Food and Drink

No Ticket Required: Eat and Drink Your Way Through the World Cup Countries

February 24, 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will see dozens of countries competing for the championship. And as it turns out, many of those competing countries are well-represented in the Lower Manhattan food and drink scene — which makes sense, considering the neighborhood’s reputation as the world in one square mile. Show your support for England, Brazil, Korea, the U.S. and dozens of other countries by dining, drinking or shopping at the spots below. Note that if you can’t find your team here, there’ll be plenty of other opportunities to catch the games and celebrate, especially when the matches make their way to nearby MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey in June and July.

Australia

Head to Old Mates Pub, an authentic Australian pub at 170 John St. They have plenty of Australian brews on tap, and if you’re hungry, you can order the Aussie burger made with bacon jam, tomato, lettuce, beetroot, pineapple, fried egg, ketchup, dijonnaise and hot and sour pickles.

See also: Hole in the Wall, Hutch & Waldo

Belgium

A square, gold-colored box of Leonidas Belgian chocolates sits open on a bright red surface. The box contains an assortment of dark, milk, and white pralines in paper cups. A blue lid with a matching satin ribbon and bow leans against the side of the box.

Enjoy something sweet from Leonidas Chocolates, which has an outpost at 120 Broadway. What better way to cheer on Belgium’s athletes than with a box of decadent chocolates?

See also: Le Pain Quotidien (it’s Belgian!)

Brazil

A table featuring a coffee in a yellow mug, an almond croissant on a yellow plate and a yellow bowl of pao de queijo.

If Brazil’s got your heart, root for your team with a tasty selection of pão de queijo. These chewy Brazilian cheese breads are hand-rolled and baked fresh at Cafe Patoro (223 Front St.) every day.

See also: Fogo de Chão

Egypt

A single pita sandwich filled with grilled meat, sliced tomatoes, red onions, and fresh greens sits centered on a plain white plate. The entire composition is set against a solid, vibrant blue background.

Egyptian native Omar Abouzaid is the brains behind Omar’s Mediterranean Cuisine (15 Ann St.), where you can enjoy chicken shawarma and spicy lamb adana with sides of hummus, tabouli and baba ganoush.

England

Footie fans will feel at home at London & Martin Co (6 Stone St.). The bar regularly shows English Premier League matches on Saturdays. The energy is sure to be high during the World Cup, so come early and settle in with a pint and an English sausage roll.

See also: Carragher’s New York

France

Lower Manhattan has plenty of French restaurants, but there’s something truly charming about La Parisienne (9 Maiden Ln.). If you’re here for brunch, grab a croque monsieur or avocado toast; if you’re here later in the day, a glass of French wine and a charcuterie board are must-haves.

Germany

Though Clinton Hall (90 Washington St.) isn’t a specifically German establishment, Deutschophiles will find plenty to enjoy here. Wash down your “German Burger” — made with cheddar cheese, garlic aioli, and IPA-caramelized onions on a pretzel roll — with a German pilsner.

Haiti

Three plated dishes on a red marble table: a silver serving dish with roasted chicken leg, root vegetables, and okra; a blue patterned plate with seared fish on a bright yellow sauce, garnished with herbs and pickled vegetables; and a silver tray with three sugar-dusted fried pastries. — Photo: Heather Willensky

At Maison Passerelle, (THE place to dine in Printemps at One Wall Street) Chef Gregory Gourdet uses techniques and ingredients sourced from Haiti and other nations in the French diaspora. Everything here is delicious, though you can’t go wrong with a Haitian chocolate ganache and a cocktail made with Haitian coffee.

Japan

If you’re in the mood for Tokyo-style ramen and delicious sushi, visit Susukino Ramen at 34 Water St. We recommend the tonkotsu ramen, an order of the pork gyoza and the yuzu cheesecake.

Korea

We’re big fans of Power Bowls, a South Korean restaurant at 29 John St. that specializes in fresh, flavorful rice bowls and other treats. Pile your bowl high with bulgogi, pickled veggies, kimchi, avocado and more. And if you want to get a kimbap on the side, we support it.

