Top 11 Lunch Experiences in New York

1.City Cruises Luxury Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 881 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $112Our pick

Board at Pier 61, Chelsea Piers, for a two- to three-hour cruise on a climate-controlled dining vessel. Choose brunch, lunch, or dinner, enjoy a three-course meal and live music, then step outside for photos of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Manhattan skyline. Dinner is semi-formal, and children under six are not permitted on the Premier Dinner Cruise.

“The brunch cruise was so much fun! This was my families favorite activity on our NYC trip. The crew and wait staff so cheerful and accommodating. Food was great and bottomless mimosas on Sunday! Great views! Five Stars!”

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2.City Cruises Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Buffet Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 417 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $84

Board the Spirit of New York at Pier 61 for a 2 to 3 hour brunch, lunch, or dinner cruise. Eat a buffet meal, hear the onboard DJ, and take in Manhattan from enclosed decks or open-air observation areas. Brunch includes bottomless mimosas; other drinks are available for purchase.

“My first experience and I recommend it 100% I had a lot of fun and the service was amazing. They were very kind and respectful I would say costumer service was the best and the experience was amazing”

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3.City Cruises New York Signature Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 206 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $84

Board the Spirit of New York at Chelsea Piers for an approximately two-hour cruise on the Hudson and East Rivers. You get a reserved table, buffet lunch, live DJ and views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and One World Trade Center. Coffee, tea, iced tea and water are included; alcoholic drinks are sold separately.

“im a New Yorker i felt like a Tourist and enjoyed the food site seeing i recommended it to others staff waa polite and helpful”

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4.City Cruises New Jersey: NYC Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 100 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $84

Board City Cruises’ Spirit of New Jersey at Lincoln Harbor Marina for a buffet lunch or dinner, a reserved table, and views of Manhattan, the bridges, and the Statue of Liberty. You can move between the climate-controlled dining room and open-air deck, with a DJ, games, and nonalcoholic drinks included.

“the views were amazing. atmosphere was great. food was lovely”

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5.Harlem Renaissance Guided Walking Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 45 reviews · 3 hours · from $82

Spend three hours walking Harlem with an English-speaking local guide, tracing the people and places of the Harlem Renaissance, from 135th Street and Jungle Alley to theaters, ballrooms, and churches. Hear stories about Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Pig Foot Mary, then sit down for lunch at a local restaurant. Guides have included Doris, Jonathan, Joe, Debi, and Miss Leak.

“Great way to take in Harlem learning about its history, architecture, people, etc. Our guide Debi was extraordinary, so filled with information and helpful. This is not to be missed.”

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6.NYC Bustronome Lunch Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 40 reviews · from $87

Bustronome NYC pairs a seasonal four-course lunch with a 90-minute ride past famous New York sights in a climate-controlled, glass-roofed double-decker bus. Expect restaurant-style service, background music, and a guided app. The menu is credited to chef Ashley Kim; service staff named on some departures include Sofia, Ivan, and Ann-Sophie.

“The food was really good, the staff were super friendly, we loved everything, it was perfect, I'm not just saying that to be nice, but seriously, go there with your eyes closed, it's totally worth it. The ride was amazing, it's a little tour of New York, I'd love to do it again!”

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7.Central Park Cafe Scenic Lunch & Dinner Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 37 reviews · 1 day · from $49Best value

Take a seat at Central Park Cafe for a three- or four-course lunch or dinner. Choose from soups, salads, steak, salmon, stroganoff, chicken curry and several desserts. Wine, beer and specialty cocktails cost extra. An English-speaking host or greeter is available, and the cafe is wheelchair accessible.

“Stopped by for lunch after walking around Central Park. The café is in a great spot, very easy to reach. Everything was nice — good food, friendly staff, and a relaxed atmosphere. A good place to grab lunch and take a short break after a walk. Would come back again.”

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8.Christmas Eve Buffet Lunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 26 reviews · from $199

Board City Cruises’ Spirit of New York at Chelsea Piers for a holiday cruise on the Hudson and East Rivers. Choose lunch or dinner, dine at a reserved table, and look for the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Manhattan skyline. A DJ plays onboard, and drinks beyond coffee, tea, and iced tea cost extra.

“We picked the activity to spend Christmas Eve. We're celebrating in the best way Since we got on the cruise, the service was great, and so was the food and the night views. Recommended.”

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9.Thanksgiving Gourmet Lunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $130Top rated

Set sail from Pier 61 on Bateaux New York for a two- to three-hour Thanksgiving lunch or dinner cruise. You’ll have a reserved table, a plated three-course meal and live music, with skyline views through the glass-enclosed dining room and access to an open-air rooftop lounge. Drinks beyond coffee, tea and water cost extra.

“Excellent: it would be 6 stars!! Very good food and great ride. Everyone very kind”

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10.Harlem Civil Rights Walking Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 3 hours · from $82

Walk uptown through Harlem with an English-speaking guide, tracing the neighborhood’s role in the Civil Rights Movement and meeting figures such as Malcolm X, A. Philip Randolph and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. The route runs from 116th Street toward 137th, with stops including the original Temple No. 7 and Hotel Theresa, plus lunch at a local restaurant.

“This was a great tour and brilliant to get out of midtown and experience a different part of the city. My guide had loved in Harlem all her life and knew so much about the area and history. it was truly fascinating and I would highly recommend this tour. Lunch was delicious too. Do make the trip up to Harlem to do this. It's quick and easy on the subway and well worth the 20 minute trip.”

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11.Afternoon Fall Foliage Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $139

Board a classic yacht at Pier 62 for a two-hour, lightly narrated cruise north on the Hudson. You’ll see Upper Manhattan and the Palisades, with fall color depending on the season, then enjoy a fixed lunch of soup, salad, sandwiches and dessert, plus one beer, wine, Champagne or soda. Seating is assigned in the climate-controlled salon.

“An excellent way to while away an afternoon. The views were amazing, the food was good & the staff were delightful. Highly recommend.”

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