Must-Try New York City Food And Restaurants To Get Them

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Peppery-sweet pastrami; wafer-thin pizza; doughy on-the-inside bagels - if you’re a foodie visiting NYC, you probably have one of these foods on your NYC food bucket list.  But did you know there are dozens of other uniquely New York foods you could add to your itinerary? It’s true. If you’re coming to New York City, and your NYC bucket list is any number less than 24, you're probably missing out on your next great bite. Below I listed 24 of the most iconic foods in NYC and must try restauratns where you can get them

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As one of the local NYC experts here at Askkhonsu.com, I help visitors plan unforgettable itineraries perfectly catered to their interests. Whether you’re dreaming of the quintessential NYC experience, off-the-beaten-path adventures, or hitting all the must-eat foods in NYC, we can help. Here is a list of iconic foods I recommend when planning trips for food connoisseurs like you. I’ve also added a few tips and tricks I picked up in 20 years of living in New York. Use them to eat your way through the city and make memories along the way.

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Here goes… my top NYC food recommendations and expert local tips

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Classic NYC Eats

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Pizza

New York’s version of pizza is famous for a crust that’s so crispy-thin you have to fold it to keep savory toppings like burrata and pepperoni from falling out. It’s such an iconic food that if an establishment perfects the art of balancing crispiness with chew in the crust, it also reaches icon status. Of these iconic pizzerias, one serves pizza that celebrities like Jay Z, Beyonce, and David Beckham swear by.

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Local Tip:

Local Tip. That pizzeria is  Lucali's - the Brooklyn spot loved by celebrities and locals alike. Yes, the line is long. And yes you'll have to arrive at 3 PM to reserve a table. But if you can eat at only one pizzeria on your NYC trip, I recommend it be Lucali’s. If you absolutely can’t do the long lines, head to Joe’s in Manhattan or L’Industrie in Williamsburg for pizza that’s pretty good.

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Pastrami

New York’s version of pastrami is juicy, peppery, and salty - and piled high on rye bread for a quintessential New York experience. The delicious sandwich, introduced into NYC’s culinary scene by Jewish immigrants in the 1880s, continues to be a cornerstone of New York deli cuisine today. Order your sandwich with half-sour pickles, matzo ball soup, and latkes for a genuine NYC - style deli feast

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Local Tip: 

The famous Katz Deli in Manhattan will always be a must, but if you want to skip the long lines, Pastrami Queen and Sarge’s serve tasty pastrami with shorter wait times

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Chopped Cheese

This local gem isn’t cheese chopped into pieces like the name suggests. If you order chopped cheese at a NYC deli, what you’ll get is a cross between a Philly cheesesteak and a cheeseburger. The sandwich starts with ground beef, onions, and melted American cheese. Next come lettuce, tomato, and condiments. It sounds simple, but it’s so delicious it went viral!

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Local Tip:

Drooling over the chopped cheese that went viral for its out-of-this-world combinations? Head to Ocky Way in Brooklyn to satisfy your tastebuds - and your IG account. Try the ‘chopped cheese on a Jamaican patty’ combination and you may just faint from pleasure!  After eating, explore Ocky Way’s non-touristy neighborhood for off-the-beaten-track gems most visitors never get to see. 

I recommend getting a distillery tour at local whiskey brewery Van Brunt Distillery (a 10-minute walk from Ocky Way), or a gourmet chocolate-making class at Raaka Chocolates (a 12-minute walk). Get tips on other hidden places only local New Yorkers know about with weekly tips designed to help you plan a NYC trip you’ll never forget. You can get your local tips delivered to your inbox now.

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Halal Cart Food

Halal carts serving gyros and spicy chicken or lamb over rice are scattered all over New York City. Locals love it because it’s delicious and affordable. You’ll like it because you’ll get to mingle with locals and visitors while waiting in line.

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Local Tip:

Try Adel’s in Manhattan for some of the best Halal food you’ll experience. The chicken over rice is especially good. If the lines are too long, head to Halal Guys.

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Chicken & Waffles

Chicken and waffles, a Southern-inspired dish, combines crispy fried chicken with fluffy waffles, often drizzled with syrup and hot sauce. While its exact origins are debated, it gained widespread popularity in Harlem during the 20th century and is now a beloved soul food classic.

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Local Tip:

You can get waffles and chicken at a few places in New York City, but if you want the best, head to Amy Ruths and order the Al Sharpton.

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Bagels (& Lox!)

Bagels and Lox are as uniquely New York as Lady Liberty. Freshly baked bagels are topped with salty, cured salmon for a delicious breakfast that’s reached icon status. If you prefer something simpler, bagels with cream cheese or other specialty spreads are also delicious.

