8 NoMad Restaurants for Every Kind of Occasion

•

Published Oct 18, 2019

NoMad may not be the first area you think of when someone says “dining destination,” but the restaurants, bars and bakeries that call this neighborhood home prove otherwise. No matter what you’re in the mood for, one of these NoMad restaurants is sure to hit the spot.

Courtesy of Lamalo

1. Lamalo

Best for: a shareable meal

Breads Bakery owner Gadi Peleg has already won our carb-loving heart, so we were stoked when he debuted this new spot inside the Arlo Hotel. The Middle Eastern restaurant specializes in mezze-style dishes meant for sharing, including a $25 daily spread with a dozen dips, pickled items and a giant fresh-from-the-oven piece of Jerusalem laffa bread.

11 E. 31st St.; lamalonyc.com

Peter Garritano

2. Caffe Marchio

Best for: an afternoon pick-me-up

Pop into Danny Meyer’s Roman-inspired café when the midday slump hits and get reenergized with a cappuccino or cold brew (all coffee drinks are half price daily from 3 to 6 p.m.). Not seeking caffeine? Go for one of chef Jessica Weiss’s excellent pastries, which include both traditional Italian specialties such as bomboloni and biscotti and American-style sweets like apple fritters and corn muffins.

30 E. 30th St.; caffemarchio.com

Brian Park

3. La Pecora Bianca

Best for: a girls’ night out

This stylish spot is a reliable go-to for Italian cooking, and its Instagram-friendly interior is a welcome bonus. The airy space boasts two bar areas, tons of seating and mint-green accents, while the menu’s got everything we love: spritzes on tap, pastas all made in-house from organic flour and a bowl of tiramisu that’s literally the size of your head.

1133 Broadway; lapecorabianca.com

4. Made Nice

Best for: a not-so-sad desk lunch

The fast-casual spot from the NoMad and Eleven Madison Park team is unsurprisingly packed during lunchtime, when nearby office workers flock in for salads and grain bowls. While the menu changes seasonally, one item always remains the same: the chicken frites inspired by the NoMad’s far fancier and more expensive bird. Ask for extra “Magic Sauce” (just trust us) and don’t skip the Milk & Honey soft serve.

8 W. 28th St.; madenicenyc.com

Courtesy of Kazunori

5. Kazunori

Best for: no-frills, super-fresh sushi

Love high-quality sushi but not the fancy price tag? This California import comes from the Sugarfish team and specializes solely in affordable hand rolls. You walk in, grab a seat, check off the set you want (starting at $13 for three) and watch as everything is made to order. It’s a fast, easy sushi meal that won’t disappoint.

15 W. 28th St.; handrollbar.com

Liz Clayman

6. Quality Eats

Best for: a damn fine steak

It’s no surprise that the hipper younger sibling to Quality Meats knows its way around a hunk of beef, but the rest of the menu is just as enticing. On the steak side, you can’t go wrong with the bavette or hanger steaks, but make sure to order plenty of starters and sides. We’re partial to the grilled Nueske’s bacon with peanut butter, brown-bag curly fries and corn crème brûlée. Cocktails are on the whimsical side: There’s a Cracker Jack–infused old-fashioned, nitro negroni and smoky coconut-infused gimlet.

3 E. 28th St.; qualityeats.com

Diane Kang

7. Atoboy

Best for: an intimate birthday dinner

At $46 per person for a three-course meal, Atoboy may have one of the most affordable tasting menus in New York City. And the best way to sample all of chef Junghyun Park’s Korean dishes is with a small group. Order everything on the menu and dig right in, though there are some plates—like the sunchokes with oyster mushrooms and black truffle or the spicy fried chicken—that you’ll want to keep to yourself.

43 E. 28th St.; atoboynyc.com

Evan Sung

8. Benno

Best for: your parents visiting from out of town

Tucked inside the Evelyn Hotel, Benno comes from celebrated chef Jonathan Benno. The elegant fine-dining restaurant draws influences from both France and Italy—think a silky coddled egg with chanterelles and béarnaise mousseline, a rabbit and foie gras ballotine and lumache pasta with lobster fra diavolo. And the glam Art Deco–inspired dining room is sure to impress Mom and Dad.

7 E. 27th St.; bennorestaurant.com