The 20 Best Spots For Late-Night Eats In NYC

As the city that never sleeps, there's so much going on in New York 24/7 that it's easy to stay up all night and watch the sunrise. For those nights you're out on the town, catching a late show, or just can't sleep and have a craving, there are some amazing late-night spots you can grab a bite at.

Whether you're feeling in the mood for falafel, craving Chinese cuisine, or are looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, you'll find it all in New York City. From neighborhood food trucks to all-night diners to noodle shops, there's so much choice that the only problem you'll have is deciding where to go.

To help you navigate New York's culinary scene once the sun goes down, we've rounded up 20 of the city's best spots for late-night eats. Try one, sample a couple, or tick them all off your late-night eats bucket list.

Great N.Y. Noodletown is a New York City Chinese food institution that's as popular with tourists as it is with late-night revelers. This is Cantonese food at its finest, from duck to soft-shell crab and chow fun.

This eaterie has been serving up delicious late-night eats since 1981. Though it used to stay open until around 4 a.m., that's changed a bit since the pandemic, and it's now open until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

The salt-baked soft-shell crab is an absolute must, as is the barbecue roast pork and beef chow fun. On cold nights, try a steaming hot bowl of shrimp wonton noodle soup, or get the crispy noodles topped with sauteed chicken and vegetables.

There's no better place to get Chinese food after dark in Chinatown than Great N.Y. Noodletown. Just remember to bring cash, as the restaurant doesn't take credit cards.

You can enjoy bagels at any time of day at this bagel shop, which is located in the Williamsburg neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City. It is open 24 hours a day. The shop has legendary egg sandwiches. We would recommend building your own so you can add as many toppings as you like. 

As well as egg sandwiches, Bagelsmith serves up a range of hot and cold sandwiches including hot roast beef sandwiches, Reuben sandwiches, and a selection of lox sandwiches. You can also pick up various baked goods like Danishes, croissants, and sweet, sticky apple turnovers. 

Bagelsmith also has a coffee and tea menu if you need a caffeine injection. You will also find a selection of snacks, from Pringles to peanut butter cups sold at this New York City bagel store. This is a one-stop shop if you're craving breakfast late at night.

No roundup of New York City's top spots for late-night eats is complete without a taco truck. One of the very best around is Peter's Crunchy Red Tacos. There's no better place to come than Bushwick for after-dark tacos, and the long lines are a testament to this.

Open until 5 a.m. every day, Peter's is a must if you're craving tacos after a night out or on your way home. The bright orange tacos are jam-packed with delicious fillings, and the birria here is to die for. Don't fancy tacos? Order some quesadillas to go instead. 

On Yelp, one review of the taco truck commented, "Been here at least 6 times. Find the tacos here very satisfying." Another reviewer raved about this taco stand's hot sauce, saying, "Their hot sauce was something else, I wish I had added more of it to my quesobirria."

Opened in 1995, Floridita in Washington Heights keeps its doors open 24/7. This cozy spot serves up amazing Cuban and Dominican food to clientele at any time of the night.

Famous for its sandwiches, Floridita's portions are hearty, so you'll leave feeling seriously satisfied. After a heavy night, the Cuban Sandwich with roast pork, ham, Swiss, and pickles goes easy. On the other hand, you can try the Steak Sandwich with a side of fries. You'll also find burgers, salads, meat plates, soups, and more on the menu.

Pulled an all-nighter? Floridita serves up delicious breakfast dishes, so depending on how hungry you are, you can tuck into everything from omelets to a short stack with eggs and bacon. You could also choose from a selection of pan dulce with a coffee to get your day off to a sweet start. For something traditionally Dominican, order up the Golpes con Mangú, a dish consisting of mashed plantains, fried eggs, pickled onions, fried cheese, and salami — it's amazing!

Open until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, midnight on Thursdays, and 11 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays, Baekjeong is the ultimate Koreatown destination for late-night Korean barbecue. With its name originating from the Korean word for "butcher," it's easy to see why those in the know flock here for some of the city's best barbecued meats.

This cozy eaterie is always buzzing, and if you've never experienced Korean barbecue before, you'll love the communal tabletop grill environment that makes Baekjeong the ideal destination to visit with friends before or after a night out. As you'd expect from the name, the meat served here is top-quality. USDA prime beef, from Wagyu to prime ribeye, and premium pork.

