When Frank Sinatra sang that it was the city that never sleeps, New York rose to meet that expectation. Night clubs, theaters, and shopping boutiques all contribute their own edge to the bustling NYC night life, but when you’re awake for nearly 24 hours a day, you’ll need a dining scene that exceeds expectations. Unique eateries offering various cuisines at all hours of the day are part of NYC’s uniqueness, and the city itself is home to many famous restaurants that are centrally located amid its electric night life.
These five restaurants are all 3 Star Michelin winners, meaning their food and their ambiance will create a truly New York experience you’ll definitely be writing home about. Reserve a table at any – in fact, reserve a table at all 5 of these New York Michelin Star Rated Restaurants, sit back, and let your taste buds enjoy the show.
Daniel
Nestled right there off Park Ave and 65th St, Restaurant Daniel specializes in a seven-course tasting menu that lets you take in a flavor or two (or seven) of the posh lifestyle on the Upper East Side. Creative dinner tastes like chorizo-wrapped swordfish are paired with dessert delicacies like Nepali Mango, a yogurt mousse mixed with mango sorbet and a pepper-almond sable to counteract all the sweetness.
These explosive taste combinations are balanced by a simple and elegant décor that uses modern lines and neo-classical architecture to create a truly sophisticated yet modest ambiance. The bar and lounge are reserved for casual dining, while the wine cellar and their private Bellecour Room are perfect for dinners and events. Daniel is open until 11:30 p.m. most nights, giving you a chance to fill up before you head to your late night adventures.
Nearby
After eating your fill, explore the Upper East Side, where you’ll find Central Park right next door, which is the perfect place to walk off your dinner and discuss the next plan of action for your night in New York City. The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is located on the opposite end of the park, making for a nice stroll over to a late-night show.
The NY Armory is just down the street, and its rotating art shows and musical performances gives you breathtaking soprano solos of Hugo Wolf’s musical creations to broken down sneak peeks of studio artists’ works in progress.
Eleven Madison Park
Last year, Eleven Madison was voted one of the best restaurants in the city, and Swiss chef Daniel Humm has maintained that reputation through 2014. He recently overhauled the menu, ditching the old a la carte design and bringing a more upscale prix fixe tasting menu to the Flatiron District that is similar to Daniel and other successful restaurants in New York City.
The new menu focuses on key ingredients, like lobster and duck, and plays with these flavors in order to create a unique dining experience for each table. Eleven Madison invites you to share your favorite ingredients, your food allergies, and your dietary goals so that their chefs can create a dining palette catered to your taste buds.
These taste accommodations roll over into their private dining experiences as well. Rental of their Main Dining Room can give you private access to the whole restaurant if you have over 100 guests, making it a perfect place for weddings and rehearsals. But if you’re just stopping in for a quick nibble, you can still find a moderately-priced snack menu at the bar to pair with your cocktails.
Nearby
Since Eleven Madison is located on 24th Ave, right next to Madison Square Park, you have the opportunity to visit the park or continue down 24th and take a stroll through the bookstore at Baruch College on Lexington.
If you’re looking for good drinks and good laughs after dinner, the Peoples Improv Theater is right next door at 123 E 24th street, barely a block after Eleven Madison. They have competitive drink prices, live music, and open mic nights that keep the crowds lively, laughing, and young.
