A Night of Flavor in the Heart of Times Square

Travel

Audio By Carbonatix

Times Square already has a way of making the senses feel alive—neon lights blinking, Broadway marquees glowing, and the hum of tourists and locals sharing the same stretch of sidewalk. But once a year, all of that energy gets paired with something even more irresistible: the Taste of Times Square, where the best bites from the city’s kitchens spill out onto the street in an open-air food festival that’s part block party, part culinary showcase, and entirely unforgettable.

This year, my bride and I strolled into the heart of it all, tasting, sipping, and savoring. What followed was not just a date night in Manhattan, but a culinary adventure we’ll be talking about long after the last plate was cleared.

Counting Down the 5 Most Flavorful Bites

5. The Wagyu Burger — The Long Room

We kicked things off with a modern classic. The Long Room’s Wagyu Burger was compact enough to enjoy on a paper plate, but decadent enough to remind us that wagyu is never ordinary. Juicy, rich, and impossibly tender, this bite set the tone for the night: indulgence with a grin.

4. Mini Lobster Roll — Burger & Lobster

Next up, a taste of the sea. Burger & Lobster's buttery mini lobster roll was everything it should be: sweet chunks of lobster tucked into a golden, toasted bun. A bite of New England nostalgia, delivered right in the middle of New York City.

3. Carnitas Taco — Bar Mexicana

If the lobster roll was a whisper, the carnitas taco from Bar Mexicana was a trumpet blast. Tender, smoky pork wrapped in a warm tortilla and finished with salsa that packed just the right punch. We exchanged the kind of glance that said: this one’s a keeper.

2. Prosciutto, Pesto & Pepper Sandwich — Buchette Del Vino

This was the dark horse. Buchette Del Vino's small sandwich turned into a knockout. Silky prosciutto, bright herbaceous pesto, and smoky roasted peppers balanced so perfectly it transported us straight to Tuscany. Paired with a sip of crisp Italian Vermentino, it became one of those bites that makes you close your eyes just to hold onto the flavor.

1. Elote in a Cup — Bar Mexicana

And then, the champion. Bar Mexicana’s Elote in a Cup proved that sometimes the humblest dish can steal the show. Sweet corn was layered with melted butter, tangy crema, salty cotija cheese, and a dusting of chili spice. Each spoonful carried more depth than the last—the heat building, but never overpowering. The texture was rich, the flavor bold, and the shared laughter as we fought over the last scoop sealed it as the night’s runaway favorite.

The Best Sips and Sweets

No great meal is complete without something to wash it down. Our favorite pairing of the evening was a crisp, chilled glass of Vermentino from Italy—a wine that danced between citrus and sea breeze. It refreshed the palate, lifted the savory dishes, and matched beautifully with that prosciutto sandwich.

And for dessert? The legendary Frozen Hot Chocolate from Serendipity3. Decadent, icy, and overflowing with whipped cream, it was indulgence in a glass. Sipping it under the lights of Times Square felt like a wink from the city itself—playful, over-the-top, and unforgettable.

A Shared Memory

What made the evening wasn’t just the food, though it was stellar. It was the setting—Times Square buzzing at twilight, couples leaning into each other to share bites, strangers swapping recommendations in line. It was catching Ellen Hart (of Ellen’s Stardust Diner) wowing the crowd at 84 as the opening act for her world famous Stardusters. It was my bride laughing at me as I tried (unsuccessfully) to eat elote without spilling a drop. It was the sense that for one night, in the middle of one of the busiest intersections in the world, people slowed down to savor.

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We walked away full, both in stomach and in spirit, knowing that Taste of Times Square 2025 had done more than showcase the city’s flavors—it had given us a memory we’ll hold onto long after the lights dimmed.