13 Things To Do in New York City: Chef’s Foodie Guide
As a native New Yorker, I hold the Big Apple near and dear to my heart. And although I’m now a Californian, I still try to visit often—it’s the food capital of the United States after all.
As a professional chef, I think the best things to do in New York City all have something to do with the local cuisine. From standing in line at old-school delis to hunting down the city’s best cheese counters to grabbing a bite walking through the park—I’m all about the food.
I’ve been back to NYC more times than I can count, and I’m still discovering something new on every trip. Putting all that culinary research to good use, I’m serving up this guide so you can have an amazingly delicious visit to the city I love.
So, if you’re a food lover planning to take a bite out of the Big Apple, you’re definitely in the right place! Check out these NYC originals: iconic restaurants, famous bakeries, super street foods, option-packed food halls, one-of-a-kind cookbook stores, and so much more.
There’s nothing like a New York Pastrami on Rye at Katz’s.
1. Try the Foods NYC is Known For
The easiest way to eat like a New Yorker is to start with the classics. Pizza, bagels, pastrami, cheesecake: These dishes built the city’s food reputation, and every one of them has a story.
Many of New York’s most iconic foods came over with the immigrants who couldn’t imagine home without them. Other classics were invented right here in the city that was becoming America’s undisputed foodie heavyweight.
Below are my five can’t-miss picks. For all 20 of the city’s famous foods worth pursuing—including chopped cheese, Waldorf salad, and the cronut—read my full guide to the Famous New York Foods.
Iconic Jewish comfort food served up at Russ & Daughters Cafe
Although Lombardi’s claims to be America’s first pizzeria (opened in 1905), nowadays, Joe’s is the gold standard for the classic New York street slice. It’s thin, crisp at the edge, and foldable. Eat it standing up, with a few extra napkins.
Nearby: Washington Square Park and its marble arch, Stonewall National Monument, and the shops and jazz clubs of Bleecker Street.
Address: 7 Carmine Street, Greenwich Village
A coal-fired brick oven has been turning out pizza here since 1929. Only whole pies are served here, so go with friends and order a plain cheese.
Nearby: Washington Square Park, Cherry Lane Theatre, and an easy stroll past Murray’s Cheese and the Italian shops along Bleecker.
Address: 278 Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village
For a bagel with lox and schmear, this Lower East Side institution (the original was founded in 1914) is the best there is.
Order the bagel board with pastrami-cured or Gaspe Nova smoked salmon. I’m also partial to the Super Heebster, with hand-whipped horseradish-dill cream cheese.
Nearby: The Tenement Museum, the New Museum on the Bowery, Essex Market, and the boutiques along Orchard Street.
Address: 127 Orchard Street, Lower East Side
Pastrami on rye does’t get more famous than this. Grab a ticket at the door (don’t lose it!) and watch the cutters slice the steaming meat by hand.
Nearby: The Tenement Museum, Essex Market, the New Museum, and Orchard Street’s shops and bars.
Address: 205 E Houston Street, Lower East Side
Dense, smooth, and rich, New York cheesecake is the dessert my family has always been faithful to. Junior’s in Brooklyn made it world-famous in the 1950s, and there’s still nothing quite like it.
Nearby: In Downtown Brooklyn: the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Barclays Center. In Times Square: Broadway’s theaters and the TKTS booth.
Address: Downtown Brooklyn and Times Square
2. Visit Iconic Restaurants
New York has thousands of restaurants, so I like to choose the ones with a claim to fame: a century of history, a movie cameo, or a view that takes your breath away (next section).
I narrowed over 6,400 Manhattan restaurants down to a list of 15 in my Best Restaurants in New York for First-Time Visitors guide. The following are hard to pass up.
Hard to believe that Central Park’s Tavern on the Green was once a sheep shed.
Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant
Tucked beneath the Guastavino tile vaults of Grand Central Terminal (aka, Grand Central Station) since 1913, this is old New York at its loudest and most atmospheric.
