The author enjoys a slice of pizza in New York City. I’m a 4th generation New Yorker who has been obsessed with food ever since my highchair. I’m also a food and travel writer who regularly dines out in all five boroughs. From dives to white-tablecloths, these are some […]
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- I'm a 4th generation New Yorker who has been obsessed with food ever since my highchair.
- I'm also a food and travel writer who regularly dines out in all five boroughs.
- From dives to white-tablecloths, these are some of the best places to eat in New York City.
I'm a born-and-bred New Yorker and a bona fide foodie. I've also been writing about travel and food for over 20 years.
Like me, my parents are obsessed with eating, and so I grew up tagging along as they combed New York City searching for their next bite.
While other toddlers ate Cheerios and chicken fingers, I slurped soup dumplings and chewed calamari. My earliest memories are filled with flavor, from samosas to pastrami.
Over time, I've seen NYC neighborhoods gentrify and populations shift, but the Big Apple remains a gastronomic crossroad.
Although the city has more than its share of splurge-worthy fine dining, you don't need deep pockets to eat regally, as inexpensive, excellent restaurants can be found all over town.
Located in the heart of Flushing's Chinatown, Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao serves meat, seafood, and vegetables encased in delicate dumpling wrappers or tangled with luscious hand-pulled noodles.
Must try: Crisp bok choy, juicy shredded pork, and briny shrimp nestled in noodles in Shanghai pan-fried udon.
Price: Inexpensive
Find out more about Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao here.
At Teranga, Senegalese Chef Pierre Thiam's menu showcases the richness of West African cuisine.
Jollof rice (cooked in a tomato broth), African red rice, black-eyed peas, and plantains are served in composed plates or bowls accompanied by fish, chicken, or vegetable stews.
I slather on the condiments, including house-made hot sauces in varying strengths and a caramelized onion sauce that's like marmalade, to lift the flavors even more.
Grains are sourced from farms in Africa and produce comes from nearby farms; eating ethically never tasted so good.
Teranga is open at the Africa Center on weekends and at The Hugh on weekdays.
Must try: The Jollof Salmon Bowl, which is roasted salmon served over Jollof rice with black-eyed peas, salad, and caramelized onions. It's an ambrosial study of textures and flavors.
Price: Inexpensive
Find out more about Teranga here.
When I was a little kid, delis and New York City were a team, like milk and cookies. Today, Katz's Delicatessen is one of the few remaining spots to sample a taste of bygone New York.
Family-run for over a century, little has changed, including the vintage signage. Diners can still sample Jewish deli classics like piping-hot chicken broth with floating matzoh balls and sturdy knishes stuffed with fluffy mashed potatoes.
Must try: The pastrami makes for a zaftig sandwich served on Katz's signature chewy rye.
Price: Moderate
Find out more about Katz's Delicatessen here.
High ceilings, plants, coffee-table books, and large-scale contemporary art give Cocina & Cocktails the feel of a hip loft-meets-tropical oasis.
The menu celebrates Chef Byron Peñafiel's Ecuadorean roots, and features dishes served with chipotle mayo, chili citrus salt, and jalapeño hummus.
I like to come here with a group of friends as dishes are made with sharing in mind. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices aim to include a broad base of diners, and a terrific list of cocktails adds to the fiesta vibe.
Must try: Start with ceviche. The mild, firm fluke is a tasty foil for the red onion. Move on to chicken a la brasa, a moist whole bird with an exotic guava glaze served with sweet baby tomatoes and a goddess of a green sauce. If the weather cooperates, dine on the patio.
Price: Moderate
Au Za'atar specializes in the delicious cuisine of Lebanon.
I start every meal at Au Za'atar with mezze, an assortment of small plates accompanied by homemade flatbread.
There are silky dips garnished with pomegranate seeds, crunchy pickled vegetables in a rainbow of colors, and fresh salads with punches of wild thyme, mint, parsley, sumac, and za'atar.
Fried halloumi cheese drizzled with golden honey, impossibly creamy labneh yogurt, and supple hummus spiked with lemon juice, are divine. Finally, wine and beer from Lebanon shouldn't be skipped.
Must-try: Cooked in small batches throughout the day is the succulent shawarma, or, spit-roasted lamb, beef, or chicken served with an avalanche of hand-cut French fries. It's theatrically presented and expertly carved tableside.
Price: Moderate
With colorful murals, palm trees, and hanging vines, I feel like I've jetted off to the Caribbean whenever I step into Victor's Café.
Owned by the same family since 1963, Victor's serves an evolved interpretation of Cuban cuisine. The menu's variety of flavors reflects Cuba's diverse cuisine, shaped by the waves of immigrants from Spain, France, China, and Africa who came to the island nation and put their gastronomic stamp on the cuisine.
Must try: Ropa Vieja is the house specialty. This slowly braised skirt steak is cooked in an energetic garlic, tomato, onion, and pepper sauce, presenting flavor without excessive heat.
Price: Moderate to expensive
Find out more about Victor's Café here.
La Morada is run by an immigrant family that is passionately involved in equity and social-justice causes.
The low-priced menu rotates but I always find several moles available, each made with dozens of spices and packed with complex flavor.
Must try: Nourishing soups like sopa de mariscos include a hodgepodge of seafood and veggies in bubbling broth, and make winter tolerable.
Price: Inexpensive
Find out more about La Morada here.
For my favorite bagels and lox, I go to Russ and Daughters in the Lower East Side and Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Russ & Daughters have been selling some of the city's best smoked fish since 1914, with members of the Russ family continuing to helm the business.
Their lox, whitefish, and sable are what my family traditionally eats with bagels on Sunday morning.
The original location is on Houston Street, but the newest outpost at the Brooklyn Navy Yard is where the bakery is, sweetening the deal as the smell of bagels, bialys, and babka being pulled from the oven wafts deliciously as you wait for your order.
Must-try: The bagel & lox sandwich is piled high with velvety smoked salmon and your choice of cream cheese.
Price: Moderate
Once a launching pad for generations of Greek immigrants, Astoria remains ground-zero for the best Greek food in New York City.
There's a lot of choice, but I head to Taverna Kyclades when I crave Greek standards like spanakopita and souvlaki. Fish is excellent too, so briny you can practically taste the Aegean Sea.
Friendly service will have you feeling like a regular even before your first sip of retsina.
Must try: The fried calamari with nothing more than a squeeze of lemon.
Price: Moderate
Chef Gerardo Alcaraz is from Leon, Guanajuato, an inland region of Central Mexico that's an unsung culinary giant. He mixes his hometown's street food recipes with trendy molecular gastronomy techniques.
I find his infusion of gels and emulsifications yields inventive, unexpected, and scrumptious results.
With a creative cocktail menu and natural wine program, Aldama is an excellent place for serious drinkers. The backyard patio is perfect for keeping distance amid COVID-19, too.
Must try: The taco de trompo with pork belly, flank steak, adobo, pineapple, and a dash of serrano gel atop an heirloom corn tortilla, is a standout.
Price: Moderate to expensive
Sylvia Woods, aka "The Queen of Soul Food," opened her namesake restaurant in 1962. What started as a luncheonette has grown to be one of Harlem's most beloved eateries with seating for several hundred diners.
Over the decades, tourists, numerous US Presidents, celebrities, and locals like myself have come for the generous helpings of home-style cooking and live gospel music.
Southern-style recipes include ribs, mac and cheese, collard greens, smothered chicken, black-eyed peas, and triple-strength hot sauce.
Must try: Fried chicken and waffles.
Price: Moderate
Find out more about Sylvia's here.
Proudly old-school since 1929, John's of Bleeker Street in Greenwich Village doesn't apologize for serving whole pies only, or not taking reservations.
I grew up sitting in the original wooden booths where generations of NYU students have carved their initials and declarations of sophomoric love. The thin-crust pizza is cooked in a coal-fired brick oven, giving it a distinctive singed crust, that's just perfect.
Must try: Fennel-forward sausage is the pizza topping of choice. Earthy mushrooms are a close second.
