NYC's Best Late Night Eats

One of the many things that sets New York apart
from any other city in America is its feast of late night eats and we’re not talking about dumpy, 24-hour
diners.
Only in New York can you get your favorite slice of pizza or impeccably fresh oysters until 6 in the morning.  Whatever your midnight craving, chances are somebody’s open for business and serving an admirable, and often creative, rendition til the wee hours of the morning.  There’s everything from chocolate fondue at Cafe Lalo to Matzoh Ball soup and oysters at Blue Ribbon to pork meatballs and homemade ice cream sandwiches at The Meatball Shop.  
These are some of our favorites; each specialized in one simple dish with delicious results.

This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef

Address: 149 1st Ave, btwn. 9th St & St Marks Place

Phone: (212) 253-1500

Hours: Open Daily, 11 a.m. – 4 a.m.

There are only four sandwiches on the menu at this East Village shop, including a
roast beef sandwich with your choice of fresh mozzarella, au jus, or even cheez whiz.  (Yes, really).  It’s standing room
only, but no matter because it won’t take long to wolf down their juicy roast beef or pastrami
sandwich accompanied by golden, crispy steak fries or homemade potato salad.

Crif Dog

Address: 113 St. Marks Place, Near Ave. A

Phone: (212) 614-2728

Hours: Sun – Thu, Noon – 1 a.m.; Fri-Sat, Noon – 3 a.m., Fri
& Sat, Noon – 3 a.m.

Crif takes the concept of a hot dog to a whole new level.  We’ve never seen a more extensive or impressive selection of hot dogs than at this teeny East Village spot.  Sure, you can get your garden variety
hot dog here, but why when you can sample the “Good Morning,” a bacon-wrapped
hot dog topped with a fried egg and melted cheese?

Café Lalo

Address: 201 West 83rd St., nr. Amsterdam Ave.

Phone: (212) 496-6031

Hours: Mon-Thu, 8 a.m. -2 a.m;. Fri, 8 a.m. – 4 a.m.; Sat, 9
a.m. – 4 a.m.; Sun, 9 a.m.- 2 a.m.

This charming café on the Upper West Side is happens to serve some pretty compelling desserts, especially when you’re craving chocolate, or something naughty and sweet, at 1 in the morning.  The restaurant is romantically appointed with floor-to-ceiling windows, a rustic brick interior, and a row of trees along the street, twinkling
with strands of Christmas lights all year round.  There’s a tremendous selection of desserts, including cheeses, espresso drinks, and many other offerings.  In fact, there’s over 100
desserts on the menu, everything from apple walnut rugelach to a Belgian chocolate mousse
cake. 

Artichoke

Address: 328 East 14th St., nr First Ave.

Phone: (212) 228-2004

Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m. – 6 a.m.

Aside from ice cream, pizza’s the most quintessential late-night snack.  It’s casual, filling, salty, gooey, crunchy, crusty, cheap, and there’s no utensils required.  You don’t have to settle for a mediocre slice in New York when Artichoke’s open til dawn every night of the week.  The slices are enormous and the options are all delicious, including creamy artichoke, Sicilian-style, margarita and crab.  There’s no tables here, just wooden boards that function as benches
right outside the shop, but really how long does it take to scarf down a gooey slice anyway?  

The Meatball Shop

Address: 84 Stanton Street, btwn. Allen & Orchard Sts.

Phone: (212) 982-8895

Hours: Thu – Sat, Noon to 4 a.m.; Sun-Wed, Noon – 2 a.m.

This Lower East Side Shop is a veritable haven for meatball worshippers.  You’ll find meatballs made of everything from chicken to pork to vegetables with plenty of sauce options.  One of our favorite midnight snacks is their meatball hero, served on a crusty baguette with cheese, sauce, juicy meatballs, and a side salad.  Then again, we’re quite fond of the mix & match, mini-sliders on the menu made of  a single meatball on a mini-bun slathered with sauce.

Pommes Frites

Address: 123 Second Ave., btwn.  St. Marks Place & 7th Sts.

Phone: (212)674-1234

Hours: Sun-Thu, 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m.; Fri-Sat, 11:30a.m.-3:30a.m.

There’s only one thing on the menu at this little shop in the East Village and that’s twice-cooked Belgian french fries.  The hard part is deciding what to dip your crispy fries in, because there’s a lot more than ketchup.  The sauces are unique, exotic and globally inspired, like peanut satay or curry ketchup.  And there’s thirteen types of mayo dips too.  Thankfully, they let you try any or all of the sauces until you discover your match.

Blue Ribbon

Address: 97 Sullivan St., btwn. Prince & Spring Sts.

Phone: (212)274-0404

Just because you’re eating late at night shouldn’t mean you have to settle for fast food.  The Bromberg brothers certainly don’t think so.  Anything you’re craving, chances are it’s on the menu at Blue Ribbon.  There’s an impressive raw bar and everything from a foie gras terrine to paella and even fried chicken.   Oh, and matzoh ball soup of course.