Alongside the barbecued meat, order up small plates like fried pork dumplings, squid and shrimp pancakes, spicy rice cake, or steamed egg. One Yelp reviewer wrote: "The side dishes were full of flavor and the food was excellent. Definitely a place to go back to next time I'm in New York."

Many of New York City's best late-night spots closed their doors earlier during the pandemic. Empanada Mama was one of them, but it's back to 24/7 service these days, luckily.

There's no better place in the city for hearty late-night Colombian food. Here you'll find everything from delicious chicken rice soup to corn empanadas with beef, pork, or shellfish, arepas, tamales, and more. Did we mention the margaritas are excellent?

With over 40 flavors of empanadas on the menu across its four New York locations, locals count Empanada Mama as one of the best spots for empanadas in New York. The focus here is on creating empanadas inspired by different cuisines, like the Cuban with pork, ham, and cheese, the Hawaiian, with pineapple, cheese, and ham, or the Polish, made with sauerkraut and kielbasa. 

If you're working the late shift or pulling an all-nighter, you can even pop in here for breakfast, served from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekdays. For around $5, you can get a tasty Desayuno Colombiano empanada and a small coffee — bargain.

Did somebody say all-day — and all-night — donuts? What's not to love? The Donut Pub is open 24/7, making it the perfect spot for late-night or anytime sugar cravings. The outlet in Noho is the place to be, though there's also a second location in the West Village that's currently temporarily closed.

Whether you want donuts, minis, donut bites, croissant donuts, or even donut cake, you'll find everything donut-related right here. Flavors range from the ever-popular maple glaze and salted caramel to birthday cake and Brooklyn Cream, filled with buttercream and glazed with chocolate icing.

Don't fancy a donut? There are also cookies, bagels, sandwiches, and more on the extensive menu. Start off with a turkey sandwich or a classic grilled cheese before moving on to the sweet stuff if that's more of your vibe. You can even get breakfast here after a long night — the egg sandwich with cheese and bacon is a must.

Impress a date — or somebody you just met — with a late-night dinner at Blue Ribbon Brasserie. Opened in 1992, this iconic spot is open until 2 a.m. all week. The service is excellent, the red velvet banquettes are cozy and intimate, and the soft lighting gives this brasserie a relaxed vibe that's perfect for a date. Prefer to sit outside? The heated sidewalk seating has you covered.

The menu is classic brasserie fare, from oyster and seafood platters to clams and lobster, plus amazing steaks and a rack of lamb. Don't miss out on the legendary fried chicken, made with Blue Ribbon's own proprietary spice blend and fried to crisp, crunchy perfection, served with collard greens, mashed potatoes, and gravy.

Dining with friends? Order the Paella Royale for the table. Packed with shrimp, calamari, New Orleans shrimp, mussels, clams, spicy chicken sausage, and chicken, it comes with a whole steamed lobster.

What has not one, not two, not three, but seven New York City locations? Dim Sum Palace. As the name suggests, everything here is about dim sum, and though it's not open that late — until around 10 p.m. all week — this is the perfect spot in the city for snack food after a shift or on your way home.

On the menu, you'll find over 50 types of dim sum, from roast duck spring rolls and pork buns to melt-in-the-mouth steamed dumplings. For sharing with friends, the eight-piece dim sum platters come in at under $16 and are an excellent choice.

It's easy to fill your boots with dim sum, but you can also order larger dishes like noodles, General Tso's chicken, Mongolian beef, congee, or fried rice, plus side dishes like noodle soup. Head for the Chinatown branch to enjoy late-night karaoke with friends, family, or co-workers in the four downstairs karaoke rooms, as well as a choice of live seafood cooked to order.

There's nowhere in New York City quite like Coppelia. With its booth seating, antique fans, and soda fountain, the vibe here is reason enough to visit. Add a menu packed with Mexican and Cuban fare and the fact that it's open 24/7, and it's easy to see why Coppelia has garnered such a loyal following since it opened its doors back in 2011.

The homemade ice cream and milkshakes are a must at Coppelia, but if you're here for something heartier, you won't be disappointed. Alongside a classic menu of tacos, nachos, and burgers, there are some dishes inspired by Latin cuisine, as well.

For a late-night — or early-morning — taste of Havana in Chelsea, Coppelia is the place to come with family, friends, or colleagues. Breakfast is served all day, so if you're craving Huevos Rancheros or Hash de Costilla with potatoes, egg, roasted peppers, and beef short rib, you know where it's at.