Pier 40 – Foodie Guide

New York City is full of all kinds of restaurants. On one hand that’s good because it means you can find pretty much any food you’re in the mood for. On the other hand that can make it tough to find restaurants that stand out from the rest.

For instance, if you’re headed to Pier 40 at Hudson River Park, the dining options available to you are practically endless. The West Side of Manhattan where this 14-acre combination parking garage and sports facility is located is home to countless restaurants.

Some of these restaurants are better than others, of course. So if you’re a foodie looking to enjoy some of the best eats the West Side has to offer, check out the list of rave-worthy restaurants we put together below.

Shake Shack

Since opening their first location in New York’s Madison Square Park back in 2004, Shake Shack has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. They now have locations all throughout the city, including one on Varick Street less than a half mile from Pier 40.

Shake Shack’s menu consists of upscale takes on fast food staples, such as burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and French fries. The shakes steal the show, though, as their name would lead you to believe.

Their shakes come in a variety of sweet-tooth-tempting flavors, including the classic trio of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. They’ve got some unconventional ones too, such as caramel, coffee, and a mix of chocolate and vanilla they call “black and white” after the cookie of the same name. Keep an eye out for their shake of the month, too!

Ear Inn

Established in 1817, the Ear Inn is one of the oldest bars in New York City. It’s located on the ground floor of a building that was originally the home of James Brown, an African-American Revolutionary War veteran. That alone makes it worth stopping in for a drink. Their food’s good too, though, so consider pairing your booze with a bite to eat.

For a place that’s more than 200 years old, the menu at The Ear Inn is surprisingly trendy. On it you’ll find everything from cowboy chili to confit duck legs, as well as their self-proclaimed claim to culinary fame: burgers. If you’re in the mood for something on the lighter side, try the quiche of the day.

Whatever you end up ordering, wash it down with one of their specialty cocktails. These include their takes on familiar drinks like the Moscow mule and dark ‘n’ stormy, along with original creations like the saint summer. This refreshing libation is a combination of St-Germain, Tito’s vodka, and lime juice.

Red Farm

Instead of traveling all the way to Chinatown for some delicious dim sum delicacies, just go to Red Farm. This hip, little, 42-seat restaurant is just over a 10-minute walk from Pier 40. There you can enjoy new spins on traditional dim sum dishes while rubbing elbows with other hungry patrons seated at their two large, communal tables.

Red Farm’s small size is offset by its menu, which, in true dim sum fashion, is quite large. How large is that, you ask? Try a whopping 50 or so dishes.

That might sound like a lot, but it can be easily narrowed down to a few highlights. These standout dishes include two whimsically shaped dumplings: Pac-Man-shaped shrimp dumplings and stingray-shaped crispy duck and crab dumplings. Another popular number is the pastrami egg roll, which is filled with a combination of the New York deli staple and cabbage, then fried to greasy perfection.

The Little Owl

If you’re a fan of the ‘90s sitcom Friends, you’re going to get a kick out of eating at this next restaurant, The Little Owl. That’s because it’s located on the ground floor of the apartment building that the titular friends “lived” in for 10 seasons.

The Little Owl’s iconic location is only half its appeal, though. Take away its ties to Friends and foodies would still flock there to enjoy a delicious meal. Baked eggplant Parmigiana, lobster paella, and a pork chop with butter beans are just a taste of what they have to offer.

Also, keep in mind that no meal at The Little Owl is complete without starting things off with their most popular appetizer: gravy meatball sliders. Simple, yet oh so good, these tiny sandwiches come three to an order and feature tender meatballs doused in a rich marinara sauce. These sliders alone are worth the half-mile walk from Pier 40.

The Clam

Being that Pier 40 is located on the Hudson River, you might find yourself if the mood for some seafood after spending the day there. If that’s the case, a meal at The Clam will make you happy as, well, a clam! To get there, walk down Houston Street, then make a left down Hudson Street. The Clam is just past James J. Walker Park on your right.

With a name like The Clam, you’re probably expecting a decidedly clam-forward menu. And you’d be right. The beloved bivalve makes an appearance in many of their dishes, from classics like New England clam chowder to original creations like sliders filled with fried clam and lobster.

Not all of the dishes at The Clam feature their namesake mollusk, or any seafood for that matter, which is good news if you’re dining with someone who prefers turf over surf. Some of the seafood-free dishes at The Clam include an arugula and cherry salad, prime Angus beef carpaccio, and filet mignon.