Written and Compiled by Tod Shapiro and Eric Shapiro for the Flatiron Hot! News

NYC Seminar and Conference Center is centrally located at 114 West 26th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues), right in the heart of the Chelsea-Flatiron-Nomad Districts, and well known for its rich selection of fast casual and fine dining options. If you are at NYCSCC for an event this fall or during the coming holiday season, you can go out during a break in your event, or once you finish for the day, and explore the many offerings with your colleagues. Here’s a quick thumbnail summary of some great choices, all less than a 5-minute walk from the Conference Center! In fact, one can start on West 26th Street right across the street from F.I.T., and walk east on 26th, and have a potpourri of excellent choices.

Not sure how to choose from an overwhelming number of options? Not to worry; we’ve been in the neighborhood a long time and NYCSCC’s staff has helped put together a list of some of our favorite (and most widely acclaimed) places to eat and drink in the area. From local institutions to exciting new establishments to your favorite fast-casual and fast-food eateries, here is a sampling of what’s on our menu.

Our New York/Vodka and Distillery
151 West 26th Street
https://www.ournewyorkvodka.com/about-us
Experience a bit of history at the first legal vodka distillery and bar established in Manhattan following Prohibition. Choose from a wide variety of cocktails or sign up for a vodka tasting. And for fun, ask about a tour of their state-of-the-art vodka distillery in the back, if you want to see how its made!

Sunac 
765 Ave of Americas 
Between 25th & 26th St.
https://www.sunacfood.com/
Our favorite neighborhood deli and high-end grocery store. Enjoy a variety of healthy sandwiches (including vegan options), a buffet stocked with comfort food, and fresh fruit juices made to order. In case you are wondering, Sunac is one of NYCSCC’s leading vendors and provides many of the great value dishes and sandwiches that you will enjoy at your NYCSCC events.

The Grey Dog
55 West 26th Street
www.thegreydog.com
The well known Grey Dog eatery has an outpost in Nomad, and it’s the perfect place for a burger, sandwich, hot dog, or plate of comfort food along with an eclectic mix of American continental dishes. And, there’s a great selection of on-tap beer and interesting mixed drinks for a reasonably priced and casual get-together with friends and business associates for lunch or dinner.

The Cauldron
127 West 26th  Street
Between 6th Avenue and Fashion Avenue (7th)
www.thecauldron.io
https://thecauldron.io/nyc/potions
If you like to enjoy your cocktails in a magical atmosphere, the Cauldron is the place for you. Mix your intoxicating potions with a magic wand and slate. When you conjure up a hunger, choose from an enchanting menu of wizard-themed food (we recommend the sandwiches). And, you can set up a special seating for your group where you can have a magical-themed menu ready for your unique consumption! If you love Harry Potter and the Prancing Pony of LOTR fame, you’ll love the Cauldron!

Hill Country Barbeque Market
30 West 26th Street between Broadway and 6th Ave
https://www.hillcountry.com/location/new-york-city/
Traditional central Texas barbecue and decor, where the meats are dry-rubbed and smoked low and slow over post oak wood imported from Texas. Choose from a selection of authentic side dishes. And, Hill Country has a large sidewalk cafe to take in the Flatiron-Nomad-Chelsea sights, ideal for people-watching, as you chow down on your ribs, sides, and choice of many on-tap beers and mixed drinks!

Gregory’s Coffee 
775 6th Avenue
https://gregoryscoffee.com/
An old-style coffee and espresso bar that offers a great place to get a cup of java, a tasty piece of pastry, and sit and watch the dwellers in Flatiron-Nomad-Chelsea walk by. You can’t miss its famous logo, the invisible man with the glasses. Understated and cool.

Graybar 
43 West 26th Street between Broadway and 6th Ave
https://greybarnyc.com/
Drop into this refreshing and welcoming space to enjoy a smooth cup of espresso, a glass of wine, or some burgers and fries. Just one block away from NYCSCC, this American specialty restaurant is a cool place for one person or a group of buddies to chow down on great eats. 

Anita Gelato
1141 Broadway at 26th St
https://www.anita-gelato.com
Anita’s expertly crafted gelato had humble beginnings, with Mama Anita perfecting her craft in a small kitchen. Now, Anita’s has 25 locations, including one on Broadway and 26th just a short walk east from the conference center. Warm your heart with a frozen dessert any time of the year. While Nir prepared the base, Anita created irresistible jams, giving her desserts their signature flavor!

Inday Indian American
1133 Broadway
https://www.indayallday.com/
Inday aspires to capture the breadth of Indian cuisine with a combination of classic dishes and new interpretations. In addition to being delicious, they subscribe to a spiritual philosophy they call “food karma,” which holds that how your meal is cooked and sourced has impacts not only diners but chefs and servers as well. Now that is commitment! Their curries, kebabs, homemade breads and distinctive drinks more than meet it. Founded by native New Yorker Basu Ratnam, whose Kolkata-born mother and Hyderbadi father instilled traditional values and ancient practices into his bustling contemporary life, Inday brings the Indian offering to your daily routine.

