The Meatpacking is one of New York City’s most distinctive neighbourhoods, famous for its transformation from literal meatpacking district to hotel, shopping & nightlife hotspot. I lived in New York City for two years, and have written this guide to the Meatpacking District to help you get the most out of your trip to New York City. The best of the Meatpacking District includes the High Line, The Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Meatpacking’s best restaurant, bar & nightlife hotspots like Pastis, Catch and RH Rooftop.

Where is the Meatpacking District?

The Meatpacking District is in downtown Manhattan. It’s a small neighbourhood, wedged between the Hudson River and West Village, with Chelsea to the north and Tribeca to the south.

Best Hotels in the Meatpacking

The Standard High Line

The Standard High Line is a stylish hotel in a prime location in the Meatpacking, perfect for travellers wanting to be in the heart of the action. We stayed here for our last few nights in New York City, after we moved out of our apartment, and we loved our stay! The rooms are naturally compact, but very stylish, and I loved the views over the Hudson River. The Standard is one of my favourite US hotel brands, inspiring dozens of imitators across the globe.

Best Things to Do in the Meatpacking District

The High Line

The High Line is one of New York City’s greatest and most famous urban revitalisation projects, and most unique public parks. The High Line was formerly a raised railway line, used primarily for transporting goods in and out of the Meatpacking District. It’s been converted into an 1.45 mile length public park, dotted with sculptures and art installations. 

The High Line starts in the Meatpacking and ends just past Chelsea, in Hudson Yards, with a couple of exit points along the way. Start in Hudson Yards (maybe with lunch at Mercado Little Spain) and then walk south along the High Line, all the way to its end point in the Meatpacking – a much livelier destination than Hudson Yards.

The Whitney Museum of American Art

The Whitney Museum of American Art is one of the best museums in New York City, and a visit is easily one of the best things to do in the Meatpacking District. The Whitney holds more than 25,000 artworks, all by American artists in the 20th and 21st centuries. Don’t miss the rooftop, which has one of the best views over downtown Manhattan (pictured below)

Chelsea Market

Chelsea Market is one of New York City’s greatest markets, and despite the name, is actually located in the heart of the Meatpacking District. It’s a food and retail market, and one of the best spots to browse for lunch or shop for a stylish souvenir to bring home with you. Some of the best spots in Chelsea Market are Corkbuzz wine bar, Amy’s Bread, Los Mariscos and Los Tacos, and Black Seed Bagels.

Where to Eat & Drink in the Meatpacking District

Restaurants in the Meatpacking District

Catch

Catch is a classic Meatpacking Restaurant – it’s beautiful, it’s expensive and it’s a bit of a scene. Catch is a rooftop restaurant, with excellent sushi and Japanese-inspired cuisine. 

Pastis

It was a huge deal when restauranteur Keith McNally re-opened his legendary restuarant, Pastis, in partnership with equally high profile restauranteur Stephen Starr. Pastis was, and now is, a classic McNally restaurant, creating a scene and inspiring scores of imitators. The new Pastis is larger, and in a new location in the Meatpacking, but the DNA remains the same.

Bessou 

Bessou was one of my go-to restaurants for spectacular comfort food, before the pandemic. Post-pandemic, they’ve transformed their creative Japanese home cooking into a retail & takeaway offering, now operating out of Pier 57 in the Meatpacking. The salmon sashimi crispy rice is my favourite!

Bars in the Meatpacking District

The Meatpacking is one of New York City’s nightlife hot spots, and is a popular late night destination.

Le Bain (Rooftop at The Standard)

Le Bain is the rooftop bar at the Standard Hotel, and one of the best known rooftop bars in the Meatpacking District. It’s a late night hotspot, but has beautiful views at sunset over the Hudson.

Corkbuzz

For a completely different pace, stop by Corkbuzz, a cosy wine bar inside Chelsea Market, which has a totally different vibe to the typical Meatpacking bars and restaurants.

Coffee & Brunch in the Meatpacking District

RH Rooftop Restaurant

The RH Rooftop Restaurant is one of the chicest spots in the Meatpacking, perched atop the multi-storey high end furniture store, Restoration Hardware. RH Rooftop Restaurant is a popular spot for lunch and dinner, but I personally love visiting for brunch – a perfect opportunity if you’re visiting New York City, especially mid week when it’s easier to get a table for breakfast! I love the views of the Meatpacking from here.

Kobrick Coffee

Kobrick Coffee are fourth-generation coffee roasters, with their first flagship coffee shop in the heart of the Meatpacking. This is the best coffee in the Meatpacking, and they have some nice outdoor seating.

Think Coffee

Think Coffee is a reliable coffee spot in the Meatpacking, in a neighbourhood that tends to learn towards bars and restaurants over cafes.

Further Reading

Planning a trip to New York City? Check out some of my most popular New York City itineraries & guides below:

• 5 Days in New York City: Itinerary for First Time Visitors
• Where to Stay in New York City For First Time Visitors
• West Village Neighbourhood Guide
• SoHo Neighbourhood Guide
• Midtown Manhattan Neighbourhood Guide
• New York City Travel Guide

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