NYC Food Guide: Local Eats, Cool Restaurants, and Fun Culinary Experiences
If you’re looking for an NYC food guide written by someone who actually grew up around New York food, you’re in the right place. I was born on Long Island and grew up in New Jersey, so I’ve been eating my way through New York for basically my entire life. My dad even owned a bagel shop, so I grew up around some of the foods New York is famous for and have a pretty good idea of what’s actually worth trying.
New York is one of the best foodie destinations on the planet, and it’s impossible to get bored when it comes to the culinary scene. There’s an endless amount of restaurants and bars you can try, from cool speakeasies and chic rooftops to awesome food trucks and restaurants from any cuisine you could possibly imagine.
Our NYC food guide isn’t just about where and what to eat though. It covers everything from fun foodie activities to what you need to know when it comes to tipping.
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A Brief Overview of our NYC Food Guide
Before diving into specific dishes, restaurants, and culinary experiences, this first part of our NYC food guide covers what eating in New York is actually like. Understanding local food culture, neighborhoods, and prices will help you plan where and how to eat while visiting.
⭐️ What Food is NYC Famous For?
New York is famous for a handful of foods that you’ll see on pretty much every visitor’s list, including pizza, bagels, cheesecake, and classic deli sandwiches. But New York is also one of the most diverse cities in the world, and thats the true beauty of eating your way around it.
The city is built on immigrants who brought their flavors to the US. There are certain cuisines that thrive like Italian and Chinese, but also NYC is probably one of the only destinations in the world you can find a restaurant from any country you desire.
Suggested Read: Best Foods in NYC You Can’t Leave Without Trying
🍳 What Do People Eat for Breakfast in New York?
Bagels are an absolute NYC staple, and you’ll notice many locals grabbing one on the go. Breakfast sandwiches like bacon-egg-and-cheese are a go-to option, especially on weekdays.
New Yorkers are also big on brunch on weekends, with one of the most important aspects being bottomless drinks.
You can find everything from avocado toast and Eggs Benedict to pancakes and chicken with waffles. We recommend doing at least one boozy brunch in NYC during your visit, as it’s one of the best ways to enjoy the city’s flavors and energy all in one.
💴 How Much Does Food Cost in NYC?
New York is notoriously expensive, especially when it comes to dining. That being said, you can absolutely eat around NYC on a budget! Slices of pizza, bagels, and halal trucks are some of the most affordable options, and are great for on-the-go small meals while exploring the city.
Restaurants in New York can vary from being reasonably priced, to absolutely outrageous. This is why it is so important you never just sit down at a restaurant without looking at the menu! Dishes can cost anywhere from $20 to $200, so make sure to do your research beforehand.
💸 Tipping in New York
This is one of the biggest culture shocks for people visiting NYC for the first time, especially for those coming from abroad. New Yorkers tip, and they tip heavily. While 10% might be okay on an international standard, it’s extremely unacceptable in NYC.
Even other parts of the US tip differently. In the south you may see people tipping 15%. But truthfully, 20% is the minimum here, and it’s not uncommon for people to tip 25 or 30%, especially when they’re getting good service.
That being said, tips are not legally mandatory, and you should be receiving good service for the tips you’re leaving. If you’re receiving awful service, don’t be shy about bringing it up.
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🍽️ NYC Food Guide: Foods & Drinks in NYC to Try
I can’t stand when people outside the US says we don’t have our own food. What makes NYC so special, is that we use international flavors and turn them into dishes that are distinctly New York.
Each culture brings something unique, and New Yorkers have found a way to make it with their own twist.
This happens more often than you’d think, and these are exactly the things we recommend visitors trying when they arrive. You’ll get to experience flavors from across the globe, but also find foods that can’t be duplicated elsewhere.
🥯 Foods You Should Try in NYC
If you’re visiting New York for the first time, there are a few classics we’d make a point of trying.
