15 Places to Eat and Drink in NYC

New York City is a food lover’s paradise, with everything from historic taverns and charming cafés to rooftop bars and over-the-top desserts. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or a regular in the city, these fun places to eat in NYC will make your trip even more memorable. Here are 15 delicious destinations to check out — each one serving great food and unforgettable vibes.

Great Spots for Coffee or Breakfast

Ralph’s Coffee at Ralph Lauren

888 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021

Start your day the stylish way at Ralph’s Coffee, nestled inside select Ralph Lauren stores in NYC. It’s equal parts café and fashion statement, with rich espresso, buttery pastries, and luxe interiors that feel straight out of a designer’s dream. If you’re looking for a delicious coffee shop in Manhattan, this is the perfect caffeine fix with a side of class. It has cute outdoor seating but it’s seat yourself outside so it gets busy.

Take a peek at their Instagram

What did I have?

Iced Latte with Almond Milk and an Extra Shot of Espresso

Remi Flowers and Cafe

130 William St, New York, NY 10038

If you’re all about beautiful spaces and light bites, Remi Flowers and Cafe is your dream spot. This café doubles as a flower boutique, creating a colorful and serene environment perfect for sipping lattes and nibbling on pastries. It’s consistently ranked as one of the cutest cafes in NYC for brunch. Their flowers are incredible, so make sure you treat yourself to a bouquet. They also have lovely gifts that combine both flowers and coffee.

Take a peek at their Instagram

What did I have?

Iced Lavender Latte with Almond Milk & a Pistachio Loaf

Sip on a Great Cocktail

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September 12, 2024 mytravelingkids.com

5 Must-Try Places to Eat in Valletta, Malta

Valletta, the capital city of Malta, is not just rich in history and stunning architecture—it’s also a foodie’s paradise! Whether you’re craving a traditional Maltese meal, a quick pizza fix, or a cocktail with a view, Valletta has it all. Here are 5 Must-Try Places to Eat in Valletta, Malta that you, and your taste buds, won’t want to miss.

Legligin Restaurant

If you’re looking for an authentic Maltese dining experience, Legligin is the place to be. This cozy, rustic spot offers a tasting menu that feels like a warm, homemade dinner at a friend’s house. Expect to be served a variety of small plates that highlight the best of Maltese cuisine—from fresh fish and rabbit stew to the famous Maltese sausage. Pair your meal with a glass of local wine, and you’re in for a treat.

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September 10, 2024 mytravelingkids.com

Dining at Legligin in Valletta, Malta: A Food Lover’s Delight

Valletta, the charming capital of Malta, is filled with hidden gems, and one of the best is Legligin—a cozy, little restaurant that promises a meal to remember. If you’re into authentic Maltese cuisine served with a side of warmth and character, then dining at Legligin in Valletta should be on your itinerary. Here’s what to expect and a few tips to make your dinner unforgettable.

What to Expect

Legligin isn’t just a meal; it’s a full-blown experience. The restaurant is tucked away in a rustic, old building that instantly makes you feel like you’ve stepped into someone’s living room. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, with candle-lit tables and the smell of delicious food in the air.

The Tasting Menu

Legligin doesn’t do a la carte; instead, they offer a delightful selection of small plates, showcasing the best of Maltese flavors. Expect everything from fresh seafood to local cheeses, cured meats, and hearty stews. Each dish is packed with flavor, and the variety means there’s something for everyone. Plus, the menu changes regularly, so every visit feels fresh and exciting. It’s exciting to have the chef choose their best creations. You’ll be anticipating every course.

What Amazing Food Did We Taste?

Spread made of goat cheese, dill, and walnut.

Bruschetta of sundried tomatoes and cheese

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October 30, 2023 mytravelingkids.com

15 Ways to Keep the Travel Spirit Alive While at Home

Traveling is one of the best ways to experience new cultures, meet new people, and broaden your horizons. I love the upbeat, relaxed mood my whole family gets in when we’re exploring a new place. No one has a care in the world. However, it’s so easy to fall back in a rut when you get home and it is not always possible to travel as often as we would like. Here are 15 ways to keep the travel spirit alive while at home.

Try new recipes from around the world

One of the best ways to experience a new culture is through its cuisine. Try cooking a new dish from a different country and explore its unique flavors. Here are some of my favorite cookbooks that remind me of my travels:

Click here for my blog on 15 Cookbooks that Inspire Travel

Read travel books

Reading travel books is another great way to learn about different destinations and cultures, and to get inspired about future trips. These books will make you want to pack a suitcase.

The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca

By: Tahir Shah

Less

By: Andrew Sean Greer

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December 19, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

Portuguese Paella

Being raised in a Portuguese home meant I was surrounded by the most amazing meals. There were no canned spaghetti and meatballs, and no frozen dinners. (There was also no peanut butter and fluff sandwiches…but I guess I forgive them for that.) Food was prepared with fresh ingredients and with recipes handed down from generation to generation. A while back I created a cookbook filled with family recipes for my girls to use when they have their own families. I’m hoping to instill the joy of cooking together, sitting down to share a meal, and laughing over great conversations at the dinner table. This Portuguese Paella is perfect for Christmas Eve, Christmas day or New Years Eve. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Portuguese Paella

Ingredients:

¼ cup good olive oil (never buy the cheap stuff)

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December 12, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

Books to Help With Your New Years Resolutions

Every December, I start to look at my life and evaluate what I could do to make it even better for the upcoming year. I think of things I like to do that brings me joy. For example, this year I want to entertain more. I love to cook and try new cocktails, so cookbooks are definitely on my Christmas list. I love unique cookbooks…check out a few amazing ones I’ve found. It is also a time to make some new habits like journaling, traveling, and becoming the best you possible. Here are a few books to help with your new years resolutions!

