Bars & Nightlife
Nap York Sleep Station - Central Park 24/7
4.5 out of 5Price level $
940 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Cultural. Elegant. Neighborhood pride.
Best Bars & Restaurants in Lincoln Square
Lincoln Center's grand plaza, pre-show dining, and Upper West Side cultural polish.
- Cultural
- Sophisticated
- Performance-Oriented
- Upscale
- Lively
More top places in Lincoln Square
Restaurants, bars and cafes, ranked by rating and how many reviews back it, after the three above.
- Rank 4
- Rank 5
Coffee & Casual
Gong Cha
4.6 out of 5Gong Cha is a favorite bubble tea spot in Lincoln Square, Manhattan. Perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed break.
- Rank 6
Restaurants & Dining
Just Salad
4.5 out of 5Price level $$Veggies Diced Daily, Homemade Dressings, Fresh-Prepped Proteins
- Rank 7
- Rank 8
- Rank 9
Coffee & Casual
Blank Street
4.4 out of 5Price level $Blank Street is a cafe in Lincoln Square described by visitors as a cafe, japanese. Based on 10 reviews.
- Rank 10
Bars & Nightlife
Lobby Bar at David Geffen Hall
4.8 out of 5Price level $$Sleek cocktail bar inside Lincoln Center's David Geffen Hall, perfect for pre-show drinks amid the iconic performing arts campus.
- Rank 11
Restaurants & Dining
German Delights Inc.
4.8 out of 5, 5 reviewsPrice level $1 Columbus Circle Holidaymarket, New York, NY 10019
- Rank 12
Restaurants & Dining
US&EG DELICIOUS HALAL FFOD
5.0 out of 5, 2 reviewsUS&EG DELICIOUS HALAL FFOD is a well-known restaurant restaurant in Lincoln Square, Manhattan. Serving quality food in a welcoming atmosphere.
What to do in Lincoln Square
Every category, narrowed to this neighborhood.
- Drinks & Nightlife in Lincoln SquareBest bars, cocktail lounges, rooftop bars, dive bars, and late-night drinks in Lincoln Square. Happy hour deals, speakeasies, wine bars, and where the locals actually go after midnight.Cocktail bars, Rooftop bars, Speakeasies, Wine bars
Photo: Dig InnFood in Lincoln SquareBest restaurants and places to eat in Lincoln Square. From brunch spots and cheap eats to fine dining, pizza, sushi, and the holes-in-the-wall you won't find on TripAdvisor.Pizza, Sushi, Brunch, Steakhouses
- Casual & Social in Lincoln SquareBest coffee shops, cafes, bakeries, and chill hangout spots in Lincoln Square. Great for working remote, catching up with friends, or pretending to read while people-watching.Coffee shops, Tea houses, Bakeries, Study spots
Photo: Distinguished Concerts International New YorkLive Entertainment in Lincoln SquareLive music, comedy shows, jazz clubs, karaoke bars, and performances in Lincoln Square. Open mics, ticketed events, and the kind of nights that become stories.Comedy, Live music, Jazz, Karaoke
Photo: Williams-SonomaActivities & Experiences in Lincoln SquareFun things to do in Lincoln Square — escape rooms, bowling alleys, art classes, arcades, pop-ups, and interactive experiences that don't involve staring at a menu.Escape rooms, Bowling, Art classes, Arcades
- Outdoor & Fresh Air in Lincoln SquareBest outdoor spots, parks, rooftop bars, patios, waterfront walks, and gardens in Lincoln Square. Fresh air, skyline views, and places to actually sit outside without a reservation.Rooftops, Patios, Gardens, Waterfront
Photo: Mandarin Oriental, New YorkWellness & Fitness in Lincoln SquareSpas, gyms, yoga and pilates studios, and other places to move or unwind in Lincoln Square.Spas, Yoga, Pilates, Gyms
Photo: Five GuysDate Night in Lincoln SquareBest date night spots in Lincoln Square — romantic restaurants, intimate cocktail bars, cozy wine bars, and vibey spots that do the heavy lifting so you don't have to.Romantic dinners, Cocktail bars, Speakeasies, Rooftops
- Group Hangouts in Lincoln SquareBest places for groups in Lincoln Square — sports bars, beer gardens, karaoke rooms, bowling alleys, and spots that can actually fit your whole crew without a 2-hour wait.Sports bars, Beer gardens, Bowling, Karaoke
- Quick & Easy in Lincoln SquareQuick plans in Lincoln Square that require zero effort. Happy hours, grab-and-go coffee, fast casual spots, delis, and solid options for when you've got 30 minutes and no ideas.Coffee, Happy hour, Delis, Fast casual
- Tourist Friendly in Lincoln SquareBest things to do in Lincoln Square for first-time visitors. Iconic restaurants, famous bars, must-see landmarks, and spots worth the hype — no tourist traps, we promise.Famous pizza, Iconic bars, Broadway area, Landmarks
What makes Lincoln Square one of the best neighborhoods in NYC
Culture, cocktails, and Columbus Circle all in one zip code
Lincoln Square is the cultural center of the Upper West Side, anchored by Lincoln Center's opera house, ballet, and jazz venues. But beyond the chandeliers, this is a real neighborhood — Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues are lined with restaurants that range from old-school Italian red sauce joints to innovative cocktail bars. The crowd here dresses up but doesn't show off. Culture is the baseline, not the flex.
Lincoln Square is defined by one thing: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The Metropolitan Opera, NYC Ballet, the Philharmonic, and Jazz at Lincoln Center all call this campus home. The neighborhood revolves around that cultural gravity—pre-show dinners, post-show drinks, and a crowd that actually dresses up for evenings out. Columbus Avenue has strong restaurant options. The Smith, Boulud Sud, and a range of Italian spots cater to the theater crowd. The Time Warner Center (now Deutsche Bank Center) at Columbus Circle offers upscale dining with park views. It's cultured, convenient, and perpetually buzzing with people heading somewhere with tickets in hand.
Best for
A Lincoln Center performance followed by a late dinner on Amsterdam Avenue where the servers know the regulars by name
Insider tip
Post-show dinner on Amsterdam Ave is the local move. Skip the overpriced spots on Broadway.
Lincoln Square is known for
- Lincoln Center
- Metropolitan Opera
- Columbus Circle
- Pre-show dining
- Jazz at Lincoln Center
Local lingo: “Lincoln Center isn't just for opera people. The fountain is free entertainment.”
Neighborhoods near Lincoln Square
Every neighborhood has its own character. Here is what's close by.
Photo: Metropolitan Opera HouseUpper West SideIntellectuals, Zabar's bagels, and brownstone-lined streets between Central Park and the Hudson.
Photo: BeccoHell's KitchenTheater kids, global eats on 9th Avenue, and the gritty-turned-great west side neighborhood.
Photo: St. Patrick's CathedralMidtownGrand Central to Times Square — corporate power lunches, Broadway marquees, and everything in between.
Photo: Central Park ZooCentral Park843 acres of green in the middle of the madness—NYC's backyard since 1858.
Photo: Cathedral of St. John the DivineManhattan ValleyThe UWS's low-key neighbor—diverse eats on Broadway and a neighborhood that still feels like one.
Photo: Dinosaur Bar-B-QueMorningside HeightsColumbia's campus, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the smartest brunch crowd in town.
Photo: 787 Coffee Co.ChelseaArt galleries, High Line views, and diverse nightlife from gay bars to rooftop lounges.
Photo: Times SquareTimes SquareThe world's most famous intersection—blinding lights, Broadway marquees, and organized chaos.
Photo: Madison Square GardenHudson YardsManhattan's newest mega-development—The Vessel, luxury malls, and skyline-level dining.
Photo: The Escape Game NYC (Midtown Manhattan)Murray HillYoung professionals, bottomless brunch, and Lexington Avenue's endless restaurant row.
Frequently asked questions about Lincoln Square
What are the best restaurants in Lincoln Square?
Ranked by rating and number of reviews, the top restaurants in Lincoln Square on Moodap are Shinbashi 72 (Japanese, 4.8 stars), Chopt Creative Salad Co. (Salad, 4.6 stars) and Just Salad (Salad, 4.5 stars).
What are the best bars in Lincoln Square?
Ranked by rating and number of reviews, the top bars in Lincoln Square on Moodap are The Bar at Mandarin Oriental, New York (Speakeasy, 5.0 stars), Nap York Sleep Station - Central Park 24/7 (Lounge, 4.5 stars) and Lobby Bar at David Geffen Hall (4.8 stars).
What are the best cafes in Lincoln Square?
Ranked by rating and number of reviews, the top cafes in Lincoln Square on Moodap are Gong Cha (Bubble Tea, 4.6 stars), Stop By Café (Coffee/Tea, 4.5 stars) and Blank Street (Coffee/Tea, 4.4 stars).
Where can I eat or drink cheap in Lincoln Square?
17 places in Lincoln Square are marked budget-friendly ($). The best-ranked are Nap York Sleep Station - Central Park 24/7 (Lounge, 4.5 stars), Gong Cha (Bubble Tea, 4.6 stars) and Stop By Café (Coffee/Tea, 4.5 stars).
What kind of food is Lincoln Square known for?
Of the 27 restaurants Moodap lists in Lincoln Square, the most common kinds are American (5), Deli (4), Salad (4) and Mexican (3).
How many places does Moodap list in Lincoln Square?
27 restaurants, 3 bars and 15 cafes, each with its own page. The best-ranked are at the top of this page.
What neighborhoods are near Lincoln Square?
Upper West Side, Hell's Kitchen, Midtown and Central Park are next door. Each has its own guide on Moodap, linked on this page.
How does Moodap rank places in Lincoln Square?
By star rating, weighted by how many reviews back it: a place with hundreds of strong reviews ranks above a perfect score from a handful. Places with few or no reviews come after well-reviewed ones. Not sure which fits your plans? Find Your Vibe™ picks one for your mood in about 25 seconds.
Find your Lincoln Square spot
Answer a few quick questions and Moodap narrows the neighborhood down to places that fit your mood.
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