Published Apr 21, 2017

The 11 Most Beautiful Restaurants In All Of New York

Discover some of New York's most stunning restaurants with unforgettable views and charming decor.

Published Apr 21, 2017

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Updated Oct 23, 2024

The Most Whimsical Restaurant in New York Belongs on Your Bucket List

A place you'll come to visit time and time again, Maureen's Kitchen restaurant is one that undoubtedly belongs on your dining bucket list.

Updated Oct 23, 2024

Written by

Lea Monroe

In New York, we love stumbling upon a new restaurant we've yet to try. To top it off, it's all the more special once we uncover a great breakfast spot that gives us the perfect start to our day. Right within the beautiful small town of Smithtown, Maureen's Kitchen NY will have you saying, "Holy Cow!" A place you'll come to visit time and time again, this whimsical restaurant undoubtedly belongs on your dining bucket list. After all, it's one of the best Long Island restaurants for breakfast and lunch.

A family-run business that many of us have been visiting for nearly 30 years since it first opened in 1985, this Suffolk County Gem has a unique theme. As soon as you arrive, you'll notice that this restaurant carries out its cow theme in every charming way imaginable.

And you'll also be quick to notice that the playful restaurant wants to make you feel at home in the best ways possible. In fact, it's one of the best family-friendly restaurants in Smithtown that kids and adults alike absolutely love.

Cow enthusiasts who are looking to take a piece of Maureen's home with them can check out the ceramic cows that they have for sale and other merchandise. And from the seats to the mugs, you'll find that most of Maureen's decor is made up of cow-print and rustic charm.

Only open during the first half of the day starting at 7 a.m., Maureen's fills up quickly (especially on weekends) with loyal customers and returning friendly faces.

So what are some famous dishes that have captured the hearts of those who have eaten here? Let's suggest the decadent Pistachio Pancakes for starters!

Any time of the year, you can find seasonal and holiday dishes added to the menu. For example, if it's around St. Patrick's Day why not kick things off with the unusual green food items on the menu? While green pancakes may not have been what you originally had in mind for breakfast, you won't regret trying this unique breakfast item!

Another dish that wins over the bellies of Maureen's customers? The perfected homemade baked oatmeal! What better way to start off your day than with a dish of scrumptious homemade oatmeal and a glass of warm milk? The baked oatmeal recipe has been in the family for several generations and has long been a favorite to those who have made Maureen's their second home. Served in either a cup or a bowl, I suggest you order a bowl because it's that good!

And if you still haven't been won over yet with these amazing menu items, you'll absolutely love feasting on the Croissant French toast! The Croissant French toast comes in a variety of flavors, like cream cheese and raspberry preserves, which will have your stomach rumbling. Oozing with unforgettable flavors that you'll wish you could eat every morning, these croissants are unlike anything you've ever tasted.

Those who have never been to Maureen's and are looking to try something a bit more classic and simple can try diving into their amazing pancakes that you can top off with treats like Oreos, blueberries, chocolate chips, and more.

While Maureen's is always adding new items to their menu and there are daily specials offered, it's the unforgettable and unique dishes that always keep people coming back for more. Those dining in the restaurant will be able to see their homemade dishes coming to life from behind the bar area where you'll find customers eating at the tabletop taking everything in.

Who's ready to head out to Suffolk County to enjoy a one-of-a-kind breakfast experience that you'll fall head over heels for?

The theme of Maureen's Kitchen NY comes from the family's heritage of owning a cow farm up in the town of Callicoon which is one of the region's most beloved restaurants. The restaurant moved to its current location back in 1997 and has continually been drawing in crowds ever since. With friendly service, homemade food, and a whimsical theme that brings a smile to customers' faces, it's hard not to see why people love this place so much. It's truly one of the most whimsical restaurants in NY.

Keep in mind that Maureen's is a cash-only restaurant, so make sure you visit an ATM before you arrive. To view the menus, see additional Maureen's Kitchen photos, and for updates, follow the official Facebook page of Maureen's Kitchen.

Do you have a whimsical restaurant that you love to visit and would love for us to write about it? Tell us all about it when you fill out this nomination form!

For other unique dining experiences, check out this One Quirky Restaurant in New York That's Impossible Not to Love! And if you want to do something fun like a food tour, take a look at the Long Island North Fork Sights, Bites & Flights: Full-Day Tour or the Half-Day Tour, and book a reservation on Viator! These adventures include alcoholic beverages, tea or coffee, and dinner.

Food|Restaurants

Published Oct 8, 2024

Dine for Less Than $5 a Person at This Iconic Dumpling Stand in New York

Dig into delicious dumplings and pork buns at Fried Dumpling in Chinatown for what might be the cheapest lunch in New York.

Published Oct 8, 2024

Written by

Raymond Goldfield

Inflation is hitting us all, and even many of my favorite cheap eats spots are feeling the pinch. When I head into New York City and try to get a plate of beef stew with rice and beans, or a fried fish sandwich at one of my old haunts, it's not rare to see that price creeping above $10. That's definitely not the case in Chinatown, though, where the cheap eats are still king. In fact, this area of Manhattan might be home to the cheapest lunch in New York - Fried Dumpling, where people wait in line to get portions of the restaurant's beloved...you got it! There are only two items on the menu here, and they both have the same shockingly low price of $1.25. One portion probably won't be enough for a meal, so order as many as you want. Not only is it possible to dine for under $10 here, it's hard to go over.

Fried Dumpling is the definition of a hole-in-the-wall, hiding on Mosco Street in Chinatown. It's not really a restaurant, more of a counter, and the menu is just as small as the location. But that doesn't stop people from lining up for a taste of the restaurant's specialties every single day.

And that specialty? Why, it's fried dumplings, of course. These pork-and-chive dumplings are given a light fry to give them a crispy edge, but they're still tender and bursting with flavor. They come in four to an order for $1.25, perfect for a snack.

If you want to make a meal out of a visit here, though, try an order of the restaurant's pork buns, too. Thicker, softer, and sweeter, these make the perfect complement to the zesty dumplings. Get two orders of both and you're only at $5 a person. The restaurant also offers hot-and-sour soup for $1 or $2 a portion, as well as coffee, tea, or milk for 50 cents a cup.

Have you dined at Fried Dumpling, the cheapest lunch in New York? What's your favorite cheap eats spot in the big city? You can see the menu - just to prove it really is this cheap - on the Fried Dumpling website, but you already know all the items. If you want something a little heartier but still affordable for dinner, make sure to stop by the area's storied Great NY Noodletown. And if it's going to take you more than a day to get through all the amazing food here, the Wyndham Garden Chinatown is waiting to give you a luxurious night's sleep.

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The 11 Most Beautiful Restaurants In All Of New York

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The Most Whimsical Restaurant in New York Belongs on Your Bucket List

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Dine for Less Than $5 a Person at This Iconic Dumpling Stand in New York

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All Stories

This Secluded Airbnb Cabin in Northern California Is the Perfect Place for a Digital Detox

Skip the Crowds: Explore Washington’s 5 Quietest Trails and Parks This Month

We Found the Ultimate Game Day Stress Relief at This Alabama Comfort Food Sports Bar

I Visited This New Alabama Boutique Hotel That Honors Its Community’s Historic Local Spirit

6 Light Displays in Idaho That Are Pure Holiday Magic