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Local Tip:

Russ and Daughter is known for delicious bagels and lox and has locations close to popular attractions in Brooklyn and Manhattan. If you visit, use our free drag-and-drop day planner to organize all the fun attractions into the perfect itinerary. The planner already has NYC’s top attractions waiting for you to plan into exciting days. Get the free planner now

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Bacon, Egg & Cheese on a Roll

This classic New York City breakfast is simply bacon, egg, and cheese on a soft Kaiser roll. New Yorkers like it to go with coffee, but feel free to find a diner and enjoy it slowly before starting your day

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Local Tip:

Stop by Best Bagel & Coffee to try this classic NYC breakfast while in the Times Square area.

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Bialys

You would be forgiven for mistaking bialys with bagels if you’re not from New York. The savory rolls can hardly be found anywhere else so until you taste one you’ll never know what lies inside. Unlike bagels, bialys are stuffed with poppy seeds and glazed onions for a savory surprise in every bite. Try the Polish staple in any Polish neighborhood and many bagel shops.

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Local Tip:

Order a pat of butter with your bialy for a divine experience

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New York Hot Dogs

New York hot dogs are an iconic street food best enjoyed from a cart on the sidewalk - except if you visit in summer. If you visit when it’s warmer, you’ll want to head over to the original Nathan’s in Coney Island, Brooklyn for a side of local culture with your hot dog. Start your day with a spin on Coney Island’s iconic cyclone rollercoaster; grab hotdogs for lunch; then walk the boardwalk for raw NYC culture.

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Local Tip:

Easily plan days like this with our free drag-and-drop day planner. It already has NYC’s top attractions waiting for you to drag and drop into your perfect itinerary. You can get your free planner now

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New York-Style Italian Sausage

Try New York-style Italian Sausage for an upgrade from the classic hot dog. Our style of Italian sausage is thicker and spicier, and seasoned with a heady blend of fennel and garlic. It’s then served on a roll with grilled peppers and onions, making it a riot of flavor your tastebuds will enjoy

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Dim Sum

Dim sum is a must-try if you’re visiting Chinatown or Flushing, Queens where Chinese culture is alive and thriving. You’ll know you’re getting the real deal if you choose one of the restaurants that still use traditional cart service.

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Local Tip: 

There are many Dim Sum options to choose from in NYC but a local favorite is Nom Wah Tea Parlor in Chinatown, for a restaurant with history. Opened in 1920, Nom Wah has been on the same block and owned by the same family since they arrived from China.

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Egg Rolls

Egg rolls are what you get when you merge Chinese cuisine with American inventiveness. The rolls were Invented in NYC’s Chinatown and have evolved to become crispy, savory treats filled with shredded vegetables and meat (commonly cabbage and ground pork). Their blend of Chinese and American sensibilities make egg rolls a must-try food on your next NYC trip.

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Local Tip:

Still planning your NYC trip? Try our free drag-and-drop day planner. It gives you NYC’s top attractions - you organize them into the perfect itinerary with a click of a button. Get the free day planner

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Breakfast at a Diner or Luncheonette

For international visitors, trying an American diner breakfast is always a must. Originating from converted horse-drawn lunch carts in the late 19th century, diners have become a hallmark of East Coast culture in the US. In New York City, these neon-lit diners serve a wide range of options, from fluffy chocolate chip pancakes to savory gyros, blending classic American dishes with Greek-American twists. You can read our full guide to diners in the city here.

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Local Tip:

If planning your New York City trip feels overwhelming, use our free day planner. It already has NYC’s top attractions waiting for you to drag and drop into your perfect itinerary. You can get your free planner now

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Must Try NYC Desserts & Sweets‍

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Black & White Cookies

These cake-like cookies are half frosted in vanilla and half in chocolate. With a soft, velvety texture and dense crumb, they’re more like a small cake than a traditional cookie. Commonly found in Jewish bakeries, Black and White Cookies are a beloved New York treat, right alongside other classic delights like rugelach, challah, and sufganiyah.

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Local Tip:

Orwashers Bakey is considered one of the best spots for this classic NY cookie. But I always go to Zabars when I want one of these classics.

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Italian Rainbow Cookies

Ever wondered why rainbow cookies have the colors they do? The sweet layers of almond-flavored cake, chocolate cake, and apricot or raspberry jelly are colored green, white, and red to mimic the Italian flag because legend has it that Italian migrants to NYC invented the cookies to pay homage to their mother country. Today you can try the sweet treat all over NYC.

