Shopping, Dining & Nightlife in Garden City, NY
One of the things that stands out about Garden City is how much is happening within and immediately around the community.
You have major shopping at Roosevelt Field nearby, but Garden City itself has a completely different local business scene centered around areas like Seventh Street and Franklin Avenue.
There are restaurants, cafés, bars, bakeries, boutiques, specialty shops and longtime local businesses mixed into a community that is also very residential.
As a Long Island real estate broker, I think those everyday lifestyle details matter when you're trying to understand what it is actually like to live somewhere.
And because I spend a lot of time exploring Long Island through both real estate and the #RippedRealtor lifestyle, I wanted to put together some of the Garden City places worth knowing about.
Explore Garden City Homes for Sale
Seventh Street: Shopping, Food & Local Garden City Life
Seventh Street is one of the places where Garden City feels most like a traditional village downtown.
You'll find restaurants, cafés, food shops, boutiques and other local businesses within a relatively compact area.
It's the kind of place where you can grab coffee, meet someone for lunch, shop locally or go out for dinner without heading to a large shopping center.
Tony's Tacos Garden City
Tony's Tacos Garden City is located at 118 Seventh Street.
It's a casual option for tacos, bowls, quesadillas and other quick meals right in the Seventh Street business district.
The French Workshop
The French Workshop is located at 191 Seventh Street.
The bakery and café offers pastries, cakes, breads, sandwiches, coffee and other café options in a setting that works for anything from a quick coffee to dessert after dinner.
Taku Asian Bistro
Taku Asian Bistro is located at 100A Seventh Street.
Taku offers sushi, sashimi and Asian-fusion dishes and gives Seventh Street another sit-down dining option.
Leo's
Leo's is located at 190 Seventh Street.
Leo's is another longstanding local restaurant option directly in the Seventh Street district and adds to the mix of established businesses and newer concepts in the area.
Franklin Avenue: Restaurants, Cafés & Local Businesses
Franklin Avenue has a different feel from Seventh Street.
It is one of Garden City's major business corridors, combining offices, professional services, retail, cafés and a substantial concentration of restaurants.
If you're looking for dinner, brunch, drinks or coffee, there are quite a few options within a relatively small stretch.
Waterzooi Belgian Bistro & Oyster Bar
Waterzooi Belgian Bistro & Oyster Bar is located at 850 Franklin Avenue.
Waterzooi specializes in Belgian-inspired dining and is particularly known for mussels, oysters, Belgian beer and cocktails.
It works for both a full meal and more of a drinks-and-dinner atmosphere.
Novitá
Novitá is located at 860 Franklin Avenue.
Novitá combines modern Italian dining with wine, cocktails and a bar atmosphere, making it work for both dinner and a night out.
Revel Restaurant & Bar
Revel Restaurant & Bar is located at 835 Franklin Avenue.
Revel offers contemporary American dining, brunch, cocktails and a prominent bar area with a more energetic restaurant-and-night-out atmosphere.
Plancha
Plancha is located at 931 Franklin Avenue.
Plancha focuses on tapas, small plates, charcuterie, wine and cocktails in a more relaxed bar-and-dining setting.
It's another option for someone who wants something between a traditional dinner and simply meeting for drinks.
Tatte Bakery & Cafe
Tatte Bakery & Cafe is located at 910 Franklin Avenue.
Tatte offers pastries, specialty coffee, breakfast, brunch and café-style meals, giving Franklin Avenue another daytime option in addition to its restaurants and bars.
BK Sweeney's Uptown Grille
BK Sweeney's Uptown Grille is located on Franklin Avenue in Garden City.
BK Sweeney's has more of a traditional neighborhood American restaurant and pub atmosphere with food, drinks and sports.
Not every night out needs to be a formal dinner, and places like this give the area a more casual option.
The Garden City Hotel: Dining & Nightlife
The Garden City Hotel at 45 Seventh Street is one of the area's most recognizable landmarks and also has its own dining and nightlife scene.
King Bar by David Burke
King Bar by David Burke offers New American food along with cocktails, wine and beer inside the Garden City Hotel.
