gotham West Market, a food hall with everything you could possible desire, from highly touted pizza slices (Corner Slice) to Mexico City-style tacos and quesadillas (La Palapa).

Where to eat: Corner Slice 

Walk from Javits Center: 9 min

Address: 600 11th Ave, New York, NY

Hours:

• Monday – Sunday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Tabata Ramen

NYC winters can be brutal, with the wind whipping up and down the avenues. Take the chill off with a trip to Tabata Ramen. They serve 13 noodle dishes, all of which are worth trying. 

What to eat: Shoyu Ramen (add butter and a flavored egg)

Walk from Javits Center: 11 minutes

Address: 540 9th Ave, New York, NY 10018

Hours:

• Every day: 11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Shake Shack

Shake Shack might be a global chain, but the burger joint’s home is NYC. No trip to the Big Apple is complete without devouring a smash burger and fries and then throwing a little shade at West Coast-favorite In-N-Out Burger.  

What to eat: Double ShackBurger

Walk from Javits Center: 9 minutes

Address: 20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY

Hours: 

• Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
• Friday – Sunday:  10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Evening

While there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of fantastic restaurants in NYC for dinner, we’ve curated a list of top-notch eateries where we think you can snag a table or reservation.

Buddakan

Huge and lavish, Buddakan marries the Far East with the flamboyance of 16th-century Paris. But don’t let the decor fool you – Buddakan is serious eats and serves delectable Asian-fusion cuisine. Call ahead for a reservation or send us a direct message at hi@ordergroove.com to join our exclusive dinner on Monday, January 16.

What to eat: Tea-smoked spareribs

Ride time from the Javits Center: 9 minutes

Address: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY

Hours: 

• Monday – Thursday: 5 – 11 p.m.
• Friday: 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Saturday: 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Sunday: 4 – 11 p.m.

RedFarm

RedFarm is one of our favorite restaurants in NYC. Everything on the menu is excellent, and while it can get busy (especially on the weekends), you can score reservations without much fuss. Located in the Upper West Side, RedFarm is helmed by dim sum master chef Joe Ng and Chinese food expert Ed Schoenfeld. The duo works together for inventive takes on Chinese cuisine. This restaurant is best for a small group. 

What to eat: Pacman dumplings and the whole Peking duck (limited availability)

Ride from Javits Center: 11 minutes

Address: 2170 Broadway, New York, NY.

Hours: 

• Monday – Thursday: 4:30 – 10 p.m. 
• Friday – Saturday: 12 – 3 p.m. and 4:30 – 10 p.m.
• Sunday: 12 – 3 p.m. and 4:30 – 10 p.m.

Beauty & Essex

With a clubby, glam aesthetic, Beauty & Essex is where you go when you want to feel famous. The menu is a globe-trotting affair of small plates like roasted bone marrow on toast and grilled cheese, bacon, and tomato soup dumplings. Pair your meal with one of the restaurant’s (extremely strong) cocktails. Beauty & Essex can be boisterous in the late hours, so come prepared.

What to eat: Beauty & Essex burger (made with lamb, brisket, and short rib)

Ride from Javits Center: 23 minutes

Address: 146 Essex St., New York, NY

Hours:

• Monday: 5 – 10 p.m.
• Tuesday – Thursday: 5 -11 p.m.
• Friday – Saturday: 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. and 5 -10 p.m.

Upland

Spacious and casual, Upland is the perfect spot for a business dinner. The restaurant features hearty dishes with West Coast and Italian influences. The spot also appears to be a favorite of President Obama and his wife. Back in 2015, Obama ordered a burger topped with avocado and peppadew peppers.

What to eat: Grilled pork porterhouse 

Ride from Javits Center: 14 minutes 

Address: 345 Park Ave S. New York, NY 

Hours: 

• Monday – Thursday: 11: 0 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 5 – 10 p.m.
• Friday: 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 5 – 11 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 – 11 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 – 9 p.m.

abcV

This one is for veggie lovers. Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s abcV’s mission is to “serve, inform, and inspire a cultural shift towards plant-based intelligence, though creativity and deliciousness.” It’s a laudable statement – but you want to know if a trip to abcV is worth your time. It absolutely is. The food is light and fresh, making it the right choice for anyone who’s had too many on-the-go meals. 

What to eat: Any dip.

Ride from Javits Center: 15 minutes 

Address: 38 E 19th St, New York, NY

Hours: 

• Monday – Sunday: 5 – 11 p.m. (last seating at 9:45 p.m.)