Mexico

Two corn tortillas filled with grilled beef, diced onions, cilantro, and topped with crispy fried onions and a drizzle of green sauce, served in a black bowl with a lime wedge on the side. — Photo: Evan Sung

Nothing will get you in good spirits like a visit to Mexi at 57 Stone St. They have an expansive collection of mezcal and tequila, plus a taco menu that can’t be beat — we’re talking braised short rib tacos, baja tacos with pickled slaw and carne asada tacos topped with crispy shallots.

Morocco

Zizi Wine Bar (45 John St.) has an international menu, including wines from Morocco. Cheer on the team with a bottle of the Domaine de Sahari rose or the Alain Graillot, an earthy red with notes of dark berries.

Netherlands

It’s no secret that our neighborhood has plenty of historic ties to the Dutch. If you’re curious to learn more about New York City’s Dutch roots, the Bowery Boys offer a New Amsterdam Walking Tour. On the tour, you’ll go to one of Manhattan’s oldest preserved archaeological sites and walk along the original street grid of New Amsterdam. Finish the tour off with a Heineken at any of our local bars, and you’re cooking.

Scotland

A woman with blonde hair and a floral blouse stands with her arms crossed in front of a massive, floor-to-ceiling wooden shelving unit. The shelves are densely packed with hundreds of bottles of wine and spirits. Above her, a decorative sign reads "the Corkery" surrounded by faux grapevines.

Toast to Scotland’s team with a bottle of whiskey from Scotland. The Corkery at 15 Bridge St. has a curated selection of bottles from Scotland, as well as spirits from other World Cup contenders including Japan, the U.S. and France.

South Africa

Grab a bottle of Kumusha Chenin Blanc from Simply Wine (55 Liberty St.) Kumusha is a South African winery started in 2017 by sommelier Tinashe Nyamudoka. The store also carries a pinotage and an alcohol-free rose from South Africa, among others.

Spain

A stylish restaurant interior with gold velvet seating, marble tables, and a long bar lined with matching gold-upholstered barstools. Behind the bar, shelves of liquor bottles sit in front of tall windows. Through the center window, the white, wing-like structure of the Oculus at the World Trade Center is prominently visible. Large decorative mirrors with red curtain–like designs hang on either side, reflecting the modern space. — Courtesy M Social

Take in sweeping views of the World Trade Center along with Spanish-inspired small plates at Beast and Butterflies Downtown (55 Church St.). Pan con tomate, hams, cheeses and Spanish wines are all on the menu.

Uruguay

A woman behind the barista counter at a coffee shop.

MCM Coffee (88 Fulton St.) is a charming spot run by Uruguayan siblings Camila Ruiz and Octavio Yattah. In addition to traditional Uruguayan pastries and espresso drinks, MCM also sells handmade ceramic pieces.

United States

What better place to feel like an American than at the Independence Bar at Fraunces Tavern (54 Pearl St.), where the Founding Fathers themselves drank? Enjoy a classic Tavern burger and beer in honor of team USA.

Uzbekistan

Five round, flaky Central Asian samsas (savory pastries) arranged on a circular wooden platter. Some are topped with black and white sesame seeds. A small metal pitcher of red tomato-based sauce sits in the center. Vibrant yellow and red napkins are visible in the upper right corner.

Come hungry to Farida (32 Cedar St.) so you can load up on mini umka puff pies, slow-braised beef, hand-pulled noodles and much, much more. This spot features a wide variety of Central Asian cuisine with a focus on Uzbekistan.

(Almost) Everywhere Else

If you can’t find the food of your favorite country downtown, you can probably find its drink at Royal Wine Merchants. The store at 13 South William St. has an expansive international selection of wines and liquors from World Cup contenders including Argentina, Croatia, New Zealand, Norway, and Portugal, among others.

main photo: iStock

Tags: soccer cup 2026