I just love the energy: It’s quintessential New York to me! Come for the oysters (sometimes as many as 30 varieties) or a seafood pan roast. But beware: This American gustatory standout is closed on weekends.
Nearby: Grand Central Terminal itself (look up at the celestial ceiling and try the Whispering Gallery), the Chrysler Building, Bryant Park, and the New York Public Library’s main branch.
Address: 89 E 42nd Street, Midtown East
The original 1870 building in Central Park once housed sheep, which is hard to imagine given today’s chandeliers and glass-walled dining rooms. Spend the day wandering the park, then settle in for brunch or dinner.
Nearby: Central Park’s Sheep Meadow and Strawberry Fields, Lincoln Center, and the American Museum of Natural History.
Address: 67th Street & Central Park West
This Greenwich Village tavern from 1937 once hosted Hemingway and now draws crowds for its Black Label Burger, made with a custom blend of dry-aged beef. It’s pricey, but it’s worth every penny. (I have local friends who eat one every week.)
Nearby: Washington Square Park, the Comedy Cellar, the Blue Note jazz club, and Cafe Wha?, all within a few blocks.
Address: 113 MacDougal Street, Greenwich Village
Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Harlem restaurant is a celebration of the neighborhood’s culture and cuisine. The Fried Yardbird is always a great bet, but book a table for Sunday gospel brunch if you possibly can—it’s an amazing treat!
Nearby: The Apollo Theater, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Address: 310 Lenox Avenue, Harlem
3. Take in the View
Some of my favorite New York meals come with a skyline view. The city looks different from 60 floors up, and there is no better way to see it than with a cocktail or fork in hand. Here are the rooftops, dining rooms, and observation decks I recommend for the best views.
Gorgeous views of Manhattan, the East River, and Brooklyn from Manhatta
A few tips: Open-air rooftop bars often close or go seasonal from roughly November through March, so check before you go. Many are 21+ with dress codes, and sunset slots book up quickly, so absolutely reserve when you can.
Sixty stories up, this Danny Meyer restaurant has panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. I fell in love with this restaurant before I ever took a bite—but the food is wonderful too.
If dinner isn’t in the budget, the à la carte lunch is a great way to see the view.
Nearby: The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferries at Battery Park, Wall Street and the Charging Bull, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and Trinity Church.
Address: 28 Liberty Street, 60th Floor, Financial District
The restaurant with the highest dining room in the U.S. sits on the 101st floor of 30 Hudson Yards; one floor below is the Edge observation deck. I knew we were high up when the top of the Empire State Building was at eye level.
The menu is upscale with lobster, oysters, steaks, and a pyramid-shaped hazelnut and salted caramel dessert called The Skyline.
Mastercard's Priceless program lists preferred table reservations here, so cardholders should check for perks. But you can also book through Resy.
Nearby: Edge (the observation deck right below), the Hudson Yards shops, The Shed, the High Line, and Mercado Little Spain.
Address: 30 Hudson Yards, 101st Floor, Hudson Yards
This glamorous, lively rooftop atop the Refinery Hotel has one of the best close-up views of the Empire State Building. The menu is built for snacking (flatbreads, sliders, fish tacos), and reservations are recommended for tables. It’s described as open year-round.
Nearby: The Empire State Building, Bryant Park, the New York Public Library’s main branch, and Times Square.
Address: 63 W 38th Street, Midtown
A classic NoMad rooftop with a head-on view of the Empire State Building. It’s walk-in friendly with a smart-casual dress code, and heated igloos in winter keep the party going no matter the weather.
Nearby: The Empire State Building, the Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park, and Eataly.
Address: 230 Fifth Avenue, NoMad
For the view that includes the Empire State Building (and Central Park), this Rockefeller Center observation deck on the 70th floor is my pick. Go at sunset to see the city in daylight, golden hour, and lights.
Nearby: Rockefeller Center and its plaza, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall, MoMA, and the shops of Fifth Avenue.
Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Midtown
On the 22nd floor of the William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg, this rooftop looks across the East River at the entire Manhattan skyline. Arrive before 5 p.m. on clear afternoons, or reserve ahead.
Nearby: Domino Park, Marsha P. Johnson State Park (home to Smorgasburg each Saturday), and the Brooklyn Brewery.
Address: 111 N 12th Street (The William Vale), Williamsburg, Brooklyn
4. Indulge at Famous Bakeries
New York didn’t earn its reputation as a dessert destination by accident. This is the city where Italian immigrants built cannoli empires, where a French pastry chef invented the cronut, and where a basement bread shop became famous for one enormous cookie.
I can’t visit this city of delights without satisfying my sweet tooth, and these five stops are the ones I always try to make when I’m in town. See all eight delectable destinations in my guide to the Famous Bakeries in New York City.
Delicious cannoli await discerning customers at Veniero’s in the East Village.
Founded in 1894 and still run by the founder’s descendants, this is the godfather of New York’s Italian pastry scene. Cannoli, cheesecake, and sfogliatelle fill the display case. Since I grew up in a NY Italian family, I can’t visit without at least one cannoli.
Nearby: St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery, Tompkins Square Park, Webster Hall, and the Strand Bookstore.
Address: 342 East 11th Street, East Village
Levain’s six-ounce, intentionally underbaked chocolate chip walnut cookie started the “gooey NYC cookie” trend. The crisp shell and dense, almost doughy center are the whole point. I’m a huge fan, and I’ll never eat store-bought cookies again.
Nearby: The American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, and The Dakota.
Address: 167 West 74th Street, Upper West Side
This is the birthplace of the cronut, the croissant-doughnut hybrid that caused lines around the block in 2013. A new flavor is released every month.
Nearby: SoHo’s cast-iron architecture and Prince Street shopping, Housing Works Bookstore, and Balthazar.
Address: 189 Spring Street, SoHo
The bakery credited with kicking off America’s cupcake craze opened in 1996. Locals will tell you to skip the cupcake and order the banana pudding.
Nearby: The West Village’s tree-lined streets (including the Perry Street stoop made famous by Sex and the City), Bleecker Street’s boutiques, and Hudson River Park.
Address: 401 Bleecker Street, West Village
One of my favorite Parisian cafés has a New York outpost near Bryant Park. Order the L’Africain hot chocolate, which is the absolute best hot chocolate I’ve ever had, and a chestnut Mont-Blanc.
Nearby: Bryant Park, the New York Public Library’s main branch, Times Square, and Grand Central Terminal.
Address: 1050 6th Avenue, Midtown
5. Enjoy the Street Food
My husband won’t come to New York without having at least one snack from a metal cart or a truck. Street food here is cheap, fast, and incredibly diverse. It also does a great job of reflecting the city’s immigrant communities. Plan to carry cash, because not every cart takes cards.
Nathan's hot dog cart outside of Central Park
Chicken and rice from a halal cart is the city’s unofficial street dish: seasoned meat over rice with lettuce, white sauce, and hot sauce (go easy on the hot sauce the first time). The original cart began as a hot dog stand in 1990. Don’t fret: The line moves quickly.
Nearby: MoMA, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and Top of the Rock.
Address: 53rd Street & 6th Avenue, Midtown
Dirty Water Dogs & Soft Pretzels
The street cart hot dog, simmered in hot water all day and topped with mustard, sauerkraut, or onions in red sauce, is a New York rite of passage.
Many carts sell soft pretzels too. For me, the saltier the better! For the original NY hot dog brand, head to Nathan's Famous at Coney Island. Otherwise, look out for Nathan’s carts situated within tourist hubs around the city.
Nearby: Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Museum of Natural History. At Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island, the boardwalk and the Cyclone roller coaster.
Where to find them: Around Central Park, the major museums, and transit hubs
Nuts 4 Nuts
Follow your nose to one of the pushcarts roasting candied nuts, which have been a Manhattan staple since 1993. A warm paper cone of cinnamon almonds is the best hand-warmer in winter.