- 🥯 New York bagels – especially with one of the city’s many cream cheese combinations
- 🍳 Bacon, egg & cheese – the classic New York breakfast sandwich
- 🍕 New York pizza – try both a classic slice and something more creative
- 🥪 A deli hero – one of the easiest ways to experience everyday NYC food
- 🥙 A gyro – especially from one of the city’s Greek food trucks
- 🍝 Italian-American classics – think chicken parmesan, penne alla vodka, and garlic knots
- 🍰 New York cheesecake – dense, rich, and very different from lighter cheesecakes
- 🌈 Rainbow cookies – a classic Italian-American bakery treat
- 🍌 Banana pudding – particularly the famous Magnolia Bakery version
- 🍧 Italian ice – especially if you’re visiting during warmer weather
Want the full breakdown of what to eat?
👉 Check out our guide to the best foods in New York City, where we go into much more detail about what to try, what’s actually worth the hype, and which iconic foods we think you can skip.
NYC Food Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants & Eateries in New York City
New York has thousands of restaurants, so choosing which ones to go to can be tricky! We’ve tried a lot of them – and while naturally there are an endless amount of options, we’re going to share some of our personal favorites we think you should check out.
🍴 Different Places to Eat & Drink in NYC You Should Have on Your List
💡 Want to explore some of our favorite restaurants and bars in the city? We have a guide with 30+ incredible places to dine in NYC!
NYC Food Guide: Fun Culinary Activities
Eating your way around New York doesn’t have to mean simply making restaurant reservations. There are also plenty of fun food and drink experiences around the city, from learning how to make a proper New York bagel to exploring neighborhoods through their food, taking a cocktail class, or even having dinner while cruising around the Manhattan skyline.
We’ve picked out some of the experiences that stand out to us, whether they’re a fun way to try classic NYC foods, a hands-on class, or something completely different from your typical meal.
Here are some of the best food and drink experiences to add to your NYC itinerary:
🍽️ Take a Food Tour
Food tours are a great way to explore NYC through the foods that make each neighborhood unique. Rather than focusing on one restaurant, you’ll usually make several stops while learning about the history and cultures that shaped the area.
There are food tours all over the city, so we’d choose one based on the neighborhoods or cuisines that interest you the most.
Here are a few fun food tours in NYC we’ve picked out for you:
🥯 Go on a Food Crawl
Sometimes you don’t want a general food tour. You already know exactly what you’re craving!
NYC has some really fun experiences dedicated to one particular food or drink, so you can spend a few hours comparing different versions of something the city is famous for.
Here are some of the coolest food crawls in NYC:
🥯 Bagel Crawl: Learn about NYC’s bagel history while sampling bagels and other foods around the Lower East Side. This is one we’d especially recommend because, as you can probably tell from this guide, we’re pretty serious about New York bagels.
🍕 Pizza Crawl: Compare several different NYC pizzerias and keep track of your favorites along the way. There are even self-guided options where you get a crawl kit and scorecards so you can explore at your own pace.
🍫 Hot Cocoa Crawl: If you’re visiting NYC in the colder months, this is such a fun way to warm up while trying several different versions of hot chocolate around the city.
🍩 Donuts & Sweet Treats: Explore several donut shops and bakeries while comparing different styles and flavors. This is a fun option for those that have a big sweet tooth!
👩🏻🍳 Take a Cooking Class
If you want to do more than just eat, NYC has a ton of hands-on food classes. These are particularly fun for couples, groups, or anyone who wants to bring a little piece of the NYC food scene home with them.
There are so many classes to choose from, ranging from bagels and pizza to pasta, dumplings, sushi, and more.
Here are some of the most fun cooking classes in NYC:
🍕 Pizza Making Classes: Learn how to make your own pizza, from preparing the dough to choosing your toppings and baking your creation.
🥯 NYC Bagel Baking Class: Learn how to hand-shape, boil, and bake your own New York-style bagels, then eat them fresh from the oven.
