To be honest, I could never cross off all the things I wanted to eat in NYC. New Yorkers have huge portions and the lathered cream cheese bagel and lox lasts longer than you would think. The Big Apple is a melting pot of cultures and traditions, and the best way to experience it is of course by eating your way through it. From New York Pizzas to the hidden speakeasies there is a Bodega and a hipster coffee at every corner. This list does not include Cafes, you can check out Most Instagrammable Cafes in NYC for that.
Here goes – all you can and would want to eat in NYC!
Los Tacos No. 1
They say these are one of the best tacos in town! And the queues outside prove so. With three outlets in the city, Chelsea market has to be the most popular one. I went to the one near Times Square, and it was flooded even during the wee hours. Pick your choice of flavour, garnish with as many dips and sauces as you like. I personally favoured the cilantro one. Wash it all down with Mexican soda!
Must Order – Abobada corn taco (marinated pork)
Di Fara Pizza
This has to be my most favourite pick from all the New York slices. Because it happens to be the most authentic. The journey down to Brooklyn might be a long one, but this is Italy on a plate! With a lot of ingredients imported from Italy, you can still catch the OG Domenico De Marco creating his magic. The classic slice is topped with olive oil, basil and a hint of black pepper.
Must Order – Regular slice for an authentic experience
Halal Guys
Halal carts became popular on the streets of New York in the 80s. Serving Mediterranean food on carts, these are very similar to Taco trucks, but the portions are enormous. Thus, halal carts are perfect for a cheap eat in NYC. Halal Guys are one of the most popular of the lot. With numerous outlets across not just NYC but the world, they serve gyros and meat over rice. I say it again, the portions are huge. The most popular one that you must go to is West 53rd St. & 7 Ave.
Must Order – Chicken over rice (if you have a HUGE appetite)
Magnolia Bakery
Almost everyone recommended the banana pudding at Magnolia bakery to me. But since I don’t eat bananas, after a beautiful view from the Rockefeller Centre, I walked down for some other sinfulness. I chose a salted caramel New York-style cheesecake and chomped it in front of the Rockefeller centre skating rink. The cheesecake was so, so rich, what a beautiful crumbly crust. Sugar rush guaranteed.
Must Order – Banana pudding or pretty much anything really!
Hometown BBQ
The brisket at Hometown BBQ is a hot favourite when it comes to lists of what to eat in NYC. This Brooklyn style barbecue serves beautiful meats with flavour profiles that best describe the borough. From brisket and lamb tacos to Bahn-mi, Korean ribs, hefty sandwiches and the most famous Brisket!
Must Order – Brisket Tacos/ Brisket Sandwich/ Brisket ANYTHING!
Shake Shack
The Shake Shack at Madison Square Park is a MOOD. Although there are Shake shacks all over NYC, the one at Grand Central Station and Madison Square Park are the most popular. If you were a White Collar fan, Madison square park would be on your travel list. The sights were gorgeous, the bustling Shake Shack on one side and Yoga aficionados on the other. This is from where Shake Shack began on a cart and their burgers for a QSR are too good to be true!
Must Order – Shack Burger
Junior’s Cheesecake
Junior’s is a classic NY style diner – painted in reds and is everything you are looking for in a typical diner to eat in NYC. Think of steaks, sandwiches and burgers when you think of Junior’s. But the best thing that you cannot miss is a CLASSIC New York style Cheesecake. Hand blended fresh heavy cream, cream cheese, eggs and vanilla. The best of ingredients and topped with fresh fruit, compote, fresh spices and chocolate.
Must Order – Famous No.1 Original Cheesecake
Xi’an Famous Foods
Xi’an, brings to you the best from the Chinese city of Xi’an. Chinese style flatbread sandwiches, meat burgers, and the most tantalizing hand ripped noodles. Xi’an Famous Food is a family-owned business with outlets all across NYC now. The most famous have to be hand ripped noodles, topped with a protein of your choice. You can choose your spice level, and they are Indian spicy, not NY spicy!! Wash it down with some Japanese beer.
Must Order – Hand ripped noodles with stewed pork
Starbucks Reserve
BRB just on a Starbucks run? Well, when in NYC, you have to check out the special Starbucks Reserve outlet, close to Chelsea Market. They have a stunning roastery, with speciality reserve roasts, brews and more. They also have a bar, where they serve some intoxicating coffee concoctions. I got to try the whisky barrel-aged cold brew coffee. Also, picked up some souvenirs.
