As a student-athlete, fueling my body is critical to my performance both on and off the field. As a soccer player, I simply just love to indulge in whatever I can find in the pantry after practice. As a a “new”  New Yorker, I find myself constantly searching Yelp to try and find the coolest cuisine in the country. Regardless of my excuse, New York City has to be one of my favorite cities to eat in (minus it’s lack of Mexican food).  Here’s my top ten restaurants/quick bites/ and places to indulge in the Big Apple.

 Eva’s Health Food – For those times when I was missing Mom’s cooking or whenever I felt like a solid healthy meal, I would often find myself in this tiny restaurant adorned with pictures of body builders and other famous stars that have graced Eva’s with their presence. My go to menu-item is the Victory Plate which is Lemon Chicken, Rice and Veggies all mixed up – so yummy! The crowd isn’t half bad either – if you find yourself hungry around 10 at night, you’ll be sure to run into members of the NYU basketball team. Shout out to Xu and JLiss – Eva’s two top customers and my two favorite bball players.

Crepeaway – Whenever I’m in the mood for a crepe there’s nothing better than Crepeaway. The staff is über friendly and the place is open late Thursday through Saturday. My fav is just chocolate chips – simple I know but still delicious.

Washington Square Diner – This is where my friends and I go whenever we are feeling like breakfast whether that’s at 4 in the morning or 6 at night. They get bonus points because their delivery took less than 10 minutes after we ordered.

 Ben’s Pizza – Best at about 3 in the morning – I’ve had some marvelous moments here. It’s also a block from where I used to live. The price can be a bit inconvenient compared to the dollar pizza around the corner but if you go there enough the non-english speaking pizza serving men will give you free slices 🙂

Max Brenner – Nothing says chocolate like Max Brenner. I love going their for brunch and getting a bagel and a dessert to share. It’s a must-see if you’re ever in Lower Manhattan.

Insomnia Cookies – This place was open late, like the name indicates. Their cookies were fresh and delicious and have helped me get through many late nights. The box of cookies delivered in a pizza box is perfect for any study group. Just be sure to have plenty of milk for those cookies.

5 Guys Famous Burgers and Fries – There are just those times when you need a burger, some fries and a soda to wipe the worries of life away. This is where I’d just catch up with fellow foodie Shelby (a.k.a. Christmas Elf). Though their menu is simple, their food never disappoints.

16 Handles – By far my favorite froyo place in the whole United States. I used to work at a yogurt shop in high school, which I loved, but this place will forever be number one in my heart. Their countless toppings, 16 flavors, and upbeat vibe cannot be beat.

Dos Caminos – As a native San Diegan, I often craved Mexican food. Although I never truly satisfied my cravings food wise and my pocket was hurting afterwards, Dos Caminos did offer the atmosphere that I missed from a typical Mexican restaurant.

Arturo’s Coal Pizza – This family style old-school Italian restaurant never ceases to amaze me. Their  Penne a la Vodka is my personal favorite, but their pizza is pretty good too.