🍝 Fresh Pasta & Ravioli Classes: Learn how to make fresh pasta from scratch, including shaping and filling ravioli.
🥟 Dumpling-Making Classes: Get hands-on with Chinese dumplings and learn how to prepare them yourself.
🍣 Sushi-Making Classes: Learn the basics of preparing and rolling your own sushi.
🍦 Boozy Ice Cream Experience: Turn ice cream into an adults-only experience by making boozy ice cream creations while sampling different flavors.
🍨 Boozy Sundae Making Class: Create a decadent boozy sundae with ice cream, toppings, and a bourbon-inspired flavor combination, with tastings included.
🍸 Sign Up for a Drink Experience in NYC
No NYC food guide would be complete without including drinks. There are plenty of experiences built around cocktails, wine, beer, and spirits, whether you want to learn something new or simply spend an afternoon drinking your way around the city.
Here are some of the most awesome drink experiences in NYC:
🍸 Cocktail-Making Classes: Learn how to mix and make classic cocktails while getting some hands-on practice behind the bar.
🍺 Beer Tastings & Brewery Experiences: Sample local beers and learn more about NYC’s brewing scene.
🍷 Wine Tastings: Try different wines and learn about the flavors, production, and pairings.
🥃 Whiskey & Spirit Tastings: Taste different spirits while learning more about what you’re drinking.
☕ Specialty Coffee Experiences: For something a little less boozy, NYC also has experiences dedicated to specialty coffee and coffee culture.
⛵ Sail, Sip & Eat
One of the coolest things about dining in NYC is that you don’t necessarily have to sit in a restaurant to enjoy a meal. You can combine food and drinks with some of the best views in the city by getting out on the water.
There are several different types of cruises, so you can choose based on the kind of meal or atmosphere you’re looking for.
Here are some great sailings that include food & drinks onboard:
🍽️ Lunch Cruises: A fun alternative to a traditional lunch, especially if you want to see the city from the water during the day.
🥂 Brunch Cruises: An elevated version of a lunch cruise, by making it boozy!
🌅 Sunset Cruises with Drinks: Grab a drink and watch the skyline change as the sun sets.
🍷 Dinner Cruises: Have dinner while enjoy the skyline all lit up.
🎶 Dinner Cruise with Live Music: Combine dinner with live entertainment for a more memorable night out.
🛥️ Luxury Yacht Dinner Cruise: If you’re celebrating something special, there are more upscale yacht experiences that make the boat itself part of the occasion.
💡 On a budget? You can also ride the NYC ferry and have drinks onboard while enjoy the views!
🥂 Visit a NYC Speakeasy
NYC’s speakeasies are a fun way to combine drinks with a little history and mystery. Some are tucked behind random doors or disguised entrances, while others recreate the atmosphere of Prohibition-era New York.
You can visit them independently, but guided experiences are a fun option if you want to discover several in one night.
Here are some of our favorite speakeasy bars in NYC:
💡 We’re currently working on a full guide dedicated to our favorite speakeasies in NYC!
NYC Food Guide FAQ
Before wrapping up our NYC food guide, here are some of the most common questions travelers have, and our answers from a local point of view.
What food is New York City known for?
New York City is best known for foods like bagels, pizza, cheesecake, breakfast sandwiches, and Italian-American classics. But one of our favorite things about eating in NYC is how many different cuisines you can find throughout the city, from Chinese and Dominican to Georgian, Senegalese, and Paraguayan food.
What food should I try in New York City?
If it’s your first time in NYC, we’d recommend trying a New York bagel, pizza, breakfast sandwich, hero, gyro, New York cheesecake, and at least one Italian-American dish. Save room for some local treats like rainbow cookies, Italian ices, or banana pudding too!
Are New York bagels really that good?
Yes! Bagels are one of the foods we can confidently say New York does exceptionally well. Danni grew up around them because her dad owned a bagel shop, so this is one food we have a particularly strong opinion about. Don’t just order a plain bagel with cream cheese either. NYC has tons of creative flavors and combinations worth trying.
