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What Not to Miss at the Tin Building NYC in the Seaport

Exploring a culinary realm envisioned by Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Twelve restaurants. Three bars. Meat, fish, and cheese markets. Hard to find ingredients. And all of it under the singular vision of star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The Tin Building is the culinary epicenter of the Seaport and downtown NYC. Across two floors you'll find a taste of everything. 

tin building brooklyn bridge

Central Market

Entering the building brings you right to the seafood portion of the Central Market. This is a callback to the Fulton Fish Market, the city's main seafood exchange, which was at the Seaport for decades before moving up to a new spot in the Bronx. Alongside the fish you'll see a butcher, a charcuterie stop, cheese, and arrays off fresh produce off to the side. The approach here is "globally inspired, locally sourced."

tin building central market

Candy Store

spoiled parrot tin building

Kids of all ages can lose themselves in a lollipop wall, endless confectionary picks, and high-end chocolate sourced from all over the world at the Spoiled Parrot. (The name comes from Rumi, “I am a spoiled parrot who eats only candy. I have no interest in bitter food.”)

tin building sorbet

There's also made-to-order ice cream and sorbets with flavors like Meyer lemon and dragon fruit.

Eggs, Patisserie, Fresh Seafood

cakes tin building patisserie

Also on the first floor you'll find temptations like a patisserie, where Jean-Georges's French background shines through. There are fine pastries, glorious cakes, and freshly baked breads like a kabocha squash sourdough. T Cafe will serve you coffee with a side of Brooklyn Bridge views.

Fulton Fish Co. has a long bar that recalls the glamour of old New York, with a raw bar and a memorable fish 'n' chips.

caviar tin building

Courtesy of Hallie Burton.

Double Yolk cheekily devotes itself to “serving eggs all day.” Gourmet breakfast bites give way to a more luxurious scene, with caviar and champagne servings beginning at 5pm.

Step into T. Brasserie and you'll be immediately transported to Parisian vibes. There's fine bistro dining here and also T. Brasserie North, ideal for private events.

An Intimate Night at the Tin Building

shikku tin building

Sushi and sake destination Shikku has its own alcove just off the bustle of the main floor. Sit at the counter for sashimi, rolls, and favorites like blistered shishito peppers and sesame shrimp cakes.

Second Floor Stops

tin building seeds and weeds

Seeds & Weeds, courtesy of Nicole Franzen.

Take the escalator up for a new series of culinary horizons. Vegan and vegetarian options (don't miss the green chickpea hummus with a crisp crudité) abound at Seeds & Weeds. The rustic space holds one of the Tin Building's several open kitchens, so you can watch the artisans at work.

Highlighting the more casual options at the Tin Building are the fast casual picks at Taquito, the center's taqueria. On the far side of the beer bar you'll find the elevated pastas and pizzas of the Frenchman's Dough (Italian with a twist).

tin building mercantile

If you want to impress the host or hostess at your next gathering, the Mercantile here has hundreds of curated gift ideas. The shelves are loaded with hard to find ingredients, many of Tin Building in-house brands. (If you want to instantly up your game as a home chef, a quick stop here will do the trick.) It's also absorbing just to wander the aisles and discover all the things you didn't know you needed. 

mercantile east tin building

Another spot to browse and be inspired is the Mercantile East, which holds Asian specialty items. It's also the point of entry for the intimate speakeasy House Of The Red Pearl. There's a special thrill to having the warm, inviting space open up to you. The open kitchen here turns out Chinese-inspired dishes like sautéed black sea bass with ginger and chili or smoked-bacon fried rice.

The Tin Building is open daily 8am-10pm. 96 South St. (Pier 17), 646-868-6000, tinbuilding.com

The Seaport

pier 17 rooftop

The Tin Building is the culinary heart of the Seaport, but there's tons of other things to do in the area. Over two centuries of city history and commerce come together on these cobblestone streets, which include lots of shopping and the summer concert series at The Rooftop at Pier 17. The South Street Seaport Museum tells the story of “Where New York Begins” through art, artifacts, and a fleet of historic vessels (Wednesdays through Sundays you can take a free tour of the 1908 Lightship Ambrose). At Pier 15 you’ll find Watermark, a massive space perched over the water with exceptional panoramic views of the Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridges and the Brooklyn skyline. theseaport.nyc

About the Author

Ethan Wolff is the author of numerous guidebooks to New York, having covered the city for more than two decades. He has written for New York Magazine, BlackBook, and Details, among others. In addition to his work as the editor of City Guide, Ethan covers NYC’s talk and lecture scene for the website Thought Gallery. He lives with his wife and two daughters in the Windsor Terrace neighborhood of Brooklyn.

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