Price: Inexpensive-Moderate
New Yorkers never forget their first time dining at Peter Luger. Eating a steak on the oak-top tables is a culinary rite of passage, and bow-tied waiters, a beer-hall setting, and no credit cards are part of the legend.
In operation since 1887, the magic starts before the beef ever hits the heat, with on-site dry-aging of USDA-Prime Beef under carefully regulated temperature and humidity conditions that concentrate the flavors and break down connective tissue, resulting in buttery, tender cuts.
Must try: Steak is the protagonist, with a classic side like creamed spinach.
Price: Expensive
This stylish new food hall unites 17 food and beverage concepts under one roof, with cuisines from Bangkok, West Africa, and Israel cohabitating in a spacious sky-lit atrium under a canopy of trees surrounded by eye-catching artwork.
Most of the eateries are fast-casual and well-priced, making a visit there quick and affordable. It's currently open Monday through Friday.
Must-try: Jumieka serves jerk, roti, patties, and more delicious Jamaican cuisine.
Price: Inexpensive
12 Chairs shines a light on Israeli cuisine, with pita bread that is flown in from Israel and baked on-site, while exquisitely creamy hummus, falafel, chicken schnitzel, and labneh, a seasoned cheese made from yogurt, are prepared to order.
I often order Eastern European faves, like borscht and blintzes, or a bountiful Israeli breakfast, with salads, cheeses, and dips accompanying the eggs, that is served all day.
A list of Israeli wines, many from boutique wineries, complements the food.
Must try: The falafel hummus can't be beaten.
Price: Moderate
Casual JaJaJa Plantas Mexicana serves a plant-based, fast-casual menu packed with healthy ingredients without a faux or synthetic product in sight. Jackfruit, hearts of palm, coconut, beets, and pumpkin all come together to make for a patchwork of flavor.
Upbeat decor with colorful textiles and pastel accents pair with fun food and playful drinks, including a selection of Mezcal, Tequila, and Mexican beers on tap.
Must try: The nachos, laced with fermented black beans and a touch of turmeric, are drool-worthy.
Price: Inexpensive
While Taverna Kyclades was my overall pick for classic Greek fare, Anassa Taverna is where I go when I want a refined, high-fashion version of a Greek restaurant. Authentic ingredients are flown in from Greece, with feta cheese from a family-run cheese farm in the mountains not far from Athens, honey and olive oil sourced from Crete, and exceptional Greek wines from small producers.
I love that the display of fresh fish on ice and open kitchen allows me to hand-select a fresh catch and watch it cook. Seafood, lamb, beef, and chicken are all prepared with a light hand, allowing the quality of the ancestral ingredients to shine.
Must try: The Greek salad with briny Kalamata olives and a massive block of feta dressed with extra-virgin olive oil, is top-caliber.
Price: Moderate to expensive
Owned and operated by the same family since 1894, you'll need to cross the Atlantic to sample better Italian confections.
My mouth waters when I approach the counter display of handmade butter cookies, miniature pastries, and creamy cheesecakes, accompanied by the smell of biscotti being pulled out of the oven. I take the treats home or sit in the café and enjoy them with espresso.
Must try: The crisp cannoli, a shell filled with sweetened whipped ricotta with a flourish of pistachio bits on both ends, are as good as any in Sicily.
Price: Inexpensive
Find out more about Veniero's here.
Patis is a kosher-certified artisan bakery selling European and American baked goods. Pastel-hued French macarons and buttery croissants are displayed next to American favorites like carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and molasses cookies.
A global selection of bread, from bagels to baguettes, and a variety of caffeinated beverages, makes it my go-to spot for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Must try: The oversized chocolate-chip cookie, with crisp edges and a gooey center, is packed with toffee and walnuts.
Price: Inexpensive
I ride the Staten Island ferry for the great view of the Statue of Liberty, plus, the opportunity to eat a slice of thin-crust, New York style-pizza in the bare-bones setting of Joe & Pats.
Italian-American favorites like baked ziti and hulking meatball heroes are major temptations, while cauliflower-crust pizza is a concession to the 21st century.
Must try: The veggie pie is loaded with fresh mushrooms, spinach, onions, broccoli, peppers, and tomatoes.
