New York is a foodie capital with any type of cuisine available and new restaurants and cafes popping up daily. It’s exciting to try new foods and restaurants, but it can be overwhelming with so many options.
So to help you get the New York essentials under your belt, we’ve rounded up a list of must-eats in New York. These are the famous, quintessential New York meals that you’ll hear people referencing. Spoiler, they’re all amazing and worth visiting!
Grab this list of must-eats in New York for your next weekend trip to the city, and let’s dig in!
1. Pastrami Sandwich at Katz Delicatessan
Katz’s Delicatessen is the oldest Jewish deli in New York. It opened in 1888 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and has been serving up its legendary pastrami sandwiches ever since. The smoky meat is hand cut and piled high on rye bread, served with two styles of pickles. It’s simply a classic!
When Harry Met Sally fans will remember Katz’s from the iconic scene that takes place there. You’ll be happy to know that when you visit the restaurant, you’ll find a plaque above their table.
Katz’s is always busy, and they operate under a ticketing system where they take your order through a ticket number, and you pay once you leave. Be careful not to lose your ticket, or you’ll pay a hefty charge.
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2. New-York Style Pizza at Joe’s or Lucali
There’s no arguing that you have to have a classic New York slice. But New Yorkers will argue until the end of time who serves up the best, so we’ll give you two options: Joe’s Pizza is the old-school option that’s been around forever, while Lucali in Brooklyn is newer but serves up a top-notch pie. For a classic New York experience, stick with cheese.
3. Pierogi at Veselka
This Ukrainian restaurant has been in the neighborhood since 1954. It’s casual and homey and was famous for staying open 24/7 for many years (although after the pandemic, they haven’t brought back the round-the-clock hours).
Veselka serves Ukrainian classics and traditional diner food. We recommend the classic potato pierogi, which are served with fried onions and sour cream. To round it out, get a bowl of borscht, the classic Ukrainian beet soup.
4. Bagel with Cream Cheese at Russ & Daughters
Ah, the iconic New York bagel and schmear. Russ & Daughters make some of the best in the game. They started as a fish shop on wheels and have been smoking fish since 1907. The bagels and the brick-and-mortar shop came in 1914. Three generations later, they remain a family business and have remained a mainstay in the neighborhood.
They make a delicious bagel with cream cheese, but of course, if you eat fish it’s a must-try here!
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5. Soup Dumplings at Joe’s Shanghai
We have Joe’s Shanghai to thank for making soup dumplings such a sensation in NYC. If you’ve never had soup dumplings, they’re little meatballs wrapped in thin dough and twisted in a way to create perfectly pleated tops. They’re served in a special dumpling basket and come steaming hot. With each bite, you get a bit of meat, dough, and warm broth. It’s delightful, especially during the winter.
6. Cronut at Dominique Ansel
Try the iconic cronut, a mix between a donut and a croissant, invented by the French pastry-chef Dominique Ansel. These are light and fluffy but doughy at the same time. It’s impossible to describe it, just trust us and try them!
Be warned, the line gets fairly long on weekends but if you’re able to stop by on a weekday, you’ll grab this sweet treat much quicker. For a super pro tip: order online ahead of time and you can skip the line any day!
Each month, the team creates a new flavor combination for the cronut so check their menu to see what the flavor of the month will be.
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7. Grandma’s Style Pizza at Prince Street Pizza
We’ve got another pizza recommendation for you because in any conversation about New York pizza, Prince Street Pizza is bound to come up. This SoHo pizza shop always has a line up the block for its famous Grandma’s Style slice.
If you’ve never tried it, it’s a rectangle slice of pizza with a crust that’s significantly thicker than a traditional slice. Prince Street Pizza tops theirs with gooey fresh mozzarella cheese and spicy pepperoni. Although the line is long, it moves rather quickly. While you’re waiting, you can check out their wall of fame and see some of the celebrities who have eaten there.
8. Chocolate Chip Cookie at Levain
Levain’s chocolate chip cookies took New York by storm when they opened their doors in 1995. These chunky cookies are decadent and have that fresh out of the oven taste. It’s incredible.
For flavors, they’ve got the classic chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, chocolate chip and walnut, dark chocolate chocolate chip, dark chocolate peanut butter, and oatmeal raisin. You really can’t go wrong with any, but make sure to try the classic chocolate chip.
9. Tacos at Los Tacos No. 1
Whoever said New York doesn’t have good tacos has never been to Los Tacos No. 1. It was opened in 2013 by three friends from San Diego who, realizing the need for good tacos in NYC, spent four months in Tijuana perfecting their recipes. And they certainly don’t disappoint. You can see the chefs preparing tacos at lightning speed, and everything is super fresh and flavorful.
10. Pancakes at Clinton Street Baking Company
Clinton Street Baking Company is the place to go in NYC for pancakes. Even though they’ve been open for over two decades, this Lower East Side restaurant consistently has a wait (it can get up to 1-2 hours on weekends). They were even named the best pancakes in New York City two times by New York Magazine. Once you snag a spot, make sure to get the blueberry pancakes.
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11. Hot Dog at Gray’s Papaya
You’ll see many street carts selling hot dogs, but Gray’s Papaya is a must-try. 50 years ago, owner Nicholas Gray introduced the unlikely combination of hot dogs and tropical fruit juices. Somehow, it stuck with New Yorkers, and the quirky combo has become a favorite among locals.
12. Ice Cream at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream started as a single ice cream truck but now has over 30 shops throughout New York City. They’re known for their commitment to making ice cream with made with simple, fresh ingredients and for their vegan options that actually taste good! The flavors are always unique and inventive, like honeycomb or earl grey.
13. The Halal Guys
Some might shy away from street food, but The Halal Guys are the best of the best! They’re a staple in Midtown Manhattan with a truck that’s always on West 53rd Street and 6th Avenue. Their menu includes gyros or platters with chicken, lamb, or falafels. We recommend the platter, it’s super filling and only $6. But beware, the red sauce is very spicy!
14. Cheesecake at Junior’s Cheesecake
Many consider Junior’s Cheesecake to sell the best cheesecake in New York City. They’ve been using the same recipe for cheesecake since the 1960s and have consistently turned out perfectly dense, rich, and creamy cakes. Junior’s is a staple among New Yorkers, and Sex and the City fans might remember that Carrie and Big’s wedding reception took place at Junior’s.
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15. Burger at JG Melon
Finding a good burger can be a challenge, but JG Melon certainly won’t disappoint. The restaurant has a charming, old-school vibe with its plaid checked tablecloths, jukebox, and retro signs. They’re famous for their cheeseburger and cottage fries. The staff is really friendly and laid back, it always feels like a step back in time to a dreamy, vintage version of New York.
That’s our list of 15 must-eats in New York.
Have you tried everything?
What is your must-eat in New York that you would add to our last? Let us know in the comments below!