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In 1827, the Delmonico brothers set up a small shop in the financial district selling fine pastries, coffees, chocolates, wines and liquors and Havana cigars. No doubt seeing that luxury sold, the brothers bought a plot of land at the intersection of Beaver, William and South William streets in the heart of the city’s financial district and Delmonico’s restaurant was born. It opened in 1837 and still operates today. There are now five restaurants in the Delmonico Restaurant Group.
Fun Fact: The classic American foods lobster Newburg, eggs Benedict and of course, the Delmonico steak, were created at Delmonico’s restaurant.
56 Beaver St., delmonicosrestaurantgroup.com
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Photo Credit: Jeremy Bales -
This unobtrusive Gramercy tavern and beer hall has been a fully functioning restaurant and drinking establishment for 150 years. (Even during prohibition, when a flower shop served as a front.) The pub style food and nostalgic decor still delight guests. It was once called Healy’s, named after its owners.
Fun Fact: The writer O. Henry lived nearby Healy’s, and the tavern plays a role in his story “The Lost Blend.” It is also rumored he wrote his famous story “The Gift of the Magi” at Healy’s.
129 E. 18th St., petestavern.com
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Photo Credit: Georgia Kral -
Perhaps you’ve seen the large life-size cow on the outside of the building that’s been home to the Old Homestead Steakhouse since 1868? It’s basically a beacon, beckoning to historic restaurant and steak lovers alike. This classic NYC establishment has never strayed — servings are large and the prime dry-aged rib eye is a must order. Old Homestead is the oldest steakhouse in NYC — beating out both Peter Luger’s and Keens.
Fun Fact: It’s said that the “doggie bag” was invented here. The portion sizes were so large that there were always leftovers that had to be sent home with customers.
56 Ninth Ave., theoldhomesteadsteakhouse.com
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Photo Credit: Georgia Kral -
The home of one of New York City’s most classic hamburgers, P.J. Clarke’s is an institution. It fills up with happy hour revelers (just like in “Mad Men,” you remember when Peggy danced for Pete?) and is a favorite of tourists, New Yorkers and bigwigs alike. P.J.’s is a classic NYC experience that everyone needs to have.
Fun Fact: P.J. Clarke’s didn’t get its name until 1902. From 1884 until then, the bar was managed by a “Mr. Jennings,” who opened after seeing a demand for a watering hole for the Irish immigrants who labored in the area.
915 Third Ave., pjclarkes.com
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Photo Credit: Georgia Kral -
Keens was established by Albert Keen in the former Herald Square theater district and was host to actors and others involved in the playmaking business. It is the last remnant of the district. Keens is well-known for its pipe club — and the hundreds, if not thousands, of pipes that line the ceiling of the restaurant. According to the restaurant, it has one of the largest collections in the world of churchwarden pipes. As history tells it, the pipes would be left by their owners at their favorite tavern or inn, so they would be ready for them when they wanted an ale and a smoke. The Keens clay pipes were brought from the Netherlands and they were registered by guests and kept clean by “pipe boys.” Members of the pipe club included Teddy Roosevelt, Babe Ruth, Adlai Stevenson and John Barrymore.
Fun Fact: While most old-school New York City steakhouses are best-known for porterhouse steaks, rib eyes and prime rib, at Keens, you order the Mutton Chop, which is a saddle of lamb, nearly 2 inches thick.
72 W. 36th St., keens.com
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Photo Credit: Georgia Kral -
Yonah Schimmel began selling knishes from a pushcart on Houston Street in 1890, and in 1910 moved into the storefront where it still operates today. Visiting the knishery is like taking a step into the Lower East Side of the past, and the knishes they make today are the same as when they started.
Fun Fact Yonah Schimmel was also a rabbi.
137 E. Houston St., 212-477-2858
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Photo Credit: Georgia Kral -
Barbetta’s website boasts that it’s the oldest restaurant in New York City that is still owned by the family that opened it. Whether that’s exactly true doesn’t totally matter here, we’re just glad such a beautiful and historic place still exists in the theater district. Barbetta celebrates the food of the Piemonte region of Italy, with a goal of showing that Italian cuisine is not always simple and rustic. White truffles figure predominantly on the menu when in season.
Fun Fact: In 1987, Barbetta was one of the first restaurants to discourage smoking by “replacing matches in [matchboxes] with after dinner chocolate mints,” according to its website.
321 W. 46th St., barbettarestaurant.com
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Photo Credit: Georgia Kral -
Gargiulo’s Restaurant is a Coney Island fine dining establishment that serves Italian food on white tablecloths and has hosted countless parties, weddings and celebrations in its Grand Ballroom. Anthony Russo and his brothers took over the restaurant in 1965 and recently took a step into modern times by introducting iPad’s to the wait staff.
Fun Fact: The restaurant has, until just recently, enforced a strict dress code: proper attire, no shorts and no tank tops. Changing demographics and Superstorm Sandy’s devastation forced the owners to reconsider.
2911 W. 15th St., Coney Island, gargiulos.com
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Photo Credit: Anthony Lanzilote -
The Grand Central Oyster Bar opened when Grand Central Terminal did, in 1913. The restaurant is iconic and is beloved for its fresh seafood and historic ambiance. The Guastavino tile ceilings were recently restored. Even if you don’t want to eat there, next time you’re in Grand Central, stop by for a look.
Fun Fact: While the Oyster Pan Roast was the dish that made the restaurant famous, the Oyster Bar wasn’t actually the seafood-focused establishment you know it as today until 1974.
Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St., oysterbarny.com
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Photo Credit: Nina Ruggiero -
The first store opened by Joel Russ was on Orchard Street, below Houston Street, in 1914. In 1920 he moved to the current location on Houston Street. In 2014, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Russ & Daughters, a cafe opened on — you guessed it — Orchard Street. And in 2016, Russ & Daughters opened an outpost at the Jewish Museum. During the Depression, Joel Russ decided to sell his house and not his business, moving his family into more cramped living quarters. His business sense is what allows us to still enjoy the appetizing foods of Russ & Daughters today.
Fun Fact: In 2000, the Smithsonian Institute designated Russ & Daughters “a piece of New York’s cultural heritage.”
179 E. Houston St., russanddaughters.com
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Photo Credit: Newsday / Rebecca Cooney -
Owner Nathan Handwerker started Nathan’s Famous with his wife Ida after working at Feltman’s German Gardens, another hot dog restaurant.
Fun Fact: According to the film “Famous Nathan’s,” Handwerker was a leader in workforce integration. Many African-American and Hispanic workers were able to find jobs at Nathan’s when nowhere else in the area would have them.
Surf and Stillwell Avenues, Coney Island, nathansfamous.com
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Photo Credit: Diana Colapietro
In New York City, staying on top of the hottest new restaurants can be like an Olympic sport. Rushing to get a table and eat at the best new spot is a cutthroat game.
But true restaurant lovers also appreciate the good old standbys — restaurants that have been open for decades or even a hundred years.
