Five Lower Manhattan Restaurants You Must Visit ASAP

News flash: Lower Manhattan has an immense range of delicious spots to frequent. According to Explorer In Chief Josh Katz, here are five restaurants where you must chow down as soon as humanly possible.  

Caravan Uyghur Cuisine 

Manhattan’s only Uighur restaurant is located in the heart of Lower Manhattan. Their noodle dishes (above) strike the perfect balance between exotic spice profiles and hearty comfort food. (200 Water Street)

Temple Court 

Tom Colicchio’s excellent farm-to-table, American-style restaurant is set within the beautiful atrium and cozy corners of The Beekman Hotel. (5 Beekman Street)

Bao Bao + Suspenders 

Bao Bao makes delicious, authentic Chinese food out of an endearingly small restaurant with limited seating. Their pho is fantastic. Immediately next door you’ll find Suspenders, a beloved local watering hole that’s been open for 33 years. For a wonderful experience, take advantage of either spot’s outdoor seating and combine the two. Just ask nicely first! (106 Greenwich Street)

CUT by Wolfgang Puck 

Their menu is creative, the presentation is artful, and the meals are scrumptious. While most steakhouses seem stuck in the 19th century, CUT has designed both their menu and interiors with a modern twist, tastefully balanced with a respectful nod to tradition. (99 Church Street) 

Makina Cafe 

Makina Cafe serves up incredible Ethiopian cuisine from their food truck in Governors Island. While I love the family-style spreads of typical Ethiopian fair, this place has perfected the personal injera plates full of delectable sides like miser (red lentils), gomen (collard greens) and tikel gomen (cabbage with carrots and potatoes). This place is an unbeatable start to a delightful day. (Governors Island)