By Ava Bartholomew

While I technically spent 48 hours in NYC over spring break, it might be more accurate to say I spent seven eats there. Heading into the weekend, I had only two requirements: a breakfast with a cup of black coffee and a great bagel, and a lunch at 1915 Lanzhou Hand Pulled Noodles & Dumplings. I can proudly say I checked off both.

What excited me more, however, were the unexpected meals — the ones stumbled upon or recommended by locals. If you’re heading into the city for any amount of time, here are a few spots worth checking out.

A Hot Dog Cart

Literally any hot dog cart you stumble across, just grab one. They’re far from gourmet, and you probably don’t want to think too hard about what’s in them, but that’s part of the experience. Quick, easy, and surprisingly satisfying, NYC hot dogs just hit the spot. My sister and I got ours for our walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, and it ended up being the perfect in-between bite while waiting for dinner after a long day of travel.

SoHo Thai

After our trek over the famous bridge, I insisted we go to SoHo in downtown Manhattan to walk around, shop, but also to search for the only restaurant I’ve frequented twice in NYC, albeit accidentally. It’s a small Italian restaurant with arguably the best pizza I have ever eaten. However, after our search turned up empty, our hunger got the best of us and the infamous “food near me” search was used. After deciding on Thai food, we refined our search to: “Thai food near me.” 

This is what ultimately led us to SoHo Thai. While the inside reflects that of an upscale restaurant, the outside is modest — and so are the prices. Their mission is to serve affordable, delicious meals that keep people coming back, and they absolutely succeed. I haven’t stopped thinking about their $18 Spicy Drunken Udon Noodles since.

Nectar

Following a morning at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Nectar is a classic diner that serves a great cup of coffee. As they are just a five minute walk from the museum, finding a seat can be difficult, but it is always worth the wait. All of their egg dishes are served with potatoes and toast, making a simple breakfast a hearty and satisfying meal. 

The Hungarian Pastry Shop

While their croissants and danishes get plenty of praise, I found the real standouts to be the slices of cheesecake and carrot cake at the Hungarian Pastry Shop. The cheesecake is exceptionally creamy and delicate, while the carrot cake perfectly contrasts it with subtle, not too sweet flavor. Combining these two desserts with a double shot of their espresso makes for a memorable afternoon treat. 

Ichibantei

If you’re looking for a quiet spot to enjoy a flavorful drink, savor comforting Japanese cuisine, and maybe even catch a classic film, Ichibantei is the perfect choice. Start the evening with an order of garlic edamame, then follow it up with their beef curry udon and kitsune curry udon. Altogether, it’s my idea of the perfect dinner on a rainy night.

Barney Green Grass

My search for a classic New York bagel with a cup of black coffee was more than satisfied here. An everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, paired with seemingly endless coffee refills, made for a near-perfect morning. My sister, meanwhile, went for their most famous offering: the lox bagel. She swore that the freshly sliced smoked salmon, combined with cream cheese, tomatoes, and capers, made it one of the best she’s ever had.

1915 Lanzhou Hand Pulled Noodles & Dumplings

My final lunch in NYC was a bit rushed as I hurried to catch my train, but it turned out to be well worth it. Though 1915 Lanzhou Hand Pulled Noodles & Dumplings is just a 15-minute walk from Penn Station, the line stretching out the door initially gave me pause. Luckily, as a solo diner, I was seated quickly and in and out within 30 minutes.

I’d argue that going alone or as a pair gets you the best seat in the house: the counter, where you can watch the chefs hand-pull noodles and prepare dumplings right in front of you. The signature beef noodles are a must for any first-time visitor. The real move, though, especially if you’re on the go, is to order the pan-fried buns to take with you. They made the perfect snack for my long train ride home.