Mamazul Mexican Grill
1155 Broadway
Mamazulnyc.com
Feeling in the mood for some top-notch tacos, burritos, and nachos a step above the rest?  Mamazul offers great Mexican cuisine for Nomad and Flatiron denizens and visitors, located on the corner of 27th and Broadway.  Its the perfect place to kick back with some friends or business associates, and enjoy their wide selection of mixed drinks and on-tap beers. It’s a great casual venue serving Mexican fare including vegetarian and vegan items, plus cocktails, and dancing.  Not to be missed if you like Mexican!

BlackBarn
19 East 26th Street
https://www.blackbarnrestaurant.com/

If you want to experience the perfect example of high-end innovative and interesting dining that is a hallmark of Nomad and Flatiron’s restaurant scene, then take a walk down 26th Street until you cross over 5th Avenue and are at the north end of Mad Square Park!  BlackBarn, with terrific outside alfresco dining for a view of the Park, as well as a copious farm-themed eatery reflecting its American themed farm-to-table choice of cuisine, is a great place to wow your business colleagues or enjoy time after a day at NYCSCC. John and Tom’s eatery is a real eating experience, and we can let them speak for themselves (from their web site):
“In the years after high school, childhood friends John Doherty and Tom Struzzieri became celebrated professionals in their respective fields: the culinary arts and equestrianism. The two then set out to establish a restaurant that merged their passions, expertise, and collective love of New York City … After over 25 years working as the youngest Executive Chef of New York’s Waldorf Astoria, John brought his expertise and creative vision to life at Blackbarn. In collaboration with Tom, the partners developed the multi-layered Blackbarn brand in the heart of Nomad where seasonal, rustic fare meet a contemporary farmhouse atmosphere – we welcome you to join the Blackbarn experience.”

Latin American Restaurant
29 W 26th St
https://www.latinamericanrest.com/
Simple joint offering both American and Latin American eats, including some Dominican specialties. Some restaurants don’t require much explanation. Latin American Restaurant’s purpose is in it’s name: to serve up a variety of Latin American dishes the way they are meant to be prepared. Don’t mistake a simple concept for boring food; Latin American Restaurant is anything but bland.

Crompton’s Ale House
https://cromptonalehouse.com/
159 W 26th St
Crompton’s Ale House is the kind of spot that captures the spirit of the neighborhood in which it resides. A sleek granite bar and cozy, candlelit vibe bring to mind Flatiron/Chelsea’s impeccable sense of fashion and association with technology. It’s a great neighborhood place and fantastic sports bar, with multiple TV’s running all the latest sporting events, and a selection of at least a couple of dozen on-tap beers. Located in the heart of Chelsea, steps away from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and only a few blocks away from the notorious Madison Square Garden, Crompton Ale House fits perfectly in the fashion district’s trendy neighborhood. Featuring copper ceiling accents, a sleek granite bar, and a cozy candlelit ambiance.

Dig
7th Avenue at 26th St
https://order.diginn.com/
Formerly known as Dig Inn, Dig is fast casual for people looking for a nutritious meal. Selections are seasonal, keeping things fresh in more ways than one. It is reasonably priced (you can get dinner and dessert for under $17; hard to beat that and still eat healthy). We recommend the flavorful varieties of iced tea. Real, scratch-cooked foods that are nourishing, seasonal, and perfect for your coziest night in.

PLNT Burger
1147 Broadway
https://www.plntburger.com
PLNT Burger brings people joy and celebrates the beauty of life on our planet in the most delicious and fun way possible, with indulgent, crafted, plant-based burgers and an uplifting dining experience. Whether you are vegetarian or omnivorous and looking for a good burger in the neighborhood, we recommend PLNT Burger. It’s not just “good for a plant-based burger;” it’s straight up juicy and delicious. PLNT Burger also includes kosher and halal options.

Naya
1400 Broadway
https://www.eatnaya.com/
Naya seeks to provide authentic, fresh, and nutritious Middle Eastern meals that look great and taste amazing. Naya stands at the crossroads of innovation and tradition, where every meal is a masterpiece of creativity grounded in the wisdom of the past. Naya bridges the past and the present of Middle Eastern cuisine in a way that is both rooted in tradition and full of innovative surprises. Experimentation need not get in the way of authenticity (or, if you’re not into all of that backstory, a delicious meal). The hummus alone is worth the price of admission.

La Pecora Bianca
1333 Broadway
https://www.lapecorabianca.com/
La Pecora Bianca (“the white sheep”) offers a relaxed, all-day dining experience with approachable, quality Italian food, in a stylish and comfortable setting. They take Italian food back to its roots as a local and seasonal cuisine, with a menu that centers around house-made pastas and modern takes on classic Italian fare. All of their pastas, including their signature rigatoni vodka, gramigna, and tagliatelle bolognese, are made daily in-house. Their drinks are inspired by the tradition of aperitivo hour on the ‘Piazza’, and feature the La Pecora Rosa organic rosé, an extensive selection of spritzes and negronis, and signature cocktails built around Italian Amari.

Fast Casual and Your Favorite Fast Food Eateries
Not feeling adventurous and looking to grab a cup of coffee or some fast food at a familiar place? You can find McDonald’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and more a stone’s throw away from the Conference Center–no more than a couple of blocks on 6th Avenue if you walk north and south. And, if you want the comfort and fix of popular fast-casual chain stores, you have Cava Mediterranean, Chipotle, and Subway at the intersection of 7th Avenue and 26th, right across the street from FIT.