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How to Spend a Perfect 72 Hours Eating Your Way Through New York

By , Resy’s cities editor, and a reporter with more than two decades of experience.

Updated:

New York, New York is a wonderful town, and in between museum visits, ball games, Broadway shows, and strolls through the park, we highly encourage you to make space in your NYC travel itinerary for a stellar lineup of meals. Because, let’s face it, the matter of where to eat should always be top of mind, especially in New York.

We also know that New York trips tend to be a whirlwind. So let’s say you’ve only got 72 hours — Friday morning to Sunday evening — to eat and drink your way through the city. Where to begin?

We have ideas — which we’ve organized below to maximize a long weekend in town. And you can also check our Hit List of the top 20 restaurants to dine at in New York right now, as well as our guides for so much else.

Your perfect plan is just ahead.*

*P.S. Our itinerary doesn’t include any pizza spots, but we highly encourage you to grab a slice whenever the mood strikes. Here’s an extensive guide to help you locate a few choice stops.

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Sunday: Adventures in Brooklyn

Photo courtesy of Agi’s Counter

Agi’s Counter Crown Heights

Brunch Among the Brownstones

Sunday spent in Brooklyn, preferably at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Museum, or Prospect Park, calls for an epic brunch, and the one at Agi’s Counter certainly delivers. This spot in nearby Crown Heights from chef Jeremy Salamon has an exceptional tuna melt, perfectly crisp potato rösti, and an epic monte cristo triple decker sandwich. Take our advice and cap off your meal with a decadent order of their New York-style cheesecake that’s dressed in a sweet blueberry coriander compote, and finished with a drizzle of earthy olive oil. Reservations for brunch can be slightly tricky to come by, so it’s best to plan ahead if you can.

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Golden Ratio Clinton Hill

Photo by Chris Coe, courtesy of Golden Ratio

A Post-Park Spritz

After spending time at the park, pop by Golden Ratio for a refreshing drink before dinner. They’ve got everything from bright sippers and fruit-forward cocktails to more structured drinks and spirit-forward choices. What’s even better is that nearly every single cocktail on their menu has a non-alcoholic counterpart, making this a bar that truly suits everyone. We’re particularly partial to the zero-proof purple shiso drink, and the peppery nasturtium cocktail, but you can’t go wrong with whatever you decide to get. If you’re feeling snacky, consider the fried hake paired with aioli — perhaps one of the city’s best fried fish dishes.

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Photo by Chris Coe, courtesy of Golden Ratio

Eyval Bushwick

The Shiraz salad at Evyal in a minty dressing heightened by wonderfully peppery olive oil.
Photo by Lindsay Diane, courtesy of Evyal

For Dinner? Barbari Bread, Braised Eggplant, and Kebabs

Before heading to the airport, might we suggest one last meal at this gem of a spot in Bushwick? The menu at Ali Saboor’s Eyval focuses primarily on street foods, especially kebabs, and there’s a distinct elegance to how he grills his kebabs, as he does with everything else on the menu. It’s a studied balance between traditional flavors and techniques and a few subtle, unexpected twists. Pro tip: The eggplant and cured yogurt kashke bademjan is a non-negotiable.

See also: Closer to Prospect Park in nearby Clinton Hill, Radio Kwara is the à la carte counterpart to chef Ayo Balogun’s critically acclaimed Nigerian tasting menu restaurant, Dept. of Culture. Tuck in for a buttery slab of bread topped with crispy mushrooms or marinated goat, paired with a warming bowl of pounded yam or the goat meat pepper soup.

If you’re interested in exploring more Black-owned restaurants in the city, refer to this ideal one-day eating itinerary from Black-Owned Brooklyn. 

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The Shiraz salad at Evyal in a minty dressing heightened by wonderfully peppery olive oil.
Photo by Lindsay Diane, courtesy of Evyal

Headed to Queens?

Tacos, mulitas, tortas, and a cup of consommé at the Birria-Landia food truck.
Tacos, mulitas, tortas, and a cup of consommé at the Birria-Landia food truck are a must when you’re in Jackson Heights. Photo by Ben Hon for Resy

If your visit to New York includes a stop at Citi Field to catch a Mets game, or later this year to the U.S. Open, consider yourself very lucky, indeed. Queens, a.k.a. “the world’s borough” is one of the best places in the entire city for eating well, and we’ve got plenty of suggestions for you:

Ramos and Niou at Lali Guras, enjoying tingmo, chicken choila, and steamed beef momos. Photo by Molly Tavoletti for Resy
  • Check out New York State Senator and mayoral candidate Jessica Ramos’ personal favorite spots in her home borough.
  • Headed to MoMA PS1? Check out all the great places to eat in and around Long Island City.
  • Headed to the Noguchi Museum or the Museum of the Moving Image? Check out these spots in Astoria.
  • Devise your own Thai food crawl in Elmhurst. A few suggestions? Playground Thai (technically in Jackson Heights); Ayada Thai; and Hug Esan.

Craving more?

Date Night Staff Picks Omakase Salads Seafood Counters Affordable Tasting Menus Outdoor Dining BYOB Celebrating a Birthday Standout Zero-Proof Cocktails Kid-Friendly Live Music Bakeries A Splurge Vegan Food Tables For a Group Great Wine Cocktails Bar Food Pancakes Global Dining Access … And More

 

Deanna Ting is Resy’s New York-based Cities Editor. Follow her on Instagram and X. Follow Resy, too.

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