Budget
Amir's Falafel
Good and inexpensive falafel, shwarma, kebabs, and other standard middle eastern fare.
Big Nick's
One of the best burger joints in perhaps all of Manhattan, Big Nick's is something of a diner cramped, wood-paneled, smelling of grease, similar prices, but with far superior food. Their menu is massive, brought to you in the form of a 15-page book with virtually everything imaginable, including an excellent burger menu. Big Nick's also has a second location in the neighborhood at 70 W 71st St at Columbus Avenue.
El Malecon
A Dominican restaurant known as one of the best places for pollo a la brasa rotisserie chicken in Manhattan. They also serve a number of daily specials for lunch and dinner.
The Heights
Tex-Mex. The bar is the best part. A rooftop terrace is open on warm days for al fresco dining.
Ayurveda Cafe
Eat in and take out lunch and dinner. The restaurant/cafe serves a daily fixed menu ideal for vegans, vegetarians and celiacs. Exceptionally friendly and warm, while light and charming.
Le Monde
Faux French food but a great international beer selection and good burgers.
The Mill
Started life as a diner many years ago but when the owner started adding a few of his native Korean dishes, they caught on and now it is an excellent Korean restaurant.
Ollie's
Workday Chinese. Fast and cheap lunch or dinner, but don't expect anything close to average Chinatown quality.
Massawa
One of the oldest Ethopian Eritrean restaurants in the city with a no frills decor but good food and service.
Metro Diner
Has everything you could look for in a diner breakfast menu.
Jerusalem Restaurant
Serves very tasty falafel at inexpensive prices. The place is a little hole-in-the-wall, but you're there for the food.
Midrange
Kefi
A high-quality and very popular Greek restaurant not a diner in any sense. Reservations strongly suggested, especially for dinner.
Indus Valley
A classy Northern Indian restaurant that serves excellent food. Their lunch special is a bargain; dinner is a little more, but still a fine value.
Saigon Grill
A large Vietnamese restaurant that also serves sushi and Thai cuisine.
Sookk
A cozy Thai restaurant with great traditional and fusion.
Turkuaz
Popular for its Turkish food. It can get a little crazy with crowds and belly dancing at times, but many regulars think it's well worth it.
Pio Pio
A Manhattan outpost of a very popular upscale Peruvian chain. Serves great rotisserie chicken, and tends to be very loud due to the large crowds of locals that come here.
Top end
Per Se
The New York outpost of Chef Thomas Keller of the French Laundry in Yountville, which is in the Napa Valley of California. Chef Keller is one of the most famous and highly praised chefs in the United States. It used to be necessary to call months in advance for reservations, but due to the recession, same-day reservations may be worth attempting.
Masa
Probably the most expensive restaurant in New York, so go only if money is no object. Those who have been there strongly recommend that you sit at the sushi bar in order to have the best experience. Reservations necessary.
Sapphire Indian
Excellent unadventurous North Indian food served by knowledgeable waiters in this upscale restaurant. A bit pricey, but you will get a fair value.
Markets
Fairway
Probably the best-known supermarket in New York, Fairway sells a wide variety of specialty and prepared items, in addition to usual supermarket fare, and has large produce sections. Lots of good values to be had, but watch out for elbows and aggressive shopping cart drivers at peak times.
Milano Market
Italian products with a good deli, reasonable cheeses, and a good selection of international beers.
Schatzie's
Totally friendly, great meats, great butchers, order by phone, and cheaper than Citarella. And they will cook dinner for you if you like.
Zabar's
A very well-known store in New York, with an enormous selection of delicious and expensive foods. Foodstuffs cheeses, olives, prepared foods, etc. are sold on the first floor. The second floor is where you will find all sorts of devices related to cooking and food processing at price points ranging from inexpensive bargains to very expensive luxury items. As with Fairway, do not go the day before Thanksgiving, and think carefully before going on a busy weekend.
Morningside Heights Farmers Market
This outdoor market is year round but is best enjoyed in summer and fall. Delicious New York strawberries and blueberries in mid and late summer, fresh apples including varieties that never make it to the supermarkets in Fall. Pumpkins, fresh local tomatoes, melons, watermelons, lots of apple cider, and a stand that sells preserves of local fruits all make this a worthwhile place for browsing if you have your own kitchen.
Westside Supermarket
An old neighborhood establishment gone upscale. Amazing choice of prepared foods and good fruits and vegetables. The cheese section is outstanding, as also are the meats and fish.