Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Food

7 Luscious Labor Day Eating Options For NYers Keeping It Local


By

Eric Silver

Published Sep 1, 2015

Modified Sep 1, 2015


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Eric Silver

Published Sep 1, 2015

Modified Sep 1, 2015


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

In case your White Party Pinterest board didn't pan out the way that you planned, you can always keep it local this Labor Day weekend and celebrate with the great New York City tradition of dining out. Here are some city spots offering specials to finish the summer up strong to folks bound to the five boroughs:

082815mbs.jpg
(via Yelp)

Manhattan By Sail is kicking your Sunday up a nautical notch by hosting brunch out on a sailboat. Leaving port at 11 a.m., the Shearwater schooner glides 40 brunchers out on the Hudson for a full buffet and open champagne bar. The cost is steep—$95 dollars for adults—but it might be worth all the mimosas you can drink in your nautically-themed pashmina afghan. Sails depart from North Cove Yacht Harbor

Back on shore, the West Side Country Fair is heading to Riverside Park on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Along with carnival rides, live music, and aerial acts, you can nosh on the local spots of the Upper West Side, including Greek fare from Anthi's, wood-fired pizzas from Carmello's, Andy's Ices and more. 66th to 70th Streets, in Riverside Park

083115narcissa.jpg
(Narcissa)

If you're missing your Southern roots during the long weekend, head over to Narcissa, inside the Standard Hotel in the East Village. On Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., they're serving up a Lowcountry boil and picnic on their garden terrace. Gorge on blue crab and shrimp, hush puppies, and cream cheese-frosted carrot cake for $45 a person, with draft beers running $5 per pint and $20 per pitcher. 25 Cooper Square, call (212) 228-3344 for reservations

Belgian restaurant Resto is putting on a Thai Crab Boil this Labor Day Monday. For $50, guests can dine on green coconut curry crab, sticky rice, sausage spring rolls, and finish it off with mango tapioca pudding. Admission also includes select draft beer and wine; you're on staycation, after all. 111 E 29th Street, call 212-685-5585 or use OpenTable for reservations

For the super-charged animals out at Electric Zoo—which throws down on Randalls Island on Labor Day weekend—don't miss the new-and-improved food spread they're pimping out this year. Check out the full list here, but highlights include Kimchi Taco, Luke’s Lobster, and Melt Bakery. And Brooklyn Baked & Fried. Aaaand that handmade cheese place. You know what, don't even see the music acts. Just eat the food. Individual tickets are still on sale for the three-day festival

082815bbq.jpg
(Scott Lynch / Gothamist)

Don't forget the Queens outpost of gastro-extravaganza Smorgasburg out in Long Island City. Nothing says summer like getting BBQ sauce and ramen burger all over your Nantucket-red knee-length shorts.

If you're looking to celebrate outside without laboring a hole in your pocket, check out Bro-Mexican staple Blockheads. For the entire Labor Day weekend (including Friday night), every location is offering Bulldogs (a margarita with a Corona stuck upside down in the middle) for 50% off. Chug a few of those and you're guaranteed a hangover-induced Netflix binge the following day. Blockheads has seven locations in NYC

Tagged

labor day

labor day dining guide

original


Eric Silver

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE food

Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.

The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.

By

Hannah Frishberg

Published Oct 19, 2026


North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.

Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.

By

Robert Sietsema

Food

North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.

Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.

By

Robert Sietsema


10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City

By

Robert Sietsema

Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.

By

Sonia Rao

5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's

By

Hannah Frishberg


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .