Mile-by-Mile Guide to NYC Marathon, Including Where to Eat

From the Staten Island start, through Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Manhattan, the NYC Marathon is a city-wide sporting event and street party.  As many as three million spectators will cheer more than 50,000 runners on Sun., Nov. 6th for the 2022 NYC Marathon.

Here’s a mile-by-mile guide to the best spots to watch the NYC Marathon, and some restaurant recommendations of where to eat nearby whatever spot you pick..

See Also

Tips for Watching the NYC Marathon

Mile-by-mile recommendations to watch the NYC Marathon

There is no viewing at the race start, in Staten Island, where runners head over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge to Brooklyn.

Brooklyn

Fourth Avenue (Miles 2-4)

Catch runners as they exit the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and move along Fourth Avenue.  This is a great cheering spot, because the runners are full of energy and waving and smiling.

• Subway: R

Where to Eat  

• The Common | 9406 3rd Avenue – Featuring locally-sourced ingredients
• Lock Yard | 9221 5th Avenue – Ccasual pub with a year-round heated beer garden, serving craft brews, sausages, + comfort food

Fourth Avenue and Flatbush Avenue (Mile 8)

Plenty of vantage points along this broad avenue, so it’s easy to get a curbside spot for high-fives and other encouragement.

• Subway: B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, 5

Where to Eat 

• Stone Park Cafe| 324 5th Avenue – opt for Sunday brunch or the regular cafe menu.
• Bagel World | 339 5th Avenue – another locals fav, offering handmade bagels, smoked fish, deli sandwiches, and baked goods.
• Tacos El Bronco | 4324 4th Avenue – Huevos rancheros and other Tex-Mex favs.

Lafayette and Washington Avenues (Mile 9)

Popular for more than 35 years, the Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School band has energized both runners and fans with their non-stop rendition of the “Rocky” theme song.

Where to Eat 

• Pies ‘n’ Thighs | 166 S 4th Street – Locally famous for its Southern-style chicken and waffles, and grits.
• Café Paulette | 1 S Elliott Place –   Croissants, coffee and other French-style items in a casual setting.
• Walter’s | 166 DeKalb Avenue –  An alternative American eatery where you can have a meal, oysters, a drink, or a quick snack.

 Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn (Miles 10-13):

Claim sidewalk space along streets lined with shops and restaurants and encourage runners as they head toward the Pulaski Bridge to cross into Queens.

• Subway: G, L, M, J

Where to Eat

• Goldies | 195 Nassau Avenue – A popular bar with a sleek Vegas feel.
• Turkey’s Nest, 94 Bedford St. – Across from McCarren Park, this old-fashioned neighborhood dive bar serves beer in non-breakable cups.
• Find 30 more restaurant recommendations in Williamsburg here.

The Halfway point, at the Pulaski Bridge (Mile 13)

This bridge connects Greenpoint, Brooklyn, with Long Island City, Queens.  Since it’s the mid-way point in the race, it’s also the New York Road Runners  official cheering zone, where they give out orange cowbells to encourage runners at the half-way point – on the street, not on the bridge.   

• Subway: 7, G, E

Where to Eat

• Lobster Joint in Greenpoint | 1073 Manhattan Avenue –  Nautical-style outpost for lobster rolls and crab cakes.
• Troost | 1011 Manhattan Avenue –  A cozy coffee shop with a backyard garden and light bites.

Queens

Citibank Building at Court Square, Long Island City (Mile 14)

This is generally not as crowded as the rest of the course, so it’s a great spot to get close to the runners.  It’s an important spot, it leads to the Queensboro Bridge and one of the course’s steepest inclines.  And because it is an office center, there are plenty of places to eat.

• Subway: E,G,M,7

Where to Eat

• Court Square Diner, 45-30 23rd St. – Famous for its oversized grilled cheese sandwiches, generous burgers and 24/7 hours.
• Find more food break spots around Court Square here.

Manhattan

First Avenue, Manhattan (Miles 16-18):

Spectators line the sidewalks and shout encouragement at this exciting part of the course, as runners enter Manhattan from the Bronx.

• Subway: N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6, F

Where to Eat

• Under the Bridge | 1079 1st Avenue – Literally under the Queensboro Bridge, this corner spot serves traditional Greek meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes.
• Madison | 965 1st Avenue, – Large neighborhood diner with an extensive menu, including many salad, seafood and Greek options.
• The Smith | 956 2nd Avenue – trendy bar offering American classic dishes,  specialty drinks and a popular brunch menu.
• Jones Wood Foundry | 401 E 76th Street – Housed in the actual site of the 19th century foundry which made NYC manhole covers, this British taproom with a low-key atmosphere, classic pub food, and an extensive draft beer selection.  It’s featured as one of the must-visit restaurants in my NYC guidebook.

East Harlem (Miles 18-20):

Also known as Spanish Harlem, this neighborhood is home to a vibrant Latinx community. This is a perfect location to cheer and help keep the runners’ motivation high.

• Subway: 6

Where to Eat

• Amor Cubano, 2018 Third Ave at 111th St. – Widely regarded as one of the best Cuban restaurants in NYC, with handmade Mojitos and live music
• Red Rooster Harlem | 310 Lenox Avenue – Popular, stylish comfort food eatery with creative cooking from celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson.
• Sylvia’s | 328 Malcolm X Boulevard – The legendary landmark serving generous helpings of Southern comfort food since 1962 – from celebrity chef Melba Wilson.

Charity Cheer Zone, First Avenue and 120th Street (Miles 19-20):

Help celebrate thousands of runners who have chosen to add meaning to their run by raising funds for one of NYRR’s 500+ official charity partners.

• Subway: 6

Fifth Avenue, East 90th Street-East 105th Street (Miles 23-24):

This stretch of Fifth Avenue is a cultural hub as well as a crucial spot to catch your runners before they enter Central Park.

• Subway: Q, 4, 5, 6

United Airlines Zone at Columbus Circle

• Subway: A, C, D, 1