5 Must-Try Restaurants Near the MoMA

The Museum of Modern Art (aka the MoMA) is one of the most popular museums in all of New York City. But before you head in, eat at one of these 5 must-try restaurants near the MoMA.

If not, you’ll end up hungry with more floors to explore.

We’ve included five unique cuisines, differing price ranges, and some faster options if you’re in a time crunch.

Here’s an overview of five, + a bonus, restaurants to eat at near the MoMA:

1. Pazza Notte – Italian
2. Kin Ramen – Ramen/Japanese
3. La Bonne Soupe – French
4. Bengal Tiger – Indian
5. Blue Willow – Chinese
6. burger joint – Burgers

Let’s check out each place to eat below. 👇

PS- See all 6 spots on our handy Google Maps list here, and we will add additional restaurants!

Note: This article was written by a real live human being, not artificial intelligence. 🥸

5 Must-Try Restaurants Near the MoMA Podcast Episode

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Brief Overview of the MoMA

While we’ll save a full review of the MoMA for another article, we want to provide a brief overview.

The Museum of Modern Art boasts 708,000 square feet of total floor area, with 5 floors, and thousands and thousands of art pieces. It also averages over 2 million visitors per year!

Some of the popular pieces at the MoMA include:

• Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night
• Pablo Picasso’s Boy Leading a Horse
• Henri Matisse’s L’Atelier Rouge
• Henri Rousseau’s The Dream
• Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Cans (as of October 2023)
• And many, many more

It is also home to my personal favorite art piece, Monet’s Water Lilies. That room at the MoMA is the definition of peaceful.

We partner with a few ticket partners offering discounts, loyalty points, and a streamlined experience to help you avoid lines.

Get a MoMA ticket via Viator here. You’ll earn rewards when you book through Viator which you can use to redeem for future travel/reservations. 🙌

Get a MoMA ticket via GetYourGuide here.

Now, let’s look at each place to eat near the MoMA. 👇

1. Pazza Note – Italian

Pazza Notte is a 4-minute walk from the MoMA and has a wide range of delicious Italian dishes.

You can share some delicious salads, pizzas (it made it on our best NYC pizza guide), and kinds of pasta.

Plus, they offer 2-for-1 cocktails, all day every day! It just has to be two of the same cocktails. 🍸🍸

They take reservations but you can almost always get a walk-in, unless it’s a weekend during prime dinner time.

The price range is average for a sit-down Italian spot in Midtown, you can expect to pay anywhere from $15-$30 per person for food. Also, the vibe is laid-back so don’t sweat your attire.

Check out Pazza Note here.

2. Kin Ramen – Ramen/Japanese

Kin Ramen is one of our favorite Ramen spots in the heart of Midtown.

The ambiance is second to none and the food is always on point! Plus, the staff is friendly, provides quick service, and always has great recommendations.

We highly recommend their classic Kin Ramen, the Chicken Karaage, and any of their cocktails!

The price range is average for ramen and the vibe is laid back, making it a perfect restaurant near the MoMA. Be aware that they don’t accept reservations and it can be busy!

Oh, and they likely have the best decorated bathroom in all of New York City. ⏬

Check out our full Kin Ramen review here.

3. La Bonne Soupe – French

We first stumbled upon La Bonne Soupe while exploring Midtown on a weekday evening.

This bistro-style French restaurant opened in 1973 and offers a variety of dishes, including their popular French onion soup!

On certain nights they also have live music nestled up in the entrance corner.

The price range is average for sit-down French cuisine, you can plan to spend about $35-$50 per person.

And while it’s not overly fancy, I wouldn’t show up here in shorts or a ballcap.

Check out La Bonne Soupe here.

4. Bengal Tiger – Indian

First off, try their butternut squash soup. It’s phenomenal!

Their lunch special makes for a perfect meal before enjoying the MoMA. $17 gets you a tasty appetizer, like the soup above, and an entree with ample portions.

You have to try their coconut naan, too!

Check out Bengal Tiger here.

5. Blue Willow 夜来湘 – Chinese

Blue Willow is a sit-down Chinese spot in the heart of Midtown with beautiful decor, dim sum offerings, and a unique cocktail menu.

Every dish we’ve had offered unique flavors and fair portions. What more can you ask for?

Plan to spend about $20-$40 per person, about average for a sit-down spot.

Check out Blue Willow here.

6. burger joint – Also This Episode’s “You’ll Have to Check It Out” Segment

While it’s not much of a hidden gem anymore, burger joint in Midtown is a unique, almost speak-easy-style burger joint inside a hotel.

The interior is full of stickers, posters, and graffiti, giving it a true burger spot feel.

Oh, and yes, the burgers are absolutely delicious!

It’s just over a 5-minute walk from the MoMA, too. And for this list of restaurants, it’s by far the most casual and the best option for a quick bite!

Check out burger joint here.

Restaurants Near the Museum of Modern Art in NYC Recap

Whether traveling or living in NYC, the MoMA should be at the top of your list of things to do.

Before you head in, be sure to snag a bite at one of these restaurants near the MoMA so you can enjoy every floor of this iconic museum!

As a recap, here are the restaurants (links open Google Maps listings):

1. Pazza Notte – Italian
2. Kin Ramen – Ramen/Japanese
3. La Bonne Soupe – French
4. Bengal Tiger – Indian
5. Blue Willow – Chinese
6. burger joint – Burgers

Going to the MoMA on a date? Check out 21 Central Park date ideas for after the museum.

Prefer a drink after all the beautiful artwork? Check out 5 fun NYC bars here.