It works as both a restaurant and a social gathering place within the hotel.
Red Salt Room by David Burke
Red Salt Room by David Burke offers a more elevated dining experience within the hotel.
It's another option for dinner, special occasions and the hotel's well-known brunch experience.
The Rose Room
The Rose Room is the Garden City Hotel's underground late-night lounge.
The Rose Room can operate seasonally or on a limited schedule, so it makes sense to check the hotel's current schedule before planning a night out.
Shopping in Garden City
Dining gets a lot of attention, but Garden City's business districts also include boutiques, specialty shops, food businesses, jewelry stores and professional services.
Seventh Street has more of a traditional village shopping feel, while Franklin Avenue mixes shopping and dining with a larger professional and commercial district.
For a broader look at local businesses, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce Business Directory is a useful resource.
What About Roosevelt Field?
Roosevelt Field is obviously a major part of shopping around Garden City, but it is large enough to deserve its own guide.
Read my Roosevelt Field Mall & Living Near Garden City Guide for shopping, dining, entertainment and how Roosevelt Field fits into the broader Garden City area.
Fitness & the #RippedRealtor Side of Garden City
Of course, when I'm looking around a town, I usually end up noticing the gyms too.
Fitness has been part of my life for decades and is a major part of my #RippedRealtor identity.
Garden City and the surrounding communities have everything from large health clubs to smaller strength gyms, Pilates, yoga, hot yoga and group training.
Explore those in my Garden City Gyms, Fitness & Healthy Living Guide.
You can also follow the fitness side of what I do on Instagram at @rippedrealtorofli.
Parks & Outdoor Life in Garden City
If you would rather spend a nice day outside than inside a restaurant or store, Garden City has another side too.
My Garden City Parks, Trails & Outdoor Recreation Guide covers Village parks, sports facilities, Hempstead Plains Preserve, nearby Eisenhower Park and other places to get outside and stay active.
Thinking About Living in Garden City?
Restaurants, shopping, fitness and recreation are not reasons by themselves to buy a particular house.
But they are part of the everyday lifestyle that comes with choosing a community.
If you're considering Garden City, explore current Garden City homes for sale.
If you're interested in something newer, visit my Garden City New Construction Homes resource.
Explore Garden City Real Estate
Already Own a Home in Garden City?
If you're already a Garden City homeowner, you may be more interested in what your property is worth today.
Visit my Garden City Home Value resource to learn about some of the factors that can affect local values.
If you're considering a move, my Selling a Home in Garden City guide covers pricing, preparation, marketing, offers and what to expect through the selling process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shopping, Dining & Nightlife in Garden City
Where are many of the restaurants in Garden City?
Many dining options are concentrated around Franklin Avenue and Seventh Street, although restaurants are located throughout Garden City and the surrounding area.
Does Garden City have a downtown shopping area?
Seventh Street functions as one of Garden City's main community business districts, with restaurants, cafés, specialty shops and local services.
Are there bars and nightlife in Garden City?
Yes. Several Garden City restaurants have active bar scenes, and the Garden City Hotel adds additional dining and late-night options.
Is Roosevelt Field part of Garden City shopping?
Yes. Roosevelt Field is located in Garden City and is one of Long Island's major shopping destinations. I cover it separately because it is significantly larger than the Village's local shopping districts.
Where can I find gyms near Garden City?
Visit my Garden City Gyms & Fitness Guide for traditional gyms, strength-training facilities, Pilates, yoga and group fitness in and around Garden City.
What Are Your Favorite Garden City Spots?
I want these local guides to include more than the places that simply show up first in an online search.
If you live in Garden City or spend time here, I'd like to know the places you actually enjoy.
Maybe it's a restaurant I missed, a great bar, a small coffee shop, a boutique, a hidden lunch spot or a local business that deserves more attention.
Let me know.
Local recommendations are one of the best ways for these guides to keep improving — and I may even feature some of those businesses in a future Local Business Spotlight.
Tell Me Your Favorite Garden City Spot
John Cordeira
Broker/Owner, Cordeira Homes
#RippedRealtor
@rippedrealtorofli on Instagram