I could spend a couple of months eating in NY and my hit-list would probably just end up getting bigger (I’d also probably end up broke because the cost of living in this city is insane). I’ve been to NY six or seven times now and there are still whole areas, like Queens, that I’ve not got round to exploring yet. This list is mainly made up of places in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn (Williamsburg/Greenpoint specifically) as it’s where I always spend most my time. I also lean way more towards old institutions and neighbourhood favourites over fancy new spots.
📝 Pizza is king for me in New York. When I get to town the first thing I always want is a takeout slice. Twelve out of the thirty places I’ve listed below are pizza spots. A lot of people rate John’s of Bleecker St but for me it doesn’t make the elite cut. I also know Lucali is highly rated but I haven’t made it over there yet.
📝After pizza, Jewish delis are probably the next best type of New York food I love. I’ve listed five of my favourites below. You can’t go to NY and not get a pastrami sandwich or some kind of smoked fish.
📝 New York is great for brunch. A few of my favourite spots to go (that haven’t made my top thirty list below) are Prune, Clinton Street Bakery, Sunday at Brooklyn.
📝 JFK International terminals have the worst choice of food. Don’t go to the airport hungry.
🍺 Drinking in Manhattan: The Standard Biergarten (a German beer garden with ping pong tables), Grand Banks (oyster bar on the Hudson River), Le District (bar on the Hudson River), Spring Lounge (good dive bar in Nolita), Mothers Ruin (cocktail bar in Nolita), 3 Sheets (sports bar if you are looking for a game), Jeremy’s Ale House, McSorley’s.
🍺 Drinking in Brooklyn; Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn Barge (lively bar on the East River), Wythe Hotel (hotel roof bar with a great view of Manhattan), Turkey’s Nest (dive bar), Union Pool (dive bar), The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, Banter Bar (sports bar if you are looking for a game).
1. Kat’z Delicatessen
📍Lower Eastside. Probably most famous food spot in the city. Featured in the movie ‘When Harry Met Sally’. These sandwiches aren’t cheap but they’re so damn good. Go for a Reuben or Pastrami sandwich. Share one between two with a side of fries and pickles.
2. Prince St. Pizza
📍Nolita. Famous for their Sicilian style square pepperoni slices. Super oily with a rich tomato sauce and crunchy base.
3. Barney Greengrass
📍Upper Westside. The Katz of Upper Westside. As much of an institution in this part of town. Here the smoked fish is more popular than the meat. Make sure to get a plate of latkes to start and a side plate of pickles.
4. Corner Bistro
📍West Village. I’m a big fan of bars that serve great burgers and this is one of the best. Go for the bacon cheese burger.
5. Artichoke Baille’s Pizza
📍Multiple locations. Another of my favourite slice shops. Go for the super creamy artichoke slice with an extra crispy base.
6. L’industrie Pizzeria
📍Williamsburg. A buzzing pizza spot in Williamsburg. Go for the sausage, pepperoni & ricotta or burrata slice.
7. Di Fara Pizza
📍Midwood. A legendary pizza spot in South Brooklyn. Classic toppings on slices or whole pies of Sicilian or Neapolitan pizza.
8. J.G. Melon
📍Multiple locations. Another famous burger place that’s always rated as one of the best burgers in town.
9. John’s Deli
📍Gravesend. An Italian sandwich shop in South Brooklyn. Go for a Johnny’s Roastbeef with thinly slice meat, mozzarella, caramelised onions and a rich dark gravy served in a fresh light crusty roll. It’s incredible.
10. Los Tacos No. 1
📍Chelsea. Rated as the best taco spots in New York and one of the best in the US.
11. Au Cheval/4 Charles Prime Rib
📍Multiple Locations. Originally from Chicago. 4 Charles Prime Rib is the sister restaurant of Au Cheval. This might be the best burger I’ve ever had.
12. Xi’an Famous Foods
📍Multiple locations. A few locations. Amazing fresh hand pulled noodles.
13. Frankel’s Delicatessen
📍Greenpoint. A modern Jewish deli in Greenpoint serving takeout bagels and rolls. Go for the pastrami, egg & cheese bun. So good.
14. Scarr’s Pizza
📍Lower Eastside. A popular pizza spot in Lower Eastside where you can get whole pies or by the slice. Classic toppings. They have a cool bar in the back you can sit at.
15. Roberta’s
📍Multiple locations. A pizza spot with cult following that serve individual pies of a New York/Neapolitan hybrid. Famous for their Bee Sting pizza with salami and hot honey. I prefer the vibe at the original location in Bushwick which has a big garden which is always packed in summer. Expect queues.
16. Lombardi’s
📍Nolita. This is supposed to be the oldest pizza place in America. Right in the heart of of Little Italy. This street is also great for bars. The sausages and garlic spinach is great. They also do a clam and white sauce pizza.
17. Nom Wah Tea Parlour
📍Chinatown. Step back in time in Chinatown institution. The dim sum is good but it’s more about the decor here. The prices are good too.
18. Mama’s Too
📍Upper Westside. A great spot for Detroit pizza with interesting toppings. I loved the classic pepperoni slice but the cacio e pepe and pear slice were standout too.
19. Emily
📍Multiple locations. They are known for square pizzas with interesting toppings but also serve a great burger here too.
20. Best Pizza
📍Williamsburg. Another good Neapolitan pizza spot in Brooklyn. Classic toppings. Nice thin and crispy bases.
21. Momofoku Noodle Bar
📍Ukrainian Village. There are a few David Chang restaurants in the city but I decided to go with Noodle Bar as it’s more casual than Momofoku Saam Bar. Great dishes and flavours. I love the basil noodles and pastrami Bao.
22. Ivan Ramen
📍Lower Eastside. A great ramen spot in Lower Eastside. Checkout the Ivan Orkan Chefs Table episode on Netflix if you haven’t already.
23. Paulie Gee’s
📍Greenpoint. A great Neapolitan pizza spot in Greenpoint with some non-traditional toppings.
24. Maison Pickle
📍Upper Westside. A good brunch spot in Upper Westside. Book ahead or go before 12:00 to a the crowds. Try the tear away breads with garlic and Parmesan or honey butter.
25. Joe’s Pizza
📍Multiple locations. The quintessential New York neighborhood slice: a thin and crisp slice with cheese & tomato sauce.
26. Sarge’s Deli
📍Midtown East. The meat sandwiches are popular here. Go for the No. 3; Pastrami, corned beef, coleslaw & Russian dressing. The meat is cut a little thinner and stacked a little higher than Katz Deli. It’s an absolute monster of a sandwich. Share a sandwich between two.
27. Dominique Ansel
📍Soho. Home of the Cronut (half croissant, half donut) and other great pastries. They use have a location in London but closed up shop after lockdown one.
28. Joe’s Steam Rice Roll
📍Multiple locations. Go for Joe’s Signature steam roll with beef sausage, pork, dried shrimp, eggs & veg. Doused with soy sauce & chilli oil. Started in Flushing, Queens, but now with multiple locations across Manhattan.
James Dimitri 