MoMA is one of the most famous museums in the world, and it attracts art enthusiasts worldwide.
After a tour of the museum, most visitors look for a place to unwind and relieve their art fatigue.
MoMA is surrounded by vibrant restaurants that offer everything from quick bites to gourmet meals.
Here are some of the best restaurants in and near MoMA that you can visit after your tour.
Restaurants inside MoMA
Visitors looking for a dining experience need not go far.
MoMA offers three dining options – a Michelin-starred restaurant and two cafes.
You can find a casual cafe for a quick bite and also a dining establishment for a sit-down meal.
The Modern
You can find Modern – a two Michelin-starred restaurant on the first floor of MoMA.
This restaurant is the brainchild of famous chef Thomas Allan, who welcomes guests to try his symphony of seasonal flavors.
The Modern offers various experiences, such as a Terrace, Bar Room, and Kitchen Table, in addition to the fine dining option.
The Bar Room offers a lively and contemporary setting where you can enjoy a la carte menu and an award-winning wine program.
Seasonally, the Terrace facing the MoMA Sculpture Garden on the same level is open. Here, you can enjoy the Bar Room Menu.
On the other hand, a Kitchen Table at Modern gives you a front-row view of the kitchen.
This option lets you try the enhanced tasting menu by Executive Chef Tom Allan.
Reservation for Modern is available for lunch and they welcome walk-ins for dinner.
Timings:
The Modern Bar Room
Lunch: Daily 11.30 am to 3 pm
Midday Snack: Monday to Saturday, 2.30 pm to 5 pm
Dinner: Monday to Saturday, 5 pm to 9 pm
The Modern
Lunch: Daily: 11.30 am to 2 pm
Dinner: Monday to Saturday: 5 pm to 9 pm
Location: 1st Floor
Price range: $60 to $100 (approx)
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Cafe 2
For a quaint experience, head to Cafe 2 on the second level of MoMA.
It’s a great place to stop and refuel in between viewings of the galleries.
There, you can enjoy an Italian menu featuring handmade pasta, cured salumi, artisanal cheeses, sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts.
Cafe 2 also offers a range of wine, beer, espresso and coffee.
This laid-back sanctuary is ideal for a quick lunch or coffee break in between viewing famous works of art. Refuel, rejuvenate, and resume your creative endeavors!
Timings: 11 am to 5 pm
Location: 2nd Floor, MoMA
Price Range: $30 to $70
Cuisine: Italian
The Terrace Cafe
The Carrol and Milton Petrie Terrace Cafe on the sixth floor of MoMA offers quick bites and desserts.
Visit the Terrace cafe to enjoy a sophisticated yet traditional menu of salads, sandwiches, small plates and desserts.
During clear weather, the Terrace Cafe also offers outdoor seats to enjoy a picture-perfect view of bustling Midtown Manhattan.
Timings: Daily 11 am to 5 pm
Location: 6th Floor, MoMA NYC
Price range: $40 to $80 (approx)
Cuisine: Italian
Other dining options in MoMA
Espresso Bar on the second floor of MoMA is a nearby gift shop.
This is a grab-and-go coffee shop that offers homemade pastries, croissants, cookies and more.
The Cafe is usually open from 10.30 am to 5 pm; on Saturdays, it is open till 6.30 pm.
MoMA also has a seasonal pop-up bar in the Sculpture Garden called the Garden Bar.
The Garden Bar serves beer, wine, cocktails, light snacks and soft serve.
Top 5 Restaurants near MoMA
Apart from the restaurants in the museum, the midtown Manhattan neighborhood also houses plenty of restaurants.
The groundbreaking artists shown here are Van Gogh, Picasso, Kahlo, Dali, Kusama, and Warhol. While stimulating, a tour of these galleries can be exhausting.
Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at one of the top ten restaurants near MoMA to stay energized.
1. Bill’s Bar & Burger
Bill’s Bar and Burger is one of the best restaurants near MoMA where you can dine.
