PDT, La Esquina, Milk & Honey…secret bars and restaurants are scattered all over the city. But let’s face it; these unmarked or “underground” places aren’t so secret anymore. In fact, anyplace that doesn’t have a name, a sign, or a phone number instantly becomes the next hot spot. We’re not going to tell you about the places you already know and love (and honestly, we love a lot of them too). But here are a few off-the-beaten-hipster-path places to eat and drink that you may not have heard of…or if you have, you probably haven’t checked them out yet because you’re too busy trying to bribe your way into Momofuku Ko or attempting to dig up Waverly Inn’s secret phone number.

If you’re in midtown looking for something with a little more substance than corporate frat boy bars, you have to be willing to look below the surface – literally. To find Sakagura (211 E. 43rd St.; 212-963-7253), you enter an office building, hang a left past the security guard, and head down the gritty metal staircase. At the bottom, you’re rewarded with an open door where in-the-know Japanese businessmen and others looking to escape the beer-and-wings masses are sipping one of more than 200 sakes and grazing on an extensive menu of Japanese snacks, including steamed pork dumplings, broiled eel and grilled squid with a soy-garlic sauce. You feel like you’re dining in a Japanese village, complete with bamboo railings and blinds, a separate sake cellar, and plants and trees scattered about. Service is gracious, dishes are exquisitely arranged, and bottles of sake come in ceramic bowls garnished with a sprig of fresh lilacs. Don’t miss the bathroom, which has super high-tech bidet toilets with heated seats, an automatic lid and several rinsing options.

Craving some wine and cheese instead of sake and edamame? Hop across town and poke your head into the beer and cheese annex located next to 9th Avenue Vintner (669 9th Ave; 212-664-9463). Head past the counter and refrigerators filled with beers and cheese from around the world, and you’ll find a few wooden tables with stools and a menu of simple, shareable eats like sandwiches, salads, and Middle Eastern snacks like hummus and stuffed grape leaves. The space is so cozy and romantic, you won’t even notice that you’re dining in the back of a store. Of course, there’s a pleasing selection of international wines by the glass and bottle, along with some delectable cheeses. Don’t miss the fondues – a classic Swiss made with Emmenthaler, Gruyere and Chardonnay or a heartier Cheddar and ale version. If you can handle dessert and want to keep the dipping and sharing, go for the decadent chocolate peanut butter fondue.

Those looking for a place to get your drink on in the Financial District without paying hedge fund prices should skip the suit-filled bars and prepare themselves for a wild card. Cordato’s Deli (94 1/2 Greenwich St; 212-233-1573) looks like any other grungy joint selling sandwiches and potato chips, but skip the lines up front and go through the unmarked door at the back. Behind it, you’ll find a small, super-dark bar, with a few tables, a jukebox and a couple tvs. Though there’s no decor to speak of and you probably don’t want to be there when the lights are on, surprisingly, there’s a full bar (for those who would rather sip martinis instead of Heinekens). It’s rumored to be a hangout for the dancers from the Pussycat Lounge next door, but the crowd here really varies depending on when you show up. On a Thursday night at around 9 pm, the place was empty except for a couple of regulars – men – sitting at the bar, chatting with the female bartender while keeping an eye on the Yankees game. After awhile, the regulars cranked up some traditional Latino music and one gentleman began dancing with the bartender. When we left, we were told to “come back soon” – they probably don’t see a lot of random strangers early on a Thursday night. Next time, we’ll try hitting the deli bar on a Saturday night at midnight to check out the crowd.
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The garment district isn’t known for a fine dining, but it does boast a lot of tasty, cheap lunch options that are more interesting than the make-your-own salad at Pax. You just might have to look a little harder for them. Duck into the freight entrance at 265 W. 37th street and you’ll spy a tiny open kitchen wedged in the corner, with a counter for dining on homecooked Spanish and Peruvian food and a smattering of stools. Spanish-speaking regulars hang out here at El Sabroso at all times, while hungry office nine-to-fivers take out heaping containers of rice and red beans with stewed chicken, roast pork, oxtail or goat. When the friendly cook, Tony, asks if you want hot sauce, the answer is an emphatic yes. A full meal here will only set you back around $6, and you’ll probably have enough left over for a second meal. Or at least an afternoon snack.

A similar option just a couple blocks away is Rolando’s, a Spanish and Caribbean spot located – oddly – in the back of a Blimpie’s (213 W. 35th St; 212-643-8315). Bypass the standard sandwich meats and watery tomatoes up front and get the real deal: delicious beans (black or red) and rice (yellow or white). For your main dish, the stewed goat is a tasty option; it’s tender and bursting with flavor, as if it had been simmering on the stove for hours. With a selection that includes curried chicken, roast pork, ground beef and fried fish, there’s something for everyone. As a bonus, you can even sit down at one of the tables and enjoy your meal there; but if the dingy Blimpie’s décor doesn’t stimulate your appetite, takeout is your best bet. Like El Sabroso, prices hover around the $5-$6 mark.

While you probably won’t spot Kate Moss or a truffle-infused kobe-foie-gras burger at these off-the-radar places, you’ll get something a whole lot better—a truly in-the-know New York City find, available anytime to anyone who’s willing to seek them out. No secret phone numbers or reservations necessary.