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Local Tip:

You’ll have to take the trek to the outer boroughs to get authentic rainbow cookies. Try Delillo’s and Morrone’s in the Bronx or Royal Crown in Staten Island. Also consider organizing your far-off exploits with our free day planner so you always know exactly where you’re going while in the big city, Get the free planner here

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New York Cheesecake

New York-style cheesecake stands out for its extremely rich, smooth, and dense texture, achieved by using a generous amount of cream cheese and eggs. Baked in a water bath to prevent cracks and maintain moisture, its creamy consistency and graham cracker crust make it a beloved dessert across the city's diners, bakeries, and high-end restaurants.

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Local Tip:

Skip the fancy restaurants and head to the niche bakeries serving cheesecake to experience a perfect slice of NYC-style cheesecake. Eileene’s is one of the most popular local bakery for cheesecake.

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Brooklyn Blackout Cake

Brooklyn Blackout Cake is a decadent chocolate cake made with “Dutched” cocoa powder, filled with rich chocolate pudding, and topped with chocolate cake crumbs. Created during WWII by Ebinger’s Bakery in Brooklyn, it’s named in honor of the blackouts used to protect the Brooklyn Navy Yard. This cake’s intense chocolate flavor and moist texture make it a beloved NYC classic.

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Local Tip:

Brooklyn, where blackout cake was invented, is still the best place to get the cake. Ladybird Bakery and Ovenly’s alcohol-infused version are local favorites.

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Piraguas

Piraguas are refreshing Puerto Rican shaved ice treats, often associated with Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical In the Heights. Although popular in Washington Heights, you can find these icy delights throughout NYC, especially near parks and summertime spots. They come in flavors like tamarind, guava, and coconut and are traditionally made by hand-cranking blocks of ice. Piraguas offer a taste of Puerto Rican culture and a way to cool-off on hot days in the city.

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Red Velvet Cake

Red Velvet Cake, originally created at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, is known for its vibrant red color and rich, velvety texture. While the traditional recipe used cocoa powder and buttermilk to achieve its hue, modern versions often rely on food coloring. Topped with smooth cream cheese frosting, this cake is a beloved fixture on dessert menus and in bakery displays throughout New York.

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Levain Cookies

Levain Cookies are renowned for their giant size and soft centers, having sparked the “big cookie” trend across the U.S. Originating in NYC, the original bakery on the Upper West Side near the American Museum of Natural History continues to serve their iconic two-chip chocolate chip cookie, along with vegan, gluten-free, rocky road, caramel coconut options, and more.

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‍Local Tip:

The section of Manhattan where the original location is a visitor's paradise. Right next to Central Park and museums.

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Cronuts from Dominique Ansel

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a croissant and a donut had a child, this is your answer. The viral dessert takes three days to make and sparked a wave of imitations after first being created by Dominique Ansel Bakery in SoHo, New York. The Cronut was so copied that Dominique Ansel eventually had to trademark the name but you can still get the original 

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Local Tip:

Do visit Dominique Ansel and try everything - including the flavor of the month cronut

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Black Tap’s Milkshakes

Originally from NYC, Black Tap's milkshakes, known as “CrazyShakes,” have taken the dessert world by storm. These extravagant creations are topped with entire other desserts, candy-coated rims, and all other kinds of additions, and are so indulgent that you’ll need a fork to enjoy them. They’re a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth visiting the city.

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Glace

Glace, run by Sasha Zabar of the famous Zabar’s family, offers French and Italian-style ice cream with 20 flavors like Pistachio White Chocolate and Chocolate Covered Matzo. Located on the Upper East Side, Glace features gluten-free options and waffle cones. They’ve also launched a vintage ice cream truck in Rockefeller Center, serving ice cream and frozen hot chocolate in summer and hot chocolate in winter.

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Egg Cream

Egg cream really should be renamed since it contains no egg or cream. Instead, the fizzy, chocolatey drink is made with milk, seltzer, and chocolate syrup - a combination responsible for its unique flavor and frothy texture. Misgivings on name aside, this New York classic remains a beloved treat only available at a few luncheonette counters and diners around the city.

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Local Tip:

Lexington Candy Shop serves the best egg creams in NYC, along with excellent burgers, sandwiches, and soda floats. After lunch, head to nearby museum-mile for famous museums like the MET and the Guggenheim. Plan days like this with our free drag-and-drop day planner.

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And there’s the list. Add your favorites and organizPhew - that list was almost as long as the many things you can do on your upcoming NYC trip. Easily organize your days so you don’t miss any of the ‘must see’ NYC places with our drag-and-drop Free Day Planner.  If you’d like to collaborate with me or another local expert on your upcoming trip, create a travel profile and get matched within 24 hours.e your activities with our Free Day Planner.

‍If you’d like to personalized tips from me or another local expert on your upcoming trip, create a travel profile and get matched within 24 hours.

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Enjoy NYC!

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