Sidle up to the corner taqueria for late-night taquitos (until 2 a.m.) or reserve a table at the tequila-friendly speakeasy below (enter through the kitchen until 2 a.m.). Beware the overly styled patrons swarming the sidewalk.
La Esquina, 114 Kenmare Street, at Lafayette Street (646-613-7100 or esquinanyc.com).
For a taste of hog heaven, head to the see-and-be-seen gastropub (serving food until 2 a.m. nightly). There are no reservations, but the burgers, cask-brewed ale, and late-night rock ’n’ roll justify the wait.
The Spotted Pig, 314 West 11th Street, at Greenwich Street (212-620-0393 or thespottedpig.com).
The draw of this divey bar? Skee-Ball and a free personal pizza — the whole pie, not just a slice — for every beer you buy (just order before 3:30 a.m.). Go with a few bucks, chill in the back outdoor area, and leave with a full stomach.
Crocodile Lounge, 325 East 14th Street, between First and Second Avenues (212-477-7747).
The aptly named downtown sushi joint is modern, intimate, and wonderfully satisfying. The sake box spilleth over (until 2 a.m. nightly). Tip: Don’t leave without tasting a spoonful of green tea crème brulee.
Blue Ribbon Sushi, 119 Sullivan Street, between Prince and Spring Streets (212-343-0404 or blueribbonrestaurants.com).
Nibble (until 1 a.m. nightly) on ’Inoteca’s renowned truffled egg toast; a panino stuffed with prosciutto, three cheeses, or soppressata; or piatti including polenta, pollo arrosto, and osso buco.
’Inoteca e Liquori Bar, 323 Third Avenue, at 24th Street (212-683-3035 or inotecanyc.com).
David Chang’s pork and noodle spots are always in demand. Gorge on steamed sweet buns with braised pork belly at Ssäm Bar (until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday), then head across the street to Milk Bar (until midnight) for a slice of Crack Pie.
Momofuku Ssäm Bar, 207 Second Avenue, at 13th Street (212-254-3500 or momofuku.com).
It’s always pierogi time at the all-night Ukrainian soul food staple. Round it out with other specialties like borscht, goulash, or slow-simmered beef Stroganoff.
Veselka, 144 Second Avenue, at 9th Street (212-228-9682 or veselka.com).
The retro caboose diner has cozy booths and chummy waiters who memorize the changing menu and pull up a chair to scribble it on your tablecloth (until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday). The specials and pasta are as good as the hipsters are cool.
Diner, 85 Broadway, at Berry Street (718-486-3077 or dinernyc.com).
Zak Pelaccio turns up the heat (until 2 a.m., Thursday through Saturday) with funky Malaysian dishes like quail egg shooters, steamed pork buns, short ribs, and sardine tea sandwiches.
Fatty Crab, 643 Hudson Street, between Horatio and Gansevoort Streets (212-352-3592 or fattycrab.com).
Known for its inventive desserts, Kyotofu plays with Japanese flavors to make incredibly delicate sweets, like award-winning cupcakes and tofu soft-serve (open until 1:30 a.m., Thursday through Saturday).
Kyotofu, 705 Ninth Avenue, between 48th and 49th Streets (212-974-6012 or kyotofu-nyc.com).
The multilevel space is meant to evoke a glamorous Mexican taqueria of yore that’s recently been unearthed (see: line drawings etched into plastered walls, dulled-with-age chandeliers, and marble slab bar tops). Sip rose tequila and chow down on sea bass tacos and huitlacoche quesadillas (until 4 a.m., Thursday through Saturday).
Los Feliz, 109 Ludlow Street, between Delancey and Rivington Streets (212-228-8383 or losfeliznyc.com).
Plain ketchup doesn’t cut it at this hole-in-the-wall fry shop (open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday). Dip your twice-fried Belgian fries into more than twenty sauces, including rosemary garlic mayo, peanut satay, and classic poutine (a mix of cheddar cheese and chicken gravy).
Pommes Frites, 123 Second Avenue, between East 7th Street and Saint Mark’s Place (212-674-1234 or pommesfrites.ws).
Keith McNally drops his usual bistro fare for Euro-inspired comfort food, drawing the look-at-me masses in the process (until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday). Those craving garlic shrimp and mac ’n’ cheese with bacon will find peace of mind.
Schiller’s Liquor Bar, 131 Rivington Street, at Norfolk Street (212-260-4555 or schillersny.com).
So simple yet so smart: meatballs galore in pork, beef, vegetable, and chicken. Order them alone, in a slider, on a hero, or with sauce (until 4 a.m., Thursday through Saturday). Leave room for an ice cream sandwich.
The Meatball Shop, 84 Stanton Street, between Allen and Orchard Streets (212-982-8895 or themeatballshop.com).
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