Where To Eat When You Have the Munchies in NYC
Whether you’re walking down the street, trapped in an overcrowded subway car or simply working with your window open, there is a new, official fragrance of New York City. No, it’s not the trash or questionably steaming subway grates – it is the scent of now legal recreational marijuana. Let’s be clear – there was never a time in New York where people weren’t strolling down the streets with a joint or passing a blunt on a friend’s stoop, but it’s safe to say the people have more than welcomed this new smoke filled freedom (well, except for the New York Post).
With not-totally-sanctioned bodegas and table top weed vendors throughout the city, it has been interesting to navigate this new weed-forward NYC. At the time of this writing, there are only three New York state licensed dispensaries in Manhattan. In an even more confusing turn of events they are located in extremely close proximity to one another.
Something New Yorkers might love even more than weed is a great meal. Don’t worry about choosing between 5mg or 10mg (why not 15?) – instead, do what all New Yorkers do and worry about picking the right place for a perfect meal. Or in our case, the perfect munchie meal. We’ve identified the best munchies, all conveniently located near NYC dispensaries, to satisfy even the biggest stoner’s cravings. It is not even worth it to try to begin to understand any rationale for this list other than “damn, that looks good.” So sit back, light up, and enjoy.
Munchies Spots Near Union Square Travel Agency
Union Square Travel Agency
62 E 13th St
New York, NY 10003
646-777-7420
The Union Square Travel Agency is exactly what its name implies. It’s an experience from start to finish that transports you to a special destination. The most unique part of this dispensary is that you browse and order on a giant touchscreen similar to the McDonald’s kiosks, which is not an insult. This takes away a lot of pressure of having to talk through what you want to purchase if frankly, you’re as naive as I am. In addition to a wide array of products, they also sell some unique THC and CBd products including many beverages. Once you submit your order you simply walk to the counter, check out, then you’re out of there. Then it’s off to the more important decision, where to eat!
Luke’s Lobster
124 University Pl
New York, NY 10003
646-692-3468
Directly across the street from Union Square Travel Agency is Luke’s Lobster. Okay sure we are not in New England but let’s be honest there is nothing easier to eat than any sort of sandwich situation and I’m going to put a lobster roll into that category. Luke’s offers the best Maine-style cold rolls of either shrimp, crab or lobster in addition to other menu items including butter soaked rolls as well. If you’re feeling extra munchie you can even get a sampler that gives you a half of each roll.
Coppelia
207 W 14th St
New York, NY 10011
212-858-5001
Ok, while this isn’t directly across the street from Union Square Travel Agency, Coppelia is two blocks away but it definitely deserves to be mentioned as it is open 24 hours. Yes, all hours of the day and night! It is a Latin diner that serves everything from lomo saltado, chicken flautas and of course huevos rancheros because yes, they serve breakfast all hours of the day. What sets Coppelia apart from most New York City diners is the quality of your dining experience. Whether it’s 5pm or 5am, you can find yourself enjoying a perfectly authentic meal. In addition to their food, they serve some of the best cocktails and have the best Paloma I have ever tasted. It’s crafted with fresh juice and you can order it by the pitcher for your table.
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Munchies Spots Near Smacked Village
144 Bleecker St
New York, NY 10012
Smacked Village is what Google and the NYC government listed this Greenwich Village dispensary as, but both the outside signage and the singular store employee had different answers. It is the quintessential smoke shop experience with large colorful cartoonish paintings from floor to ceiling literally and fake cannabis plants vining throughout the store. This Black-owned spot is definitely the least intimidating dispensary. It feels like you’re visiting your college pothead friend’s house in the best way possible, which makes sense as it sits nestled among NYU campus on Bleeker Street and I would imagine students frequent this shop. Their employees were overly nice and even invited me back to hangout and smoke as it transforms into a “cafe” set up in the evenings. The greatest part of Smacked Village is that it physically sits among the probably the most condensed area of bars and restaurants in the city including the “munchie-meca” that is MacDougal Street.
Pommes Frites
128 MacDougal St
New York, NY 10012
212)-674-1234
The best part of the restaurants that line MacDougal street is that most of the cuisine is easily transported. You can swing in and out quickly and be on your way to people watch in Washington Square Park which is exactly what I did. The most impressive place that I stopped in is Pomme Frites. It’s a restaurant that specializes in crafting the perfect fry Belgian-style. Their menu offers pre-crafter magic including greek fries, poutine and if you’re looking to share a party platter, it’s perfect for sharing with 10 of your best friends. If you’re looking to run in and grab some fries, you can do just that as they come in a perfectly transportable cone for walking around. The hardest part will be choosing from their list of over 35 sauces to dip, dunk and drown your fries in. They handcraft every sauce including warm peanut satay, truffle ketchup, and a nice refined bordeaux wine sauce complete with mission figs and sage.
