When visiting New York City, you should eat a diverse range of dishes that reflect the city's cultural melting pot, including iconic foods like New York-style pizza, bagels with lox, and pastrami sandwiches.
Quick Facts
Food Culture Overview
New York City's cuisine is defined by its cultural diversity, with influences from European, Asian, Latin American, and African cuisines. The city's unique food culture is shaped by its history of immigration, with different ethnic groups bringing their own culinary traditions to the city. As a result, New York City is home to a wide range of cuisines, from classic New York-style diner food to Chinese dim sum and Italian cuisine. The city's cuisine is also characterized by its fast-paced and convenient nature, with many restaurants and food carts offering quick and affordable meals to busy New Yorkers.
The key influences on New York City's cuisine include its European heritage, particularly from Italy and Eastern Europe, as well as its Asian and Latin American immigrant communities. The city's culinary scene is also shaped by its regional variations, with different neighborhoods offering unique specialties and flavors. For example, Little Italy is known for its Italian restaurants, while Chinatown is famous for its Chinese cuisine.
New York City's food culture is also characterized by its iconic dishes and restaurants, such as Katz's Delicatessen and Lombardi's Pizza. These institutions have been serving classic New York City cuisine for decades and are a must-visit for any food lover. The city's culinary scene is also constantly evolving, with new restaurants and food trends emerging all the time.
Must-Try Dishes
| Dish | Type | Description | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-style pizza | Italian | a classic thin-crust pizza topped with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce | Lombardi's Pizza, Joe's Pizza |
| Bagel with lox | Jewish | a toasted bagel topped with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and capers | Russ & Daughters Cafe, Ess-a-Bagel |
| Pastrami sandwich | Jewish | a thick-cut sandwich filled with pastrami, mustard, and pickles | Katz's Delicatessen, Carnegie Deli |
| Chicken and waffles | American | a classic brunch dish featuring fried chicken served with a fluffy waffle | Sarabeth's, The Smith |
| Dumplings | Chinese | steamed or pan-fried dumplings filled with pork or vegetables | Jing Fong, Dumpling Man |
| Black and white cookie | American | a classic New York City cookie featuring a black and white frosting design | Levain Bakery, Insomnia Cookies |
| Knish | Jewish | a baked or fried pastry filled with potatoes, meat, or cheese | Yonah Schimmel's Knish Bakery, Knish Nosh |
| New York-style cheesecake | American | a rich dessert made with cream cheese, eggs, and sugar | Junior's, Lindy's |
| Falafel | Middle Eastern | crispy, flavorful chickpea patties served in a pita with tahini sauce | Mamouns, The Halal Guys |
| Egg cream | American | a classic New York City drink made with milk, soda water, and chocolate syrup | Russ & Daughters Cafe, Katz's Delicatessen |
Street Food & Snacks
- Hot dogs from street carts, typically $5-7
- Pretzels from street carts, typically $5-7
- Roasted chestnuts from street carts, typically $5-7
- Falafel from street carts, typically $5-7
- Churros from street carts, typically $5-7
- Popcorn from street carts, typically $5-7
- Cannoli from Italian bakeries, typically $5-10
- Knishes from Jewish bakeries, typically $5-10
Drinks
- New York-style coffee, a strong and rich coffee made with espresso and milk, typically $2-5
- Egg cream, a classic New York City drink made with milk, soda water, and chocolate syrup, typically $5-7
- New York-style soda, a variety of flavors made with natural ingredients, typically $3-5
- Craft beer, a variety of local beers made in New York City, typically $7-10
- Wine, a variety of wines made in New York State, typically $10-15
- Fresh-squeezed juice, a variety of juices made with fresh fruit, typically $5-7
Dining Customs
- It is customary to tip 15-20% of the total bill before tax
- Reservations are usually necessary for popular restaurants, especially on weekends
- Dress codes vary depending on the restaurant, but casual attire is generally acceptable
- Eating on the go is common in New York City, with many restaurants and food carts offering take-out and delivery options
- Sharing food is a common practice in New York City, especially in Asian and Latin American cuisines
- Using utensils is not always necessary, especially when eating street food or snacks
Where to Eat
- Restaurants, a wide range of cuisines and price points, from casual to fine dining
- Food courts, a variety of cuisines and price points, often located in shopping malls and markets
- Markets, a variety of cuisines and price points, often featuring local and artisanal products
- Street carts, a variety of cuisines and price points, often featuring traditional New York City street food
- Cafes, a variety of coffee and pastries, often featuring outdoor seating and a relaxed atmosphere
Food Markets & Food Experiences
- Smorgasburg, a weekly market featuring local and artisanal food vendors, located in Brooklyn
- Chelsea Market, a indoor market featuring a variety of cuisines and price points, located in Manhattan
- Arthur Avenue, a historic Italian-American neighborhood featuring a variety of Italian restaurants and shops, located in the Bronx
- Jing Fong, a historic Chinese restaurant featuring dim sum and other Chinese dishes, located in Manhattan
- Russ & Daughters Cafe, a Jewish deli and appetizing shop featuring a variety of traditional dishes, located in Manhattan