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It isn’t every day that plain folks get to rub shoulders with ambassadors, delegates, and other international dignitaries, but that’s precisely what the Delegates Dining Room offers, along with an arms-breadth sweep of the East River, including Queensboro Bridge, Roosevelt Island, and the Long Island City waterfront. Dating back to the U.N.’s inception, the modern, unfussy dining room’s muted tones are designed to quell, rather than spark, debate: Beige walls and beige and olive carpeting are set off by salmon-hued structural columns and nearly floor-to-ceiling windows. Service is limited to lunch, which is buffet style. Executive Chef Daryl Schembeck, of Condé Nast and the Rainbow Room, presents well-executed, eclectic international dishes that change daily. Reliably, there will be a soup, a selection of fresh salads, grilled dishes, hot entrées, and a carving table option. As at any buffet, items that can survive the warming tray’s inevitable rigors fare better: While a delicate paella, generously stocked with clams, mussels, chicken and sausage slices, is tasty but a tad dry, meaty teriyaki salmon chunks are perfectly moist. The food won’t wow, but the view will, and the experience should be part of every U.N. visitor and budding politico’s itinerary. — Michael Anstendig

Proper attire is mandatory, including jackets for men, no jeans and no sneakers. Reservations are required and it’s recommended that guests arrive 15 minutes early to clear security, which includes showing a photo I.D.

Weddings
The U.N. building doesn’t allow religious ceremonies but will play host to receptions and parties. Cocktail hour can be held on the West Terrace, with dinner served in the modernist Delegates Dining Room (with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the East River). Catering is in-house, starting at $175 per person; it offers a green menu with locally grown produce.

Lunch buffet, $25