eten-rond-times-square-beste-plekken

Hotel booked in Times Square? Where to eat really good nearby (without steps marathon)

I stood in one of those Times Square hotel lobbies just yesterday: suitcases dropped, eyes half closed from jet lag, and one mission: food.
"Patrick ... something good, but we're really not going to walk far tonight."

Got it. Times Square is exhausting enough without an extra "we'll do another 12,000 steps" challenge.

So: here are my 5 regular toppers within walking distance (from cheap → expensive). No tourist-traps, but taste.

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Why this so often goes wrong around Times Square

Times Square is top to see for a while, but the food nearby is often made for:

• mass
• neon
• pictures on the menu
  ...and not necessarily for quality.

The solution is simple: choose places that are fast + good + close, not the places with the biggest neon signs.

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The concrete solution: 5 top spots (cheap → expensive)

1) Los Tacos No. 1 - pure flavor, zero coziness (but who cares)

Address: 229 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036
Budget: $
This is my "I want something ridiculously delicious NOW" spot.

Why go

• Mexican that really comes in.
• Super fast, super good, super busy (but that's saying enough).

What to order

• Count on 2-3 tacos per person
• Take that adobada. Item.

Best time

• Before noon or after 8 p.m. (anders: rij + honger + “waarom doen we dit onszelf aan?”)

Closest subway

• Times Sq-42 St (1/2/3/7/N/Q/R/W/A/C/E/S)

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2) Raising Cane's - TikTok chicken that your teens thank you for

Address: 1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Budget: $
Fast food chaos, but with a clear mission: crispy chicken fingers.

Why go

• Easy, fast, everyone happy.
• Perfect if you just want to eat and disappear back into your bed.

Vibe

• Busy. Loud. Not romantic. Efficient, though.

Best time

• Just after 2 p.m. or later in the evening.

Closest subway

• Times Sq-42 St / 42 St-Port Authority (A/C/E)

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3) Burger & Lobster (Bryant Park) - the perfect "group compromise ".

Address: 132 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036
Budget: $$$
Someone wants lobster, someone wants burger, someone wants "just something normal." Voilà: solved.

Why go

• Everyone finds something that makes them happy.
• Ideal pre-show / pre-Broadway.

Reservations

• Smart, but walk-in often succeeds off-peak.

Best time

• Around 5:00-6:00 p.m. (before the Broadway wave rolls in).

Closest subway

• Bryant Park-42 St (B/D/F/M) or Times Sq-42 St

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4) Avra Rockefeller Center - Greek at its best, healthy seafood violence

Address: 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
Budget: $$$$
This is your "I want something light, healthy and ridiculously delicious" address.

Why go

• Pure ingredients, simple preparations, Greek as it should be.
• Ideal when you have had enough of fat + heavy + "food coma" for a while.

What I would do

• Fish of the day or a nice piece of grilled fish
• With Greek sides (you're going to thank yourself)

Reservation

• Yes, best. (Often through Resy; usually up to 30 days ahead)

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5) Gallagher's Steakhouse - not for every day, yes for a top night

Address: 228 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
Budget: $$$$
Classic with steak at the "cuts like butter" level.

Why go

• If you want one night of "we do it right": this is a sure winner.
• Old-school steakhouse vibe, New York feel included.

Reserve

• Absolutely.

Best time

• Early seating 17:00-18:00 = quieter and more relaxed.

Closest subway

• 50 St (C/E) or 49 St (N/R/W)

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My mini-choice (if you're too tired to think)

• Fast + cheap + mega delicious: Los Tacos
• With kids/teens and everyone wants "just chicken": Raising Cane's
• Group with diverse cravings: Burger & Lobster
• Healthy, light, fish-lovers: Avra
• Top night/steak moment: Gallagher's

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**Want to do New York without accidentally falling into the tourist trap?

Keep following your guide for more tips (also on NewYork.be) - and if you want it really easy: book a tour.
Easter break is already almost full, so if you want: don't wait until you're standing in that lobby jet-lagged and hungry. 😄