What’s your favorite season? Which weather pattern reigns supreme? In my eyes, that would have to be fall. From binging on Halloween candy without the guilt to pumpkin everything, sweater weather, seasonal decor, and fall foliage, it’s such an enchanting time of year!
To help you get into the spirit, we carved up locations in the city, that embrace the autumn fever and highlight the season in some fun ways. In particular restaurants, and public spaces near some great food and drink options. Check them out below, and bookmark this post, as we will update it as others come across our radar.
1. Carnegie Diner & Cafe
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Not to be confused with Carnegie Deli, this eatery popped up on the corner of 57th St. and 7th Avenue last fall, and has added some fun autumnal touches to its facade. Hay bales, Halloween decor, and wagons worth of pumpkins make it the perfect spot for a photo op, before stopping in to enjoy their mouth-watering menu, which has breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
They’re offering city-dwellers the chance to go pumpkin picking without leaving Manhattan, with all pumpkin proceeds going to employees. How sweet is that?!
2. Rockefeller Center
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Another favorite is the tried and true Rock Center, which also has a ton of adjacent restaurants in which you can sit and enjoy the decor or in the rink, which has some new seating. Some favorites include City Winery, Black Seed Bagels, and Bouchon Bakery. See them all here.
Take in the fun sights and eats before the rink is back up-and-running. It’ll be here sooner than you think!
3.Eataly Flatiron
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Eataly Flatiron’s rooftop SERRA by Birreria changes its decor with the seasons, so of course, it makes sense that they’re included. Their latest install, SERRA d’AUTUNNO – Honey + Harvest is centered around the honeybee, with honeycomb inspired decor. Snap a shot while enjoying their honey-infused food and cocktails, or head to the back for their decorated swing.
4. The Slaughtered Lamb Pub
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With a name like that, it has to be spooky, right? Now that indoor dining is back, you can enjoy their game room, and their fireplace friendly “Werewolf Lounge”—with safe social distancing, of course.
And if you eat outside, just be sure you’re comfortable with those pumpkins keeping their “eyes” on you. They’ll be watching.
5. Oregano
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Oregano did NOT skimp on spooky decorations, but that doesn’t make the atmosphere any less pleasant. If we were you, we’d lean into the season, while enjoying their fully hunger-inducing vegan menu (with gluten-free options available as well), including plates of pasta, calzones, and more!
6. The Highline Hotel
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In addition to its prime location in Chelsea’s garment district, right by the always popular Highline walkway, The Highline Hotel is well-known to New Yorkers and tourists alike. And if the decor isn’t enough to draw you in, Daisy’s Cocktail Garden will. The summer pop-up is social distance-friendly and open for a bit longer, serving delicious bites, mixed drinks, wine, and beer. Plus, they allow dogs—on a leash, of course!
And if you’re just there for the photo op., and some touring, they’ve also got some great recs to pass along before you’re on your way—just stop in and ask!
7. Industry City
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Industry City is somewhat of a mini-city, its decorated space in Courtyard 3/4 is within walking distance of tons of delicious to-go options that you can grab to go or sit by the interactive scenery.
Some of my favorites include Avocaderia, Hometown Bar-B-Que, Big Alice Brewing, and Blue Marble Ice Cream—because it’s never not ice cream season. Note, while creating this list, Industry City was added to the neighborhoods within the COVID-19 ‘yellow cluster zones’, find out what they’re doing to keep you safe here.
8. Pier 17
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Do we even have to tell you all the wonderful things popping up at Pier 17? Since their renovation and re-launch, and especially through the current times, they’ve been offering a respite in the form of their fantastic dining options and outdoor space, with fun additions like the one pictured above, which can be found by the Heineken Riverdeck.
They also have a very popular rooftop called The Greens, which opened this summer and continues into the season. You can book a socially distanced green space, eat, drink, and play lawn games with a small group of friends. Other recommendations include Malibu Farm, Cobble & Co., and Bar Wayō.
9. Oscar Wilde
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Is that the Boogyman we see in that last photo lurking in the corner? Either way, these decorations are on point!
Based on their tagline, “Relax, Extravagance Is Always in Season,” and its atmosphere of “sophisticated debauchery” this place was made for revelers, essentially what the Halloween season is for. Living up to their slogan, Oscar Wilde serves up fun, themed drinks based around the season and the scholar around whom the bar is named, on top of some great food options!
10. Casa La Femme
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Casa La Femme is host to some really fun, but not-too-creepy decor. They’re currently offering a Halloween brunch, serving up some of their signature Egyptian dishes, which is so good it is a little scary. Flatbread and Hummus for breakfast? Sign me up!
11. Mangia
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With 3x the opportunity for pictures, Mangia has been gracing NYC with farm-to-table Italian favorites for almost 40 years. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you can stop by any time of the day and know you’ll be satisfied with your eats—they’ve even got some bewitching desserts. You can find this decor at W57th Street location.
12. Debutea
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For those with less of an appetite, feel free to take a trip down to one of Debutea’s two locations, where you can snack on lighter fare (dine-in if you prefer) and sip some pretty fancy teas. Options vary from cheese tea to boba and more. They also currently offer flower workshops and tea tastings at their Brooklyn location for those who want to make an afternoon or evening of their visit.
13. 15East at Tocqueville
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It’s incredibly apropos that this should end on spooky number 13. Part of a larger franchise, this is Tocqueville’s Japanese leg (their other half focuses on French-American fare). In addition to their fun, modern take on seasonal decor, they boast some delectable dishes like A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Dumplings, house-made Tofu, and a tasting menu with an optional white truffle supplement.
Hopefully, this NYC-wide decor hunt will keep you busy until the weather is more frightful than the spirit of Halloween itself.
