Where to eat at South Street Seaport

The South Street Seaport is better than ever, with new restaurants, bars and shops, and a new vibe that’s not just for tourists.

Here are six places to eat at the South Street Seaport, back in style since being devastated under as much as 17 feet of water by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.

Let’s start with three old favorites, which re-opened since Sandy:

Paris in New York: Opened in 1873, the Paris Cafe is the grande dame of the neighborhood. Its hand-carved bar from Germany attracted famous including Bronx-born Lauren Bacall and Thomas Edison, whose Edison Illuminating Company generating station was a few blocks away on Pearl Street. Swamped by Sandy in 11 feet of water, it took almost $900,000 and 11 months before it reopened its doors. “It was so important for us to come back,” says Peter O’Connell, the charming Irish owner, who recommends the mussels and frites. 119 South St.; 212-240-9797

Creative cocktails: Fresh Salt is more than the name of this bar, it’s also key to one of its tastiest cocktails, the salt gimlet, is made with tequila and jalapeño. Plus sandwiches and small plates.  146 Beekman St.; 212-962-0053.

Dive in: Jeremy’s Ale House is an old-fashioned dive bar that starts pouring beer at 8AM and doesn’t stop until after midnight, long enough to read the vintage ads papering the walls. Decent burgers and fries, too. 228 Front St.; 212-964-3537

Four new favorites opened since Sandy:

Mexican food: El Luchador serves up tasty tacos in an actual vintage Airstream trailer, plus at outdoor tables crowded with Mex-hungry Wall Streeters chowing down on cod, steak and chicken tacos weekdays and the rest of us on weekends. 87 South St.; 646-398-7499

Happy hours: Ambrose Beer and Lobster serves up both, inside and at hugely popular picnic tables on the pedestrian mall.  Get your crustaceans in everything from rolls to salads, with a side of fries with Parmesan and truffle oil. There are daily microbrew deals, too, at this place named after the famous lightship Ambrose, now docked at the Seaport for tours after service guiding other boats to port.  18 Fulton St.; 212-785-0018

North end: The sleek, new 5,000-square-foot Industry Kitchen looks out onto the Brooklyn skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows and a riverfront patio. Pizza from a wood-burning oven and homemade vegetable lasagna are menu favs. 70 South St.; 212-487-9600

There’s also a Farmer’s Market every weekend and FREE concerts and movies all summer.  South Street Seaport events.

These suggestions include some from a recent article in the New York Post.