12 Kabooz's Bar & Grill

For those on the upper level of Penn Station in New York City, checking out Kabooz's Bar & Grill is a nice option. Here, guests can find American bites in a laid-back restaurant inside the world's most iconic train station. Known for its lively bar serving up various beers, wines, and cocktails, Kabooz's Bar & Grill is the spot to be throughout the week while waiting on a train or pickup. On top of that, the restaurant has a nice ambiance, getting high ratings for friendly staff and easy-going vibes.

Serving the community for over 24 years, Kabooz's Bar & Grill is one people shouldn't miss while in Penn Station!

11 Tracks Restaurant

The next restaurant to consider while in the Penn Station area is Tracks. Here lies a quaint, casual sit-down or takeout establishment located in Penn Station, described as a chill haunt with a homey feel and train memorabilia. Furthermore, this location is known for offering a raw bar, plus burgers and seafood plates, catering to a wide array of diets. For a quick, high-quality meal between train rides, Tracks is the perfect spot in Penn Station.


The Best Sandwiches on the Penn Station Menu

If you’re a sandwich lover, then you’re in for a treat at Penn Station. With a menu filled with delectable options that cater to all tastes, there’s no shortage of deliciousness to explore. From classic favorites to unique creations, Penn Station’s sandwiches are sure to satisfy your cravings.

Philly Cheesesteak

One of the all-time favorites that locals and visitors can’t get enough of is the Philly Cheesesteak. Picture thin slices of tender steak, melted cheese, and sautéed onions perfectly nestled inside a soft and fresh baked roll. It’s a sandwich that delivers on flavor and leaves you longing for more.

Reuben

For those seeking a unique and flavorful twist, the Reuben sandwich is a must-try. Packed with corned beef or pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing, this sandwich is a classic combination that hits all the right notes.

Italian

The Italian sandwich at Penn Station takes you on a culinary journey to Italy. Stacked high with savory layers of Genoa salami, ham, capicola, and provolone cheese, it’s then topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and flavorful banana peppers. Every bite is a taste of Italy’s rich flavors.

Dagwood

For the ultimate sandwich experience, the Dagwood is a towering masterpiece. Piled high with turkey, ham, roast beef, and provolone cheese, this sandwich is complete with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and Penn Station’s signature sauce. It’s a feast that will leave you fully satisfied.

Chicken Teriyaki

If you prefer chicken, the Chicken Teriyaki sandwich is a mouthwatering choice. Tender grilled chicken marinated in a savory teriyaki sauce is paired with melted provolone cheese, grilled onions, and green peppers, all served on a warm roll. It’s a flavor explosion in every bite.

Grilled Artichoke

Vegetarian options at Penn Station are equally delicious, and the Grilled Artichoke sandwich stands out as a top choice. Freshly grilled artichoke hearts are complemented by melted provolone cheese, sautéed onions, and flavorful banana peppers. It’s a satisfying option for those looking for a meat-free delight.

Tuna

For seafood enthusiasts, the Tuna sandwich is a real catch. A generous serving of freshly prepared tuna salad is topped with your choice of flavorful ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and banana peppers. It’s a refreshing and light option that doesn’t compromise on taste.

No matter which sandwich you choose, you can expect the finest quality ingredients and expert craftsmanship that make Penn Station stand out. Each bite is a testament to their dedication to creating sandwiches that are full of flavor and satisfaction.

So, the next time you find yourself craving a mouthwatering sandwich, head over to Penn Station and experience the best that their menu has to offer. Your taste buds will thank you!


How to get there

Forget cabs, Uber, or any other non-public transit options: The best way to get to Penn Station is via the subway or bus, full stop. (Yes, we know that the subway is often running late or otherwise experiencing hellish conditions; let’s assume best-case scenario here.)

Penn Station is serviced by one large transit hub, through which six subway lines—the A, C, E, 1, 2, and 3—travel. (For the newbies, the A, 2, and 3 are express trains; the C, E, and 1 are local.) The M34 also stops in front of the station, and it’s a Select Bus Service line, to boot.

