Commuting is tough enough to put you off the New York City subway, but don’t pretend you can resist the siren song of free food.
That’s what you’ll find at Grand Central’s annual Taste of the Terminal, returning June 26-28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Swing by the station’s Vanderbilt Hall for free samples of pasta, cold brew and more from the likes of Shake Shack, Doughnut Plant, Cafe Grumpy and Li-Lac Chocolates. Your bite-size tour of the terminal will be accompanied by live tunes courtesy of Music Under New York, the organization that licenses the city’s subway buskers.
And if you’re more into picking up ingredients to make dinner at home type, swing by the terminal on July 17 & 19 from 2-3 p.m. for Taste of Grand Central Market, when the station’s craft food market for spices, meats, produce and more offers tastings, demonstrations and deals.
This is a special year for the terminal, marking the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to save it from the same fate that brought down the original Penn Station. Back in 1968, the Penn Central railroad company owned the station and was looking to make the property more lucrative as railroad ridership declined.
But thanks to the work of prominent New Yorkers including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the campaign to keep the gorgeous Beaux Arts terminal succeeded. In celebration, check out the New York Transit Museum’s free exhibit of archival photos tracing Grand Central’s history.
Here’s the full Taste of the Terminal schedule:
Tuesday, June 26
Vendors: Café Grumpy, Ceriello Fine Foods, Doughnut Plant, Li-Lac Chocolates, Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C., Origins, Shake Shack, The Art of Shaving, Tia’s Place, and Zaro’s Family Bakery
Music: F Tones (guitar & violin duo playing classical to pop)
Wednesday, June 27
Vendors: Café Grumpy, Ceriello Fine Foods, Doughnut Plant, Li-Lac Chocolates, Metro-North Deals & Getaways, Origins, The Art of Shaving, Tia’s Place, and vineyard vines
Music: Inti & The Moon (Latin guitar fusion and cajón)
Thursday, June 28
Vendors: Café Grumpy, Ceriello Fine Foods, Doughnut Plant, Li-Lac Chocolates, Metro-North Deals & Getaways, Origins, The Art of Shaving and Tia’s Place
Music: Yaz Band (jazz and R&B)
