March Madness starts TODAY — and no, we don’t mean the NCAA tournament (although that also starts today). Last year, we put Lower Manhattan’s sports bars to the test. This year, we’re setting our sights on the downtown lunch rush. For the last week or so, our dedicated Instagram followers have been telling us about their favorite lunch spots in Lower Manhattan. We’ve compiled a bracket of the top Sweet Sixteen contenders below; starting this week, we’ll be posting the matchups in our Instagram stories, so you can vote for your favorite contenders to make it to the next round. 

Note that all Lower Manhattan lunches are winners in our hearts, and these meals are delish whether they win the title or not. We hope this list helps inspire downtown diners to give ‘em all a try!

The Lunches

Westville Wall Street (110 Wall St.) — Cobb salad and fries
Simple, hearty lunches and dinners near the East River.

Naya (1 New York Plaza) — Chicken shawarma bowl
Quick, delicious Middle Eastern bites next to Battery Park.

The Fulton (89 South St.) — Lobster roll
Upscale seafood restaurant with panoramic Brooklyn Bridge views.

d Elici (71 Nassau St.) — Soup and Cuban sandwich
Grab-and-go deli counter that delivers on all fronts when it comes to delicious sandwiches at affordable prices.

Sandwich House (17 Ann St.) — Smoked turkey sandwich
Modest counter serving creative sandwiches and other delicious Italian fare at affordable prices.

Suited (45 John St.) — Fried chicken sandwich
Stylish cafe with classic breakfast and lunch dishes in the heart of Lower Manhattan.

Squires Diner (80 Beekman St.) — BLT
Iconic, beloved diner tucked into an unassuming corner of the Southbridge Towers complex.

El Vez (250 Vesey St.) — Carne asada burrito
Cozy Mexican restaurant on the Hudson River with a diverse margarita and cocktail menu.

Kuu Ramen (20 John St.) — Chili ramen
Shoebox-sized ramen joint offering generously packed ramen bowls, pork buns and dumplings.

Caravan Uyghur Cuisine (60 Beaver St.) — Hand-pulled noodles
Manhattan’s only full-fledged Uyghur restaurant serving fresh hand-pulled noodles, lamb soup and other Central Asian comfort food.

Mikado Sushi NYC (164 Pearl St.) — Spicy salmon roll
Modern Japanese eatery specializing in artisan sushi sets.

Nish Nush (41 John St.) — Falafel pita
Fresh, plant-based Mediterranean dishes and wraps in a modern, window-lit eatery.

Joe’s Pizza (124 Fulton St.) — Pepperoni slice
The downtown outpost of the famed, decades-old Greenwich Village staple.

Pisillo (87 Nassau St.) — Caprese panini 
Beloved sandwich counter offering cured meats and cheeses in freshly baked Italian bread.

Ryan Maguire’s (28 Cliff St.) — Grilled chicken Caesar salad 
Neighborhood staple comfort food joint with Irish flair

Pi Bakerie (35 Cedar St.) — Spanakopita 
Cozy Greek cafe and bakery with generous pie and frittata slices, fresh Mediterranean salads and sweet baked goods.