If you’re traveling to or from an airport, you have several direct options. The Long Island Rail Road runs trains from Jamaica to Penn Station, and NJ Transit does the same from Newark to Penn. If you need to get from LaGuardia to Penn Station, you’re going to have a tougher time; there are public transit options, but then—and only then—is it more reasonable to take a cab.

Where to stay

For a long time, the only hotels near Penn Station were limited to chains, or the 80-year-old New Yorker hotel, an Art Deco icon (you know its bright red “NEW YORKER” sign) that’s been around for longer than the train station’s current iteration. But a new crop of boutique hotels have popped up in the area in recent years; here are some of the better options:

Even Hotel Times Square South: “Times Square South” in this case means a couple of blocks from Penn Station. The wellness-oriented hotel comes with exercise equipment in its rooms. Rates start at $129/night.

Moxy Times Square: The Moxy, which opened in September, ticks all the boxes that you would expect from a brand that calls itself a “boutique-hotel concept for the modern traveler.” Its 612 rooms are small, but relatively affordable (rates begin at $134/night); there are plenty of tech-friendly touches, including free Wi-Fi and charging stations next to each bed; and the hotel is outfitted with amenities like late-night food and drink options and hip communal spaces. It’s just a couple of blocks from Penn, at 36th Street and Seventh Avenue.

Arlo Nomad: Each of the rooms at this micro-hotel, located on 31st Street between Fifth and Madison avenues, is less than 300 square feet, but they don’t scrimp on style. They’re kitted out with luxurious beds, walnut furniture, and swanky fixtures. The hotel also has a bevy of amenities, like a 24-hour “bodega” serving snacks and coffee, along with a lovely rooftop bar.


FOR THE MORNING COMMUTE

First and foremost, the commuters. To them, Penn may never be more than a necessary evil, the dividing line between personal and professional life, a place to arrive in the morning absolutely dead. How best to snap out of the funk that is a predawn train from Ronkonkoma? Well, there’s always Le Cafe, which is crawling distance from track 19 and brews up a morning beverage by the name of red eye ($4.75) consisting of a regular cup of drip coffee boosted by a shot of espresso. Equally convenient is Playa Bowls, where operating-room lighting and Welcome to Pineappleland neon signage provides a jolt in itself, as does the list of chia seed puddings, including the berry-loaded Jetty ($14.95). Meanwhile, LIers with a bit more time and/or desperate for a BEC should seek out H & H Bagels in the Moynihan main concourse, where they’re serving up a fine bacon-loaded specimen for $8.45.

GRAB-AND-GO LUNCH

Maybe it’s the Greek chorus of constant track announcements and last calls over the loudspeaker, but time is always of the essence at Penn, especially as a.m. becomes p.m., triggering a weekday stampede of souls running for a quick lunch.

Those with a penchant for grab-and-go can take their pick from a wide variety of attractively priced, pre-packed nigiri, sashimi and more at Yono Sushi in the Moynihan Food Hall (e.g., shrimp tempura roll with orange curry, $12.75), although a few minutes more is all it takes to enjoy an a la carte lunch or sushi rice bowl ($16.50-$18.50) at the adjacent stand-up bar. Employees also work at lightning speed at Naya across the hall, a sort of build-a-bowl workshop (or salad or wrap, $9.99-$12.99) boasting endless ways to customize a Middle Eastern lunch with proteins and dips.


THE SPOTS

Koloman serves decadent, inventive Viennese food with a French twist in the Ace Hotel. The open kitchen gives major Ratatouille vibes, the service is tight, and every dish has a surprising element, from a tartare of celery root to duck liver parfait. Come hungry, and order at least two things from every section of the menu. Don’t skip the the salmon en croute that’s neatly pressed between two slices of toast.

The menu at this Italian spot from Danny Meyer centers around live-fire cooking, but your focus should be on the breads and pastas. Always start with the melty caramelized onion torta, then order the rabbit stracci or the slightly spicy cavatelli with crab. In the Manhattan West complex, just a short walk from Penn Station, Ci Siamo feels like checking into a nice, glitzy hotel in Milan. Despite the massive space, it can still be tough to get a table—so make a reservation a few weeks in advance.

