June marks Pride season in New York City and around the world. And though the famous march isn’t until the last Sunday of June, the city celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride throughout the month, with plenty of events, pop-ups, parties and of course, special menus infused with rainbows and queer culture. If you want to celebrate Pride with food, here’s where to go in New York City this June.
Ursula
The queer Brooklyn café is kicking off pride month on June 1 with a pop-up burrito collaboration at 724 Sterling in Brooklyn. Soon-to-open Cambodian restaurant Bong will infuse Ursula’s New Mexican menu with Southeast Asian flavor in a special breakfast burrito stuffed with wet gooey eggs, sour pork sausage, crispy fried potatoes and tuk trey pa’ahm (sweet fish sauce dressing). The dish can be paired with a margarita. Proceeds will benefit Middle East Children’s Alliance. Available starting at 9 a.m. until sold out.
Bar Blondeau
Head up to this chic Williamsburg bar to drink for a good cause. The seasonal Crimson Negroni is Bar Blondeau’s take on a Negroni, stirred with watermelon and cucumber gin from Pollinator Spirits, Crimson Amaro and dry vermouth. Available on the daily menu, the Crimson Negroni is also one of the cocktails offered during Bar Blondeau’s Sunset Hour ($11 cocktails Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.). For the month of June, $2 of every Crimson Negroni purchased will be donated to The NYC LGBT Community Center, with each donation matched by Pollinator Spirits.
Ellen’s Stardust Diner
For all of June, this Broadway-themed diner with singing servers will feature Pride-themed menu items and offer merch in collaboration with God’s Love We Deliver. Specials include a rainbow shake ($21), rainbow cake ($12.50) and Ellen’s x God’s Love We Deliver T-Shirts ($35). The diner will donate 20% of the proceeds earned on these items to God’s Love We Deliver, in addition to a contribution at the end of the month to support the nonprofit’s efforts to prepare and deliver over 15,000+ nutritious, high-quality meals each weekday to people who, because of their illness, are unable to provide or prepare meals for themselves.
Nubeluz By José Andrés
Head to this luxe spot in Flatiron infused with extra glitter for the entire month of June. Every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Pride High Tea will be available for a delicious and rejuvenating experience. Themed cocktails include the Cropping Rope (cucumber vodka, lillet blanc, green chartreuse, lime, soda) or The Flyer (lemongrass tequila, honeydew, lemon, marigold). Two dollars from the purchase of each specialty cocktail will be donated to Heritage of Pride, the nonprofit organization that plans and produces New York City’s official LGBTQIA+ Pride events. Menu highlights include a Double Rainbow Cookie almond and apricot cake, Champagne Vanilla Roll Cake vanilla creme cake, champagne essence and Funfetti Dulce de Leche Sandwich shortbread cookie. Celebrators can also add caviar and champagne bottle service.
Platform By The James Beard Foundation
This hub of culinary culture is hosting a roster of four excellent Pride events, kicking off on June 5 with “Queering the Table,” hosted by James Beard Award semifinalist and pastry chef Kareem “Mr. Bake” Queeman, along with a panel of industry leaders discussing being black and queer in the hospitality industry. Hors d’oeuvres, like sweet potato cupcakes and red snapper ceviche, plus wine, will be served.