From waking up early, excited to see the exhibits, to dissecting your favorite pieces over a bite to eat at the end of the day, there’s nothing quite like a day at the museum.
We consider that post-museum-bite-to-eat an extremely crucial part of the optimal museum experience so we’ve created a shortlist of our most favorite places to eat, drink, and relax around the Rubin Museum of Art.
Whether you’re planning your Museum Hack day out early, sitting at the museum right now, or in charge of the company outing to the Rubin, take a look at the suggestions below to help complete your museum experience.
Where To Eat Near The Rubin Museum of Art
Here’s our current shortlist of favorite food spots near the Rubin Museum of Art:
Quick Eats
J’s Pizza – 98 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Just a half mile from the Rubin, J’s is a straightforward pizzeria. Offering freshly made pizza by the slice with a wide variety of pizza styles and toppings, as well as an ample amount of seating, J’s is the perfect place to drop in for a quick slice on the quick.
Wrapido – 104 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
If Mediterranean sandwiches and salads are your speed, Wrapido is the place to go. Affordable pricing and fresh food make Wrapido a can’t-miss-spot when you’re near the Rubin and want a no-hassle dinner.
Chelsea Papaya – 171 W 23rd Street #1, New York, NY 10011
Offering a wide variety of food, including pizza, burgers, and hot dogs, Chelsea Papaya is the ideal spot for a quick bite on the go. The service is great and the restaurant is open around the clock, so stop in anytime!
Bang For Your Buck
Cafe Serai – The Rubin’s very own bar and restaurant!
What could be more convenient than sticking around post-tour for a meal and drinks at the Rubin’s in-case cafe? On Wednesday nights, they feature live music at their Himalayan Happy Hour from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Los Tacos No. 1 – 75 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Serving up tacos on the cheap and an authentic Mexican menu, Los Tacos No. 1 provides delicious, flavorful tacos that don’t cost an arm and a leg. We think it makes an ideal place for post-museum discussion or Taco Tuesday outings!
The Hummus and Pita – 585 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Like Los Tacos, The Hummus and Pita delivers on its name by providing excellent hummus and pita menu options. Far from your normal pita place, The Hummus and Pita is cost-effective and fresh, aiming to bring you a great lunch at even better prices.
Pizza Italia – 307 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011
With plenty of seating and affordable pizza, Pizza Italia is a great place to kick back and enjoy a good dinner, without kicking too many of your dollars from your wallet. Between the two of us, try the garlic knots – they’re delicious!
Delicious Sit-Down
Burger & Lobster – 39 West 19th Street, New York, NY 10011
With a wide variety of seafood and burger options, Burger & Lobster is a great place to bring a friend, a date, a coworker, or your Museum Hack tour guide. The diverse menu makes it an appealing place to go if you’re not quite sure what you want just yet, but are veering closer and closer to “hangry” territory.
Amelie – 22 West 8th Street, Manhattan, NY 10011
What pairs better with a day at an art museum than an incredible French dinner and wine selection? Due to its elegant menu and classically sophisticated atmosphere, Amelie is a great option for those who want to make a romantic evening out of their trip to the Rubin.
Oramen – 575 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
A delicious take on the ramen scene, Oramen provides great meals and a welcoming atmosphere for a conversation.
Vegan & Juice
Blossom – 187 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Serving up brunch, lunch, and dinner, Blossom is a great place with a wide variety of vegan options. The snacks are top notch, and the upstairs seating area is perfect for larger groups.
Brunch & Coffee
The Wild Son – 53 Little West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014
With a dizzying array of juices, breakfast food, and sandwiches, The Wild Son is a perfect spot to sit down and catch up with your museum touring partner. Just a heads up – seating is limited, so if possible, choose to dine outside of the busiest times of the day.
Elephant & Castle – 68 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY 10011
With both traditional American brunch options and some more unique possibilities for the foodies among us, Elephant & Castle is sure to satisfy any brunch seeker. If you’re going on an earlier tour, brunch from Elephant & Castle is a great way to get your day started: breakfast has been found to help improve focus and processing ability!
Drinks
Bar B – 84 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
What Bar B lacks in size, it makes up for in quality. The happy hour menu goes until 7pm, the drink menu is plentiful, and the food is delicious.
Oscar Wilde – 45 W 27th Street, New York, NY 10001
With a beautiful location and extensive cocktail bar, Oscar Wilde is a perfect way to feel like you’re in a classic novel, all within just a short distance from the Rubin. It’s also conveniently next to Penn Station, so commuters can pop on by when they arrive!
Bathtub Gin – 132 Ninth Avenue, New York, NYC 10011
We’ve heard it has the best gin martinis in town (Don’t worry – they’re not actually served in a bathtub.) Do we need to say more?
Splurge
Flex Mussels – 154 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011
Boasting an incredible array of seafood, Flex Mussels sure to make anyone in your party happy. With staples like the lobster mac n’ cheese, oysters, and of course mussels, any seafood lover is sure to want to add Flex Mussels to their list.
Flatiron Room – 37 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10010
With live jazz and a cocktail bar, Flatiron Room is straight from a scene in La La Land. If you want to be swept away to a time from the past that never quite was, go to Flatiron Room and enjoy the ambiance.
Sound off on your favorite places to eat near the Rubin, and we’ll see you on a tour of the best museums in NYC real soon!
Looking for other great museum eats in cities we tour in? We’ve got you covered:
- Where To Eat Near The Brooklyn Museum
- Where To Eat Near The American Museum of Natural History
- Where To Eat Near The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Where To Eat Near The Fraunces Tavern Museum
- Where To Eat Near The Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Where To Eat Near The National Gallery Of Art
- Where To Eat Near The Art Institute of Chicago
- Where To Eat Near Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco
- Where To Eat Near The de Young Museum in San Francisco
- Where To Eat Near The Getty