The Unofficial Witcher Cookbook

By: Nevyana Dimitrova & Trey Guillory

The Unofficial Witcher Cookbook: Andrzej Sapkowski’s epic fantasy saga of the witcher Geralt has captivated pop culture for nearly 30 years. Through books, graphic novels, TV shows, and video games, the witcher’s adventures have brought audiences face-to-face with monsters, sorceresses, kings, and destiny. Now, you can have your very own taste of the legendary adventures of a witcher.

The Unofficial Witcher Cookbook is filled with 50 recipes ranging from humble meals and tavern stews to bountiful feasts fit for a king, including:

Prized Potato Soup

Blacksmith Dumplings

Feast of Ham and Nightshade

House Specialty Soup

Honey Cakes for a Coin

And more!

This cookbook is perfect for die-hard fans of The Witcher, as well as those who just can’t get enough epic fantasy in their life.

The Van Life Cookbook

By: Susan Marque

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November 25, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

2022 Food and Beverage Christmas Gift Guide

Food and beverages have a magical way of transporting you to new destinations. It’s a great way to learn about other cultures and encourages you to be a bit adventurous with your meals. Other times, it is a way to encourage you to relax, recharge, and reset your day. I stop what I’m doing every afternoon to have a cup of tea, take some deep breaths, and get ready for my second half of my day and give myself a little self-care. So what would be a great gift for those foodies in your life? Look no further. Here is our 2022 Food and Beverage Christmas Gift Guide!

Raw Spice Bar

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THEM

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pinned a recipe on Pinterest then never getting around to it because I don’t have the spices in my pantry or the spices are too hard to find at my local grocery store. Raw Spice Bar does all the work for you by not only giving you amazing recipes, but also by providing all the spice blends you’ll need. Food has the power of transporting you to new places and the recipes they give you are from across the globe. It’s a wonderful way of exploring new cultures and getting your family to be more adventurous with your meals. I love that you can play around with the recipes and add ingredients or omit the ones your picky eaters won’t try. I also love their website because you can get so much information about the countries these spices/recipes came from. For example, there are articles such as: The Etiquette of Ethiopian Meals and Adobo’s Reign in the Spanish Empire.

WHAT SPICES DID WE GET?

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July 25, 2022 mytravelingkids.com

Tips for Going to Farmers Markets During COVID-19

My weekly trip to the farmers market is one of my favorite things about summer. There’s nothing like it…musicians playing in the background, farmers telling you when the vegetables you’re holding were picked, and hearing the young sons of the fisherman saying they helped catch the tuna we’ll be eating that night. A farmers market is a great place to bring kids/teens. Here are 10 Tips For Going to Farmers Markets:

HELP PLAN MENUS

Kids will be more likely to eat a meal if they had help planning it. Each week, give them a new item off the menu to plan. For example, each week they can plan the main dish, a side, and a dessert. Give them full rein on it and although you can offer suggestions, let them do most of the work. Whatever they plan, they will be responsible for helping cook.

TRY SOMETHING NEW

Give each person in the family the task of choosing something your family has never tasted. Is there a type of cheese that looks interesting? Is there a veggie that looks odd? Have them ask the farmer for suggestions on how to cook it.

PRACTICE RESPONSIBILITY

Give your kids a job while at the market. Give everyone reusable bags and have them hold your purchases. Teach them how to choose ripe produce. Give them the task of paying.

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October 12, 2021 mytravelingkids.com

Jolie Tea Company

You know I love a good cup of tea! I had the pleasure of going to Jolie Tea Company in Salem, Massachusetts, and it was so great I had to tell you all about it. Because I really wanted the full experience, I didn’t just go for a cup of tea, I did a High Tea!

After I was seated, I had to take a minute to take in the beauty of the room. The room has seating waiting for guests. I love the pink light that showcases the wall of teas. Good luck trying to buy just one.

Look at how lovely each place setting is! I love the porcelain tea cup and plate. The gerbera daisy is a fun touch!

I was pleasantly surprised that they bring out a hibiscus iced tea to enjoy while you look over the high tea menu.

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April 21, 2021 mytravelingkids.com

Culture Cake Kit

One of the things we most loved doing this past year was being together in the kitchen to try new recipes. Honestly…anything to get kids off their phones these days is a plus. Not only is it a great life skill, but we have so much fun laughing together. Culture Cake Kit is a wonderful company that lets you experience a different culture, discover news flavors and snacks, and recreate traditional flavors in a modern cupcake.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THEM

As a former teacher, you know I love to sneak in education whenever I get a chance. Each kit comes with a pamphlet that tells about the country of the month. We learned all about Bulgaria…the terrain, the cuisine, the day of Baba Marta, and martenits, red and white colored bands that symbolize health and happiness. We even learned a few phrases: ”Hello!” is “Dobar den!”

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