As one of New York’s most distinctive parks, the High Line extends for nearly 1.5 miles from just below 14th Street to Penn Station on Manhattan’s west side. A former railway turned public green space, this abandoned elevated railroad is a popular place to stroll, drawing both tourists and residents. Visitors soak in city and Hudson River views, grab snacks from vendors, or just lounge in its many seating areas. Of course, all that walking can make anyone hungry. Luckily, the High Line is surrounded by excellent restaurants in the Meatpacking District, West Village, and Chelsea—the neighborhoods the path stretches through. Here’s where to eat along the way.
Bottino (Chelsea)
A modern Italian restaurant with a charming back garden, Bottino is a go-to for New Yorkers in the know—and a hushed respite from the High Line’s crowds. The menu offers inspired riffs on Tuscan classics such as steak tartare with black truffle jam and squid ink mafaldine twisted with mussels and smoked ramps—all to be enjoyed under the glow of lavish chandeliers.
Shukette (Chelsea)
Shukette, chef and partner Ayesha Nurdjaja’s sequel to Shuka, her acclaimed Eastern Mediterranean restaurant in SoHo, is a more playful second act. The menu is divided into fun-loving sections: There’s “When you dip, I dip, we rip” for dips and breads like labneh with saffron apricots, and “The Shuk” for market-focused small plates, such as arctic char meatballs with preserved lemon yogurt. Don’t forget to accessorize with house-made sauces—standouts include the tzatziki with kohlrabi.
The Mary Lane (West Village)
On a cobblestoned corner of Bank and Greenwich Streets, The Mary Lane—named for a type of heirloom fig—is a peaceful oasis churning out top-notch American food. Linger over a long lunch of large chef’s salads, such as a grilled shrimp topped Caesar or the signature cobb with crispy chicken. If you visit for dinner, the seasonal, veggie-forward dishes make limiting your order nearly impossible. But if you must choose, opt for roasted cauliflower with miso honey and chicken cacciatore ravioli topped with crispy skin.
RH Rooftop Restaurant New York (West Village)
Located on top of New York’s most glamorous Restoration Hardware store, this impeccably designed perch, decked with fountains, is impressive in every way. Take a ride on the all-glass elevator—you’ll welcome the luxurious lift after an afternoon on the High Line—to reach the marble-clad space. Reserve a seat to enjoy dressed-up versions of casual fare, such as shrimp cocktail, lobster rolls and roast chicken.
Casa Dani (Chelsea)
Helmed by lauded chef Dani García, this 2021 newcomer is a love letter to southern Spain, starring Garcia’s family recipes. The menu is seafood-centric, with highlights that include noodlefish with fried eggs and roasted pepper and baby squid in ink sauce. Enjoy it all against the backdrop of a space that channels a breezy Spanish courtyard, adorned with hanging plants.
The Mermaid Inn – Chelsea (Chelsea)
Don’t miss the stellar happy hour at this Chelsea favorite, featuring $1.25 East Coast oysters and discounted drinks. But this faithful fish shack is worth a visit at any hour for a prolific menu of buttery favorites such as linguine with clams, corn risotto, and lobster that get the escargot treatment.
Chop Shop (Chelsea)
A neighborhood staple since 2012, this pan Asian restaurant, a stone’s throw from the High Line, emerged during Manhattan’s 2010s fusion frenzy—but it’s outlived the fad, thanks to excellent cooking and a beautiful indoor-outdoor dining room. Expect refreshing small plates such an avocado tofu summer roll and salmon fried rice, plus entrees like shrimp and eggplant curry and glazed, deep fried Japanese eggplant.
aRoqa (Chelsea)
Work up your appetite hiking up and down the High Line before sitting down at this cosmopolitan Indian restaurant. aRoqa’s remixes on classic dishes include a jalapeno-laced paneer, butternut squash kofte, tongue-tickling goat keema matar, and lamb biryani, perfumed with super fragrant spices. The late night menu, offering tandoori chicken cheese fries and samosas, is also worth stopping by for.
Kogane (Chelsea)
Every element of Kogane’s ramen is made from scratch, which is what makes it so spectacular. Choose from ten types of noodles, such as miso lobster ramen with fresh corn, a spicy vegetable version studded with okra and shiitake mushroom. If your High Line excursion has you especially hungry, splurge for the carblicious ramen burger, built on two noodle patties. To supplement your slurpable meal, there are salads, skewers, and Japanese street food such as takoyaki, fried octopus balls with gleaming bonito flakes.
Chelsea Market (Chelsea)
As the food hall that’s wooed New Yorkers and visitors for over a decade, Chelsea Market is an off-the-High Line mainstay, whether you’re grabbing takeout from Los Tacos, MokBar, Very Fresh Noodles, or sitting down to a Thai feast at Ayada, one of the city’s top Thai spots. Here, you’ll find fried and steamed whole fish prepared to your preferred spice level (from mild to “Thai spicy”), plus papaya salad, drunken noodles, and a range of classics.
High Street on Hudson (West Village)
This cozy, unpretentious all-day restaurant, a Philly import, serves flawless cafe fare, guaranteed to fulfill your post-walk cravings. Soothe your soul with creamy clam chowder, lobster mac and cheese or a gooey gruyere coated cheeseburger with melt-in-your-mouth caramelized onions.
Zou Zou’s (Hell’s Kitchen)
As a theatrical culinary hotspot in the High Line-adjacent Manhattan West, this contemporary Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant is a vibe—and a high-ceilinged, blue-tiled one at that. Bring a group, because most of the menu, which includes fancy dip platters, flaming cheese, and lamb’s leg shaved tableside, is best when shared.
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner is a writer based in Brooklyn, where she lives with her wife and rescue dog. You can follow her on Instagram @melissabethk and Twitter @melissabethk
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