Best Late Night Restaurants in Lower East Side (10002)
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Katz's Delicatessen
Historic, hand-carved deli sandwiches served in a bustling, old-school room.
Notable Picks
8.9
Katz's Delicatessen is an 1888-era Jewish deli on the Houston Street edge of the Lower East Side, famous for towering hand-carved pastrami and corned beef sandwiches served deep into the night. Lines of locals, tourists, and industry folks make it a classic late-night stop where the energy stays high even as most of the neighborhood winds down.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pastrami on rye, Reuben sandwich, Matzo ball soup
What makes it special: Historic, hand-carved deli sandwiches served in a bustling, old-school room.
8.5
Dim Sum Palace’s Chinatown branch at Division Street serves classic Cantonese dim sum and banquet dishes in a roomy dining room that stays open until 3 a.m. nightly. It’s where late-night groups come for har gow, rice rolls, and bigger plates instead of the usual slice or bodega run.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp har gow, Pork siu mai, Pan-fried turnip cake
What makes it special: Late-night dim sum with a full banquet-style menu in the heart of Chinatown.
8.3
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Girls Night Out Approved
Empanada Mama’s Lower East Side outpost is a 24/7 Latin comfort-food counter where dozens of baked and fried empanadas fuel nights out on Allen Street. It’s a go-to for groups spilling out of nearby bars who want something fast, filling, and handheld before heading home.
Must-Try Dishes:
Reggaeton Empanada (steak, peppers, onions, mozzarella), Viagra Empanada (seafood mix with tomato cream sauce), Sweet Plantain and Cheese Empanada
What makes it special: A 24/7 empanada hub with an enormous menu and steady late-night crowds.
8.1
Yunnan Rice Noodle House on Grand Street is a 24-hour Chinese noodle shop specializing in Yunnan-style rice noodle soups with customizable toppings. It’s a favorite for steaming bowls at 3 a.m., with big portions, punchy broths, and a casual dining room that feels more like a late-night canteen than a polished restaurant.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rice noodle soup (choose broth + toppings), Spicy broth bowl, Add-on proteins and greens
What makes it special: A build-your-own noodle-bowl spot that stays open very late.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Essex Taqueria is a tiny counter-service Mexican spot a few blocks from the Delancey/Essex subway that turns into a reliable late-night taco stop, especially Thursday through Saturday when it serves until 4 or 5 a.m. The menu leans toward straightforward tacos, bowls, and burritos that hit the spot after a long night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Tacos, Carne Asada Burrito, Chicken Quesadilla
What makes it special: No-frills taqueria where pricing, portions, and speed are the main draw.
7.7
The Grand Street Skewer Cart near the Grand St subway entrance grills cumin-dusted meats and vegetables late into the night for LES and Chinatown passersby. It’s a classic street-side stop where the smoke, spice, and crowd around the cart signal a solid, budget-friendly late-night snack.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cumin Lamb Skewers, Chicken Thigh Skewers, Enoki Mushroom Skewers
What makes it special: A late-night street cart turning out smoky cumin skewers steps from the subway.