Nothing says romance quite like La Devozione. This unique pasta bar is located in Chelsea Market, but it isn’t (just) your ordinary grab and go. At its 30-seat tasting counter, they offer a 7-course pasta tasting menu ($165) where you can sample the creations of Michelin-starred chef Peppe Guida. La Devozione sells over 120 shapes of pasta at its shop, so you never know what you might get. If you’re looking for the perfect ice-breaker or just want to impress a pasta lover, this is the perfect spot for the evening. Plus, you can pop one block over to Kobrick Coffee for an espresso martini after to perk up if you want to keep the night going!

‌Tia Pol is special for a number of reasons: limited seats, possible celebrity sightings, a fabulous wine list, and tapas that are actually authentically Spanish. You can go on a brunch or dinner date here, and chat away over dishes like classic patatas bravas or something more adventurous like squid ink rice. The small bar and tiny tables will bring you closer together and the candlelit ambiance is sure to (metaphorically) help sparks fly. We love this for an all-in first date or as a weeknight surprise.

When it comes to celebrating a birthday, over the top is perfectly acceptable. The dining room at Buddakan is stunning, and the cocktails and food hold up to its grandeur. The dishes, from Mongolian lamb chops to kung pao monkfish and ma la chicken, we admit, will put a dent in your wallet, but we think this iconic NYC restaurant is worth splurging on at least once. Out of all the “clubstaurants” in New York City, this lavish dinner spot tops our list.

‌‘Speakeasy’ seems to be one of the buzzwords of the last few years, and at Lou Lou we can see why. This self designated petit bistro has a gorgeous exterior, a lovely lounge-y vibe, and best of all: pictures of everything on the menu for the person who likes to know exactly what they’re getting into. Some of our favorites include duck leg confit and the charcuterie board. The food here is sharable and approachable, making it a great option for a gathering that just about any friend group will buy into.

Worthwild is a newer addition to the Chelsea scene, offering a refined take on a neighborhood bar. They offer brunch, dinner, and cocktails, meaning you can meet there pretty much any time you’d like. The dinner menu is split by “small,” “large,” and “after” and isn’t too overwhelming, making it conducive to sharing alongside their inventive cocktails and curated beer offerings. They also have a great happy hour offering $10 classic cocktails on Tuesdays-Fridays from 4-6PM—perfect for a dip-out-of-work outing.

‌This modern Mediterranean restaurant screams boozy lunch with friends, but is great for any time of day. The XL u-shaped booths make for easy conversation, and the dishes are sure to wow your eyes and your stomach. Feast on a variety of house-made breads and dip platters, plus mezze plates, a raw bar, and specialties like roasted leg of lamb. Zou Zou’s offers the perfect environment for something of a feast and is perfect for catching up or celebrating with friends.

Eyal Shan’s Miznon has become one of the most popular stops in Chelsea Market, known for its Mediterranean street food. They specialize in steamy stuffed pitas with fillings from wild mushroom to lamb kebab and even a folded cheeseburger. The chef aims to take inspiration—what he calls a “groove”—from different cities and translate it into something you can easily hold and bite into. Chelsea Market is a solo diners heaven, but the counter seating at Mizon feels extra special.

In our opinion, ramen almost tastes better solo—especially at Jun-Men. This charming noodle bar serves up steamed buns, delicious ramen, and a selection of beer and sake. You won’t look out of place as a solo diner, as all the seating is made up of communal countertops. We love Jun-Men as a quick solo lunch spot or to take yourself on a date-night. Don’t miss the spicy pork bone ramen, or the uni mushroom if you’re a fan of more adventurous seafood flavors.

A neighborhood brunch is a must in NYC, and Motel Morris is another Chelsea restaurant that delivers. They offer another more modern and sophisticated take on a neighborhood bar. You can’t go wrong with a visit here for brunch, lunch, or dinner, but we’re calling it out for brunch because they’ve got some of our favorite pancakes. More specifically, their buttermilk pancakes with a cinnamon swirl and a drizzle of cream cheese frosting. They’re the perfect sweet breakfast or addition to share, and taste great alongside the restaurant’s classic breakfast line-up like shakshuka and huevos rancheros.

If you’re looking for a quick stop, look no further than New York City icon Sullivan Street Bakery. They’ve been serving the neighborhood for almost three decades, and boast a noble belief that good bread should be affordable and available to everyone. Pair your good feelings about their mission and sustainability with delicious sandwiches, a vast selection of fresh pastries, and a fresh loaf of focaccia. If sitting down with a platter of baked goods is your idea of an ideal morning, this is the place for you.

Chelsea Market isn’t exactly one restaurant, but it’s an essential piece of the Chelsea food scene. Plus, in a pinch, it offers a variety of options and open seating for when you need a bite on the fly. There are dozens of options within the walls of Chelsea Market, but we especially love Very Fresh Noodles, where you can get one of the freshest and most authentic bowls of Taiwanese beef noodle soup in the city. You’d also be missing out if you didn’t sample the cuisines of Los Tacos No. 1 and Los Mariscos, both owned by the same chefs and both lauded for having some of the best tacos in New York City. Swing by Los Tacos for more land-focused fare (think beef), and by Los Mariscos for fish tacos and aguachiles.

Sometimes you need a drink with your bite, which is why we love The Grey Dog. They serve a menu with a little something for everyone, bottomless coffee, plus wine and beer. Their sandwiches, dips, and shareables all feel like decadent snacks while being surprisingly healthy and vegetable forward. We love stopping at this crowd-pleaser for a snack or a catch-up, as it suits solo time and groups equally.