14 Spots To Find The Best Mac And Cheese In New York City
These dishes are rich, creamy, and perfectly made with a soul-comforting blend of cheeses.
Nothing says comfort quite like a bowl of mac and cheese, where you see the strings of cheese failing to break with every forkful (or spoonful!).
There’s no shame in ordering mac and cheese from a restaurant, especially if it’s from one of the places on this list! From creamy rich classics, to over-the-top fusions, here are all the places in NYC with must-try mac and cheese dishes (and a map at the bottom to help find a spot nearest you):
1. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, Flatiron
As the menu item name suggests with the title of “World’s Best,” this mac & cheese is truly delicious and incredibly cheesy. Beecher’s has been around 20 years, and 11 years in NYC, serving top-notch cheese meals and mac and cheese ever since. If you’re looking for quality, Beecher’s should be at the top of your list.
Where: 900 Broadway, New York
2. Sek’end Sun, Astoria
Sek’end Sun is an Astoria cocktail bar with tons of great cocktails and some of the best mac and cheese in NYC. Add pulled pork to their aged cheddar and parmesan mac for the perfect start to your meal (or as the whole meal, honestly).
Where: 32-11 Broadway, Queens
3. Murray’s Cheese Bar, West Village
Murray’s was on our list of the best grilled cheese in the city, and their mac and cheese delivers just as well. It’s made with cheddar, Gruyere, Gouda, and Scharfe Maxx—a dark, funky, and super melty Swiss cow’s milk cheese. They also have other versions like French Onion Mac, Buffalo Chicken Mac, and Meatball Marinara.
Where: 264 Bleecker St, New York
4. The Smith, Midtown East
This fabulously cheesy mac goes straight from the oven to table! Seriously, it’s brought to you in the hot skillet it’s made in, which means even when you have to take that halfway break it’ll still be warm when you get back to finishing the dish.
Where: 956 2nd Ave (Various Additional Locations)
5. Jacob’s Pickles, UWS
Although they have a couple of options, their must-try item is the buffalo chicken mac & cheese…but it’s certainly not for the faint of heart. They have regular mac & cheese, too, that’s just as good.
Where: 509 Amsterdam Ave, New York
6. Thursday Kitchen, East Village
Although typically known for its Korean food, do not sleep on Thursday Kitchen’s mac and cheese. This fusion restaurant has a unique (and amazing) truffle mac & cheese, which is made with manila clam, fontina, gruyere, and mozzarella.
Where: 424 E 9th St, New York
7. Westville, West Village
This local mini-chain tosses spiral pastas with their signature smoked Gouda bechamel, and then bakes it until the top is brown and crispy. Bacon is optional, but we highly recommend it.
Where: 210 W 10th St, New York (Various Additional Locations)
8. Catfish, Bushwick
This Cajun kitchen makes a wonderful baked mac & cheese that’s made with béchamel sauce, gruyere and white cheddar, scallions, and crumbled zapp’s “cajun crawtator” chips on top! You can even splurge for some bacon or crawfish additions, too.
Where: 1433 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
9. Heidi’s House, UES
You can basically make your own macaroni and cheese here. Their “better than Grandma Lola’s” mac can be made to order with: bacon, chorizo, lobster, spicy chopped jalapeños, roasted organic cauliflower or broccoli, mushrooms & white truffle oil, and white truffle oil. The possibilities are endless!
Where: 308 E 78th St #3, New York
10. Earl’s Beer and Cheese, UES
There may not be a boatload of menu items to choose from here, but you only need one: mac & cheese. It’s made with giant rigatoni, rosemary, goat cheese, and a touch of cream.
Where: 1259 Park Ave, New York
11. Cafeteria, Greenwich
They have several signature mac & cheese options on offer, and honestly, we love them all!
Where: 119 7th Ave, New York
12. Queens Bully, Forest Hills
Their creamy cheddar mac was voted best in Queens at the Mac & Cheese Smackdown 2018. There are plenty of add ons you can include, but the basic recipe calls for cheese sauce, elbow pasta, parmesan, and toasted breadcrumbs. (We’re dying to try it with shrimp or brisket though!)
Where: 113-30 Queens Blvd, Queens
13. S’MAC, East Village
Short for Sarita’s Macaroni & Cheese, you can’t beat the mac & cheese here because it’s their specialty! Offering a wide variety of mac & cheese dishes, the menu includes low carb, gluten-free, and vegan options! We recommend the S’mac Sampler to get a little taste of everything!
Where: 197 1st Avenue, New York
14. Mac Shack, Clinton Hill
The Mac Shack offers over 15 different mac & cheese options ranging from Alfredo Mac, Curry Mac, and Pizza Mac. You’re sure satiate all of your mac & cheese cravings at this Brooklyn favorite.
Where: 901 Fulton St, Brooklyn
Also published on Medium.