What is the best pizza to try in NYC?
You should definitely try a classic New York slice, but don’t be afraid to get creative. NYC pizza comes with toppings and combinations ranging from chicken parmesan and penne alla vodka to Caesar salad. We also recommend trying different styles, like Italian-style pizza at Unregular Pizza or Brooklyn-style pizza at L&B Spumoni Gardens.
Where can I find the best food in NYC?
There isn’t one single neighborhood that has the “best” food in NYC. Great restaurants, delis, bodegas, food trucks, markets, and cafés are spread throughout the city. Exploring neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little Italy, the West Village, and the Upper East Side can give you very different food experiences.
What is a bodega in New York City?
Bodegas are small neighborhood shops that are a huge part of everyday life in New York. You can stop in for coffee, snacks, a breakfast sandwich, or a deli sandwich to take with you. Some of our favorite subs have actually come from bodegas rather than famous restaurants.
What Italian-American foods should I try in NYC?
New York is responsible for many dishes that Americans think of as Italian, even though they were actually created by Italian immigrants in the United States. Some to look for include chicken parmesan, spaghetti and meatballs, penne alla vodka, garlic knots, Grandma pie, eggplant rollatini, and prosciutto bread.
Is New York cheesecake worth trying?
Absolutely. New York cheesecake is rich, dense, and incredibly creamy, and it’s one of the NYC foods we genuinely think you need to try while you’re here. We’ve even tried famous cheesecake in Japan, and for us, it couldn’t compare to a proper New York cheesecake.
What desserts should I try in NYC?
Some of our favorite NYC sweets include New York cheesecake, rainbow cookies, Cronuts, Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding, and Italian ices. If you’re visiting during winter, you can also make a stop for an indulgent cup of hot chocolate.
What should I drink in New York City?
Don’t overlook NYC’s local coffee scene! Instead of automatically going to Starbucks or Dunkin’, try one of the city’s many independent cafés or a local chain like Gregorys. NYC also has a huge cocktail and bar scene, with everything from classic cocktail bars to speakeasies and unique drinking experiences.
What food experiences can I do in NYC?
NYC has much more to offer than simply going to restaurants. You can join food tours, take cooking classes, go on food-specific crawls, enjoy brunch or dinner cruises, visit speakeasies, take part in cocktail and drink experiences, or try unique activities centered around foods and drinks.
Are food tours worth doing in NYC?
Food tours can be a great way to experience several foods and neighborhoods in one outing, especially if it’s your first visit. They’re also a fun option if you want to learn more about the city’s food culture instead of simply checking restaurants off a list.
Are there food crawls in NYC?
Yes! There are food crawls that focus on specific NYC favorites rather than trying a little bit of everything. Bagel crawls, pizza crawls, hot chocolate crawls, and donut crawls are some fun options to look into.
What NYC foods are overrated?
We’re going to be honest: we don’t think everything on the typical NYC “must-eat” list deserves your limited stomach space. Pretzels and hot dogs are iconic, but we wouldn’t prioritize them over pizza, bagels, cheesecake, or a great local sandwich. We also don’t think you need to make a special trip to Katz’s just for a pastrami sandwich.
Should I eat at famous restaurants in NYC?
You can, but don’t spend your entire trip chasing famous restaurants. Some of our favorite meals have come from small neighborhood restaurants, delis, bodegas, and casual spots that aren’t necessarily all over social media. NYC is a city where you can find incredible food almost everywhere.
Is NYC expensive for food?
It can be, but eating well in New York doesn’t have to be expensive. Some of the best foods in NYC can cost just a few dollars, especially if you eat at delis, bodegas, food trucks, pizza shops, and other casual neighborhood spots.
What is the best way to experience food in NYC?
Our biggest tip is to mix it up! Try the iconic NYC foods, but also explore different neighborhoods, stop at a bodega, eat at a diner, grab something from a casual local spot, and leave room for dessert. You don’t need to spend a fortune or eat at the most famous restaurants to have an incredible food experience in New York.
