New York · food
Meeting point
1Katz's Delicatessen
The Legend of the Pastrami King
Founded in 1888 on the Lower East Side, Katz’s is a living relic of New York’s Jewish deli heritage. It became a global sensation not just for its appearance in 'When Harry Met Sally,' but for its unwavering commitment to traditional curing methods. Their pastrami is aged for weeks, a slow process that results in a melt-in-your-mouth texture and deep spice profile that shortcuts cannot replicate. Walking inside feels like stepping back a century, with neon signs and tickets used to track your orders. It remains an essential pilgrimage for anyone seeking the quintessential New York sandwich experience.
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Russ & Daughters
A Century of Appetizing
Since 1914, Russ & Daughters has defined 'appetizing'—a New York tradition of foods that go with bagels. This family-owned institution is famous for its high-quality smoked salmon, sturgeon, and house-made cream cheeses. The shop represents the immigrant story of the Lower East Side, evolving from a pushcart to a world-renowned storefront. Their commitment to quality is evident in the precise slicing of their fish, which is treated almost like fine art. It is a place where history is tasted in every bite of a lox bagel, maintaining a legacy that has spanned four generations of the same family.
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Joe's Pizza
The Quintessential Greenwich Village Slice
Joe’s Pizza has been a Greenwich Village staple since 1975, founded by Joe Pozzuoli who originally came from Naples, Italy. This is not the place for gourmet toppings or experimental crusts; it is the gold standard for the 'New York Slice.' It offers a thin, foldable crust, perfectly balanced tomato sauce, and high-quality mozzarella. Despite its fame and walls covered in celebrity photos, it remains a humble, no-frills corner shop. It serves hundreds of locals and tourists daily, providing a consistent taste of the city that has remained unchanged for nearly five decades.
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Levain Bakery
The Six-Ounce Cookie Phenomenon
Located on the Upper West Side, Levain Bakery started as a small bread shop in 1995 but soon became famous for a massive, gooey chocolate chip walnut cookie. Each cookie weighs six ounces, creating a mountain-like treat that is crispy on the outside and almost molten on the inside. The founders originally created the recipe to provide energy for their triathlon training, but it quickly became a local obsession. The scent of browning butter and sugar often wafts down the block, drawing lines that wrap around the corner. It is now considered one of the most iconic desserts in the United States.
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The Dead Rabbit
Irish Tradition Meets Modern Mixology
Situated in a 19th-century building in the Financial District, The Dead Rabbit has twice been named the World's Best Bar. It blends the atmosphere of an old-school Irish pub with the precision of a world-class cocktail lounge. The name comes from an infamous 1850s street gang, and the decor reflects this gritty, historic era of New York. From their extensive Irish whiskey collection to their meticulously crafted mixed drinks, the bar offers a sophisticated yet accessible drinking experience. It successfully marries sawdust-on-the-floor charm with high-end hospitality in a way few other venues can manage.
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Grand Central Oyster Bar
Dining Under the Guastavino Tiles
Located in the cavernous lower level of Grand Central Terminal, this restaurant has been serving fresh seafood since 1913. Its architectural beauty is defined by its arched Guastavino tile ceilings, which create a unique acoustic environment. The menu features dozens of varieties of oysters delivered daily, alongside their famous pan roasts and stews. It serves as a bustling crossroads where commuters and tourists meet over iced platters of shellfish. The history of New York's transit and culinary heritage are inextricably linked here, making it a timeless destination for any food lover visiting the city.
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Dominique Ansel Bakery
Home of the Cronut
In the heart of Soho, this French pastry shop gained international fame as the birthplace of the Cronut—a croissant-doughnut hybrid. Chef Dominique Ansel is a master of innovation, constantly releasing limited-time treats that blend classic techniques with modern whimsy. Beyond the Cronut, items like the Frozen S'more and the Cookie Shot have also become social media icons. The bakery maintains a high level of craftsmanship, ensuring that despite the hype, the flavors remain top-tier. It is a testament to how one creative idea can transform a local shop into a global culinary landmark.
