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15 Reliable NYC Restaurants Open 24 Hours

Where to find meaty Korean barbecue, filling pierogies, and classic steak frites at any hour

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Late-night dining options in New York City are, thankfully, quite plentiful. But sometimes, a kitchen’s midnight closing time just isn’t late enough. Particularly long nights out, extremely early flights, and unusual work hours are just a few reasons why a 24-hour dining standby or two can really come in handy.

From surprisingly hearty options hidden behind ordinary-looking bodegas to respectable French bistro offerings — escargot and all — in NYC, there’s a range of ways and places to fill up at literally any hour of the day or night. Some are sit-down affairs that are a bit of a splurge, while others are incredibly cheap, strictly takeout terrain. Ahead, here are 15 delicious choices for eating well, around the clock.

Note: This list is arranged geographically, south through the Bronx and Manhattan, and north through Brooklyn and Queens.

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La Isla Cuchifrito

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Generously portioned Latin American dishes like pernil, rice and beans, a slew of stews, savory pastries, roast chicken, sausages, and sandwiches are on offer at this Bronx spot that’s open 24/7. The cash-only restaurant includes a brisk take-out set-up, plus limited seating for sit-down meals.

Gray's Papaya

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This Upper West Side stalwart, not to be confused with Papaya King across Central Park, serves up crisp, extremely cheap hot dogs. Grab a frank or two plus those namesake tropically flavored drinks, surrounded by awesomely kitschy signage, at all hours.

The Gray’s Papaya sign shines in its bright yellow color while patrons inside order hot dogs. Photo by Nick Solares

Sarge's Delicatessen & Diner

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Feast on Jewish classics like matzah ball soup, massive sandwiches stacked with house-cured pastrami and equally well-regarded corned beef, and rugelach at the Murray Hill institution. It might not be as revered as Katz’s, but it’s been around for over five decades, and, unlike Katz’s and its weekends-only 24/7 hours, Sarge’s is open all the time, 365 days per year.

Sarge’s Deli
Sarge's Deli
Photo via Sarge's Deli

BCD Tofu House

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This bicoastal Korean chain has outposts in NYC, California, and New Jersey, and many locations, like its sole Manhattan address, are open all day and night. Come for bubbling pots of soon (soft) tofu, tricked out with toppings like kimchi, clams, beef, and pork, served at varying spice levels.

A dining room with tables one each side and yellow walls Photo via BCD Tofu House

The Kunjip

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Dig into Korean classics like bibimbap, seafood pancakes, myriad stews, noodle dishes, and casseroles at this round-the-clock option. It’s crowded and lively, sure, but more intimate and less clubby than the bulk of Koreatown’s offerings.

The Kunjip Photo via The Kunjip

L'Express

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Procure steak frites, onion soup gratinee, escargot, Croque Monsieur, and other French bistro anchors at this Gramercy restaurant situated in a prime corner location. The prices are steeper than most late-night options, though it does provide decidedly sophisticated off-hours noshing: think moules marinières and short rib bourguignon at sunrise.

Cafeteria

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The Seventh Avenue spot is much less buzzy than it was during its Sex and the City-era heyday, though the hip setting, with massive garage doors flung open in warmer weather and sidewalk seating, retains its appeal. The spiffed-up comfort fare, like mac and cheese and fried chicken with waffles, is great for sopping up the night’s booze, and is equally well-paired with a nightcap.

Cafeteria Photo via Cafeteria

Veselka

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The East Village mainstay serves up delicious Ukrainian classics like blintzes, stuffed cabbage, and borscht. It’s especially delightful when it’s the crack of dawn and a plate of handmade pierogi, paired with sauteed onions, apple sauce, and sour cream, is on offer; bonus points for Veselka’s option to mix and match flavors like potato, sauerkraut and mushroom, and nontraditional creations such as arugula and goat cheese. Other options include grilled kielbasa sausages, Ukrainian meatballs, veal goulash, and potato pancakes.

