The 20 most delicious things to eat and drink this summer
Chow down on these summer-only dishes and drinks before they're gone by Labor Day
We don't know about you guys, but when watermelon soft serve and queso-dipped waffle fries make their summer debuts, our beach diets go straight out the window. Knock these seasonal treats off your bucket list at outdoor restaurants and ice cream shops across the city while you're still sporting your short shorts and strapless rompers.
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Restaurants, French
What-a-Melon soft serve at Dominique Ansel Kitchen
Leave it to Ansel, master purveyor of viral sweets, to make us want to eat fruit again. For this beauty, served out of his summer soft-serve window, he fills slices of watermelon studded with little chocolate "seeds" with homemade watermelon ice cream. $10.
West Village
Restaurants, American creative
Squash blossom pizza at Loring Place
Chef Dan Kluger, who’s cultivated close relationships with farmers, always makes a point of highlighting ridiculously fresh produce on his menu. And in the summer, squash blossoms take center stage, topping his whole wheat pizza crust alongside mozzarella, parmesan and ricotta cheeses and a drizzle of hot honey. $19.
Greenwich Village
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Restaurants, Pizza
Purple Haze at Roberta’s
The tagline is "Kom chill," but, no, this isn’t a 2am text, but a violet-hued frozen cocktail mixed with Kombrewcha Berry Hibiscus, tequila and fresh pineapple juice. Think of it as a fruity, boozy and refreshing way to wash down all the slices you’re going to order at the pizza mecca. $12.
Bushwick
Restaurants, Hamburgers
The Dirty Dipped waffle fries at Mister Dips
As the name suggests, this isn’t clean eating. Chef Andrew Carmellini’s food truck, parked on the William Vale’s alfresco promenade, is serving up waffle fries (which are arguably the best type of fries) showered with queso and scallions for a serious upgrade to the classic fast food fare. $6.
Greenpoint
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Restaurants, Bakeries
Soft serve in a waffle cone at Mah Ze Dahr Bakery
This West Village bakery has built a cult following around all things sweet. Available during the summer months, rotating flavors of soft serve like tangerine and salted caramel are delivered in a stroopwafel-inspired waffle cone with your choice of three toppings like homemade fudge, cookie shards and brownie chunks. $8.
West Village
Restaurants, Global
Frozen negroni at The Golden Hour
For a chill aperitif, head to the courtyard of the Chelsea hotel to sip the frozen negroni from the expert team behind Maison Premiere. Drink in both the gin, Campari, Spanish vermouth and orange-blossom oil cocktail, as well as the surrounding lush greenery. $14.
Chelsea
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Restaurants, Contemporary American
The Strawberry Shortcake macaron ice cream sandwich at The Modern’s Terrace
The terrace of this Michelin two-star staple has been fitted with a retro ice cream cart for the summer. Overlooking the sculpture garden of the MoMA, sip on a glass of champagne as you take in the culture and a few macaron sandwiches stuffed with strawberry sorbet. $12.
Midtown West
Restaurants, Seafood
Oysters champagne at Grand Banks
You’re on a boat, mothershucker. There’s no better way to pretend like you’re escaping the city than planting yourself on this ship docked at Pier 25 and throwing back a half-dozen oysters on the half shell, dressed with shishito peppers and a champagne vinaigrette. $25.
Tribeca
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Bars
Lobster corn dog at Bar SixtyFive
It’s carnival food done with New York panache and Empire State views. This Rainbow Room special is lobster dipped in a corn-butter batter, fried and topped with a smoked cocktail sauce and a house-made cabbage-apple-yuzu-kohlrabi slaw. The stick is optional. $21.
Midtown West
Restaurants, American
Heirloom tomato for two at Sunday in Brooklyn
What would a summer eats list be without an appearance from the bounty of rouge beauties making their way into the city? The popular Brooklyn spot is dressing cold-smoked heirloom tomatoes with tonnato, black olive oil and a salad of basils for a vibrant taste of the season. $24.
Williamsburg
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Restaurants, Seafood
Lower East Side lobster roll at North River Lobster Company
Everything is everywhere. And where better to eat the popular seasoning than on a lobster roll on a boat? The bagel-inspired sandwich is packed with lobster chunks, scallion cream cheese, red onions, chives and everything seasoning on an everything potato roll. $22.95.