Price: Inexpensive
The Lavaux region is situated along Switzerland's Lake Geneva, a land of terraced vineyards that have been producing wine since Roman times.
There's very little of the dry and fruity white Chasselas available for export, as the savvy Swiss drink nearly all of it themselves.
I've been lucky enough to travel to the region often, so I'm on a first-name basis with its culinary traditions. With the recent opening of Lavaux Wine Bar, New Yorkers can finally sample these lean, elegant wines.
Owned by a trio of Swiss oenophiles, the wines are highly compatible with wintery Swiss dishes like fondue and raclette, cutting the richness of the cheese with their acidity.
Parties of 6-12 looking for privacy and panache may book the heated chalet and be transported to the ski slopes of Verbier.
Must try: The creamy cheese fondue is Swiss bliss.
Price: Moderate to expensive
When I crave yesteryear, I hop on the N train and grab a seat at this unassuming Bensonhurst institution. Little has changed since John and Vinny opened their pizzeria in 1950.
This slice is all about proportions, hitting just the right ratio of quality cheese to zippy tomato sauce. The round and square pies are equally solid.
Must try: A square slice with piquant pepperoni hits the spot.
Price: Inexpensive
Proust had his shell-shaped madeleine cookies and I have Peter Pan Donuts.
Servers still wear old-school uniforms with petal pink trim as they dole out donuts made from nostalgic recipes. Everything is fresh out of the fryer, so whether you choose feathery yeast or denser cake, sprinkle-topped or jelly-filled, there's no wrong move.
Must try: Purists gravitate toward the honey-dipped yeast donut.
Price: Inexpensive
At Bunker, Vietnamese street food is prepared without shortcuts, using grass-fed beef, quality poultry, and meat-free options generously spiked with lemongrass, Thai basil, and bean sprouts.
The flavor profile hits the sweet spot between zesty and delicate. The decor is colorful with a distinct industrial vibe and I think the nice patio is a lovely perk.
Must try: Slow-simmered smoked brisket Pho served with fiery jalapeno and cooling bean sprouts.
Price: Moderate
Jackson Diner's no-fuss décor and reasonable prices are deceptive, as some of the city's most flavorful Indian food is found here in my opinion.
I've been eating here for years, cutting my teeth on the chicken tandoori, marinated in yogurt and spices, before being cooked in the clay oven.
Fragrant vegetable curries should satisfy even confirmed meat-lovers, and luscious naan bread, assorted fruit chutneys, and creamy raita are excellent accompaniments.
Must-try: Bhel Puri is a savory snack of puffed rice in a tangy tamarind sauce. Popular on the beaches of Mumbai, it's every bit as delicious eaten in Jackson Heights.
Price: Inexpensive to moderate
East Wind Snack Shop's chef and owner Chris Cheung was inspired by the yesteryear tea houses of his Chinatown childhood and is known for his hand-made dumplings.
There's a limited quantity of dumplings made daily, each tiny treasure bursting with quality meats, seafood, and vegetables.
A few worthy additions, like Shanghai noodles and Hong Kong hotcakes, are dropped in for good measure.
Must try: A pliable wrapper loaded with just-ground Berkshire pork makes the pan-fried juicy pork dumplings special.
Price: Inexpensive
With its country bric-a-brac, Good Enough to Eat looks like a Vermont farmhouse. Homestyle cooking starts at breakfast, which is when I order waffles that are so light they might levitate, accompanied by a big jug of organic maple syrup and strawberry butter.
Soups and sandwiches at lunch are joined by more substantial fare, like meatloaf, and roast turkey with all the trimmings is my favorite at dinner.
Must try: The house-made desserts, including layer cakes, berry crumble, and pies exploding with fruit, are displayed outside in a glass case, tempting bypassers.
Price: Moderate
Lobster is a Maine culinary hallmark. With three trucks rolling around the five boroughs, Cousins Maine Lobster always has my crustacean craving covered.