Also in Manhattan West, this upscale Mediterranean spot from the team behind Don Angie and Quality Eats has creative food and big, shareable portions. Bring a group of friends for some lamb tartare, duck borek, and crispy manti stuffed with spiced beef. The high-ceilinged, glamorous dining room has a socialites-in-evening-wear grandness about it, but you’ll still feel right at home doing a casual get-together here. Even if you never have a reason to be in the Hudson Yards area, plan a special trip just so you can try this place.

Los Tacos No. 1 is always a great option for lunch (our order: two carne asada tacos on corn tortillas, with a jamaica agua fresca if in need of an extra treat), and this particular location has the added benefit of being extremely convenient to Penn. They’re open till 11pm, so it’d also make a great pre- or post-game stop for any sports fan who’d prefer not to shell out $22 for a crappy sandwich at Madison Square Garden.

Smack dab in the middle of the plaza above Penn Station, Roberta’s three-story Manhattan outpost is surrounded by Madison Square Garden and towering Gap ads, illuminating it like a hovering UFO. It’s a far cry from the pizza institution’s scrappy original location in Bushwick, but their Neapolitan pies are exactly the same, and the bubbly, blistered crusts are their greatest asset. There’s a cocktail menu with several solid tiki drinks, and big picnic tables at the open-air bar on the roof. Come by for drinks after work or before a show. R.Slice, their slice shop near the entrance downstairs, has a separate selection of New York-style pies if you just want to grab a quick bite.

To get to Sushi 35 West, you’ll walk into a smoke shop a couple blocks north of Penn Station, turn right, and head up a grungy industrial staircase, at which point you’ll arrive in what feels like a freight elevator hallway. Yes, you’re in the right place. Here, you’ll find some of the best takeout sushi we’ve ever had. Try the $22 lunch set that comes with six nigiri and a roll, or get one of the donburi options. The quality of the nigiri is as good as many omakase-style spots.

Our go-to KBBQ spot in K-Town is Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong, but if the wait there is too long, this spot (right next door) is a great backup. Love Korean is a fun three-story place with spinning rainbow lights, a bar in the basement, and DJs every weekend after 6pm. Order one of the combos that come with a cornucopia of vegetables to throw on the grill. Add peppery japchae and custardy truffled steamed egg. We’d come here just for those two things.

​​Tengri Tagh, located four blocks from MSG, is one of the few Uyghur restaurants in NYC. Grab a seat in the long narrow dining room and get a filling meal by ordering a couple of our favorite dishes: a lamb and cumin bun, and the chili oil-infused pearl noodles. The chopped pearl noodles look like little kernels of corn, and come with peppers, onions, and tingly lamb. This spot stands out in a sea of chain restaurants and forgettable delis, so start memorizing the menu if you work nearby.

Woorijip is a New York City institution, and it’s where you should head for a quick grab-and-go meal around 32nd Street. While it previously featured a buffet setup, the brightly lit space now looks like a bookstore—but instead of beach reads, the shelves are stacked with packages of satisfying, homestyle Korean food. There’s kimbap, fried chicken, bulgogi, mackerel, japchae, and roughly a million other things, most of which cost less than $10. Take your food to go, or heat your meal in one of the microwaves and grab a table.

It’s so packed at this bagel spot on 35th that there’s someone who’s dedicated to managing the ever-present line like a traffic cop. The bagels here are nice and crispy on the outside and pleasantly chewy on the inside, and they have a ton of interesting cream cheese flavors. Oreo might sound gimmicky, but if you like sweet cream cheese, you’ll love it. For a unique savory option, go for a jalapeño everything bagel with chipotle cream cheese. If it's too busy, try Best Bagel across the street.

If you’re overwhelmed by the options on this list, let us make things easier. Head to Samwoojung and eat beef. There are other things on the menu at this Korean spot on 32nd, but it’s a bulgogi house run by bulgogi specialists, so your choice is pretty much made. The bulgogi here is different than at other Korean BBQ spots—it’s piled on a copper vessel, and cooked in a sweet and peppery soy broth at your table. Get a smaller portion for a casual, pre-Amtrak meal, or a larger one for a group dinner that’ll result in a slew of empty soju bottles, and a spur-of-the-moment ticket purchase to Madison Square Garden.

