NYCGuide
The Best Restaurants on Governors Island
photo credit: Doug Lyle Thompson
Governors Island is only a five-minute ferry ride from FiDi, and no cars are allowed—though pretty much every vehicle that runs on pedal power is available to rent. And after a day of walking and biking around the island, there’s a good chance you’ll work up quite an appetite. So pick a sunny day, pack up a picnic blanket and any of your offspring (if you have them), and plan your day around snacking on things like neapolitan pies, jerk chicken gyros, and paletas. Just know that a lot of these places are only open seasonally, so check here before you go.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Noah Deveraux
Island Oyster
Island Oyster has the best mix of atmosphere and food on the island, and it’s the main reason why we make our annual pilgrimage to the land of no cars. This place is from the Grand Banks team, and the long bar on the waterfront makes you feel like you’re at a beach resort, but one with panoramic views of downtown Manhattan. Get a spritz, fresh oysters, and an above-average lobster roll while you weigh the pros and cons of cooling off by way of a dunk in the East River (please don’t actually jump in).
photo credit: La Newyorkina
La Newyorkina
There are some things in life that you simply must do. For example, if you step foot on Governors Island on a toasty day, you’re going to get something ice cold from La Newyorkina that’s a lot better than anything you’ll find in your grocery store’s frozen aisle. It’s too hard to choose just one flavor at this paleta stand from the team behind Bed-Stuy’s Fan Fan Doughnuts, so we always go for the rainbow one, which has five different layers. The hotter the day, the earlier they start to run out of flavors, so make this place your first stop.
photo credit: Fauzia's Heavenly Delights
Fauzia's Heavenly Delights
It’s all about the jerk chicken at this halal Jamaican vendor, which started as a food truck in the Bronx in 1994. You can get it on a platter, but we prefer it in a gyro with a creamy and tangy white sauce. Like most things here, the chicken isn’t that spicy, so ask for their house hot sauce. There’s a good chance the wait at La Newyorkina is long, so Fauzia’s fresh lemonades and snow cones are good backups for a cold treat.
photo credit: Adam Friedlander
We’d recommend Pizza Yard even if it wasn’t the only option on the island for a pie. Sure, we’ve encountered poofier, more airy versions elsewhere, but the wood-fired Neapolitan pies here are good enough to satisfy any craving for hot and gooey fresh mozzarella on a chewy crust. Pizza Yard also has one of the nicest setups on the island, with tons of picnic tables spread out under tall trees. Find a shaded spot, get a bottle of wine, and polish it off while eating the pizza with thin, slightly crispy slices of capocollo, or one with roasted mushrooms.
photo credit: Will Hartman
Tokyo Drumstick
Tokyo Drumstick’s menu is the closest thing to boardwalk food that you’ll find on the island. There are all sorts of fried food here, and while their chicken sandwiches are pretty dry, the Korean-style corn dogs are one of our favorite handheld bites. Grab a normal corn dog that has a chewy exterior, and one covered in chunky fried potatoes. It’s great walking food as you traipse around the island. They also have cold brew, so if the other coffee outlets on the island have long lines, you can grab some here.
photo credit: Kenny Yang
Little Eva's
Little Eva’s has put more effort into their seating area than any of the places around them. The gazebo with counter seating, potted plants, and high tops under tall trees make you feel like you’re at someone’s garden party. This is your spot to get a plateful of chicken tenders or a hot dog, but they also have some pretty solid dishes, like the Red Hook Cubano (which doesn’t really taste like a cuban sandwich but they crisp up the pork in a very nice way), the beer-battered cod sandwich, and the watermelon salad with feta and basil. Consider this place the “something for everyone” option on the island.
photo credit: Will Hartman
Taco Vista
Taco Vista’s name makes two promises. It only comes through on one of them—the tacos fall well short of what is probably the best view of any food outlet on the island. The tortillas are stiff and rip easily, and the meat is dry and not very flavorful. But that unobstructed panorama view of the Lower Manhattan skyline is worth any taco-related disappointment. Come for a drink, or some chips and salsa, and watch the boats go by and the sun bounce off One World Trade Center’s 1,776 feet of glass panels, but save your main dining for elsewhere.
