13 NYC Restaurants Mentioned In Rap Lyrics That Are Actually Good

Money, cash, cars, clothes—rappers have never been shy about lyrically flossing the fruits of their labor. But we've noticed there's not a lot of talk of the high-end eats on their plate. Instead, we get rhymes about tourist traps like Tao, and overpriced, over-hyped grub from Mr. Chow's. And sometimes, inexplicably, an ode to a combination Burger King and Taco Bell.

We managed to track down a few rappers that go as hard at the dinner table as they do in the dealership. Here's are 13 restaurants mentioned in rap lyrics that are actually good, proof that hip-hop really is about that fine dining life.

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Song: Action Bronson, "It's Me"
Lyric: "The lunch at Osteria Morini/I had the calf's brain/Half glass of Cabernet on the PATH train." (0:50-0:55)
Type Of Cuisine: Italian
Neighborhood: Soho
Address: 218 Lafayette St.
Website: osteriamorini.com

Who else would casually rhyme about calf's brain but Action Bronson? The rapper's gastronomic leanings prove once again to be on point with his mention of Micheal White's upscale Italian eatery, Osteria Morini. It's hard to imagine Italian food in Manhattan without the Michelin-starred chef, who has been gathering praise like trading cards for his impressive stack of some of the city's most successful restaurants.

Osteria Morini is no exception, with refined takes on the rustic dishes of Italy's Emilia-Romagna region. The result is deeply satisfying, hearty fare. Most notably, a cappelletti with a thin coating of melted butter laced with truffled mascarpone and porchetta. Notably absent? Calf's brain. We'll give Action the benefit of the doubt and assume it was a short-lived special.

Song: Cam'ron, "Welcome to New York City"
Lyric: "In front of Sparks body Castellano/Block away watch by Gotti and Gravano." (2:22-2:27)
Type Of Cuisine: Steakhouse
Neighborhood: Midtown East
Address: 210 E 46th St.
Website: sparksteakhouse.com

This former 1980s mob hangout is one of the best steakhouses in the city, and with a sirloin this good, it's obvious why. Though your bill might pack a punch, portions are generous enough to split with fellow diners, making it a worthy investment. But with a well-curated wine list, a serious shrimp cocktail appetizer, and a killer pecan pie, you may not be obliged to share.

And don't worry about the Castellano reference by Killa Cam. Mob activity has slowed down since the 80s, so you can enjoy your porterhouse in peace.

Song: Danny Brown, "Lie4"
Lyric: "Look at all this moneys, hundreds and these fiftys/Eating at the Whitney, now your bitch wanna come with me." (0:47-0:54)
Type Of Cuisine: New American
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
Address: 945 Madison Ave.
Website: untitledatthewhitney.com

Danny Meyer strikes again. The James Beard award-winning chef and his culinary empire (which includes fine dining institutions Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern and low-brow essentials like Shake Shack) manages to straddle high and low with Untitled.

Tucked in a corner of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the eatery operates as a casual cafe with simple, delicious takes on American classics, like crispy gouda grilled cheese on challah. Even more inventive dishes, like pork belly sandwich with fried egg and jalapeno, are still comforting. Three nights a week, the restaurant is open at night, and takes things up a notch with rotating specials. No wonder Brown is a fan.

Song: Curren$y, "Showroom"
Lyric: "Jet miss in the kitchen grilling up steaks/It'll smell like Ruth's Chris in a minute fool, you want a plate?" (3:00-3:07)
Type Of Cuisine: Steakhouse
Neighborhood: Midtown West
Address: 148 W. 51st St.
Website: ruthschris.com

Curren$y hails from New Orleans, so it's likely he dined at the Southern outpost of this chain steakhouse. But if you want to make like Spitta in the Big Apple, Ruth Chris is the place to do it. While this isn't the best steak the city has to offer, it's hard to deny the creature comforts of eating a piece of meat served on a sizzling platter bubbling with butter. Smack in the middle of Times Square, it likely draws a more corporate crowd than its NOLA-offshoot, but the pleasures of fat-doused cowboy ribeye remain in tact.

Song: Action Bronson, "Randy the Musical"
Lyric: "I'm feastin' dolo down in Eataly." (2:44-2:46)
Type Of Cuisine: Italian
Neighborhood: Flatiron
Address: 4 200 5th Ave.
Website: eataly.com/index.cfm

Bronson once again proves himself the rapper with the culinary prowess to beat when he name-drops Mario Batali's shrine to all things Italian, Eataly. An edible obstacle course, Eataly's marketplace can be difficult to navigate thanks to signs inconveniently printed in Italian and the sheer vastness of the space.

Skip the grocery shopping and opt for one of their incredible freshly carved rotisserie sandwiches. Or, make like Bronson and grab a seat at one of the marble bars and dine dolo. La Piazza is the perfect place to get into some fresh mozzarella, thinly-sliced prosciuitto de parma on a hearty slice of bread, and put back a glass of Cabernet. Action knows best.

Song: Kanye West, "See Me Now"
Lyric: "I might walk in Nobu with no shoes/He just walked in Nobu like it was Whole Foods!" (0:39-0:45)
Type Of Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Neighborhood: Tribeca
Address: 105 Hudson St.
Website: oburestaurants.com

Japanese super chef Nobu Matsuhisa has mastered the art of transcontinental gastronomy with the Peruvian-Japanese menu offered at his namesake restaurant, Nobu. Boasting a menu full of traditional Japanese meals with a South America twist, no one does Asian fusion quite like Matsuhisa. If you make it to this TriBeCa hotspot, skip the sushi during your meal and order the signature Black Miso Cod, the ultimate crowd pleaser. We're doubtful that Yeezy would ever really step into Nobu without footwear; the "world's sexiest restaurant" doesn't quite match the bohemian vibe of that popular organic health foods store.

