New York Law School cafeteria

Best Places to Eat Near New York Law School

At New York Law School, we’re extremely proud of our hometown and our vibrant neighborhood. Tribeca feels like the heart of New York City, and a walk around campus might mean passing by the Supreme Court of the State of New York; the headquarters for a major, international bank; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; City Hall; the U.S. Department of Justice, and countless other institutions.

A walk around also means working up an appetite, and Tribeca is loaded with restaurants to choose from. We rounded up some of our Student Ambassadors’ favorite places to grab a meal in between classes or study sessions.

Updated February 9, 2024.

Where to Eat in Tribeca

Bubby’s

Ellery Harvey at Bubbys

“My favorite restaurant around NYLS is Bubby’s. They have amazing pancakes, and the mimosa flights are really cute! It is a great place to grab brunch with friends and it’s close to the School!”
—Rebecca Kreps ’24

“My favorite place to eat near NYLS is Bubby’s. Bubby’s is the perfect place to grab brunch and is a great place to hang out with friends outside of law school! It has a farm-to-table vibe with both indoor and outdoor seating. My favorite thing to order is their avocado toast—the best combination of refreshing and delicious! I have also enjoyed grabbing signature cocktails such as the lavender mimosa (especially after a midterm). It has been my favorite place to celebrate the end of finals or just a casual lunch. I hope you enjoy Bubby’s as much as I do!”
–Ellery Harvey ’24

Edwards

Jessica Chamerlain in front of Edwards

“My favorite restaurant near NYLS is Edwards! Their menu offers a great variety of soups, sandwiches, salads—all the feel-good comfort foods that I might be craving in between or after a long day of studying. The staff are so lovely which makes it even better! My favorite thing to order there is the chicken Caesar and a lemonade.”
Gabrielle Alexandrescu ’24

“The food at Edwards is so good! Definitely get the fries, because they are the best—trust me. The chicken fingers are my go-to, but you can never go wrong with their BLT. The food is hot and fresh every time. The vibe inside is cozy and warm, or you can enjoy some people-watching at one of their outdoor tables.”
–Jessica Chamberlain ’24

Gigino Trattoria

Jasmine Campise in front of Gigino Trattoria

“I was born and raised in Tribeca and have been going to Gigino Trattoria for as long as I can remember. Gigino is a neighborhood staple with a wide array of authentic and delicious Italian food. When you walk in, on the left is a huge pizza oven, which makes the place warm, and it’s especially cozy on colder days. The restaurant is large by New York standards, and my favorite place to sit is in the back of the restaurant along the wall. Inside, it is warmly lit by lighting hanging on the brick and wood walls. 

My mom and I have a tradition of going to Gigino every Friday night for dinner. My favorite way to celebrate the end of a long week is with the l’esotica salad and the orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe. 

In addition to the food and the atmosphere, one of my favorite parts about Gigino is that they always have available seating at any given time. Something I’ve learned from trying many restaurants in New York City is that the places with no lines and minimal hype are usually the best.”
–Jasmine Campise ’24

Los Tacos No. 1

Los Tacos No. 1

“I can’t say enough good things about Los Tacos No. 1, and I’m so happy they have a location close to NYLS. Their taco options are simple and straightforward, and the result is so delicious. The pollo and nopal (cactus) are my go-to options, and they pair perfectly with a Jarritos or a Mexican Coke. They also have quesadillas and tostadas if you want to mix it up a bit. And if you get there early enough, they sell breakfast tacos in the mornings.”
Marissa Richtsmeier ’24

Maman

Maman

“My favorite restaurant near NYLS is Maman. I like to order their eggs benedict. The overall feel of the restaurant is nice: It is a coffee shop and restaurant, so it has a causal feeling. It is reasonably priced, but it is still on the high end of the cost spectrum.”
–Ashlyn Pendergraft ’23

Mon Cher

Mon Cher

“So many great options at this deli—they’ve got burgers, sandwiches, soups, a pay-per-pound buffet with hot and cold options, a salad station, and delicious Korean food like bibimbap and soondubu. It’s also super convenient to campus, so it’s easy to grab a quick and filling meal between classes.”
Keith Olsen ’23 Evening

Nish Nush

Nish Nush

Nish Nush is a small Mediterranean vegetarian place a few blocks away from campus. The classic forever sandwich with falafel, hummus, and tahini is delicious and good deal at only $9. There isn’t a lot of seating inside, so during the warmer months they have tables outside. Nish Nush can get pretty busy at lunch, but the service is fast, so you don’t end up waiting long for your food.”
–Jasmine Ramig ’24

Square Diner

Square Diner

“There’s a cute, vintage train car-themed diner right across the street! Square Diner is one of NYC’s last old-school, standalone diners. I eat with friends classic diner fare like eggs benedicts, reubens, tuna melts, and waffles. I also enjoy spotting film crews during lunch. You can see Square Diner as a filming location in shows like Gotham and Daredevil!”
Catherine Gumarin ’23

Serafina

Serafina

“My favorite restaurant near NYLS is Serafina, an Italian restaurant just a few steps away from the School. The vibe is pretty casual, and they have a nicely decorated outdoor seating area. I have never sat indoors, but from pictures online, it seems really cute. My favorite entree is either the lobster ravioli or penne alla vodka. The lobster ravioli is heart shaped making it a great place for a Valentine’s Day date!”
–Margarita A. Weissman ’24

Takahachi Bakery 

Takahachi Bakery

“Tucked away on the corner of Murray, Takahachi Bakery feels like a hidden gem. It’s a delicious Japanese-style bakery/cafe/patisserie with tasty options for a light lunch and affordable treats for a coffee break and snack. I can get a small panini for $5, a half-sandwich and salad for $9 or $10, or mix it up with a couple of their sweet and savory buns that usually run between $3 and $4. The sweet red bean mochi an pan is a fave, but they also have matcha-flavored crepes and other treats for matcha fans. It’s a quick, affordable place to grab a bite!”  
–Elly Bergen ’23


Plus One: Because the NYLS Cafeteria is a treat too

New York Law School cafeteria

“NYLS’s Cafeteria has a great selection of food. They have freshly-made sandwiches, salads, and burgers (and amazing fries!) as well as grab-and-go options. Their new partnership with Grubhub+ is great for ordering ahead of time, and especially convenient on days when my schedule is packed back-to-back with classes, student org meetings, and study groups. Plus, I can use Dining Dollars, which are sales tax-free.”   
Michael Lucatorto ’24