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Lombardi's Pizza
The First Pizzeria in America
Lombardi’s holds the distinction of being the first licensed pizzeria in the United States, established in 1905 in Little Italy. Gennaro Lombardi used a coal-fired oven to create thin-crust Neapolitan pies that introduced an entire nation to pizza. Though it has moved from its original location, it still uses a coal oven to achieve a charred, smoky crust that gas ovens cannot replicate. The white-and-red checkered tablecloths and portraits of famous patrons evoke a sense of nostalgia for an era when Italian immigrants were transforming New York's food landscape into something entirely new.
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Nom Wah Tea Parlor
Dim Sum History on Doyers Street
Hidden on the famous 'Bloody Angle' of Doyers Street in Chinatown, Nom Wah Tea Parlor is the city's oldest dim sum house, dating back to 1920. Originally a tea parlor and bakery, it eventually transitioned into a full-service restaurant. It preserves a vintage aesthetic with its checked floors and red booths, offering a glimpse into old Manhattan. Unlike many modern dim sum halls, Nom Wah serves its dumplings and buns made-to-order rather than on carts. Their 'OG' egg roll and shrimp rice rolls are legendary, making it a must-visit for those exploring the rich flavors of New York's Chinese community.
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Economy Candy
A Sugar-Coated Time Capsule
Since 1937, Economy Candy has been a haven for anyone with a sweet tooth on the Lower East Side. This family-run shop started as a shoe repair shop with a candy cart outside, but the candy proved more popular during the Depression. Today, the floor-to-ceiling shelves are packed with every imaginable treat, from vintage chocolates to international gummies and modern novelties. It is a chaotic, colorful environment that feels like a temple to sugar. It remains a beloved neighborhood fixture, resisting the trend of corporate retail and maintaining its charm as a joyful, crammed treasure chest of confectionery.
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Xi'an Famous Foods
The Spice of Western China
Starting as a tiny basement stall in a Flushing mall, Xi'an Famous Foods has expanded across the city, bringing the bold flavors of Shaanxi province to a wide audience. They are famous for their hand-ripped Biang Biang noodles, which are thick, chewy, and coated in a spicy, cumin-heavy sauce. The business was built on family recipes and gained fame through the endorsement of late chef Anthony Bourdain. It represents the modern New York food success story: an immigrant-run family venture that introduced a specific regional cuisine to the mainstream through consistent quality and high-impact flavors.
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Junior's Restaurant
The World's Most Famous Cheesecake
Junior’s has been a Brooklyn landmark at the corner of Flatbush and DeKalb since 1950. While it is a full-service diner, its true claim to fame is its Brooklyn-style cheesecake—heavy on the cream cheese, dense, and incredibly smooth. It has become a symbol of the borough, frequently visited by politicians, celebrities, and families celebrating special occasions. The bright neon orange signs and mid-century decor create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. Many believe a trip to Brooklyn is incomplete without a slice of their plain or strawberry-topped cake, which is still made using the founder's original recipe.
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Nathan's Famous
The Birth of the American Hot Dog
Located on the Coney Island boardwalk since 1916, Nathan’s Famous is an American icon. It was founded by Nathan Handwerker, an immigrant who sold hot dogs for just five cents using his wife Ida's secret spice recipe. It has since grown into a global brand and hosts the world-famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest every July 4th. Despite its expansion, the original location remains a seaside destination where the salty air and crinkle-cut fries create a nostalgic summer experience. It stands as a monument to the leisure culture of old New York and the simple joy of a perfectly grilled beef frank.
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McSorley's Old Ale House
The City's Oldest Irish Pub
McSorley's has been serving ale in the East Village since 1854, surviving Prohibition and the changing tides of the city. The motto 'Be Good or Be Gone' still holds thin, and the floor is still covered in sawdust to soak up spills. It famously didn't allow women until a 1970 court ruling, but today it welcomes everyone to share communal tables. There are only two choices of drink: 'Light' or 'Dark' ale, served in pairs of glass mugs. The walls are covered in memorabilia that hasn't been moved in decades, including a pair of Houdini’s handcuffs and original newspaper clippings from the Civil War era.
