Eating at the Tribeca Film Festival
A wonderland of food awaits you in New York City. Fuel up for movie mania with these great restaurants.
Back to Festival 411
Don't forget to check out the Tribeca Film Feast!
Tribeca Eats
Every day should begin with a good breakfast, so for a morning bite on the go, swing by ’wichcraft (397 Greenwich St at Beach St, 212-780-0577). Tom Colicchio’s sandwich haven offers some mighty fine bites that will start your day out right (especially if you’re in a hurry to queue up for a screening). Try the soft-boiled egg and white anchovy number, or the buttery fried eggs with bacon, gorgonzola and frisée on a roll.
If you wake up with a huge appetite, Bubby’s (120 Hudson St at North Moore St, 212-219-0666) is guaranteed to fill you up with soul food of every stripe, whether your poison is matzo ball soup or cheesy grits. You can also come down to Bubby’s for Midnight Brunch. Starting April 17 and throughout the Festival, Bubby’s serves Midnight Brunch until 7 AM.
On the weekend, immerse yourself in the see-and-be-seen spirit of the film festival and head for brunch at The Odeon (145 West Broadway at Thomas St, 212-233-0507). The ’80s hot spot is hot once again, and serves some mean lemon ricotta and poppyseed pancakes—and offers prime people watching.
New York lunch and pizza are practically synonymous. Rather than grabbing a slice from a counter, take time for a piping hot pie at Bread Tribeca (301 Church St between Walker and White Sts, 212-334-8282). The lofty space churns out thin-crust pizzas (try the prosciutto, parmigiano and arugula), in addition to rustic standards, like pasta carbonara and roasted chicken.
Another worthwhile stop is the chic Turks & Frogs (458 Greenwich St between Desbrosses and Watts Sts, 212-966-4774), which recalls a bazaar with its many Central Asian artifacts. Here, you can dig into signature Turkish mezzes and manti, yogurtcoated lamb dumplings.
If the popular spot is too packed, head up to Trigo (268 West Broadway at Sixth Ave, 212-925-1600). The Mediterranean newcomer has a varied menu, and does particularly well with its wood-fired oven-baked flatbreads, such as the fontina-smothered stunner with pickled garlic.
Nights during the festival will be filled with highly anticipated screenings and great parties. Keep the buzzy-vibe going for dinner by stopping at Centrico (211 West Broadway at Franklin St, 212-431-0700), a Mexican cantina from restaurateur Drew Nieporent and chef Aaron Sanchez. The ambitious fare ranges from fluffy plantains stuffed with black beans to grilled chicken spiked with chipotle, garlic and lime. Don’t forget to toast with a michelada: a cocktail of beer, hot and soy sauces and lime juice.
Another always-convivial spot is beloved neighborhood bistro Landmarc Tribeca (179 West Broadway between Leonard and Worth Sts, 212-343-3883). Choose from among a half-dozen or so steak options, such as hanger or filet mignon, with a sauce of your choice (béarnaise, chimichurri…yum.) It’s also a good spot to splurge on wine—and while half-bottle selections replace wines by the glass, the good news is that the overhead here is famously low.
Another good bet is Tribeca Grill (375 Greenwich St at Franklin St, 212-941-3900), a longstanding neighborhood favorite (which happens to be owned by Robert De Niro and Drew Nieporent). Settle in to the space that is at once cozy and grand for classic American fare and a stunning wine list.
Union Square Eats
A hearty breakfast is in order to make it through the day—or through movies with runtimes that would make David Lean proud. Your best bet may be Americana-themed Chat ‘n’ Chew (10 E 16th St between Fifth Ave and Union Sq West, 212-243-1616). Filling breakfast dishes include “Stick To Yo’ Ribs” hot oatmeal, among other standards.
Come the weekend, make time for brunch, as the neighborhood provides plentiful great options, including the perennial favorite Prune (54 E 1st St between First and Second Aves, 212-677-6221).
Across the street you’ll find the equally delicious JoeDoe (45 E 1st St between First and Second Aves, 212-780-0262), where new American dishes, like a corned duck hash with poached eggs, are served in an intimate, brick-walled dining room.
Several blocks away, all-star chef David Chang’s Momofuku Ssäm Bar (207 Second Ave at 13th St, 212-254-3500) has become a brunch destination. The expanded a.m. menu features a number of breakfast dishes, including scallion-flecked scrambled eggs with a biscuit and gravy.
In the evening, unwind after a long day of screenings at the subterranean Japanese speakeasy, Kyo Ya (94 E 7th St between First Ave and Ave A, 212-982-4140), starring austere yet impeccable plates that provide the perfect backdrop for reflecting on the day’s films.
Or, for heartier fare, head to farmhouse-chic Irving Mill (116 E 16th St between Park Ave South and Irving Pl, 212-254-1600), famous for chef Ryan Skeen’s juicy, pork-fat–spiked burger and other meaty dishes.
For a swankier experience, check out Tamarind (41 E 22nd St between Broadway and Park Ave South, 212-674-7400), which reliably prepares elegant Indian food, including an impressively moist half-chicken cooked in the tandoor.
A few blocks north, chef Missy Robbins runs the impressive kitchen at A Voce (41 Madison Ave, entrance on 26th St between Madison Ave and Park Ave South, 212-545-8555), serving robust pan-Italian dishes in a modern, leather-and-wood decorated setting.
And pillow-strewn Barbounia (250 Park Ave South at 20th St, 212-995-0242) offers Mediterranean fare in an airy room that could be described as “faux Turkish movie set.”
Foreign films shouldn’t be the only thing piquing your international curiosity. The area’s restaurants are richly diverse, and there’s no reason a lunchtime meal shouldn’t reflect that. Venezuelan eatery Caracas Arepa Bar (91 E 7th St between First Ave and Ave A, 212-228-5062)—featuring homemade corn cakes stuffed with fillings like cheese, avocado and fried sweet plantains—will momentarily transport you to the southern hemisphere.
Or settle onto one of the stools at tapas bar Boqueria (53 W 19th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, 212-255-4160) for some traditional Iberian bites. Japanese ramen house Ippudo NY (65 Fourth Ave between 9th and 10th Sts, 212-388-0088) usually has a considerable wait in the evening, but afternoon hours should get you a steaming bowl of fragrant pork broth and springy noodles without much delay.
La Zarza (166 First Ave, 212-477-1111), a lively, sophisticated tavern in New York's perennially hip East Village is a destination that intertwines indigenous Argentinean and Spanish cuisine and culture and offers guests a rare combination of eclectic food, global sounds and cosmopolitan style.
Back to Festival 411 | Drinking at the Tribeca Film Festival | Shopping at the Tribeca Film Festival
