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Rockefeller Center Is Midtown’s New Dining Destination
June 15, 2025, 11:49.59 pm ET

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Photos: Cititour.com (Unless Noted)

Once known more for tourists and tree-lightings than restaurants, Rockefeller Center is officially having its moment. While much of the city was scaling back during Covid, Rock Center was quietly leveling up—with big payoffs for diners.

Start at Pebble Bar at the Rink (top), a new outdoor summer experience bringing Pebble’s signature cocktails and old-school charm to the iconic skating rink. With a menu of elevated bar bites and creative cocktails like the Sins City (Avion Reposado Tequila, Passion Fruit, Vanilla, Lime, G.H. Mumm Champagne) and Sunset Boulevard (Agua Mágica Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Mango, Cinnamon, Lime, Orange Bitters), this alfresco setup is the perfect spot for tourists and New Yorkers alike.

Joining Pepple Bar is Jupiter from the King team, bringing refined Italian cooking and an all-Italian wine list to a breezy space rinkside. Think fresh foccaccia and zucchini friti to start, followed by antipasti and pastas like tortellini with fresh spring peas, ricotta and mint, and Linguine with manilla clams with parsley and garlic. Seasonal fish, steak and lamb chops round out the menu. The outdoor tables are perfect summer lunch, early dinner or aperitivo stop.

Lodi continues to anchor the plaza with elegant antipasti, handmade pastas like gnocchi with morels, and entrées including branzino and pollo arrosto. The space is expanding its outdoor footprint to accommodate growing demand for open-air dining.

The Frenchette team’s Le Rock channels a modern Parisian brasserie with duck confit, steak frites, seafood towers, and escargot. Smith & Mills introduces raw bar elegance downtown-style while City Winery draws after-work crowds with its outdoor wine garden and rotating local pours.

Nearby at NARO, from Atomix and Atoboy’s Junghyun “JP” and Ellia Park, captures classic Korean flavors through a contemporary lens. Choose from an a la carte options like a signature fried chicken sandwich (above), Soft Shell Crab with avocado kimchi, and Black Cod with Doenjang Sauce and Hen-Of-The-Woods Mushrooms or opt for two- or three-course lunches and a five-course chef’s tasting at dinner.

Also gaining traction is 5 Acres from Brooklyn chef Greg Baxtrom. Named for his family’s farm outside Chicago, the space combines rustic textures with a polished Manhattan finish. The menu ranges from shishito peppers and 12-hour BBQ ribs to signature burgers and a Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich—plus soft serve and chocolate cake for dessert.


Photo: Lobel's Original/Noah Fecks

Speaking of sandwiches, Lobel’s Original is now open inside the concourse at 30 Rock. The 50-seat restaurant serves slow-roasted sandwiches made with Prime Steak and Roasted Berkshire Pork served with a side of au jus, or get broccoli rabe as an add-on or vegetarian version. Cocktails are also available at this spot run by the sixth-generation Lobel family.

If you're looking for some rooftop action, head to The Weather Room, a newly opened cocktail bar perched 850 feet above the city offers skyline views, drinks and shareable plates from Chef Ryan Farrar. It’s the highest happy hour in Midtown.

Also among the new arrivals Golden HOF, the debut Rockefeller Center project from the Golden Diner team. This energetic Korean American hof (beer hall) blends playful nostalgia with bold flavor. Korean fried chicken comes sauced four ways—from gochujang glaze to “General Sam’s.”

Fast-casual favorites also abound below ground. Fieldtrip dishes out globally inspired rice bowls; Luke’s Lobster brings Maine-style rolls inside and outside; Daily Provisions serves everything from crullers to martinis; and Madras Dosa Co. offers South Indian dosas made to order.

And there's more, NAYA which just opened in the concourse builds customizable Middle Eastern bowls; Ace’s Pizza turns out Detroit pies for on-the-go and dine-in service; Lil Sweet Treat supplies candy by the scoop; and Matcha Café Maiko is bringing Kyoto-style matcha to the heart of Midtown. The Japanese import is known for its vivid green soft serve, matcha floats, and parfaits layered with mochi, jelly, and hojicha.

Plus, signage is up for Shake Shack, set to open soon right next to Danny Meyer’s Daily Provisions—a double-header from the hospitality icon. A new Miznon is also expected shortly.

With these latest offerings and more to come, Rock Center has become a full-on dining destination—no observation deck ticket required.



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