Maialino (vicino)

Why head to 30th Street for Italian food? Maialino (vicino) sits a short walk from the Flatiron and Herald Square bustle, a reliable spot for a quick espresso or a longer sit-down. Breakfast shows up on the menu, and the glass of house red arrives before you’ve even settled in. Small plates appear alongside late-night comfort food, which keeps the sidewalk active well past dinner.

If beer or wine is the goal, the list leans local without making a show of it. Coffee flows from the first light through the afternoon, and happy-hour prices drop when the clock ticks past four. Call ahead if you want a seat when the crowd rolls in: (212) 777-2410. The map places the restaurant just east of 5th Avenue, easy to reach from the 6 train or any crosstown bus.