Song: Vado, "What You Like"
Lyric: "I'm like Joe Masaria, up in that Maseratti/No compairing us she be my Harlem hottie/Cafeteria after the after party/Platinum Bugarri its ice out like glass Bacardi." (0:26-0:38)
Type Of Cuisine: American
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: 119 7th Ave.
Website: cafeteriagroup.com

Being open twenty-four hours, Cafeteria is easily Chelsea's most popular spot for post-boozing feed. Some go to sober up, others in hopes of catching a glimpse of someone famous trying to sober up. But you? You went because Vado name-dropped the spot in a verse.

In truth, Cafteria's grub plays second fiddle to its atmosphere. Dark and clubby, it keeps the party going for just a few hours longer, and offers a racous setting your local diner never could. Also, less florescent lighting. So, there's that. Opt for the chicken and waffles, which are almost too good to be wasted on inebriated taste-buds. Almost.

Song: Big KRIT, "Gettin' Mine"
Lyric: "Lunch at Del Frisco's/Philippe's dinner, green prawns damn I might get those." (1:12-1:17)
Type Of Cuisine: Steakhouse
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 1221 6th Ave.
Website: delfriscos.com

Mississippi emcee Big K.R.I.T. has a palette for the finer things in life, and lunch at Del Frisco's is undoubtedly a meal suited for him. Situated in Manhattan's Theater District, the steakhouse is a can't-miss for carnivores with big appetites. Notable plates include an incredible salt and pepper crusted steak, a crab cake touted as the best in the city, and a hearty lobster mac n' cheese. Salivating much?

K.R.I.T. probably never made it to Phillipe's after his hefty lunch at Del Frisco's; those green prawns will have to wait.

Song: Jay-Z, "Song Cry"
Lyric: "We was together on the block since free lunch/We should've been together having Four Seasons brunch." (0:49-0:55)
Type Of Cuisine: American
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 99 E 52nd St.
Website: fourseasonsrestaurant.com

An iconic Gotham hotel and restaurant, the Four Seasons is a pioneer in American fine dining. With a menu boasting of $55 crab cakes and a delectable bison steak that will run you about $65, your pockets may be a lot lighter after your meal, but your stomach will be satiated.

One of the most stunning dining rooms in the world, the Four Seasons features a large curtain designed by Picasso that has hung in the room since it first opened its doors. This definitely would have been the perfect place for Hov to take his lost love, but we're sure Mr. & Mrs. Knowles-Carter have had many a brunch here.

Song: Cam'ron, "War"
Lyric: "Eat at Rao's/Fettucini, Spaghetti things." (2:53- 2:56)
Type Of Cuisine: Southern Italian
Neighborhood: Spanish Harlem
Address: 455 E 114th St.
Website: raos.com

This East Harlem red gravy joint is still one of the hardest reservations to score in all of America. In fact, we have serious doubts Cam'ron has ever sat at one of Rao's ten tables; Even when "Hey Ma" dropped, he was probably left out in the cold.

Why is it so hard to get a forkful of those famous over-sized meatballs? Because Rao's regulars subscribe to tables and are given the right to dine at an allotted time each week or month, leaving very few slots for new reservations. However, once inside, you're catered to as if you're family. There's no menu or wine list. Just a Q&A session that ends with exactly what you want in front of you. No wonder Cam's trying to front like he's VIP.

Song: Action Bronson, "5 Minute Beats 1 Take Raps"
Lyric: "Pies and Thighs on my mind all the time, roll the lime." (0:16-0:19)
Type Of Cuisine: Southern
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 166 South 4th St.
Website: piesnthighs.com

Pies 'N Thighs may look like just another Williamsburg hipster haven, being that it's frequently crowded with ironically dressed, PBR-drinking types—but don't hold it against them. Truth is, anyone can enjoy a BBQ chicken joint run by cute women, especially when those women are not only whipping up freshly baked waffles and topping them with greasy-good chicken, but also smothering said waffle with an artery-clogging quantity of cinnamon butter. Sorry, but this time, it looks like the hipsters are onto something, and even Bronson knows it.

Song: Talib Kweli, "Holy Moly"
Lyric: "You rap your way to the top, but now it's gettin lonely/Kids is hungry and you lookin like a steak from Nick & Tony's." (0:24-0:28)
Type Of Cuisine: Italian/Mediterranean/Pizza
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Address: W 67th St.
Website: nickandtoniscafe.com

The Manhattan offshoot of the quintessential East Hampton eatery is no less essential. Talib understands N&T's main draw—it's the steaks. Simple and satisfying, staples like the NY strip are done justice here with savory sides like duck fat potatoes and pulled Brussels sprouts. It's not fancy fare; it's that casual neighborhood spot you'd happily eat at several times a week. That is, if you could afford it.

Song: Vado, "The Greatest"
Lyric: "Freeze the Muller, dining at Peter Luger/Large platter under the napkin I keep the ruger." (0:37-0:43)
Type Of Cuisine: Steakhouse
Neighborhood: WIlliamsburg
Address: 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY
Website: peterluger.com

This Willyburg eatery has taken the top spot among Gotham steakhouses for nearly three decades, and the designation is not up for debate. Their famous broiled, marbleized steaks come on inclined plates with edges heated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, just in case you'd like your meal a little less rare. Don't try to take on their signature porterhouse steak solo—it's meant to share with at least two people.

Serious steaks aren't the only thing Peter Luger does well. The lamb and seasonal fish are also winners. We don't know who Vado was gunning for in Brooklyn when he was dining here, but odds are he forgave them after a bite of Peter Luger's heavenly steak.