As the MTA slowly resumes service, the power is restored, and businesses start reopening, New Yorkers are ready to bring back a bit of normalcy.  For many, that means going out to eat and enjoying the New York City food scene. Sadly, Hurricane Sandy left many of our favorite restaurants with flood damage, broken windows, no power, and short-staffed as many workers are still stuck in their own neighborhood.  Downtown Manhattan’s hot spots are still without power in some cases while Red Hook‘s up-and-coming restaurant scene experienced extreme water damage.  Fortunately, many places have been lucky and are working hard to go back to business-as-usual and open their doors to hungry, stir-crazy New Yorkers.

Here are two helpful guides provided by Eater and Grub Street offering lists of restaurants that are open for service: Eater’s Guide, Grub Street’s Guide.

As these fortunate restaurants start seating again, many are still stuck with post-Sandy damage and lack of staff.  Learn how you can help the restaurant industry start to rebuild here.

If you are still stranded in one of New York’s more damaged neighborhoods, Governor Cuomo announced that FEMA and The National Guard will begin delivering over one million meals to Sandy victims.  Distribution sites include: 10th St. between Ave C and D, Catherine Street between Monroe and Cherry Streets (Smith Houses), Pitt and Houston Streets, Grand and Clinton Streets (water only), Bowery and Division Street (Confucius Plaza), Brooklyn Coffey Park in Red Hook, and Surf Avenue Playground in Coney Island.  Keep checking NYC.gov for more food and water distribution site listings.