What kind of suggestions -- quick stops or nicer sit-down joints?
I would recommend doing Shake Shack for burgers + Levain Bakery for a cookie the size of your fist as a lunch stop. Both up in my neighborhood and only 4 blocks apart, so you can hit them in the span of an hour back-to-back, and it's only 10-15 minutes max from the venue, so it's convenient.
Here's some recommendations that first spring to mind, only one of which is a rather fancy restaurant you'll need a reservation for...
- For soul food, Amy Ruth's in Harlem (Sylvia's is overrated tourist trap; Red Rooster is too bougie and also a tourist trap, but very good).
- For BBQ in NYC, Blue Smoke.
- For baller ass burgers in a fancy dining setting, Minetta Tavern's $26 Black Label Burger is untouchable. Burger, caramelized onions. Nothing else is put on the burger, nothing else is allowed. Need a reservation, but my lord is it worth it.
- For fancy pizza, Motorino.
- For New Yawk street slice pizza, Joe's in Greenwich.
- For high-quality American comfort, Shopsin's.
- For a market with a bunch of random places, Chelsea Market. Tourist-heavy but with good reason.