NYC's Best Lunch Spots In Midtown, From Fast Casual To Fine Dining

Midtown Manhattan is a hotbed of working men and women. When lunch time hits, where do you head? Here are our 20 favorites spots for your Midtown lunch.  By Carly Petrone/Yvo Sin

Whole Foods Market Bryant Park

1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
917-728-5700

More: Best Bars By Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park

Whole Foods Market is now open across the street from Bryant Park! Now you can not only shop for food, but you can grab a freshly steamed latte at the News Agency, sit down for an elegant omasake meal at Kano by Genji Sushi, or sip on a cocktail and enjoy the views of the Chrysler building at the Harbor Bar. For those craving a classic Italian sub, we suggest heading to the second level for a Frankies Spuntino meatball sub or mozzarella sandwich. Finally, if you're in a hurry and don't want to wait in the lines downstairs, just hop onto one of their digital ordering kiosks at the Food Hall and pick up your order when it's ready.

Marea

240 Central Park South
New York, NY 10019
212-582-5100

Pasta doesn't get much better than at Marea. Chef Michael White has been producing Michelin-rated food for years, and you can see why in every tasty bite. Seafood lovers can dive into a variety of pasta dishes like the Fusilli with red wine braised octopus and bone marrow, Gnocchetti with ruby red shrimp, chilies, and rosemary, or Tagliolini with manila clams, calamari, white wine, and hot chilies. Those looking for a non-pasta option can enjoy Spigola Nera (seared black bass), Ippoglosso (roasted halibut), Capesante (seared sea scallops), and more. Make sure to take advantage of their business lunch primo and secondo for $52.

Halal Guys

W. 53rd and Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY

More: Food Truck Lunch Reviews

You can't walk through midtown Manhattan without stopping at the Halal Guys food truck. This famous restaurant on wheels, located on the corner of W. 53rd and Avenue of the Americas, draws huge crowds for their chicken, falafel, and gyros over rice. The line may look long but it goes fast. Their secret ingredient? Definitely their white and red sauces. One is creamy and cool, and the other will have you running for a second bottle of water. The combination can't be beat and at $8 a plate, you can't miss it.

The Little Beet

135 W. 50th St.
New York, NY

More: Best Juice Bars In NYC

If you're looking for a healthy lunch option, then make your way to The Little Beet. They offer a seasonal menu that's packed with flavor and filled with options for the dairy free, gluten free, and vegetarian eater. From warm and cool sides to soups and cold-pressed juices, this place has something for everyone to enjoy.  You can also try out a variety of brown rice and quinoa bowls with toppings like braised shiitake poke and salmon. And don't forget the sauce. Choose from a variety like ponzu, chimichurri, maple chipotle, taita, and sherry shallot vinaigrette. Happy eating is healthy eating at this Midtown joint.

Gotham West Market

600 11th Ave.
New York, NY 10036

If you're all the way west and need a place to grab something fast, Gotham West Market is your go-to stop. This food hall is home to a variety of vendors that are serving up everything from rich comfort foods like ramen, pizza, and ice cream to healthier options like sushi, fresh smoothies, and broth. You'll probable recognize popular chains like Ample Hills, Uma Temakeria, and Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop. Stop by the bar and catch up on what's playing on the big screen or grab a seat at their large seating area. You'll probably end up perusing the place a second time. Because the dessert options are just too good.

Woorijip

12 W 32nd Street
New York, NY 10001

The easiest way to describe Woorijip would be to say it is like a 7-Eleven with a Korean slant to it. Along the right-hand side is a help-yourself buffet area full of Korean goodies, and along the left-hand side is a refrigerated case of all sorts of lovely pre-packed tasty delights. No matter what you choose, you're sure to fill up cheaply - and conveniently.

Tri-Tip Grill

Rockefeller Center, Concourse Level, North Side
New York, NY

An extra boost of high-quality protein for a reasonable price, served on a soft roll alongside a cup of jus is just the thing to help you get through another day of work. Despite Tri-Tip Grill's location among plenty of tourist traps, real New Yorkers know the deal; for around $10 you get a great sandwich with all the fixings -- or  you can 'make it a meal' with a soda (or bottle of water) and your choice of side for a few dollars more. The only trouble you might encounter is wading through all the tourists to get there – but don't worry if there's a line, because it moves pretty fast.

Burger Joint at The Parker Meridien

118 W 57th St
New York, NY

Hidden in a corner of the lobby at the Parker Meridien is a neon sign in the shape of a burger, with an arrow beneath it. Follow the arrow to what could arguably be called New York's worst-kept secret -- the lines are long and articles about this burger can be found on all corners of the Internet. On a good day, the burgers are cooked perfectly to order and arrive juicy, hot, and delicious, but you could wait in line for an hour or more. Worth it? That's up to the eater.

Cafe Zaiya

18 E. 41st Street
New York, NY

Cafe Zaiya offers various bento and donburi, set lunches and rice bowls, with proper portion sizes in mind. Bentos will typically include a portion of rice, the protein of your choice (chicken, tofu, salmon, beef) in various iterations: fried, teriyaki, grilled, along with vegetables, occasionally Japanese potato salad, and are designed to fill you up with a properly balanced meal - so eat those veggies!  Aside from being healthy, balanced meals, they won't break the bank.