NYC Food Guide: Final Thoughts & What’s Next
New York City is truly a foodie paradise. Our NYC food guide just scratches the surface, so that you aren’t too overwhelmed by it all.
From grabbing a bagel to doing a boozy brunch, from sitting on a rooftop, to chilling in a speakeasy, you could easily make your entire trip just around eating and drinking your way through the city.
If you need help creating a specific itinerary to make the most of your sightseeing and meals, we can help plan you a customized trip!
⭐️ Final Tips for Eating Your Way Around NYC
🍽️ Make reservations for popular sit-down restaurants whenever possible.
🥯 Don’t judge a bagel shop by its review count. Some of our favorite spots aren’t the ones with the most tourists.
🚶🏻♀️ Plan your meals around your sightseeing. NYC is huge, so there’s no reason to cross the entire city for one sandwich.
🗺️ Explore different neighborhoods. This is one of the best ways to experience the city’s international food scene.
💵 Don’t assume expensive means better. Some incredible NYC meals are surprisingly cheap.
🚕 Avoid eating in the most tourist-heavy areas when you can, particularly Times Square.
🍰 Always leave room for dessert.
👟 Wear comfortable shoes. You’re going to walk a lot, and eating your way through NYC is much more fun when your feet aren’t killing you.
📱 Check restaurant hours before going. Small restaurants and neighborhood spots can have unusual schedules.
🌎 Be adventurous. Some of the best food experiences we’ve had in NYC came from cuisines we weren’t specifically looking for.
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👀 What’s Next?
Now that you have finished our NYC food guide, let’s help you learn more about visiting our amazing city.
Here are other NYC guides we have:
🍕 Best foods in NYC
✈️ How to Get from EWR to NYC
🛫 How to Get from LGA to NYC
🛬 How to Get from JFK to NYC
🍸 22 Christmas Bars in NYC
🍴 17 Christmas Restaurants in NYC
🏨 Top 10 Hotels in NYC for Christmas
🎅🏻 29 Christmas Activities in NYC
⛸ 13 Ice Rinks to Check Out This Season
🎄 The Top Christmas Trees in NYC
✨ 8 Best Locations for Christmas Lights in NYC
🪟 The Best Window Displays in NYC
🎁 Where to Find the Best Christmas Decorations in NYC
🌷 Guide for Spring in NYC
📆 Unmissable Spring Events in NYC
☔️ What to do on a rainy day in NYC
📆 The best time to visit NYC
☀️ 33 Things to do in NYC during summer
☀️ Summer in NYC
⭐️ 18 Things to do in NYC for first-time visitors
⚾️ Things to do in NYC in Spring
📆 52 Fun Things to Do This December in New York
🎅🏻 The Ultimate Guide to Experiencing Christmas in NYC
🍝 30 Cool Restaurants in New York City You Need to Try
🌸 Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in NYC
💧 The 19 Best Waterfalls in New York
❄️ Visiting NYC in Winter
📸 16 Favorite Instagrammable Places in NYC
💝 The Best Valentine’s Day Date Ideas in NYC
🤑 10 Things to Do in NYC for Free
📖 The Ultimate New York City Travel Guide
🚇 How to Get Around NYC Like a Local
💃🏻 Doing a Flying Dress Photoshoot in NYC
Now you know all about the food scene in New York, you’re ready to eat your way around the city! We hope you enjoyed our NYC food guide – if you have any other questions though? Feel free to drop them in the comments below!
Want to learn more visiting New York City? We have tons of other NYC Travel Guides for you, as well as new ones coming up every week! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you’re able to stay up to date with our most recent articles, and get special discounts on our shop.
Ready to start planning an incredible trip to New York? Well, we’re here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers customized travel planning, so you can skip all the tedious work, and simply enjoy your trip. Take a look at our travel planning packages we have, or simply email us to get started today!
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