Must Order – The season specials by Starbucks
Russ & Daughters
Russ & Daughters has to be the most famous and oldest bagel place to eat in NYC. I actually could only make it through inside on my 3rd try! I do not recommend visiting them during the weekend, the queues are a mile long. Visit post-breakfast hours on a weekday to avoid the rush-hour. Your salmon is fileted in front of you, slathered with cream cheese and handed to you for yumminess. Russ and Daughters is about 106 years old and became the only business to have “& Daughters” in their name. It is now run by the fourth generation and they have expanded to a sit-down cafe nearby, Brooklyn Navy Yards where they have their Appetizing factory.
Must Order – Lox and Cream cheese everything bagel
Shu Jiao Fu Zhou Cuisine
The Manhattan Chinatown is huge and needless to say a melting pot of eateries. Shu Jiao Fu Zhou is located almost at the other end, close to the Tenement Museum. This chattering Chinese joint is as authentic as it gets – in ambience and pricing. But just as delish. Again, the portions are huge and it is pretty affordable. I tried the pork and chive dumplings but their beef tripe noodles are very popular as well.
Must Order – Beef tripe noodles/ Pork and Chive dumplings
Arepa Lady
Maria Cano, famous as the Arepa Lady in Jackson Heights has retired from the business but her legacy continues. I tried them at the Dekalb Market Hall. Arepa, thick pancakes made out of cornmeal, topped with a meat of your choice and mozzarella cheese. I tried the one topped with pork sausages. Arepa is slightly sweet from the sweet cornmeal and there is a wee bit of mozzarella kneaded in the dough. Topped with a lot of cheese, you are sure to love this!
Must Order – Arepa with chorizo
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
This peppy yellow ice cream shop is super busy at all hours. You know you are in for something special when black sesame, taro and durian are the regular flavours they sell. You can ask for as many tasters as you like, each a vivid shade. I opted for the taro ice cream simply because of the beautiful shade of purple!
Must Order – Any flavour from their regular menu
Joe’s Pizza
One of the most popular by-the-slice pizzerias – Joe’s at 14th St is the most popular one, but they have outlets all across NYC. Joe’s serves no-fuss and yet delicious and affordable slices. The foldable slices are perfect after a night out – like how I chomped on them. The crust is pliable and not too doughy, and the slices pack a punch with their lovely tomato sauce!
Must Order – The pepperoni slice
Taiyaki NYC
This Instagram sensation is a must-visit just for the gram. Taiyaki is a Japanese fish-shaped cake, with a fish having the same name. Traditionally filled with red beans, you will find all sorts of ice creams, sprinkles and candies here, easily making it the prettiest thing to eat in NYC. Taiyaki does a super famous unicorn float, complete with an actual mini float and some beautiful Japanese souffle pancakes.
Must Order – Unicorn Taiyaki
Nathan’s Famous
Nathan’s started off in Coney Island, and there has been no stopping since! I ate at Nathan’s in Coney Island and also at Central Park. The bright yellow truck serves a variety of hot dogs, the chilli cheese dog, one of the most famous ones! Among the legacies of NYC, you simply cannot miss out on Nathan’s Famous dogs.
Must Order – Bacon Cheese Dog
Levain Bakery
The best chocolate chip cookies I have ever laid my hands on. And they are said to be the best cookies in New York! It is the typical NY success story, what started as a small business, now has outlets all over the city. Choose any of their huge chocolate chip cookies, I favoured the dark chocolate one. A crackling top and the gooiest centre that you can imagine!
Must Order – Chocolate chip cookie
Vegetarian Dim Sum House
When travelling, lists and legendary places are always a must-visit. But it is equally important to try some new places for yourself! Vegetarian Dim Sum House, like the name implies, is all vegetarian but serves mock meats. The texture and appearance is spot on. And it tastes pretty good, almost like real meat minus the signature smells of course. I absolutely recommend the pork buns. There are unlimited free refills of tea for you to sip while you chomp on.
Must Order – Pork buns/ Mock meats
The Bagel Factory
You cannot visit the Big Apple and not eat a Rainbow bagel for breakfast. I was living in Brooklyn, and The Bagel Factory was just around the corner. Bustling with regulars, I absolutely loved their doughy bagels. The rainbow one smeared with cinnamon cream cheese was carried to Coney Island to be eaten after sunbathing.
