Your Guide to What To Eat in Penn Station's New and Improved LIRR Concourse

Have you been to the new and improved LIRR concourse at Penn Station lately? Closed in 2019 for extensive renovations, this underground portion of the transit hub where folks can catch trains to and from Long Island is back with an expansive suite of food and drink options, all in a cleaner and brighter area (and all the restaurants have large LIRR timetables in their seating areas to ensure you don't miss your train). Here’s a quick rundown of what you can find there. (And if your train is leaving out of Moynihan Train Hall, you're in luck: we've got a food guide to that one, too.)

Chick-Fil-A

Is it the best chicken sandwich in the city? Decide for yourself by getting Chick-Fil-A's classic chicken sandwich at their Penn Station store; just don’t go on Sunday, or you’ll be greeted with a closed restaurant.

Chopt

To-order salads are the specialty at Chopt, where you can also order grain bowls and wraps, either off the menu or fully customized. You can even get a bottle of to-go dressing.

Dos Toros

Dos Toros pumps out Mission-style burritos that look and taste the part, wrapped tight but stuffed with meat, cheese, rice and a wide array of salsas and toppings. They’ve also got tacos and quesadillas if you’re aiming for something smaller.

Duane Reade

This New York mainstay is a one-stop shop for toiletries, makeup, snacks, beer, stationery, and other essentials. And it has a pharmacy to boot.

Gotham News

Books, magazines, snacks and souvenirs make up the majority of the stock at this Hudson News-style chain, where you can get travel essentials and peruse The New York Times’ bestseller list while waiting for your train. This is also the place to go if you forgot your phone charger or headphones at home and need a spare one pronto.

H&H Bagels

A New York institution since 1972, H&H slings breakfast sandwiches and bagels with schmears here, making it a popular breakfast stop. Choose from the expansive menu of bagel sandwiches or just grab a dozen and a tub of cream cheese for yourself.

Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia Cookies is best known for being open until the wee hours of the morning, and their Penn Station outlet is no different, serving freshly baked treats until 1 am from Sunday through Wednesday and 3 am from Thursday through Saturday. Grab individual cookies or a box full of them (ranging from four to 100) or try their ice cream or brownies. Heading to a party or potluck? They’ve got cookie cakes for those who need to feed a crowd.

Le Cafe

This small coffee spot with locations all over New York City is a good breakfast destination, offering avocado toast and various bagel sandwiches, plus pastries and other to-go morning meals. The Ricottza Toast is a particular standout, combining ricotta cheese, avocado, za’atar, olive oil and honey on multigrain toast.

Playa Bowls

Craving a smoothie or an acai bowl? Playa Bowls is the place to go for a healthy breakfast or midday snack; they also offer coffee and bottled cold pressed juices if you’re short on time.

Pret-a-Manger

Get coffee and a sandwich to go at either of Penn Station’s two Pret locations. You can also get specialty lunch items like soups, salads or quiche.

Raising Cane's

Founded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this chicken finger-centric fast-food chain has slowly been making its way up to the Eastern Seaboard and now boasts seven stores in New York City alone. As you can imagine, the menu leans heavily Southern, with coleslaw, Texas toast and sweet tea among your choices.

Realmuto

Italian pastries and gelato are the main offerings at this West Village pasticceria’s Penn Station stand. If your sweet tooth needs a break, Realmuto also serves small sandwiches, stuffed pasta and arancini.

Rose Pizza

This longtime Penn Station denizen is back serving slices late into the night to the relief of commuters who were worried that it had shut down for good amid the concourse renovations. And they brought back draft beers, too. While this new well-lit space may lack the mildly grimy je ne sais quoi of the old Rose Pizza, their slices haven’t changed, with a tomato sauce that’s a pleasant blend of salty and sweet and molten cheese that may singe the roof of your mouth but will definitely hit the spot.