It serves all the staples and has an old-school burger joint aesthetic.
With 400 seats available, there’s a sizable beer menu and near-guaranteed seating.
Bill’s takes pride in its cuisine. CNN’s Top 10 Burger Award went to its Fat Cat Burger.
Before you decide on a burger, you’ll be distracted by the smoked bacon chili and loaded nachos.
And the monster shakes—especially the Fourth of July version with a banana split with vanilla ice cream, strawberry, and chocolate sauce—are simply irresistible.
Timings:
Sunday to Thursday: 11 am to 11 pm
Friday and Saturday: 11 am to 12 am
Distance from MoMA: 3 minutes ( 800 m).
Location: 16 West 51st St, New York, NY 10019. Get direction.
Price range: $15 to $30 (approx)
Cuisine: Assorted Beverages
2. Dos Toros Taqueria
The best Mexican restaurant close to the Museum of Modern Art is Dos Toros (Two Bulls) Taqueria, which specializes in tacos and burritos.
There’s no better place for delicious salads, creamy guacamole, and soft, buttery beans.
It’s well-liked, but lines move quickly because of the efficient service.
This is a terrific place to get your taco fix on the move because of the fresh ingredients, vegetarian and vegan alternatives, and supportive community.
Timings:
Monday: 11 am to 4 pm
Tuesday to Friday: 11 am to 9 pm
Closed on Weekends
Distance from MoMA: 3 minutes (800 m)
Location: 52 W 52nd St, New York City, NY 10019-6103. Get direction.
Price range: $10 to $20
Cuisine: Mexican, Vegan Options
3. Ess-a-Bagel
The soft, chewy bagels that Ess-a-Bagel has been serving to New Yorkers since 1975.
You can select from over ten different varieties of bagels and a wide array of fillings, including traditional and flavored cream cheese.
In addition to bagels, other options include croissants, cookies, and brownies.
Additionally, there are knishes, a baked or deep-fried pastry snack with a filling that is typical to Ashkenazi Jews.
Ess-a-Bagel has a devoted local fanbase and a throwback vibe, so you should definitely include it in your New York itinerary.
At a Glance
Timings: Monday to Sunday – 6.30 am to 4 pm
Distance from MoMA: 5 minutes (1.5 km)
Location: 324 1st Ave., New York, NY 10009, United States. Get direction
Price Range: $10 to $20
Cuisine: American
4. Naro
Naro is a high-end Korean restaurant near MoMA renowned for its fresh, in-season ingredients and traditional cooking methods.
The menu is full of traditional Korean ingredients, such as ice cream flavored with black walnuts and vinegar made from mugwort, birch, and cherry blossoms.
Beyond just radishes and cabbage, kimchi also contains tomatoes, chilies, and mustard leaves.
This unique restaurant’s futuristic décor goes well with its sleek service.
Timings: Monday to Sunday:5 pm to 9.30 pm
Distance from MoMA: 3 minutes ( 900 m)
Location: Rink Level CO, 610 5th Ave #04, New York, NY 10020, United States. Get direction.
Price range: $80 to $100
Cuisine: Korean
Contents
5. La Grande Boucherie
This elegant dining establishment boasts one of Manhattan’s top wine lists and fine French cuisine.
A plethora of seafood and oysters, succulent steaks, and delectable onion soup are just a few of the joys available.
A diner might easily spend hours enjoying the cheese selections and charcuterie bar by themselves.
This Art Nouveau-style brasserie offers year-round alfresco dining under the stars thanks to an underfloor heating system and an arched skylight.
One of the best places to eat near the MoMA is La Grande Boucherie, which is led by chef Maxime Kien.
Timings: Weekdays: 8 am to 12 am; Weekend: 9 am to 12 am.
Distance from MoMA: 1 minute (300 m)
Location: 145 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, United States. Get Direction.
Price: $50 to $100
Cuisine: French