A Foodie’s Guide to Eating Your Way Through New York

Photo by Vicky Ng on Unsplash

New York City is a melting pot of diversity, culture and gourmet delights. The sheer diversity and energy in New York’s food scene is one of the reasons why so many millions of people visit the Big Apple every single year. It’s a food lover’s paradise! Here you’ll find global flavors, hidden gems, mouthwatering street food and of course Michelin-starred fine dining. But with so much to see, do, taste and try, how do you know where to begin? In this post, we’ll explore how you can eat your way through New York like a real foodie. Read on to discover more — don’t forget to bring your appetite! 

Accommodation Tips

Before you hit the famous streets of New York following the smell of hot dogs and bagels, make sure you have a comfortable and competitively priced hotel to recharge in at the end of a busy day! Eating your way through an entire city is tiring work, so grab yourself a cheap New York hotel so you can spend more money on those gourmet meals and street snacks. 

For a foodie visiting New York City, the best neighborhoods to stay in are ones where incredible food is just steps from your hotel, and where you can easily explore other culinary hotspots. Here’s where we suggest staying during your culinary adventure. 

Lower East Side: This part of NYC is trendy and positively buzzing with different food options from old-school delis to small modern spots that you may have seen on Instagram and TikTok. The most famous eats here include:

• Katz’s Delicatessen
• Russ & Daughters 
• Clinton St. Baking Company
• Dirty French, Wildair, and Contra

Williamsburg (Brooklyn): Book a hotel here if you’re looking to indulge in a hipster’s paradise. Brooklyn boasts some of NYC’s most up-and-coming and exciting restaurants, bakeries and rooftop bars. You’ll be spoiled for choice. Famous eats and spots include:

• Smorgasburg, a seasonal open-air food market.
• Lilia
• Peter Luger Steak House
• Bakeries, coffee shops, and late-night bites galore

Greenwich Village (Manhattan): Consider staying in this neighborhood if you’re looking for classic NYC charm and a variety of local restaurants, cafes and bars that are often frequented by locals. Check out these top eats on your doorstep.

• Joe’s Pizza 
• Minetta Tavern
• Carbone
• Mamouns

East Village (Manhattan): If your budget is a little more modest or you’re hoping to stretch it as far as you can, then book a hotel in the East Village. Here you’ll find scores of ramen shops, hidden gems and affordable eats. Top places to visit nearby include:

• Momofuku Noodle Bar
• Veselka, a Ukrainian diner that’s open 24/7
• Superiority Burger is a vegetarian eatery
• Ray’s Candy Store head here for classic NYC nostalgia!

Must-Try New York Eats

Some eateries in NYC have stood the test of time and are practically an institution. While NYC is brimming with culinary options from all corners of the world, there are some NYC classics that all visitors need to try — it’s simply a rite of passage! Before you head off on your culinary adventure across NYC, check out these classics first. 

Bagels and Lox

• Russ & Daughters: A New York institution since 1914.
• Ess-a-Bagel: Famous for huge, chewy bagels and generous fillings.
• Absolute Bagels (Upper West Side): Beloved by locals for classic NYC-style bagels.

NYC Pizza

• Joe’s Pizza (Greenwich Village): Classic thin-crust slice joint.
• Prince Street Pizza: Spicy pepperoni square slice with cult status!
• Scarr’s Pizza: Retro pizzeria using stone-milled flour.
• Lombardi’s: The first pizzeria in the U.S.

Hot Dogs

• Nathan’s Famous (Coney Island): An iconic boardwalk staple since 1916.
• Gray’s Papaya: Legendary for their “Recession Special” (hot dog and drink combo).
• Crif Dogs: Quirky East Village spot known for unique toppings and a hidden speakeasy bar!

Pastrami Sandwiches

• Katz’s Delicatessen: Hand-carved, mile-high sandwiches that are world-famous.
• 2nd Ave Deli: Kosher classic with a loyal following.

International Eats You Won’t Want to Miss

NYCs food scene is where its diversity is reflected best, and for adventorous eaters, these neighborhoods offer authentic and mouthwatering international cuisine that’s made with heart, soul, and history. The following suggestions are more than worth a short subway ride across town! 

Chinatown

World famous for its tantalising flavors, authentic neighborhoods and generational delicacies, here you’ll find flavors ranging from Chinese and Malaysian to Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian fusion. Here’s where you should try first:

Head to: Manhattan Chinatown: An area steeped in history and full of cheap but delicious eats. 

What to Eat: Soup dumplings at Joe’s Shanghai, hand-pulled noodles at Xi’an Famous Foods, dim sum at Jing Fong

Head to: Flushing Chinatown: A more local and diverse area, with many more authentic and specifically regional dishes. 

What to Eat: Sichuan at Szechuan Mountain House, Taiwanese street food at Taiwan Bear House, Malaysian at Curry Leaves

Little Italy

Is there anything more iconic than the sights and sounds of Little Italy in NYC? For traditional Italian-American food, there’s no better place to experience it. 

Head to: Manhattan Little Italy: Yes, it’s a little touristy, but it’s wonderfully nostalgic with plenty of charm. 

What to Eat: Fresh pasta at Rubirosa, cannoli at Ferrara Bakery, red-sauce classics at Il Cortile

Head to: Arthur Avenue (The Bronx): This is considered to be the “real” Little Italy and you’ll find plenty of locals here.

What to Eat: Fresh mozzarella at Casa Della Mozzarella, Italian bread at Madonia Bakery, a sit-down meal at Roberto’s.

Brighton Beach

Hoping to try something a little different? Here you’ll find flavors from the Baltics and Eastern Europe, including Russian, Georgian, Uzbek and Ukrainian dishes. 

Head to: Little Odessa: It’s a must-visit for hearty, home-style Eastern European fare. 

What to Eat: Borscht and blinis at Café Kashkar, khachapuri (cheesy Georgian bread) at Tone Café, pelmeni dumplings at Skovorodka. 

You might also want to explore some of the local grocery stores for unusual snacks and sweets to try! 

Final Thoughts

Is your mouth watering yet? A trip to NYC means you can quite literally eat your way across the globe. Are you planning a trip to New York soon? What would you like to try first?