Local Go-Tos with Chloë Sevigny, Natasha Lyonne, Mick Rock and others

We asked some of our favorite locals to share their neighborhood spots and what they order when they go. Here’s what they told us…

We all have our local go-tos, those neighborhood spots frequented on such a regular basis that at some point the menu becomes obsolete. Coupled with a favorite restaurant is a favorite dish, adored for its dependability and familiarity. But on the occasion we choose to dine someplace new, we like to know not only the essentials—signature dishes, daily specials—but what the locals eat, too. That’s why whenever we interview New Yorkers for our Locals segment, we ask them. 

As many restaurants welcome customers for outdoor dining, we revisit interviews with the likes of Chloë Sevigny, Natasha Lyonne, Mick Rock, Akiva Epstein, Ana Kraš, and others, and share their responses to the question, “What are your favorite New York restaurants, and what do you order when you go?” Here’s what they told us…

Chloë Sevigny, Actress and Director

“I have a lot! I like all the institutions: Omen—for the pickles; I like Raoul’s—martini and oysters; Odeon—they have a really great green salad, also a martini; Bacaro—they have a really great spicy meatball thing; Souen—they do a broiled salmon with lemon; Veselka—I get the blue plate special: half tuna sandwich and a cup of split pea—unfortunately they no longer make the lentil; Mogador—the Middle Eastern breakfast; I like the Oyster Bar in Grand Central for chowder; En Japanese Brasserie—they make this amazing stone grilled chicken thing, slammin’! They also do a salmon rice pot.”

Mick Rock, Photographer 

“Souen on East Sixth Street. I love their macrobiotic food. I’ve been a vegetarian for over 40 years.”

Natasha Lyonne, Actress, Writer, Director 

“Chloë once took me to that Oyster Bar in Grand Central. I don’t know that I would ever put in the effort myself of going there but I’m glad that she took me.”

Richard Boch, Writer and Artist

“The Omai salad at Omai, the enchilada suizas at Lupe’s, the salmon at Sant Ambroeus, and breakfast at the Soho Grand.”

Ana Kraš, Object Designer, Photographer, Artist 

“I’m about to get specific… I love baked mash potato and wild arugula salad at Lil’ Frankie’s; I love trout head soup at Hasaki; I love plantains, corn, and roti at Miss Lily’s; I love green pozole from Dimes, add avocado; I love Joyful Almond smoothie from Juice Generation, add kale; I love Turkish fig, earl grey, and black sesame ice cream at Il Laboratorio del Gelato; I love sarma with mash potato at Kafana; I love baked potatoes and salads from Smile To Go. Also their apple-ginger sweet bread; I love wasabi-tuna burger at Odeon; I love hake, and burrata at Altro Paradiso; I love tangtsel salad, and potato dumplings from Cafe Himalaya; I love sardine toast from Time Cafe; I love lemon potatoes from Kiki’s; I love curry from Divya’s Kitchen; I love a spicy margarita at The Fat Radish; I love tiramisu at Bar Pitti… I am obviously into potatoes.

Brett Robinson, Architectural Designer

“Gem to celebrate. It’s a tasting menu so there’s no thought involved. I Sodi—lasagna and a Negroni.”

Anouk Colantoni, Artist

Lucien! I just had my birthday dinner there for the second time. It is so cute, unpretentiously pretentious, loud, full of quirky, good-looking people who may be famous but who cares, really, and it’s always too full and always makes me laugh. I order a Kir Royale cocktail (or four). I am a ’70s woman at heart and if I am with someone who shares my love of sharing all things French, I will get oysters, buttery garlic dreamy escargot, paté and scallops—fries, always. 

Also, Takahashi Japanese in the East Village is a classic. It has the best simple, fresh Japanese in NYC; miso cod, any spinach dish, the Orange Crunchy Roll, and unfiltered sake in a box. 

Miss Guy, DJ, Musician, Photographer

I love Café Mogador on St. Marks. I love love love the spicy carrots. I also love Veselka for their vegetable soup and they have great fries.

Akiva Epstein, Restaurateur 

“Raoul’s, Café Sabarsky, and a spot in Tribeca called A Summer Day Cafe.”

David Johansen, Entertainer, New York Doll  

“Mara (my wife and partner) and I like Eisenberg’s on Fifth Avenue. The beans and rice at West Side Coffee Shop on Church are great. When we’re on 14th Street we stop in at the Donut Pub.”

Read the full interviews in our Locals segment—here.

For a list of restaurants offering outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery, check out our Neighborhood Guide—here.