A lobster roll requires no cumbersome cracking or bib. And while the best lobster roll recipe is hotly debated, Cousins serves both popular New England styles; the Maine lobster roll is chilled with mayo while the Connecticut roll is warm with a dab of melted butter. Both are piled high on a split-top bun.
I follow Cousins on social media and use their app to pre-order, so my lobster roll is always ready in a jiffy.
Must try: The buttery Connecticut lobster roll is the top seller.
Price: Moderate
J.G. Melon is an Upper East Side staple that has been serving straightforward food and a gold-medal worthy Bloody Mary for 50 years.
The jukebox, dark wood bar, white-and-green checked table cloths, and cash-only policy feels frozen in time, but what I like about eating here is that it's the antithesis of ostentatious, driving home the point that sometimes simple is best.
Must try: Served on a plain bun with pickle chips and thin-sliced red onion as accoutrements, the burger's crusty exterior hides a pool of rosy juices that are released on the first bite and necessitate multiple napkins. Ruffle-cut cottage fries are the obvious side.
Price: Moderate
Gargiulo's has been a bastion of Neapolitan cooking for over 100 years. In the old country, Naples is a gastronomic powerhouse noted for its glorious produce and durum wheat pasta cooked molto al dente.
Gargiulo's menu is an ode to the motherland, weaving eggplant, zucchini, and broccoli di rape into firm pasta in a setting lifted from a Scorsese movie.
Must try: Spaghetti in a simple tomato sauce with a windfall of freshly-grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
Price: Moderate to expensive
Carolina, Memphis, and Kansas City are some of my favorite finger-licking styles of BBQ. Now, the Bronx is a meaty contender, too, with Hudson Smokehouse.
Located in Mott Haven, it's one of several new eateries in this blossoming foodie zone. I think their brisket, pork belly burnt ends, and rib tips are taken to a higher place with sides like vinegar coleslaw, cornbread, and collard greens. A full bar keeps things lively.
Must try: Pulled pork sandwich.
Price: Moderate
Find out more about Hudson Smokehouse here.
The Belmont section of the Bronx is the borough's Little Italy. Anchored by Arthur Avenue, the array of specialty food shops and Italian restaurants is this epicurean's dream, with everything from warm mozzarella to hand-rolled tortellini.
At Addeo & Sons Bakery, the smell of fresh bread wafts onto the sidewalk, calling out to hungry pedestrians like a mythological siren. The third generation of the family continues to make a traditional assortment of bread and breadsticks, loyally sticking to old-country recipes.
Must try: Italian bread with sesame seeds is crusty outside, pillow-soft inside.
Price: Inexpensive
Café Paulette offers a menu of French bistro classics such as pate, escargots, and steak tartare.
I'm a fan of the attentive service, the fine wine list that ventures beyond France, and romantic music that exudes the essence of Rive Gauche chic. I also think the leafy view of Fort Greene Park is icing on the cake.
Must try: With a citrusy sauce lacquered onto Hudson Valley duck, canard a l'orange would make Escoffier proud.
Price: Moderate to expensive
As I kid, my favorite day each summer was when my family took the subway to Coney Island to jump the waves, ride the Wonder Wheel, and eat humble hot dogs at the original Nathan's Famous at the corner of Stillwell and Surf Avenues.
Whether you douse it with onions or dab it with mustard, the snap is detectable, the beefy taste delectable, and I still look forward to eating it every year.
Must try: A hot dog with a side of crinkle-cut fries.
Price: Inexpensive
Market Line is a food court that's an incubator for forward-thinking culinary concepts. Many of Market Line's vendors are either immigrant, minority, or woman-owned, according to Eater New York.
Currently, there are several dozen vendors selling cuisines from a multitude of countries. Have a hankering for a Polish pierogi, pho, or half-sour pickles? You can find these and more on the spacious lower level of Essex Market.
Must try: Kuro-Obi makes ramen with slurp-worthy noodles in a silky, chicken-based broth.
Price: Inexpensive
Another go-to restaurant for me is Colonia Verde, where the Latin American-inspired menu pulls influences from the chef's childhood throughout Colombia, Spain, and Mexico.
