Beyond the Observation Deck

The Empire State Building is famous around the world. Soaring above New York City, imposing and beautiful, it is a must for every tourist. Its top floors offer not one, but two observation decks: zoom up in one of the high-speed elevators, and you'll see the entire New York City (and the better part of New Jersey) lay at your feet.

But for people who work in the thousands of offices that fill its floors, the Empire State Building and its neighborhood offers much more than a nice view (though the luckier inhabitants of the building have it in spades). So where do the Empire State Building's employees go on their lunch break?

Rosa's Pizza
350 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10118
(212) 239-4700

Rosa's Pizza is a mom and pop chain. This might strike you as a contradiction in terms; however, its locations around town have a decidedly small neighborhood restaurant atmosphere. The Empire State Building location is no exception.

A bright and festive space lined with mirrors, this particular Rosa's Pizza is one of the cleanest in town, with polite servers who make it a point to chat up regular customers. And then there's the food. It's well known (and absolutely true) that New York has the best pizza in the world, but even among the best, there are gradations and differences. Rosa's Pizza, specifically the Empire State Building location, is in the top 20% of New York's pizzerias - not a small feat, considering the playing field.

Woorijip
12 West 32nd Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 244-1115

To an untrained stomach, Korean food can present quite a challenge. Your local Chinese restaurant has not prepared you for its strange flavors and unforgiving spices. But if you are determined to try new things, Korean food can prove to be the best culinary discovery of your life.