Lunch Options in NYC's Garment District

Trying to find lunch in the Garment District of New York City can be a daunting experience. The Garment District is defined as the area between 34th and 42nd street between 5th and 9th Avenues, it has been called a food wasteland by many. If you know where to go there is some wonderful food to be found in this bustling neighborhood. Here are just a few of the top notch places to eat in the Garment District. Some of the restaurants listed are a bit outside the confines of the Garment District proper, but are worth the walk.

Lazzara's Pizza
221 West 38th Street (Upstairs)
Between 7th and 8thAvenues
Best known for their delicious thin crust pizzas and being a bit hard to find, Lazzara's is a fantastic Garment District food destination. In addition to their fantastic thin crust pizza, they also have a wide array of pastas and meat dishes to choose from. You can sit down and enjoy a meal at the ever bustling restaurant, or if you prefer take-out Lazzara's has perfected the art of the good delivery.

Toyama Sushi
11 West 36 Street
Between 5th & 6th Avenues
There are plenty of sushi restaurants in the Garment District, but they all pale in comparison to Toyama. The food here is fresh, delicious, and reasonably priced. The sushi lunch is $8.50 and includes a miso soup and salad with ginger dressing. Toyama has a streamlined delivery process where you can order online or by phone. Either way you decide to order, your food will arrive fast and efficiently. Toyama also makes a great dinner destination.

Bruce's Burgers
1 Penn Plaza
Between 33rd and 34th Streets
Though located small, unassuming and located in the 1 Penn Plaza Courtyard between a UPS store and the entrance to the subway, Bruce's Burgers is some of the best burgers and fries in the area. In addition to beef burgers, they also offer veggie burgers and chicken breast sandwiches with a variety of toppings. Take-out is probably the best option, since the diner style seating area is rather cramped.

Amici 36 Deli
519 8th Ave,
Between 35th & 36th Streets
If you are looking for a quick meal, Amici 36 is the place to go. It is gigantic and has a massive array of food. In addition to sandwiches and salads they also offer stir fry, udon soups, a large coffee and drink selection. The earlier you go during the lunch rush, the better the selection.

Manganaro's Hero Boy & Manganaros Italian Grocery and Trattoria
Hero Boy - 494 9th Avenue between 37th and 38th Streets
Manganaro's Italian Grocery - 488 9th Avenue between 37th and 38th Streets
These Italian restaurants with the same name specializing in sandwiches are located right next door to one another. Each establishment is owned by a different set of competing Manganaro brothers. Hero Boy is the more modern of the two establishments and claims to have originated the 6 foot hero; Manganaro's Italian Grocery is an old New York style Italian Grocery with a large array of prepared foods. Both of the rivals offer a delicious lunch options.

Pomodoro
518 Ninth Avenue
Between 38th & 39th Streets
Pomodoro specializes in pasta, but also had wonderful sandwiches and salads. All of their food is fresh and well prepared. They offer some good lunch specials, such as the pasta of the day with bread and a soda or water for $10.00. The restaurant has a nice seating area and also delivers.

Las Poblanitas
302 W. 38th Street
Between 8th & 9th Avenues
Las Poblanitas is a real Mexican restaurant with huge, reasonably priced dishes. The food is tasty, but recently a co-worker of mine had an allergic reaction to the food, however I have never had a problem.

Soul Fixins
28th Street
Between 7th and 8thStreets
Though Soul Fixins has recently moved from its 34th Street location to 28th street, it still deserves to be included. They offer hearty and tasty, southern inspired meals. The portions are large and if you play your cards right, will last you more than one meal.

Kati Roll
49 West 39th Street
Between 5th and 6th Avenues
Kati Roll has quickly carved out a nice niche for themselves in the Garment District lunch market. They serve quick and delicious rolls made with Indian flat bread and a large array of meat and vegetarian fillings. Some of the rolls are quite spicy, so make sure to get a drink just in case.

Home on 8th
391 8th Avenue
Between 29th & 30th Streets
Though a little pricier than the other lunch time restaurants listed, Home on 8th is unique because it offers both a full vegetarian and meat Chinese menu. Home has been the recipient of great reviews and is worth the splurge. Home on 8th makes a nice sit down dinner destination.

Mooncake Foods
263 W 30th Street
Between 7th Ave & 8th Avenues
Mooncake Foods is the uptown outpost of the Soho restaurant with the same name. It serves inventive Pan-Asian food for moderate prices. Mooncake is fine for takeout, but ideal for a nice sit down lunch or dinner.

In addition to the restaurants listed, there are many more great restaurants waiting to be discovered in the Garment District. Why not explore the food options in this diverse area?