A post shared by Veselka (@veselkanyc) on

Sunny & Annie's Deli

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Appearances can be deceiving. While this looks like an average, open-at-all-hours bodega from the outside, the Alphabet City spot has a zany smorgasbord of sandwiches and wraps. Many of the affordable creations sport quirky names and wacky ingredient combinations, like the “2009 Obama,” a wrap filled with lemon grilled chicken, grilled pepper, egg, zucchini, portobello mushrooms, fried carrot, onion, balsamic vinegar, and fresh rosemary, or the “Mr. Bloomburger,” with curry or lemon chicken, avocado, seafood salad, spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, watercress, and fresh jalapeño pepper sauce. There are also plenty of classics, like bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches and reubens.

A post shared by Sunny & Annie (@sunny_annies) on

The Famous Cozy Soup 'n' Burger

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This Astor Place 24/7 option isn’t destination-worthy, but it’s pretty centrally located and has over 30 burgers to choose from, plus the expected range of standard-issue diner classics. The milkshakes are a more satisfying bet, if a decadently creamy 4 a.m. treat is the move.

Punjabi Grocery & Deli

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Fill up a styrofoam plate of all-vegetarian Indian dishes at this no-frills buffet-deli hybrid in the East Village. Combos include rice or roti with a couple stews and salads of choice, as well as samosas and aloo tikki. A generous meal will ring in well under $10.

Empanada Mama - LES

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There’s a mix of classic and more experimental fillings at Empanada Mama, but across the board, they’re flavorful, deftly executed, and really fresh. Farther uptown and in search of an excellent empanada? The Hell’s Kitchen location is slated to reopen in a new space in February or March, after a fire destroyed its original digs.

Hadramout

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Expect big portions of Yemen cuisine around the clock at the only 24/7 option on Atlantic Avenue’s heavily Middle Eastern stretch between Clinton and Court Streets. The sparse subterranean space, dotted with a few tables, turns out solid lamb dishes (in stews, sandwiches, and more) and piquant spreads with free salad and lamb broth soup, plus huge rounds of bread to scoop and dip in everything.

Hadramout Photo via Hadramout/Facebook

Grand Morelos

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A Mexican diner and bakery right near the Grand Street L stop, Grand Morelos slings delicious tortas, tacos, tamales, and more. For those that assess authenticity by the presence of offal on a menu, Grand Morelos doesn’t disappoint: There’s lengua on offer, alongside chorizo, chicken tinga, and shrimp in garlic sauce.

Pollos A La Brasa Mario

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Order rotisserie chicken and heaping plates of Colombian food, like the popular bandeja paisa smorgasbord of meats, plantains, rice, pork-stewed beans, a fried egg, and more. There are two Jackson Heights outposts of this mini-chain, so just be sure to hit up the one on Roosevelt Avenue for 24/7 fare, since the nearby 37th Avenue location is open late, but not around the clock.

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La Isla Cuchifrito

Generously portioned Latin American dishes like pernil, rice and beans, a slew of stews, savory pastries, roast chicken, sausages, and sandwiches are on offer at this Bronx spot that’s open 24/7. The cash-only restaurant includes a brisk take-out set-up, plus limited seating for sit-down meals.

Gray's Papaya

This Upper West Side stalwart, not to be confused with Papaya King across Central Park, serves up crisp, extremely cheap hot dogs. Grab a frank or two plus those namesake tropically flavored drinks, surrounded by awesomely kitschy signage, at all hours.

The Gray’s Papaya sign shines in its bright yellow color while patrons inside order hot dogs. Photo by Nick Solares

Sarge's Delicatessen & Diner

Feast on Jewish classics like matzah ball soup, massive sandwiches stacked with house-cured pastrami and equally well-regarded corned beef, and rugelach at the Murray Hill institution. It might not be as revered as Katz’s, but it’s been around for over five decades, and, unlike Katz’s and its weekends-only 24/7 hours, Sarge’s is open all the time, 365 days per year.

Sarge’s Deli
Sarge's Deli
Photo via Sarge's Deli

BCD Tofu House

This bicoastal Korean chain has outposts in NYC, California, and New Jersey, and many locations, like its sole Manhattan address, are open all day and night. Come for bubbling pots of soon (soft) tofu, tricked out with toppings like kimchi, clams, beef, and pork, served at varying spice levels.

A dining room with tables one each side and yellow walls Photo via BCD Tofu House

The Kunjip

Dig into Korean classics like bibimbap, seafood pancakes, myriad stews, noodle dishes, and casseroles at this round-the-clock option. It’s crowded and lively, sure, but more intimate and less clubby than the bulk of Koreatown’s offerings.

