Best Ethnic Food
ANGKOR CAMBODIAN BISTRO408 East 64th St.
212-758-2211
Owner and chef Ming Truong reportedly fled the Khmer Rouge as a child in the early 1970s, came to the U.S. in 1981 and later learned his craft in U.S. restaurants before opening this highly rated and cozy Cambodian bistro. He serves traditional Cambodian dishes like Phnom Pen roast duck and shrimp and avocado curry. Angkor was one of just five UES restaurants named a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand for great and inexpensive food.
DRUNKEN MUNKEY 338 East 92nd St.
646-998-4600
Come for the name — stay for the delicious, authentic Indian fare and craft cocktails served in a nice hideaway setting with great ambience that is both casual and romantic. They’re famous for their masala short ribs, but you can’t go wrong with the lamb skewers, mutton shish kabobs, crispy okra and Drunken Munkey biryani, either lamb or chicken. The decor is brightly polished wood, with tables and comfy banquettes — and the prices are reasonable.
BARNEY GREENGRASS 541 Amsterdam Ave.
212-724-4707
Great place to nosh and schmooze in a quintessential Jewish deli — but bring cash because they don’t want to know from your credit cards. The four-generation family business has been around since 1908, filling up customers with lox, cold cuts, kasha, knishes, pastrami and nova with eggs and onions. They also feature homemade pickled herring — creamed or schmaltz — and a hearty matzoh ball soup. Don’t be surprised if you bump into a movie or TV crew: the place has made appearances on “Seinfeld,” “Law & Order” and “Sex and the City” over the years.
COPPELIA 207 West 14th St.
212-858-5001
Named for a famous ice cream parlor in the heart of Havana, this cozy 24-hour Latin diner is great for early birds and late-night revelers from local bars, nightclubs or movie houses. Coppelia, with its constantly glowing neon sign, draws a varied crowd at the intersection of Greenwich Village, Chelsea and the bustling Meatpacking District. There’s a soda fountain with shakes and Latin soda and booth service surrounded by pastel-colored walls and topped off with antique ceiling fans. Cuban benedicts in the morning, vuelve a la vida at lunch and arroz con pollo and rabo encedido (braised oxtail in red wine sauce) for dinner.