Top 10 foods to try in New York
Travelling to New York? Try our top 10 favourite foods from this vibrant city, including brilliant bagels, classic street food and the best pizza around.
New York is one of the world’s great – if not greatest – food capitals, defined by its myriad immigrant cultures and almost limitless choice. Whether it’s a supersized bodega sandwich or chicken parm in an old-school Italian joint, New York’s dishes are as much a part of the city as its yellow cabs and skyscrapers. If you’re planning a trip and wondering where to start, here’s our guide to the Big Apple’s 10 most iconic foods – and where to find the best of them.
Top 10 foods to try in New York
1. New York slice
You can find every style of pizza imaginable in New York, but the city’s signature slice – thin, foldable and with just the right ratio of sauce to cheese – is its true pizza icon. Unlike Neapolitan pizza, which has a softer base, New York slices are crisp and sturdy – served on nothing fancier than a white paper plate – and designed to be eaten on the go. It’s the ultimate fast food, and one of the city’s cheapest bites: although the days of $1 slices are long gone, you can still find a giant slice of pie for around $3. For a classic no-fuss slice, Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village has been a favourite since 1975, its walls lined with pictures of all the celebs who have visited over the years. Hipster hotspot Scarr’s on the Lower East Side grinds its own flour in-house and offers a pared back menu of classic slices, while Paulie Gee’s Slice Shop in Greenpoint channels a 1970s pizzeria vibe, complete with red-chequered trays and wood-panelled walls – don’t miss its hot honey pepperoni square slice.
2. Pastrami sandwich
No dish captures New York’s Jewish deli culture better than a pastrami sandwich – thick slices of smoked beef served on rye with a smear of mustard and a pickle on the side. By far the best place to try one is Katz’s Delicatessen, one of the most famous places in the city, with its iconic sign out the front and classic old-school interiors that have barely changed in 100 years. Ordering at the counter from the long-serving staff is as much a part of the experience as the sandwich is itself, with the thick slabs of pastrami all hand-carved to order. There are other excellent options around the city, including modern Jewish deli Frankel’s in Greenpoint and Hometown Bar-B-Que in Red Hook, which gives the dish a smoky Texas-style twist that’s well worth the trip.
3. Bagels
Brought to New York by Eastern European Jewish immigrants in the late 19th century, the humble bagel has since evolved into an essential part of the city’s culinary identity – especially the New York-invented “everything” bagel topped with garlic and onion flakes, poppy seeds, sesame seeds and kosher salt. You can grab a bagel almost anywhere, from deluxe delis to street carts, with fillings as simple as plain soft cheese all the way up to pastrami-spiced gravlax. Some top spots include Russ & Daughters, a classic Lower East Side deli that’s been serving hand-rolled bagels with lox since 1914; Apollo Bagels, an online viral sensation that offers a more modern take, with a focus on small-batch artisanal techniques; and Ess-a-Bagel, which is famed for its pillowy, oversized bagels and generous fillings.
4. Doughnuts
Doughnuts in New York have come a long way from the standard glazed ring, and the city is now home to a thriving doughnut renaissance, with many places experimenting with flavours, fillings and even shapes. A few favourites include Doughnut Plant, which is known for its high-quality sourdough square doughnuts and classic American flavours – don’t miss the peanut butter and blackberry jam. Supermoon Bakehouse is famous for its Instagram-ready doughnuts, with flavours like passion fruit and matcha, while Daily Provisions offers its cult-favourite crullers – a type of doughnut made with choux pastry for a lighter, richer bite.
5. Burgers
The classic NYC burger is simple: juicy beef, soft potato bun, American cheese and a slice of gherkin. But, there’s still huge variety to be found. For an old-school experience, Corner Bistro in the West Village serves a no-frills burger that’s been a favourite for decades. 7th Street Burger is a popular city-wide chain that keeps things simple with its bang-on-trend smashburgers. And, in true New York style, one of the city’s very best burgers is actually found at pizza restaurant Emily. It’s only served in limited quantities each day and is a true masterpiece, with dry-aged beef, cheddar cheese, caramelised onions and a brioche-pretzel bun.
6. Oysters
Long before hot dogs and pizza, New York was an oyster town. In the 19th century, the city's harbour was home to one of the world's largest oyster populations. As a result, oyster carts lined the street, much like today’s food carts. First-time visitors searching for a classic New York experience should head straight to the Grand Central Oyster Bar, which has been serving oysters under the station’s vaulted ceilings since 1913. Sitting up at the bar here – whether you’re waiting for a train or not – is an unmissable experience. Other favourites include the New Orleans-influenced Maison Premiere in Brooklyn – where absinthe flows as freely as the oysters – and Penny, a sleek new seafood spot in the East Village. Wherever you are in town, also keep an eye out for oyster happy hours (this in itself is a New York tradition), with many places offering $1 oysters in the early evening.
7. Bodega sandwich
Ask any New Yorker where to get a great sandwich, and chances are they’ll point you to their local bodega. These small neighbourhood stores are found all across the city (there are some 13,000 in total), and many serve surprisingly expansive menus of overstuffed deli sandwiches, from a breakfast BEC (bacon, egg and cheese) to a lunchtime turkey salad or late-night patty melt (many bodegas are open 24 hours). You can’t really go wrong at any bodega, but a few of the best include Sunny & Annie’s Deli in the East Village, famous for its creative fillings and sandwich names like the “Obama” and “Mona Lisa”; Datz Deli, which serves up classic Harlem-style chopped cheese sandwiches; and Don Juan Grocery and Deli, a family-run hidden gem serving no-frills sandwiches, like honey ham and salad.
8. Chicken parm
Chicken parmesan – breaded cutlets smothered in marinara sauce and mozzarella – may be Italian in spirit, but they're pure New York in execution. Originally created in the classic red-sauce joints of Little Italy, this dish is pure comfort food. Emilio’s Ballato has been serving an exemplary chicken parm since it opened in 1956 (alongside a pricier veal parm) and is a favourite with celebrities and locals alike. Supper, meanwhile, serves its chicken parm with a side of spaghetti. And, for an upscale take, the legendary Caffe Dante offers a white wine-marinated chicken parm baked in a skillet and topped with sourdough breadcrumbs.
9. Hot dogs
The hot dog is one of NYC’s oldest street foods, dating back to the 1860s with the arrival of German immigrants. Today, they’re a quintessential New York snack, sold everywhere from stadiums to corner carts. For the ultimate hot dog experience, head to Coney Island, where you can sample Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and take a stroll along the boardwalk by the beach. You can also grab no-frills hot dogs at any of New York’s famous street carts, an iconic part of the city themselves. For something a little more creative, head to Crif Dogs on St Marks Place, where you can get deep-fried dogs like the “Chihuahua”, which is topped with soured cream and avocado.
10. Ice cream
Despite its freezing cold winters, New York has an incredible line-up of ice cream shops, many of which specialise in bold, irreverent flavours that reflect the city’s fun side. A prime example is Ample Hills, which offers flavours like "The Munchies" (pretzels, crackers, potato crisps and chocolate mixed into a malted milk base) and "It Came from Gowanus" – a dark chocolate ice cream swirled with brownie chunks and white chocolate pearls. Then, there’s the soft serve from Big Gay Ice Cream, including its signature "Salty Pimp" – vanilla soft serve with dulce de leche, sprinkled with sea salt and dipped in a crisp chocolate shell. Morgenstern’s, started by chef Nick Morgenstern, is a slightly more refined affair, offering flavours like "Black Coconut Ash", made with coconut and activated charcoal, and "Midnight Brownie Batter”.
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