The Kunjip Photo via The Kunjip

L'Express

Procure steak frites, onion soup gratinee, escargot, Croque Monsieur, and other French bistro anchors at this Gramercy restaurant situated in a prime corner location. The prices are steeper than most late-night options, though it does provide decidedly sophisticated off-hours noshing: think moules marinières and short rib bourguignon at sunrise.

Cafeteria

The Seventh Avenue spot is much less buzzy than it was during its Sex and the City-era heyday, though the hip setting, with massive garage doors flung open in warmer weather and sidewalk seating, retains its appeal. The spiffed-up comfort fare, like mac and cheese and fried chicken with waffles, is great for sopping up the night’s booze, and is equally well-paired with a nightcap.

Cafeteria Photo via Cafeteria

Veselka

The East Village mainstay serves up delicious Ukrainian classics like blintzes, stuffed cabbage, and borscht. It’s especially delightful when it’s the crack of dawn and a plate of handmade pierogi, paired with sauteed onions, apple sauce, and sour cream, is on offer; bonus points for Veselka’s option to mix and match flavors like potato, sauerkraut and mushroom, and nontraditional creations such as arugula and goat cheese. Other options include grilled kielbasa sausages, Ukrainian meatballs, veal goulash, and potato pancakes.

A post shared by Veselka (@veselkanyc) on

Sunny & Annie's Deli

Appearances can be deceiving. While this looks like an average, open-at-all-hours bodega from the outside, the Alphabet City spot has a zany smorgasbord of sandwiches and wraps. Many of the affordable creations sport quirky names and wacky ingredient combinations, like the “2009 Obama,” a wrap filled with lemon grilled chicken, grilled pepper, egg, zucchini, portobello mushrooms, fried carrot, onion, balsamic vinegar, and fresh rosemary, or the “Mr. Bloomburger,” with curry or lemon chicken, avocado, seafood salad, spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, watercress, and fresh jalapeño pepper sauce. There are also plenty of classics, like bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches and reubens.

A post shared by Sunny & Annie (@sunny_annies) on

The Famous Cozy Soup 'n' Burger

This Astor Place 24/7 option isn’t destination-worthy, but it’s pretty centrally located and has over 30 burgers to choose from, plus the expected range of standard-issue diner classics. The milkshakes are a more satisfying bet, if a decadently creamy 4 a.m. treat is the move.

Punjabi Grocery & Deli

Fill up a styrofoam plate of all-vegetarian Indian dishes at this no-frills buffet-deli hybrid in the East Village. Combos include rice or roti with a couple stews and salads of choice, as well as samosas and aloo tikki. A generous meal will ring in well under $10.

Empanada Mama - LES

There’s a mix of classic and more experimental fillings at Empanada Mama, but across the board, they’re flavorful, deftly executed, and really fresh. Farther uptown and in search of an excellent empanada? The Hell’s Kitchen location is slated to reopen in a new space in February or March, after a fire destroyed its original digs.

Hadramout

Expect big portions of Yemen cuisine around the clock at the only 24/7 option on Atlantic Avenue’s heavily Middle Eastern stretch between Clinton and Court Streets. The sparse subterranean space, dotted with a few tables, turns out solid lamb dishes (in stews, sandwiches, and more) and piquant spreads with free salad and lamb broth soup, plus huge rounds of bread to scoop and dip in everything.

Hadramout Photo via Hadramout/Facebook

Grand Morelos

A Mexican diner and bakery right near the Grand Street L stop, Grand Morelos slings delicious tortas, tacos, tamales, and more. For those that assess authenticity by the presence of offal on a menu, Grand Morelos doesn’t disappoint: There’s lengua on offer, alongside chorizo, chicken tinga, and shrimp in garlic sauce.

Pollos A La Brasa Mario

Order rotisserie chicken and heaping plates of Colombian food, like the popular bandeja paisa smorgasbord of meats, plantains, rice, pork-stewed beans, a fried egg, and more. There are two Jackson Heights outposts of this mini-chain, so just be sure to hit up the one on Roosevelt Avenue for 24/7 fare, since the nearby 37th Avenue location is open late, but not around the clock.

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