Momofuku Ko

Celebrity chef David Chang’s Momofuku Ko is a “special occasion” spot, and yes, traveling to NYC for NRF counts as a special occasion. Bon Appétit praised the restaurant for having a “wildly inventive tasting menu.” However, what exactly is on the menu is anyone’s guess, as it changes frequently. If you want to give Momofuku Ko a go, note that the tasting menu is a luxurious 3-hour dining experience (and the price reflexes it). You can also skip the tasting menu and head to the bar for a la carte options, which is our favorite way to dine here.

What to eat: Tasting menu or the cold fried chicken (fried four times)

Ride from Javits Center: 22 minutes

Address: 8 Extra Place, New York, NY

Hours:

• Tuesday – Saturday: 5 – 9:30 p.m.

Dinner meals near the Javits

If you’re beat from a long day of networking and want to stay close to your hotel – no worries. There are numerous high-quality restaurants a short walk from the Javits.

Tavola

Tavola brings a much-needed neighborhood vibe to the area around the Javits. Located 9 minutes from the convention center, Tavola is a local Italian spot known for their wood oven-fired Neapolitan pizza and fresh pasta. Also good for lunch.

What to eat: Lasagna della casa 

Ride time from the Javits Center: 9 minutes

Address: 488 9th Ave, New York, NY

Hours: 

• Sunday – Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Friday – Saturday: 11:30 a.m. – 10: 30 p.m.

The Marshal

If you care about sustainability, The Marshal is your spot. Boasting a farm-to-table menu, The Marshal burns no gas and only cooks with replanted apple and cherry wood from local orchards. The establishment is cozy so call ahead for reservations. 

What to eat: The Marshal’s menu changes frequently. At the moment, we recommend the Greenane Farm Chicken Paillard. 

Walk time from the Javits Center: 13 minutes

Address: 628 10th Ave, New York, NY 

Hours: 

• Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Sunday: 1 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Zou Zou’s

Located inside Manhattan West, Zou Zou’s is a lively and modern Eastern Mediterranean restaurant that focuses on delivering a fun and surprising experience. Many of Zou Zou’s dishes are big enough for two or more. 

What to eat: Duck Borek (pastry)

Walk time from the Javits Center: 14 minutes

Address: 385 9th Ave, Suite 85, New York, NY

Hours: 

• Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Dinner: 5 – 11 p.m.

Drinks

Porchlight

Restauranter Danny Meyer’s Southern-inspired bar and restaurant is the correct choice for a pre- or post-dinner drink. The spot is known for their warm hospitality and playful seasonal cocktail menu. Check out the gaming room in the back.

What to drink: January Swizzle or Flask of Punch

When to go: Happy hour

Walk time from the Javits Center: 11 minutes

Address: 271 11th Ave, New York, NY 

Hours: 

• Sunday – Wednesday: 3 p.m. – 12 a.m. 
• Thursday – Saturday: 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
• Happy hour: Monday – Saturday: 3-7 p.m.; all day Sunday

The Flatiron Room

With more than 1,000 whiskeys in stock and Madmen vibes, The Flatiron Room is for travelers who want to sip their drinks, not shoot ‘em. If you know next to nothing about whiskey, no problem. The staff can guide you to your perfect drink. There is nightly live music, so check The Flatiron Room’s events page to see if you jive with the performer’s particular tunes. Heads up to sports fans planning a visit: This is a no-ball-caps-allowed establishment. 

What to drink: Oaxaca Express or the whiskey of your choice

Walk from Javits Center: 10 minutes

Address: 37 W 26th St, New York, NY

Hours: 

• Sunday – Thursday: 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. 
• Friday – Saturday: 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Brandy Library

Tribeca’s Brandy Library is for sophisticated conversation over lovingly crafted cocktails made with rare spirits. It’s ideal for hashing out a partnership before heading to dinner. Brandy Library is best for parties of four or under.

What to drink: Everything. We’ve never had a bad drink here.

Ride from Javits Center: 16 minutes

Address: 25 N Moore St Frnt 1, New York, NY

Hours: 

• Tuesday – Wednesday: 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Thursday – Friday: 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Friday – Saturday: 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Hudson Yards

A short walk from the main event, Hudson Yards is NYC’s newest neighborhood, home to more than 100 shops and culinary experiences. Whether you’re looking for an early morning treat or an evening nightcap, you can find it at Hudson Yards. 

Here are a few places to check out: Shake Shack (mentioned above); Peak for cocktails; Ana Bar & Eatery for coffee and breakfast; Milos Wine Bar for wine; and José Andrés’ Mercado Little Spain for a bit of everything.

Walk time: 7 minutes

Address: Hudson Yards is located between 10th and 12th Avenues from West 30th to West 34th Streets.

Have a free moment at NRF? We’d love to meet you. Send us an email at hi@ordergroove.com to connect.