Bryant Park Winter Village food review
We reviewed five food vendors at the Bryant Park Winter Village, and this is what we thought.
Photography by Merielen Espino/The Barnard Bulletin
By Sophia Blythe and Izzy Pope
December 22, 2024
We set out to the Bryant Park Winter Village on Sunday afternoon, bringing along three of our friends to add to the festive cheer and try as much food as possible. The Winter Village has dozens of options, ranging from small bites to sweet treats, and full meals. Even though the lines are long and some of the prices are high, it’s a fun activity with your friends as the city enters the peak holiday season. We tried five different vendors, and our recommendations and ratings are below!
Photography by Sophia Blythe/The Barnard Bulletin
Bao by Kaya
If you’re looking for something a little more filling, Bao by Kaya is a good option. The combo comes with two bao buns of your choice and spring rolls. We got the pork belly and the beef bao. The baos were flavorful and delicious, and the spring rolls were fresh and crispy. Our favorite was the pork belly, juicy with a side of punchy cucumber salad and crunchy peanuts — it was delicious. A solid 7.5/10.
Photography by Sophia Blythe/The Barnard Bulletin
Pickle Me Pete
If you like pickles, you can’t come to Bryant Park and not try Pickle Me Pete. Are they overpriced? Yes. But they are so tasty! A crispy skewer of crispy pickles with a zingy ranch, what more could you want? Although one fried pickle for $16 is the rip-off of the century, it’s a must-try if you are a pickle fanatic. Due to the outrageous price, we give it a reluctant 6.5/10.
Photography by Sophia Blythe/The Barnard Bulletin
Mysttik Masala
As one of the few gluten-free options available (and no line), Mysttik Masala is a great choice. They offer a range of bowls featuring Indian classics, appetizers like samosas, and naan wraps. We tried their Chicken Tikka Masala bowl that came with rice, which was pretty good but nothing out of the ordinary. Although $20 may seem pricey, the portion was fairly substantial, great for sharing, or a full meal. If you aren’t game for waiting in a long line and want something that is both warm and filling, Mystikk Masala is a good option. A solid 6/10.
Photography by Sophia Blythe/The Barnard Bulletin
Bel-Fries
A fast food stall serving all the classics. We tried the cone of bel-fries and chicken nuggets, which hit the spot. It is also one of the more reasonably priced options at the Winter Village, costing $14 for a large portion. It is a simple option that still tastes good — probably the best bang for your buck. If you are feeling hungry and need something salty, filling, and satisfying this is your best bet. “I loved the combo,” said Lucine La Porta (BC ‘27). “It was super tasty and filling!” We would rate this an 8/10.
Photography by Sophia Blythe/The Barnard Bulletin
Frida’s Favorites Churros & Empanadas Hut
As our sweet treat, we got six Churros for $15, with Nutella on the side. They were better than we expected: not too sweet and fluffy, with a crispy, sugary outside that paired nicely with the rich Nutella. “These are tastier than your average Churro,” said Chancey Stefanos (BC ‘27). It was the perfect sweet treat to end our day, getting the ranking of a 9/10.