Must Order – Rainbow Bagel
Outback Steakhouse
Home to juicy steaks and blooming onion – you will remember this from the latest Ugly Delicious episode of Steaks. Outback Steakhouse is best known for its blooming burger. However, after a day at the museums, I settled for a blooming burger, medium rare, served with a house salad and a cocktail from their 5$ specials. A beautifully and perfectly cooked medium-rare steak, topped with molten cheese and bits of the blooming onion. Every bit satiating.
Must Order – Blooming onion/ Blooming Burger
Veselka
Like I mentioned before as well, New York is a melting pot of cultures – there are the NYC classics and the widely popular Italian and Chinese. But then, there are also the ones which no one knew about and are now woven into the fabric of NYC’s eating culture. Veselka has been serving Ukrainian cuisine in NYC since the 50s. Pierogis, what they are most famous for are Polish dumplings. Sweet or savoury, sweet or fried, served with sour cream. I tried potato and Goat’s cheese and spinach ones and absolutely loved the slight sweetness lent by a lot of caramelised onion.
Must Order – Pierogis
Smorgasburg
Smorgasburg is a weekly food fest held in WTC, Prospect Park and Williamsburg. The vibe is contagious and the closest parallel I can draw is Grub Fest in its initial days in India. Music floating through, I visited the one at Williamsburg, which also had a stunning view of the New York skyline. So many brands under one umbrella, this is a food lovers dream come true. And a great experience really!
Ichiran Ramen
I saw a post on Instagram about Ichiran Ramen claiming to be the perfect place for loners. Their Ramen focus booths are pretty neat with minimal distractions and focus only on the ramen. You place your order, slip it through and your ramen comes back from the same window. You don’t even see your server’s face. The menu is crisp, order in your Classic Tonkotsu Ramen with Asahi beer and be in for a great time! They also offer a vegetarian ramen option.
Must Order – Classic Tonkotsu Ramen Bowl
Anton’s Russian Dumplings
Russian dumplings are made with thin, unleavened dough and topped with a condiment of your choice. Anton’s Russian dumplings come in three fillings – Siberian (pork and veal), chicken and potato. You can choose your toppings – the Chimi is fresh and light, the Gouda, of course, the more gluttonous one.
Must Order – Siberian dumplings with gouda fondue
Five Guys at Times Square
Cheeseburgers at any time of the day, well almost any time, you will get ’em at Five Guys at Times Square. They started from Washington DC and there was no looking back. I chomped on a bacon cheeseburger – sesame topped bun, lettuce, tomatoes, ground beef patty, crispy bacon and a cheese slice! Pair it with bottomless soda (obvs)
Must Order – Bacon Cheeseburger
Milk Bar Store
We all have seen Christina’s story on Chef’s Table – how skinny cakes and Crack pies gained popularity. And how Milk was born. The signature neon pink sign can be spotted in a lot of localities across the city now. And it sure is one of the best places to grab dessert at.
Must Order – Crack Pie
Tacombi Nolita
Tacombi is typography goals. The company was founded on the Mexican beaches of Yucatan and brings with it Mexican culinary traditions. Locally sourced, fresh ingredients and sustainably. This new age Mexican taqueria is bright, with pops of colours, illustration and typography. Fresh corn tortillas, flavoursome meat, and tomato and avocado salsa topped – finish your meals with Mexican coffee!
Must Order – Al Pastor, the typical Mexican pork taco
Katz’s Delicatessen
Katz’s Delicatessen is one of the oldest establishments still standing, tracing back to 1880s automatically making it one of the musts to eat in NYC. Their sandwiches are HUGE. Like really, HUGE. It is one of the only places that hand slices their meat. The ambience is that of an old school deli in the Lower East Side but the Dekalb hall outlet is the calmer out of the lot.
Must Order – Pastrami sandwich
Chelsea Market
Located off the High Line, the Chelsea Market is a one-stop-shop when you want an experience and eat in NYC. The wholesome experience of art installations, homegrown brands and of course a lot of food brands. Los Tacos, Black Seed and Filaga Pizza find a home at Chelsea Market among many others. One of the most interesting ones that I personally found – Big Mozz. A brand dedicated only to mozzarella – mozzarella sticks, fresh handmade mozzarella and even workshops to teach the art of making mozzarella!
Gino’s Pastry Shop
It is said that Little Italy in Manhattan is a much smaller version of the Italian tradition in the city when compared to Little Italy in the Bronx. And even though I couldn’t make it to the Bronx myself, Gino’s definitely should be on your list of places to eat in NYC. New York’s best Cannoli is right here. The crispy fried pastry shell filled generously with cream.
Must Order – Cannoli
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