New York City is home to some of the best eats in the country. If you're lucky enough to live here, you can get just about any dish your heart desires delivered to your door—at any time, day or night. But when it comes to the parts of the Big Apple that boast the best bites, some areas have more to offer than others. If you find yourself in the Financial District (“FiDi”) around lunchtime, and you're seeking something other than a typical food chain or overpriced "make your salad" station, you may be in for a tough time.
While FiDi has had some recent upgrades to the lunch scene thanks to the eateries that call Brookfield Place home (ICE's new home too!), finding a FiDi lunch spot can be challenging. However, there are some hidden gems—and who better to point out the diamonds in the rough than the culinary students at ICE, who happen to learn and dine right in the area? We asked a few ICE students for their takes on the best spots to grab lunch in FiDi. Here's where to eat next time you find yourself starving at noon on the lower west side of Manhattan. 
97 Nassau St.
"This place is a secret spot that I always hesitate to tell people about because it's such a hidden gem. Go for the Pisillo on semolina bread: prosciutto di Parma, porchetta, buffalo mozzarella, roasted peppers, arugula and balsamic dressing, oh my!
It's HUGE, so split it with a friend or save the other half for tomorrow. And heads up: it's cash only, so hit up that ATM beforehand." - Christen Clinkscales, Culinary Arts ‘16 
103 Washington St.
"For the best lunch spot in FiDi, Tipsy Shanghai gets my vote! One day I was walking around looking for somewhere to eat, and I saw a sign for dumplings. So I walked into this pub and realized Tipsy Shanghai was tucked up on the second floor.
Walking in, it feels like you're stepping into little Shanghai. From their amazing complimentary soup dumplings to the delicious spring rolls, starters are just the beginning at this sensational hidden gem. Their short ribs are to die for, but the General Tso's chicken stole the blue ribbon in my book! Great portions for a great price and my favorite for lunchtime eats." - Jessica McCain, Culinary Arts ‘16
104 John St.
"I always get the combo chicken here (which is wings and drumsticks). My favorite flavor is soy garlic. As an appetizer, I like the kimchi pancake trio. It's a nice place to get together with friends after work for a bite and to catch up. Though it does get a little noisy, the atmosphere is always fun!" - Janey Chiu, Pastry & Baking Arts, ‘16 
72 Nassau St.
"This is a once-in-a-while splurge for me. It's a little on the pricey side, but oh-so worth it. I get the 1/4 lb. sirloin burger on a pillowy Portuguese muffin with the "normal fixins" and cheddar cheese.
Get it medium, because that's the way burgers are supposed to be consumed. And don't you dare put any condiments on it! The caramelized onions and juicy burger speak for themselves. The side of fries is massive, so split it with a friend." - Christen Clinkscales, Culinary Arts ‘16
28 
West St.
"Inatteso was my favorite discovery in the Battery Park/FiDi area. You’d think finding a good pizza place in New York City would be easy, but there are a lot of weak pies out there. Inatteso hits the spot every time. Order the Parma (tomato-ricotta sauce, prosciutto, arugula and aged balsamic) or the Ortolana (mozzarella, tomato sauce, zucchini, sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, basil pesto and arugula) with a glass (or two!) of their delicious wine for a seriously satisfying meal." - Lauren Jessen, Culinary Arts ‘16
26 S. William St.
"This place has my favorite lobster roll and nothing beats that! It is pricier than other options in the area, but you get at least one whole lobster in your roll, if not more. The roll resembles a hotdog bun crossed with white bread, and it's perfectly toasted and buttered. Simply delicious!" - Janey Chiu, Pastry & Baking Arts ‘16
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