Beatnic
185 Bleecker St
New York, NY 10012
212-290-8000
If you’re looking for some munchies but want to keep it healthier and vegan, sitting at the corner of MacDougal and Bleeker is Beatnic which offers all of your classic food made with vegan alternatives. While I’m not vegan, I was not only impressed by the expansiveness of their menu but also by the quality of their food. They have burgers, chicken parm sandwiches, mac and cheese, and even a buffalo chicken wrap that is all vegan. I was on the move headed to the park so I opted for the easiest transported meat alternative, “chicken” dippers which as their name implies are the perfect option to dip while on the go.
Cafe Tola
124 MacDougal St
New York, NY 10012
917-261-5828
In full transparency, I was pulled into Cafe Tola by the giant neon pink empanada that takes up 80% of their outside window display. Originally a staple in Chicago, Cafe Tola “loncheria” 4th location in New York’s Greenwich village is an amazing snack bar that offers the perfect array of Mexican staples. They serve breakfast all day including tacos and burritos but what they’re known for are their beautifully stuffed and folded empanadas. With over 20 options to choose from, they are both savory and sweet. So whether you’re in the mood for an apple pie empanada, traditional pork and beans, or both, they have something for even your strongest munchies.
Munchies Spots Near Housing Works Cannabis Co
Housing Works Cannabis Co
750 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
Housing Works has been a staple in New York both in advocacy and philanthropic ways for decades so it’s no surprise that they have created a safe safe to enjoy recreational cannabis while also giving back to the community. Their dispensary provides a place to buy new innovative products with many of the products being sold from minority owned and operated companies. The actual interior of the space makes you feel like you’re in a cloud with tall ceilings, natural light and cotton candy ombre walls. Each register is situated at the counter individually so that each customer has their own individual experience of talking through exactly what they’re looking for and receiving recommendations form their overly knowledgeable and friendly staff. The store couldn’t be located in a more central location at the corner of broadway and 1 Astor place. They literally share walls with some of the best munchie spots in the area.
The Donut Pub
740 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
646-974-1221
I’m not quite sure if there is a better place to fulfill cravings than a donut shop that has been in operation since 1964. Set up like an old school desert parlor, The Donut Pub lures you in by displaying some of their fresh baked creations in the window that can get even the busiest New Yorker to stop in their tracks. The entire back wall of the shop houses a donut collection that can satisfy any sweet, sour, or savory craving. What makes the Donut Pub special–aside from their unique flavors including maple bacon–is their crossover recipe that birthed a croissant donut. Perfectly buttery layers with plenty of sugar topped with icing and of course sprinkles takes you back to your childhood with every bite.
&Pizza
740 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
202-335-5991
Squeezed directly in between both Housing Works Cannabis Co and The Donut Pub is &Pizza. While it might not be a traditional New York slice, &Pizza claims to “be the future of pizza” and it is a unique play on a personal pan pizza that is the length of a footlong sub. The interior is set up like any made to order quick service restaurant where you can order from their menu of perfectly crafted pies or you can browse the fresh ingredients to build your own. If you’re feeling adventurous, they have a Dirty Bird Buffalo Chicken Pizza with homemade sauce, chicken, blue cheese and of course, a drizzle of tangy buffalo sauce. But if you’re more of an OG pizza savant, then their New G is a great representative of a traditional margarita pizza.
Raising Cane’s (Honorable Mention)
10 Astor Place
New York
NY 10003
The last munchie spot is an honorable mention as it isn’t open yet but will be very soon. Louisiana based chicken finger empire Raising Cane’s is simultaneously opening its first New York City locations this year with the first being in Time Square and the second being at Astor Place situated directly adjacent to Housing Works Cannabis Company. The chicken giant has slowly been taking over markets in the south so it’s no surprise they’re throwing themselves in the ring in NYC. Known for their Box Combo (no, not the NYC Box you’re thinking of), Raising Cane’s has built a cult like following around their Louisiana style crunch chicken tenders, perfectly buttered texas toast and secret recipe Cane’s sauce that can satisfy the biggest post weed cravings. They have signed a 20-year lease at their Astor Place location, so they plan to be serving a lot of chicken fingers for the foreseeable future!