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Ready to take a bite out of New York? Hope you've come hungry. In a city where creativity is expressed in innumerable ways, the food scene takes center stage, with literally thousands of chances to taste what Gotham is all about. Whether lining up at street stands, gobbling down legendary deli and diner grub, or chasing a coveted reservation at the latest celebrity-chef venue, New Yorkers are a demanding yet appreciative audience.
Every neighborhood offers temptations high, low, and in between, meaning there's truly something for every taste, whim, and budget. No matter how you approach dining out here, it's hard to go wrong. Planning a day of shopping among the glittering flagship boutiques along 5th and Madison Avenues? Stop into one of the Upper East Side's storied restaurants for a repast among the "ladies who lunch." Clubbing in the Meatpacking District? Tuck into a meal at eateries as trendy as their patrons. Craving authentic ethnic? From food trucks to hidden joints, there are almost more choices than there are appetites. Recent years have also seen entire food categories, from ramen to meatballs to mac 'n' cheese, riffed upon and fetishized, and at many restaurants you find an almost religious reverence for seasonal, locally sourced cuisine.
And don't forget—New York is still home to more celebrity chefs than any other city. Your chances of running into your favorite cookbook author, Food Network celeb, or paparazzi-friendly chef are high, adding even more star wattage to a restaurant scene with an already through-the-roof glamour quotient. Newfound economic realities, however, have revived appreciation for value, meaning you can tap into wallet-friendly choices at every level of the food chain. Rest assured, this city does its part to satisfy your appetite. Ready, set, eat.
With about 50 flavors to choose from, everyone is going to scream for ice cream at this popular spot, frequented by locals and visitors alike. There are the classic flavors and the not-so-classic scoops like Vietnamese coffee, salt-and-pepper pine nut, Arnold Palmer cobbler, and peanut Butterfinger.
The multiyear winner of Jackson Heights's annual Momo Crawl, Nepali Bhanchha Ghar is an unassuming spot known for its jhol momo (juicy dumplings in a rich, tomato-y, chutney-esque broth) and other Nepalese fare. Also on hand are a spicy, crispy noodle dish that will remind you of packaged ramen (though in a good way), thali platters vibrant with fiery, colorful curries, and a special savory fried doughnut called sel roti, served with a spicy tomato chutney.
The array of delectable baked goods at this counter-serve spot imported from Denmark is what lures most customers, but locals know this is also a great place for sandwiches, soups, and fresh bread. If you like cinnamon, you must try the cinnamon pastries.
Thai restaurants come and go, but this one has stayed, in large part due to its authentic tastes and no-frills prices, including a two-course prix-fixe lunch (appetizer and shrimp, chicken, or beef main) for under $12. The decor is no-frills contemporary, allowing the food to shine. Adventure beyond pad Thai to explore curries and lemongrass-scented meat, fish, and noodle dishes. Save room for green tea ice cream or paper-thin crepes slathered with green tea custard.
When it comes to baked goods, the party is definitely happening at this delightful, tiny café where breakfast sandwiches are served all day (well, 'til 4 pm every day when they close), and the lunch options include sandwiches and individual pizzas. The display case tempts with all sorts of delicious goodies, including brownies, cookies, and croissants—though if carbs are your thing, you can't go wrong snacking on a hunk of freshly baked baguette.
This diner-inspired eatery has been described as "a love letter to the Midwest." Named after the mother of restaurateur Greg Baxtrom—illustrious chef of several prominent eateries—this family-friendly restaurant has pivoted its menu from elevated renditions of nostalgic Midwestern dishes like fish sticks and French bread pizza, to a focus on all-day breakfast items, some classic diner sandwiches, and most prominently, Chicago tavern-style pizza pies—flat, circular pies with crispy crusts—not to be confused with Chicago deep-dish.
One of Manhattan's last classic standalone diners, Pearl Diner has been serving all the favorites from its compact corner spot since the early 1960s. In the affluent Financial District, it's a welcome relief to find such an affordable (and hearty) menu.
One of an increasing number of artisanal pizza shops, Philomena's serves both squares and slices, Neapolitan and New York style. The squares are chewy and bouncy while the crust on those slices is crisp and nearly caramelized thanks to the 72-hour fermentation process behind the dough. You can't go wrong with a classic slice, but Philomena's does funky well; go for a broccoli rabe and chickpea puree slice, a fiori di zucca, or a "spicy Mikey," made with hot honey, soppressata, and mozzarella.