Hell's Kitchen
Restaurants, Fast food spots
The Campfire at Chef’s Club Counter
Edible cookie dough sensation, DO, is setting up camp (literally) at Chef’s Club Counter from now through September. Aptly named Camp Cookie DO, the pop-up is serving soft serve cones and cookie dough ice cream sandwiches all sporting nostalgic flavors like campfire s’mores. $9.
Nolita
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Hotels
Bacon-wrapped hot dog at Spicoli’s Clam Bar
This seasonal pop-up at the Arlo Nomad hotel is kicking the standard summer hot dog up fives notches thanks to this bacon-wrapped and fried hot dog sandwiched between a sweet King’s Hawaiian bun and topped with a sour house-made onion relish. $10.
Midtown
Restaurants, Korean
Frosé at Cote
Messy, sloppy, beefy barbecue doesn’t usually pair with glasses of pretty-in-pink rosé. But then again, most ‘cue joints aren’t Michelin starred. Enter Coté, the Korean BBQ restaurant serving seasonal frosé made with a Campari-Aperol blend, Cantalupo Nebbiolo Rosato, pineapple liqueur and cute flamingo straws. $16.
Flatiron
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Restaurants, Italian
Boozy Peach Italian ice at Fortina
Just because we’ve grown up, doesn’t mean we still don’t crave some of the nostalgic treats of our childhoods. The beloved plastic cup of icy refreshment gets a boozy revival at Fortina with the addition of rosé and fresh peach juice. $6.
Downtown Brooklyn
Restaurants, American
Frozen Beer Extravaganza at Standard SeaShack
When it comes to beer, more is more. Get a pint and a half at the pop-up “shack” in front of the Standard hotel in Meatpacking. Wash down lobster rolls, hush puppies and fried clams with a glass of the Standard Brauhaus lager crowned with an iceberg of foam—a frozen mix of the lager, Smuttynose IPA and a thickening agent. $12.
Meatpacking District
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Bars, Hotel bars
Sangria Rosa at Turf Club
Talk about raising the bar: The sky-high Westlight launched a summer weekend-only, all-day lounge on its roof fitted with an Astroturf lawn, cornhole games and cocktails to drink in with the view like this fruity wine concoction served with fresh orange and blackberries and a pink flamingo stirrer. $12.
Greenpoint
Restaurants, Fast food spots
Dog Haus hot dogs at Chef’s Club Counter
It’s been said that New York is a dog-eat-dog city, but we’re also just a general ‘dog-eating city. The latest pop-up in Chef’s Club Counter is the West Coast chain, Dog Haus, offering your choice of base—beef hot dog, chicken-sake sausage or Red Thai currywurst— loaded up with toppings. $9-$10.
Nolita
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Restaurants, French
Shaved Dark Chocolate Ice at Kreuther Handcrafted Chocolates
Shaved ice gets the fancy French treatment from Michelin-starred chef-turned -chocolatier Gabriel Kreuther. A 70% dark chocolate ganache is frozen and shaved to order with a drizzle of fudge and toppings like raspberry puree or mango-aleppo syrup for equal parts indulgence and refreshment. $5.50.
Midtown West
Restaurants, Mexican
Popsicles at Zen Taco
Ditch the mundane cherry and lemon-flavored ice pops in favor of these house-made, Mexican-inspired flavors at an outdoor street cart: Avocado Tortilla is a mix of blended avocados, honey, lime zest and fried tortilla strips, while the Horchata Peanut Butter is made with horchata syrup and the nutty spread. $5.50.
Upper West Side
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First look at the Museum of Ice Cream in NYC
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Restaurants, Seafood
Blue Seafood Bar
Fine Mediterranean fish/ seafood & tapas, craft beers, cocktails and boutique Pan-Mediterranean wines in a beautiful intimate setting. Our focus is on the fresh, wild and organically cultivated fish & seafood. The menu encompasses a selection of small plates, crudo, quality cured meats (like Jamon Iberico "Pata Negra") and extends to Brick-oven pizza, artisanal cheeses and an oyster bar consisting of both east and west coast oysters.
Hell's Kitchen
Fine Mediterranean seafood & tapas, craft beers, cocktails and boutique pan-mediterranean wines in a beautiful intimate setting.
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