If you need an excuse, just call it research. There’s no better way to learn about New York‘s multi-cultural heritage than through your tastebuds. For a big bite of the Big Apple, here’s the lowdown on what you should eat, and where, on a food-lover’s trip to NYC.
10 best things to eat in NYC – and the best places to eat them
1. Pizza
Italian immigrants brought pizza to NYC in the early 1900s, and it has been a New York institution ever since. New York pizza is all about a thin and floppy base, fresh with a light mozzarella and a classic marinara sauce. Pizza connoisseurs say there’s something about the New York water that makes the dough taste so good.
Where to eat the best pizza in New York
- Roberta’s (261 Moore St, NY 11206 and other locations). This pizza joint in a quiet backstreet in the hipster Brooklyn neighbourhood of Bushwick has been graced by the likes of Bill Clinton, Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Roberta’s specialises in large wood-fired pizzas and uses fresh herbs and vegetables picked from the restaurant’s garden.
- Lombardi’s (32 Spring Street NY 10012 & 290 Eighth Avenue, Chelsea/Westside). Old-school charm and coal-fired ovens, Lombardi’s is in the ‘Pizza Hall of Fame’ for being the first pizzeria in the US. For something different, try the fresh clam pizza or the white pizza which has a mix of mozzarella, ricotta and romano cheese.
2. Bagels
Chewy on the inside, shiny and crispy on the outside; there’s an art to creating the perfect bagel. Brought to New York by Eastern European Jews in the 1880s, the city boasts some of the best bagels in the world.
Where to eat the best bagels in New York
- Absolute Bagels ( 2788 Broadway, NY 10025). Satisfy your bagel craving with 16 different types to choose from including: pumpernickel and cinnamon raisin, garlic and poppy seed.
- Murray’s Bagels (500 Avenue of the Americas, NY 10011). ‘We don’t toast’ is the company motto, which in itself is testament to the freshness. Be sure to try the gourmet Eastern Nova Scotia salmon and cream cheese bagel sandwich.
3. Hotdogs
German butcher Charles Feltman first started selling hotdogs in Coney Island in 1871. Since then, the hotdog has become the quintessential New York fast food.
Where to eat the best hotdogs in New York
- Crif Dogs (113 Saint Marks Place, NY 10009). The flavours here will blow your mind! For a kick, try the ‘Spicy Redneck’ – a bacon wrapped dog with chilli, coleslaw and jalapeños. You can also dress your dog with avocado, sour cream, pineapple, melted cheese and much more. For a surprise, see what’s behind the secret door in the phone booth…
- Nathan’s Famous (1310 Surf Avenue, NY 11224). If you’re on Coney Island, get your dog from Nathan’s Famous, which has served up their kosher beef hot dogs for over 90 years.
4. Doughnuts and Cronuts
Homer Simpson was on to something. New Yorkers go crazy for doughnuts as well as the croissant/doughnut hybrid that became a phenomenon in 2013, known as ‘The Cronut’.
Where to eat the best doughnuts in New York
- Dun-Well Doughnuts (222 Montrose Avenue, NY 11206 & 102 St. Marks Place, Lower East Side, Manhattan). This famous organic vegan bakery has over 200 different flavours in rotation including chai tea, raspberry pistachio, root beer and Mexican chocolate.
- Dominique Ansel Bakery (189 Spring St, NY 10012). If you want to see what the cronut craze is all about, this is the place to visit. There’s a new exotic flavour each month such as strawberry balsamic and mascarpone with basil sugar.
5. New York Cheesecake
There is cheesecake, and there is New York cheesecake. In 1929, restaurant owner Arnold Reuben claimed his family invented the first cheesecake. Word soon spread and New York cheesecake began appearing on dessert menus all over town.
Where to eat the best cheesecake in New York
- Junior’s (386 Flatbush Avenue, NY 11201 and other locations). Open since 1950, the old slogan goes: “you haven’t really lived until you’ve had a cheesecake from Junior’s”.
- Eileen’s (17 Cleveland Place, NY10012). If you have dietary requirements such as sugar-free, low-fat, gluten-free or dairy-free, Eileen’s will cater for your needs. The cheesecakes are light, not too sweet and come with a Graham cracker crust.
6. Pastrami on Rye
Kosher butcher Sussman Volk produced the first pastrami sandwich is 1887 and it has been an iconic New York dish ever since. Pastrami is usually made from beef, and to prepare it, the meat is pickled with dry herbs and spices then pressed, smoked and steamed.
Where to eat the best pastrami in New York
- Katz’s Delicatessen (205 East Houston Street, NY 10002). Open since 1888 and made famous in the film When Harry Met Sally, Katz Deli is THE place to come for a pastrami sandwich. Tender slices of beef pastrami are stacked between soft rye bread with lashings of mustard on top and sour pickles on the side.
7. Cupcakes
The earliest mention of cupcakes was in an American cookbook in 1796, with instructions on how to bake cakes in small cups. The trend for cupcake shops in New York means competition is fierce and so there’s plenty of tempation for cake fanciers.
Where to eat the best cupcakes in New York
- Magnolia Bakery (401 Bleecker Street, NY 10014 & various locations). Featured in episodes of Sex and The City, this is the place to sample a perfect red velvet cupcake.
8. Burgers
Legend has it that the first hamburgers were given to homesick German sailors in the 1800s to remind them of their hometown, Hamburg. If you’re after a juicy patty, New York is the place to satisfy your cravings.
Where to eat the best burgers in New York
- Balthazar Restaurant (80 Spring Street, NY 10012.). Perfectly grilled with a thick slab of melted cheese and a side of crunchy fries, the ‘Balthazar Cheeseburger’ is pricier than fast food joints, but definitely worth it.
- Shake Shack (Madison Square Park and other locations). The Shake Shack chain has spread all over the world, but started off in New York in 2004. Go for a 100% all-natural Angus beef burger or take a veggie option with the ‘Shroom Burger (filled with portobello mushroom), and be sure to get crinkle fries on the side.
9. Brunch
New Yorkers are crazy about brunch and frankly, it would be a sin to go to New York and not sample the pancakes, French toast and other late breakfast delights.
Where to eat the best brunch in New York
- Clinton St. Baking Company (4 Clinton Street, NY 10002). Famous for their fluffy blueberry pancakes with warm maple syrup – get ready to reach the dizzying heights of gastronomic goodness.
- Roebling Tea Room (143 Roebling Street, NY 11211). A cosy Williamsburg tea room with an extensive brunch menu. Dishes include baked cheddar eggs with raisin fennel toast, potato sandwich, smoked salmon plate and the very popular ‘big baked pancake’.
10. Wildcard options…
With so many restaurants in New York, it’s hard to narrow it down to ten choices. If you’re after something unusual, why not try one of these restaurants?
- Veselka (144 2nd Avenue, NY 10003). A Ukrainian restaurant that’s open 24 hours a day! Try the pierogi (stuffed dumplings) with sour cream, fried onions and apple sauce.
- Kenka (25 St Marks Pl, NY 10003). Great Japanese food, crazy décor and a tiny cup of pink sugar with the bill so you can use the vintage candy-floss machine on your way out.
All images (but for header image) © Alicia Drewnicki
*Revised September 2019. Information correct at the time of publication and are subject to change and/or availability.
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