Hyo Dong Gak

51 W. 35th Street
New York, NY

Sitting on the stretch of Manhattan known as North Koreatown (32nd Street is known as simply Koreatown), Hyo Dong Gak boasts Korean-Chinese food - a cuisine that most Korean-Americans are extremely familiar with. Hyo Dong Gak also bears the distinction of being one of only a few restaurants in the area that serve jajangmyeon -- a Chinese-Korean noodle dish topped with a chunjang diced pork sauce.

Pizza by Certe

132 E 56th St.
New York, NY

More: Best Slices Of Pizza In NYC

Pizza, the classic New York quick fix lunch, gets a facelift at Pizza by Certe. This is not your $1 slice place; this is roasted wild mushrooms, porcini, bechamel, and thyme for their mushroom pizza. This is roasted cauliflower with spicy Harissa, sweet pepper, fennel, pomodoro and mozzarella. This is roasted artichoke with farmers' blue cheese and celery hearts. This is... awesome gourmet pizza, with interesting and flavorful topping combinations that will leave you wondering where this pizza has been all your life.

Go! Go! Curry

273 W. 38th Street
New York, NY

More: Best Indian Fast-Casual In NYC

The garishly colored awning may make you think twice, but don't hesitate to go into this Japanese imported chain. The draw here is, of course, the curry dishes, all served over rice with your choice of 'topping': boiled egg, cheese, pork sausages or katsu. Feeling hungry? Order the Grand Slam (pictured) which gives you a huge mound of rice and curry sauce, along with both pork and chicken katsu, hard boiled egg, fried shrimp, and pork sausages. Learn more here.

Koi Restaurant

Bryant Park Hotel
40 W 40th St
New York, NY

Boasting a view of Bryant Park while you dine, Koi caters to an incredibly varied crowd each day for lunch. Guests of the hotel may be dining there, while another table may be suits having a business lunch, and still another table may be 'ladies who lunch.' The restaurant also boasts and impressive cocktail menu featuring their signature 'Koi-Tini,' made with sparkling Rose, Cointreau, pomegranate and orange.

Bali Nusa Indah

651 9th Ave
New York, NY

Intrigue your senses with an introduction to Indonesian food, a spice-tastic - but not spicy! - cuisine that originates in the Oceanic/Southeast Asian region. If you're feeling super adventurous, order the 'nasi rames', a sampling of almost the entire menu that comes with white rice and an entire tray of food. Or you can try the lunch menu, which allows you to choose from such treats as curries, stir-fries, satay, all with varying levels of heat.

Pad Thai

409 8th Ave.
New York, NY

Just blocks from Penn Station, Pad Thai could easily rely on location to get by. Instead, they offer a fantastic lunch menu with above average Thai food that will satisfy your craving. The fried rice (pictured) is a tasty treat, while the restaurant's namesake dish also makes for a yummy, filling lunch. Add on a Thai iced tea and linger over your meal before going back outside to fight the tourists -- you deserve it.

Num Pang

140 E. 41st St.
New York, NY
http://numpangnyc.com
More: Best Poke In NYC

Bite into a crispy, yet chewy Banh mi sandwich and you'll be craving one the rest of the week. Choose from Coconut Tiger Shrimp, Roasted Cauliflower, Peppercorn Catfish, Spicy Organic Tofu, and many others. All come with cucumber, pickled carrots, cilantro, and chili mayo. Enjoy a Cambodian iced tea, coconut juice, or spiced apple cider before heading back to the office.

Chopt

Check website for midtown locations
New York, NY

If you're in a hurry grab a salad from Chopt. Choose from one of their most popular items like the Santa Fe (avocado, grape tomatoes, corn, Vermont pepperjack, homemade fried onions, and romaine lettuce), Mexican Ceasar (Cojita cheese, jalapeno peppers, tortilla chips, and romaine lettuce), or the Chopt Po'Boy (FreeBird panko fried chicken, grape tomatoes, charred red onion, Wisconsin cheddar, and romaine lettuce) or create your own using one of their many toppings. Get your salad delivered or pick it up at your convenience.

Le Pain Quotidien

1271 6th Ave.
New York, NY

More: NYC's 5 Best Wine And Cheese Bars

Enjoy a bit of Belgian fare at Le Pain Quotidien. Try an open-faced tartine, or if you're in the mood for a hot dish, try the Quiche Lorraine, Six-Vegetable Tart, or Organic Three Bean Chili. If you're sharing your meal, order the Artisanal Cheese & Charcuterie Board, with local goat cheese and Camembert, Fourme d'Ambert, prosciutto and sopressata. Satisfy your sweet tooth with one of their Belgian Chocolate Brownies, Banoffee Tart (dulce de leche, banana and whipped cream), or Coconut Macaroons.

Don Antonio Pizza

309 W. 50th St.
New York, NY

Stop into Don Antonio Pizza and enjoy one of their many lunch specials. From Quattro Formaggi to Prosciutto e Arugula, there's a pie for everyone to enjoy. Add on a Pontinia or Fresca salad or stick with your PIzze Blanche or Pizze Rosse. Did we mention the dough is flash fried first? That's what makes it perfectly crispy and also traditionally Neapolitan. At most, you'll spend $9 for an 8-inch pizza that you'll be dreaming about later. Restaurant opens at 11:30 a.m.

For the latest on all of the Tri-State's events and happenings, follow us on Twitter!

Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.