A Complete Guide To Eating And Drinking At Frieze New York 2015

The annual Frieze New York art fair takes place this Thursday through Sunday. One of the few large-scale exhibitions to focus on contemporary art and living artists, Frieze is housed on Randall's Island in a bespoke temporary structure suffused with natural light. This year's edition includes over 190 of the world's leading galleries, making it the company's largest event to date. In recent years, art fairs across the U.S. — especially those in major cities — have become more than just venues to display works to visitors and prospective buyers. They've transformed into full-blown destination events, complete with a bevy of quality food and beverage options. This year's Frieze is no exception. Contemporary art and a quinoa bowl, washed down with a local IPA in a riverfront biergarten? Check. Here's a look at the vendors and restaurants that will be on hand at this weekend's Frieze New York.

Quick Bites

Court Street Grocers

The Brooklyn specialty market is returning to offer freshly prepared salads, sandwiches and locally sourced beverages. Look for an informal counter set up indoors.

Dimes

It's been an exciting year for the trendy Dimes, which recently moved to bigger digs on the Lower East Side. The restaurant will pop up at Frieze to serve some of its popular California-style fare, including quinoa bowls and chia pudding.

Sit-Down Restaurants

Frankies Spuntino

The Franks have been instrumental figures in New York's Italian dining scene since opening their first location over a decade ago in Carroll Gardens. They'll be back at Frieze this year with a full-service restaurant offering classic Italian recipes with organic products sourced from local providers. A wine list will feature small producers from Italy and beyond, and an outdoor beer garden and grill will serve items from Frankies' Prime Meats. Reservations are accepted.

Marlow & Sons

Famed Brooklyn restaurateur Andrew Tarlow is bringing his Marlow & Sons to the fair for the third time. A new, seated dining room on the riverfront will highlight its signature New American items, and there will also be a grab-and-go counter and bar. Walk-ins only.

Roberta's

The much-loved Brooklyn pizzeria has become a fixture at city pop-ups and festivals, and it returns to the outdoor deck overlooking the East River for a fourth consecutive year at Frieze. In addition to perfectly charred wood-fired pizzas and other classic items, the menu will feature some new recipes and a selection of local wines and beers.

Coffee and Dessert

Milk Bar

Another fair veteran is Momofuku's Milk Bar. Helmed by Christina Tosi — recipient of last week's James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef — the bakery stand will dish out its traditional (and ever-popular) Crack Pie and cookies.

Vietnamese coffee ice cream at the Lower East Side's Morgenstern's

Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream

What's a stroll along the East River after viewing fine art and enjoying fine pizza without some of New York's best ice cream? There's no word yet on which flavors will make it out to Randall's Island, but the Lower East Side shop is known for its inventive and original variations.

Parlor Coffee

Replacing Blue Bottle Coffee this year is Parlor Coffee. The Brooklyn roasters will run a café featuring a selection of espresso and drip coffee sourced from founder Dillon Edwards's travels in South America and East Africa.

VIP

NeueHouse

Lucky enough to score VIP tickets? This year's most exclusive room and restaurant will be hosted by NeueHouse, a workspace collective in Gramercy. It's a bit of an odd choice, but Chris Bradley — the former chef of Danny Meyer's Untitled and Gramercy Tavern — has created a menu composed of seasonal cuisine just for the weekend. NeueHouse will also unveil a VIP room bar, outdoor patio and café, as well as a counter with coffee and pastries. Reservations are available for the seated restaurant.

Check out these art stories on Food Republic:

  • Famous Novels Reimagined As Soup Can Labels
  • These Are The 20 Hottest Art World Hangouts Right Now
  • Has Vice Taken #FoodPorn Too Far?