The kitchen knows its way around beef, yet is equally skilled with eggplant, yucca, and oyster mushrooms. A rotating natural wine list offers unexpected selections, including skin-contact wines.
I appreciate the cozy feel, with a dimly-lit interior that opens to the patio garden, offering a fine spot for an al fresco meal.
Must try: Grass-fed steak with farofa, a traditional Brazilian side dish made from cassava flour.
Price: Moderate
At first glance, it seems like this sports bar's main attraction is the Yankee game on television.
And while I do come here to watch sports, I look past the multiple screens straight into the compact kitchen, which is the heart of Bodega 88.
Us local gastronomes come here to tuck into Dominican, Cuban, Argentinian, and other Latin-style nibbles, from pernil to tostones. These bites have powerful flavors that stand up to the strong margaritas and fruity sangria.
Must try: The pulled pork sliders boast a tender mound of meat doused in a sticky guava barbecue sauce.
Price: Inexpensive
Sushi lovers on a budget would be wise to try Sushi 33. What it lacks in décor, it makes up for by serving super-fresh fish at a reasonable price.
I watch the chef at work as I nibble on edamame or a palate-limbering seaweed salad. Udon and soba noodles are worthy sushi alternatives, but the fish is what really keeps me coming back.
Must-try: The chef's special sushi incorporates the day's freshest catch with rice that's cooked to perfection.
Price: Inexpensive to moderate
Nothing says New York like bagels, and this is my local neighborhood spot for the circular, doughy delights.
Boiled in Big Apple tap water before going into the oven, the dense, tender bagel with a chewy crust at Absolute comes pretty close to the platonic ideal.
Expect a long line of students from nearby Columbia University and loyal suburbanites who double-park their cars out front, and know that it's cash only.
Must try: Whichever bagel is hot from the oven.
Price: Inexpensive
This Sri Lankan restaurant in the Stapleton neighborhood of Staten Island prides itself on authentic recipes and a free hand with the fragrant spice palette.
Curries are tempered with fruits like coconut and tamarind, served in edible bowls made from a thin batter of rice flour that's shaped while still warm.
Must try: Don't leave without eating lamprais, steamed packets of long-grain rice blended with curry and wrapped in a banana leaf.
Price: Inexpensive to moderate
From Union Square Café to Shake Shack, restauranteur Danny Meyer's multitude of ventures are woven into this city's food fabric.
Opened in 2005 in the Museum of Modern Art, Meyer pioneered the concept of merging fine dining with fine art at The Modern, earning two Michelin stars in the process. The first time I dined here, I understood that the meal was no longer an afterthought to viewing "The Starry Night," it was the main attraction.
Overlooking MoMA's sculpture garden, the setting is as sublime as what is being served, which is a prix fixe contemporary American menu with a hefty price tag. The Bar Room offers an à la carte menu if you'd like to try if for a touch cheaper, though.
Must try: The Bar Room's ethereal gnocchi laced with maitake mushrooms and lobster combines land and sea in perfect measure.
Price: Expensive
Brighton Beach is often referred to as "Little Russia" or "Little Odessa" as the neighborhood's Russian and Ukrainian immigrants have opened numerous specialty food shops and restaurants here. Most are found on and near Brighton Beach Avenue, where the rumble of the elevated subway drowns out the sound of the surf.
The setting at Ocean View Café is bare-bones yet the blintzes, borscht, and beef stroganoff taste like your Babushka made them.
Must try: Blintzes, grilled until golden and filled with crumbly farmer cheese.
Price: Inexpensive to moderate
When I want to eat food from every corner of the globe, I go to the Queens International Night Market in Corona Park.
The borough of Queens is a smorgasbord of global cuisine that makes a long ride on the 7 train well worth it.
The Queens International Night Market is modeled after the popular open-air night markets in east and southeast Asia, offering street food that showcases the diversity of the borough.
I've come to the market many times to order from stalls selling Haitian, Korean, Trinidadian, Brazilian, Romanian, Bangladeshi, Burmese, West African, Filipino, and Jamaican food, all with wallet-friendly prices.
Must try: The Japanese grilled Dango at Oh Dango! is not to be missed.
Price: Inexpensive
