Awesome Eats Atop The High Line

I don’t even remember a New York without the High Line, do you?  Where would we stroll when the weather got warm to admire the gardens and the city from above… with a glass of wine in our hand?

Since opening back in 2011, the High Line has become a favorite destination (especially come spring and summer) for both tourists and New Yorkers alike.  Running from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 30th Street in Chelsea, the 1- mile long, elevated park provides some of the best waterfront views in the city, boasts 210 different, lush plant species, hosts tours, lectures, performances and events, and most importantly, is home to a number of top, area food vendors as well, all of whom have just opened shop for the season.  So from savory Smoked Meat at Delaney Barbecue to Mango Paletas at La Newyorkina, here’s what to eat while you’re traversing the breezy, bustling High Line.

The Taco Truck: While they started life as a New Jersey-based mobile eatery, The Taco Truck now peddles authentic Mexican eats from storefronts, kiosks and carts throughout New York, New Jersey, and even Massachusetts.  And there’s no shortage of appealing items on their dedicated High Line menu, like Tacos Al Pastor, Tortas stuffed with Beef Barbacoa, and the healthful Ensalada la Unica; mixed greens topped with tomato, avocado, queso and pumpkin seeds in a pineapple vinaigrette.

Delaney Barbecue’s SmokeLine: Another Brooklyn transplant, the High Line is still the only place you can enjoy Dan Delaney’s award-winning meat (he was crowned “Brisket King of NYC” in 2013) outside of Williamsburg.  That Oak-Smoked Beef can be ordered as a plate or piled high on a sandwich, along with a number of refreshing, vegetarian-friendly sides, like Potato or Black Eyed Pea Salad, Coleslaw, or crunchy, briny Pickles.

Terroir at The Porch: While most bites sold on the High Line are easy enough to eat on the go, it’s hard to beat the relaxed, sit down experience at Terroir; an open-air outpost of Paul Grieco and Marco Canora’s popular wine bar.  The thoughtfully curated beverage list highlights small wineries and breweries from throughout New York State, and there are a number of delicious dishes to enjoy alongside, from a sugar snap pea-studded Farro Salad to a hearty Veal and Ricotta Meatball Sub.

Blue Bottle Coffee: The High Line was Blue Bottle’s first location outside of Brooklyn, and Manhattanites have been duly won over by their single-origin drip coffees, full line of espresso drinks, mochas made with Nunu chocolates and milk from Battenkill Valley Creamery, and best-selling New Orleans Iced Coffee, which has been cold-brewed for 18 hours with roasted chicory and sweetened with organic cane sugar.

La Newyorkina: The artisanal ice pops (or paletas) at Fany Gerson’s reliably popular cart are inspired by her native Mexico.  The esteemed pastry chef (she also owns the creative donut shop, Dough) uses fresh fruit, milk and honey from local farms for her stable of delectable flavors, like Yogurt with Berry Swirl, Roasted Plum, Avocado, Lime and Chili, Coconut, Mango and Tamarind.

Melt Bakery: There’s certainly no shortage of frozen treats to choose from on the High Line, but Melt stands out from the pack with innovative ice cream sandwiches, like the “Lovelet,” red velvet cookies with cream cheese ice cream, the “Morticia,” crackly chocolate cookies cradling malted chocolate rum, and rotating specials, like the “Jackson,” mango lassi frozen yogurt between two soft, cardamom-scented cakes.

People’s Pops: One of the first success stories to come out of Smorgasburg, the now ubiquitous People’s Pops have taken their refreshing wares to the High Line.  Their seasonal menu of popsicles and shave ice (think Plum Sour Cherry, Strawberry Pepper, Sweet Corn Vanilla and Blueberry Peach) includes fruit from farms throughout New Jersey and New York, like Red Jacket Orchards, Van Houten Farms, Philips Farms, and Maxwell Farms.

L’Arte del Gelato: While you can find their smooth scoops in the nearby Chelsea Market, it’s infinitely more satisfying to get your gelato fix atop the sunny High Line.  Made in small batches with locally-sourced organic milk, ripe greenmarket fruit, and quality products imported from Italy, the selection of gelati and sorbetti include luscious Amaretto, nutty Pistachio, dense, cayenne pepper-spiked Chocolate, and Fior di Fragola (bright, summery strawberry).