Plowshares has come a long way (albeit just a short distance) from its days as an emerging coffee wholesaler in Hillburn, New York, roughly 30 miles from Harlem. In 2014, it ventured onto the Upper West Side's coffeehouse scene with a small flagship café; in 2019, it opened this bright, state-of-the-art, 3,000-square-foot roasting facility and coffee shop, with plenty of seating for sipping lattes, emailing coworkers, or watching the team roast coffee on the fire-engine-red, 1940s Probat roaster.
What started 10 years ago as a catering business is now also a beloved, women-owned café, with attractive baked goods, as well as sandwiches, soups, frittatas, and focaccia for lunch. There's also a smattering of pantry items, as well as prepared foods to take home, plus outdoor seating on one of Cobble Hill's prettiest little streets.
Follow the line of people that often winds down the block to find this tiny counter-serve spot that serves some of the best pizza in downtown NY. Grandma slices (the square ones) are the thing to order here, and the pizza with 'roni cups (those little rounds of pepperoni) is what made this place IG-famous, but our favorite is the square margherita slice, which really showcases that delicious homemade tomato sauce.
This tiny storefront in Sunnyside specializes in Salvadorian pupusas (flatbreads), which are made fresh daily, with either wheat or corn dough, stuffed with different fillings like meat, stretchy cheese, and veggies. Their chicharrón (pork rinds) taco is also not to be missed, and it's all best washed down with a fresh maracuya (passion fruit) juice.
Predating the banh mi craze by perhaps a decade, this cash-only storefront serves some of the best Vietnamese sandwiches in the city (some say the best in the country); those in the know opt for the "house special" with Vietnamese cold cuts and creamy pate. The baguettes are crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, just as they should be.
Part storefront and market, part restaurant and bar, all cured-meat mecca, this intimate Italian UWS institution offers excellent food and service along with its dozens of varieties of prosciutto, coppa, mortadella, and more. You can have it carved from a professional slicer for consumption on the spot or purchase it as indulgent takeout. There's also a more ambitious Italian menu, including house-baked focaccia bread (ask for seconds), salads, strozzapreti pasta in a flavorful tomato sauce, and a signature homemade lasagna with béchamel sauce.
In summer 2023, überpopular Scarr's moved across the street to a bigger, brighter location, making it easier to get a table for the excellent New York--style pizzas that have made the place so beloved. The pizza incorporates locally sourced tomatoes and dough made with flour milled on-site. The drink list is equally impressive: an all-natural wine list and potent cocktails.
This Yorkville neighborhood staple since 1937 is more than just a local butcher shop, offering a slew of sausages from its own smokehouse, fresh cuts and chops of meat, various types of charcuterie, imported cheeses, pâtés, beers, and more. In the adjacent Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar, grab a wurst, wiener, or soft pretzel to go (they're served from the counter right out to 2nd Avenue), or take a seat at one of the outdoor picnic tables or on the few stools inside.
Although there are other locations of Danny Meyer's burger joint around town and around the world, Madison Square Park is where it all began (as a hot dog cart!); there's no indoor seating—just outdoor lines (go early or late to avoid a wait). The Angus beef burgers are ground daily, making them some of the freshest and tastiest in the city. For a couple more bucks you can order a double, a stack, or a vegetarian 'Shroom Burger—a melty, Muenster-and-cheddar-stuffed fried portobello. The menu also offers chicken, hot dogs, French fries, frozen custard, and—of course—shakes.
Owner Peter Shelsky pays homage to the traditional Lower East Side deli by stocking the classics—bagels, babka, and the like—but often with a nouveau-Brooklyn twist. Gravlax, Nova, and smoked salmon, for example, share space in the refrigerator with house-cured Jamaican jerk salmon, Mexican achiote salmon, and other deli delectables like pickled herring, whitefish salad, knishes, and prepared salads. You can purchase by the pound or opt for one of the excellent made-to-order sandwiches. For an amusing 1990s fashion flashback, check out Shelsky's bar mitzvah photo album on the ordering counter.
