Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and for New York City, that means one thing—the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Launched in 1924, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade begins at West 77th Street and Central Park West and ends at Macy's flagship store in Herald Square, all the while featuring a mix of marching bands, performances, and of course, the helium balloon floats. Televised nationally on NBC since 1953, the parade is a classic New York moment, ushering in the festivities of the holiday season.
In honor of this iconic event, we're sharing the best places to dine from start to finish, and up and down the parade route.
Central Park West & 77th Street
The rest of the year, this part of town is known for its exclusive private residences, but on the last Thursday of November, it's also the starting point for the famous parade. It's a popular spot for taking it all in. Check out our favorite spots nearby.
Eléa
Cuisine: Greek
Fitted out with whitewashed brick walls, weathered wood beams, and pretty lighting, this bi-level space exudes all the modern Med feels. Add on the deliciously rustic food and you have a win.
Essential by Christophe (One MICHELIN Star)
Cuisine: French
Chef Christophe Bellanca's dishes echo a simple elegance, evidenced by plump white asparagus on a fragrant bergamot-flavored crème with a refreshing herb vinaigrette and paper-thin slices of watermelon radish. French technique is married with Asian flavors in a dish of three blue prawns with genmaicha tuille, and braised black sea bass with shiitake chutney, razor clams and a turmeric emulsion is memorable. For a light ending, the orange soufflé is bright and fragrant, especially when served with green cardamom ice cream.
Nice Matin
Cuisine: French
Chef/owner Andy D'Amico delivers a versatile, Mediterranean-inspired menu with heavy French leanings. Soft prices and hearty daily specials merely help things along. Sample the likes of potato gnocchi with prawns and Spanish chorizo, followed by lobster sausage coupled with potatoes, spinach and sauce Américaine. Round out these robust flavors with a rich creme chantilly-laced chocolate mousse.
Central Park West
What Fifth Avenue is to the Upper East Side, Central Park West is to the Upper West Side. Those who own one of the tony residences along this street have a bird's eye view of the parade, but it's also a terrific spot for taking in the balloons and performances. These restaurants nearby run the gamut from casual to chic.
The Leopard at Des Artistes
Cuisine: Italian
This traditional Italian restaurant nestled inside the historic Hotel des Artistes is cherished for its well-executed favorites. Retaining that X factor from its previous incarnation as Café des Artistes, it is also a vault for everyone from artists to corporate bigwigs. Unsurprisingly, a sense of grandiosity exudes from its myriad frescos, oddly configured series of rooms, and striking restrooms.
Columbus Circle
Columbus Circle is always buzzing and not just because it's a traffic hot spot. Head indoors to The Shops at Colombus Circle to get a break from the cold (or the crowds). It's also where you'll find two of the restaurants below.
Jean-Georges (Two MICHELIN Star)
Cuisine: Contemporary
Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s culinary empire stretches far and wide, but Central Park will always be his home. Chef de Cuisine Joseph Rhee and this team sustain a legacy defined by a mastery of French techniques and a respect for global flavors.
Marea
Cuisine: Seafood
Ritzy and elegant, Marea couldn’t ask for a better home than Central Park South. This airy dining room, dressed to the nines with Indonesian rosewood, is abuzz with power crowds. It's hard to beat this scene but the food is appealing in its own right.
Porter House
Cuisine: Steakhouse
This is a steakhouse in the moneyed Time Warner Center after all, so deals here are going down almost as quickly as those bottles of Château Margaux. Still, this isn’t a suits-only haunt; in fact, the intuitive service makes everyone feel like a bigwig. And the Central Park views are worthy of the price tag alone.
Central Park South & 6th Avenue
Some watchers like to go straight for Midtown, as it's the midway point between the parade's beginning and end. Here's where to go nearby.
Benoit
Cuisine: French
This Alain Ducasse bistro, housed in the venerable La Côte Basque space, may have been renovated in recent years, but it remains decidedly Old World in look, feel and taste. The setting remains a sight to behold, with its abundant framed mirrors, red velvet banquettes and oak paneled walls. In the front salon, two red wingback chairs are tilted in to face a working fireplace and make an idyllic spot for nibbling madeleines at the end of your meal.
53
Cuisine: Asian
It is only fitting that this newcomer dazzles with all the style and smarts of the next-door Museum of Modern Art. The bar and lounge upstairs are but a tease of what’s hiding below: A glowing, expansive dining room with sweeping wood patterns, sleek banquettes and a long bar that never slows down. Courtesy of the Altamarea Group, this Pan-Asian restaurant delivers familiar Chinese and Singaporean favorites with fantastic precision.
Indian Accent
Cuisine: Indian
There are three Indian Accents: New York delivers the most bustle, but they all celebrate the increasing sophistication of this sub-continent’s cuisine by offering contemporary specialties and elevated street food from a number of regions in balanced, well thought out tasting menus. The clued-up staff knows their syllabus and offers sound recommendations.
The Modern (Two MICHELIN Stars)
Cuisine: Contemporary
The Modern is designed to capture the iconic feel of the MoMA in which it is housed. Art enthusiasts can't help ogling at its glorious surrounds; while excellent acoustics facilitating quiet conversations ensure a steady stream of couples and globe-trotters. The kitchen is state of the art, so for a truly special experience book the chef's table inside.
6th Avenue
Catch all of the action from this location, also midway through the route. Afterwards, stop by one of these spots.
Gabriel Kreuther(Two MICHELIN Star)
Cuisine: Contemporary
Distinctively housed at the base of the Grace building, this modern dining room happens to be perfect for celebrating special occasions. Dishes reflect global sensibilities with a strong creative edge, as in the Montauk red shrimp tartare crowned with a cayenne tuile, surrounded by a creamy jalapeño coulis.
Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen (Bib Gourmand)
Cuisine: Chinese
Watch out Hell's Kitchen; watch out Flushing—with its lineup of traditional Chinese comfort food, including the best soup dumplings in town, this steamy joint kicks its competitors to the curb. Set among the neon lights of the Theater District, the ever-packed gem may showcase a noodle house-like vibe, but the staff is friendly and the cooking on-point at all times.
The Lambs Club
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Housed within the stylish Chatwal Hotel, this Midtown institution returns, ready again to host power lunches and pre-show dinners. The setting is as sleek as ever with its iconic black walls, scarlet-red booths and polished chrome finishes anchored by a roaring limestone fireplace. Such opulence feels neither stuffy nor forced, while the restaurant brings genuine culinary chops to the neighborhood thanks to a talented team.
Macy's Herald Square
Herald Square is the ultimate destination on Thanksgiving, as it's where the parade ends and live performances begin. Catch all of the action here, then check out these spots in the neighborhood.
Nōksu
Cuisine: Contemporary
Eating underground in the subway system may not sound appealing, but that hasn't stopped Chef Dae Kim. In the heart of Koreatown at Herald Square behind a code-locked door, find a black marble counter that stretches the length of the room. Every chef is armed with tweezers to manage and primp gorgeous dishes that are largely contemporary in their design.
Hyun
Cuisine: Korean
Hyun is a luxurious take on Korean barbecue, focusing squarely on top-notch Japanese A5 Wagyu, butchered in-house and grilled tableside. Enter this temple of indulgent tranquility to discover sleek dark wood, cool slate surfaces, and private rooms.
Octo
Cuisine: Asian Contemporary
They may be behind New York's oldest Korean barbecue restaurant, but Steve and Christina Jang aren't resting on any laurels. Chef Segun Song leads the charge on the à la carte menu that channels a distinctive Korean-Chinese fusion cuisine.