When José Andrés isn’t busy trying to save the world, he’s opening restaurants like Zaytinya (a DC import) in the Ritz-Carlton. The spacious setting, with its blue and white accents and indoor trees, will make you feel like you’re at a seaside resort, even if it's the dead of winter. Start with the soujouk pide topped with a 65-degree egg, then prioritize the seafood mezze like the smoky grilled octopus and chilled, sweet shrimp in a creamy mustard sauce.

Skirt Steak’s concept is simple: Build a space that looks like the inside of a barn, and offer a $45 prix fixe that includes Bibb lettuce salad, steak, and unlimited fries. This place had its moment on TikTok once upon a time, so it does draw crowds and waits can be long. But if you’re at least a little bit curious about an unabashedly gimmicky restaurant, you’ll love it here. Sides like cauliflower gratin and desserts like blood orange cheesecake are extra. The food is not only edible, it’s pretty freakin’ good.

There are three steps you need to follow at this casual Japanese curry spot. Step one: choose between rice, noodles, or creamy curry pasta. Next, choose your spice level, and finally add toppings like crispy cutlets and croquettes, raw egg, and cheese. Whichever route you go, you’ll get a generous serving of rich, deeply spiced curry that tastes even better on a rainy day. There’s plenty of seating in the back, among shelves full of action figures and toy robots.

NY Pizza Suprema has been around since before the city erected MSG in front of it. They serve about 20 varieties of pizza at any given time, including breaded chicken bacon ranch slices, a few vegan options, and a white spinach dip slice that’s just creamy enough without being over-the-top. Suprema has a lot more seating than most slice shops, and there’s always a line, but as long as you aren’t coming directly after an event at MSG, you’ll move through it pretty quickly.

If navigating the Penn Station labyrinth makes you wish you were on a desert island, head to Ichiran. This Japanese ramen chain is filled with "flavor concentration booths,” meaning there are partitions between each seat so you can avoid everyone while you eat your rich, customizable tonkotsu ramen. You won't even see your server, because you order via a form that you slip through a small window. Just be warned there might be a line to get in, because there is no true peace in Midtown.

A solid option for soup dumplings around Penn Station, Nan Xiang’s xiao long bao is bigger than most. This means more soup filling, but also higher potential for a busted dumpling (womp womp). Our favorites are the crab and pork, scallop, and luffa gourd. The rest of the food is a mixed bag though. Expect a boisterous crowd in the brightly lit, modern space with high ceilings and artwork featuring mountains. The room is spacious, but there can still be long waits—especially on weekend mornings.

Bar Primi serves decent Italian food that is easy enough to like, and for a number of people in a number of situations, this restaurant will be pretty much perfect. If you’re catching a train at Penn Station directly across the street, catching a game at Madison Square Garden, or catching up with coworkers, this is a totally solid destination for pasta and cute cocktails. Expect to see as many business-casual Patagonia vests crowding the bar as you do Rangers jerseys, and—if the weather’s nice—a crowd gathered on the big outdoor patio. (If it’s a game day, the attentive, efficient servers may even ask if you have tickets when you arrive, to ensure they get you fed and out in time.)

Blue Ribbon Sushi & Steak, from the team behind Blue Ribbon Brasserie, exists for one reason and one reason only: To feed people who are afraid to wander too far from Penn Station. Located just off the lobby of an enormous office building, this upscale, izakaya-like place serves a mix of Japanese and American steakhouse cuisine. The setting is a bit corporate, but the steak is nicely seared, and the rolls and nigiri are made with quality fish, so you can have a pleasant meal here. You will, however, spend around $75 per person.

Piggyback is an “Asian-inspired” restaurant from the people behind Pig and Khao, and it’s one of the best dining options within walking distance of Penn Station. Grab some lumpia, honey butter wings with gochujang glaze, and lamb rendang with roti before a show at the Garden, or stop by for a drink and a snack with a friend. The space has mural-covered walls and a big bar up front, and the soundtrack includes everything from hip hop to disco.

Source: