In a couple of weeks my kids and I are going to do a “challenge” that they saw on some social media - to walk from the northern tip of Manhattan (Marble Hill) all the way to the southernmost point of the Battery, in a single day. I’ve mapped out a significant portion of the walk, to include various stops and sights along the way – and, of course, a lot of that is going to be food stops to keep us fueled.
I have options for everything Harlem and south, but this will be my first visit to some of the more northern neighborhoods on the island and I’m specifically having difficulty with Washington Heights - due to an over-abundance of options and lack of any clear winner.
So I’ll put this to you: What would be your top spot, around 10:00 a.m., for some sort of midmorning pick me up? Good coffee is mandatory, baked good(s) can be either savory or sweet, but definitely as local as possible, flavor-wise. (Which I gather is Dominican.)
Other currently planned food stops en route, in case anyone is interested (open to suggestions/modifications!):
Inwood - BDC Coffee (random choice, just some coffee and maybe a pastry to kick off the walk)
Harlem - Charles Pan-Fried Chicken
Central Park - Got to be a hot dog, right?
Midtown - Something at/around Grand Central? (Any especially good pizza? A slice seems thematically required for this excursion.)
Village - Gnocchi on 9th (seems heavy, but my kids both saw this all over TikTok so…)
Chinatown - Yi Ji Shi Mo
I’ve walked from Battery Park to Central Park or the UES several times.
I really haven’t explored much north of 110th St.
I look forward to your report!
p.s. @a_m,
if you’re looking for something in Hell’s Kitchen or Chelsea,
I am a fan of the Sullivan St Bakery.
2 locations.
I usually go to the one in Chelsea. 236 9th Ave,
New York City, New York https://maps.google.com/?cid=10174271085311102778
When I’m near Central Park, I usually get a bagel with Nova and a shmear to go from Barney Greengrass, and eat it in the Park.
Thank you so much for the suggestions! I think we’ll have to pass on D’Lili as we’re going to walk through Inwood Hill Park for the first bit, but Salento looks very promising and seems right on target: Highbridge Park is already on the map for that part of the day. (Trying to keep a lot of the walk in or adjacent to green space as much as possible, at least until mid afternoon when it will be all buildings all the time.)
Oh wow, thank you for mentioning this. I used to visit regularly but haven’t been there in probably a decade and kind of forgot about it. Will definitely add it to the list if not for this walk, then for my next visit. I’m way overdue!
Great call, another classic NY place. I think we’ll probably hit Russ and Daughters the next morning for breakfast, but if we change that plan this is a great idea. I was also thinking Zabar’s; I actually proposed to my wife in the park over a picnic of Zabar’s takeout
Well, then, if you find yourself heading southeast from Inwood Hill Park to Highbridge Park, you might stop at Kenny Bakery, 126A Dyckman St. Also Dominican.
You can hit the other location of Charles Pan Fried Chicken on W 72 St if it’s closer to lunchtime then.
Some of us went to Mama Africa next to the 125 st location a while back, and while they aren’t a quick stop for a sit down meal, they have some interesting treats to pick up and go like a special kind of donut and some other snacks plus some interesting juices.
Heather Garden in Fort Tryon is already on the list. Is there more we should specifically target to see in there?
Thanks for the notes regarding the other Charles restaurant and Mama Africa. The latter sounds really interesting. Always way, way too many choices in NYC!