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Hwa Yuan Szechuan
Home of the Original Cold Sesame Noodles
In the 1960s, Chef Shorty Tang introduced cold sesame noodles to New York at Hwa Yuan, starting a city-wide obsession. After the original closed, his son reopened this elegant Chinatown venue to restore the family legacy. The menu offers sophisticated Szechuan cuisine, ranging from spicy mapo tofu to crispy Beijing duck. The sesame noodles remains the signature dish: a perfect balance of nutty, sweet, and spicy flavors that many have tried to imitate. The restaurant’s upscale interior and deep history make it a cornerstone of the Chinatown dining scene, bridging the gap between past and present.
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Caffe Reggio
Original Home of the Cappuccino
Caffe Reggio, opened in 1927, introduced the cappuccino to the United States. Its centerpiece is an ornate, massive espresso machine from 1902, which is still on display among Renaissance-era paintings and antique furniture. This Greenwich Village cafe was a favorite haunt of the Beat Generation writers and continues to be a refuge for poets, students, and tourists. The atmosphere is dark, moody, and undeniably European, offering a quiet contrast to the bustling streets outside. It has appeared in several films, including 'The Godfather Part II,' and remains a vital piece of the city's intellectual and culinary culture.
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Keens Steakhouse
Mutton Chops and Tobacco Pipes
Established in 1885, Keens is one of New York's oldest steakhouses, famous not for its beef, but for its legendary mutton chop. The restaurant houses the world's largest collection of churchwarden pipes, which were once checked in by members like Teddy Roosevelt and Babe Ruth. Walking through the wood-paneled dining rooms feels like entering a private gentlemen's club from the Gilded Age. While the steaks are top-tier, the history and atmosphere are the primary draws. It is a place that celebrates the carnivorous traditions of old New York, maintaining a level of old-school service and decor that is increasingly rare in the modern city.
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The Halal Guys
From Street Cart to Global Icon
What began as a single hot dog cart in 1990 at 53rd Street and 6th Avenue evolved into a legendary destination for chicken and leaf over rice. The Halal Guys became famous for their 'white sauce,' a creamy, tangy condiment whose recipe remains a closely guarded secret. It is a symbol of New York’s late-night food culture, where a diverse crowd of club-goers, taxi drivers, and tourists wait in long lines for a hearty, affordable meal. Their success proves that some of the best food in the city isn't found in a restaurant, but on a busy sidewalk corner under a yellow umbrella.
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Veniero's Pasticceria
Italian Sweet Traditions Since 1894
Veniero’s is a family-owned Italian bakery in the East Village that has been serving handmade pastries for over a century. The shop features original stained-glass ceilings and marble floors, providing a beautiful backdrop for its display cases filled with cannoli, biscotti, and lobster tails. Their cheesecakes and fruit tarts are celebrated city-wide, and during the holidays, the lines for their traditional Panettone stretch down the block. It remains one of the few places where you can experience the authentic taste of 'Old World' Italian baking in a setting that hasn't succumbed to modernization.
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Bemelymans Bar
Art Deco Elegance at The Carlyle
Located inside the Carlyle Hotel, Bemelmans Bar is named after Ludwig Bemelmans, the author of the 'Madeline' children's books. He painted the whimsical, large-scale murals that wrap around the room, depicting scenes of Central Park. The bar is a masterpiece of Art Deco style, featuring gold-leaf ceilings and chocolate-brown leather banquettes. It is world-renowned for its classic cocktails and nightly live jazz, attracting a sophisticated crowd. It represents the height of Upper East Side glamour, offering an intimate and timeless atmosphere where the ghosts of Old New York celebrity culture feel very much present.
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