Nearby: At Columbus Circle, Central Park and Time Warner Center’s shops. At Herald Square, Macy’s and the Empire State Building.
Where to find them: Busy spots like Columbus Circle and Herald Square
For dessert on the go, look for the bright trucks serving Belgian-style waffles with all kinds of toppings (the “dinges”).
Nearby: Trucks often park near big sights like Central Park, so pair your waffle with a walk.
Where to find them: Trucks around the city; check the Wafels & Dinges website for locations.
6. Roam the East Village
The East Village is where old New York meets new New York. Ukrainian diners, Italian pastry shops (like Veniero’s above), and legendary bars (like McSorley’s below) sit next to some of the city’s most buzzed-about restaurants. It’s my favorite neighborhood for wandering with no plan other than to eat.
For authentic stick-to-the-ribs Ukrainian food, you’ve gotta go Veselka!
This family-run Ukrainian restaurant has offered borshch, pierogis, and stuffed cabbage since 1954. It’s a delicious slice of New York history, and for my husband and I, it’s always served up with a side of soul-warming nostalgia. (Ukrainian food was a staple for Mike’s proudly Ukrainian family, and a new world of flavors for me since the first day I came onto the scene.)
Nearby: St. Marks Place, Tompkins Square Park, Cooper Union, and St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery.
Address: 144 2nd Avenue
David Chang’s casual spot launched an empire and sparked America’s ramen craze. I can’t visit without ordering both the steamed buns and the smoked pork ramen.
Nearby: Tompkins Square Park, St. Marks Place, and the vintage shops and bars of the East Village.
Address: 171 1st Avenue
A cheap, crispy, delicious falafel sandwich has been a New York staple for over 50 years, and there’s a Mamoun’s branch right on St. Marks Place.
Nearby: Astor Place and its giant black cube sculpture, Cooper Union, Tompkins Square Park, and St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery.
Address: 22 St. Marks Place
This has been an East Village icon since 1974, and a great place to try a real egg cream (no eggs or cream, I promise).
Nearby: Tompkins Square Park and Alphabet City’s lively strip of bars and restaurants.
Address: 113 Avenue A
Kabawa
One of 2026’s buzziest restaurants, in the former Momofuku Ko space on Extra Place. Chef Paul Carmichael serves a choose-your-own prix fixe of Caribbean cooking, and reservations are hard to get, so book early.
Nearby: The Bowery’s music history (including the former CBGB), the New Museum, and Cooper Union.
Address: Extra Place, East Village
7. Graze the Food Halls
New York’s food halls give you a chance to taste a dozen things or more in one stop, making them a very efficient way to enjoy tremendous variety. The wealth of choices also make them perfect for groups who can’t agree on dinner.
Here are the halls I recommend most.
Grab-and-go meat and cheese cones at Mercado Little Spain
Housed in the former Nabisco factory, this market spans a full city block with over 50 vendors. I always think I’m going to just run in for a bite—and end up coming out hours later.
Don't miss Los Tacos No. 1 for hand-pressed tortillas and adobada, Doughnuttery for warm mini doughnuts, and Saxelby Cheesemongers (more on them below). Sarabeth’s, which had been here for 28 years, left in March 2026, but Supermoon Bakehouse is slated to take over its spot.
Nearby: The High Line, the Whitney Museum of American Art, Little Island, and Hudson River Park.
Address: 75 9th Avenue, Chelsea
José Andrés and the Adrià brothers created this 35,000-square-foot Spanish market at the base of 10 Hudson Yards. So many classics that I eat in Spain—jamón, paella, tortillas, and churros, are all under one roof.
Nearby: Edge, The Shed, the Hudson Yards shops, and the northern end of the High Line.
Address: 10 Hudson Yards (enter at 10th Avenue & 30th Street)
A public market since 1940 and now in a modern home at Essex Crossing, this Lower East Side spot is smaller and more local than the others in this list. However, it's one of the best places to pick up cheese, bread, and snacks for a budget-stretching picnic.
Nearby: The Tenement Museum, the New Museum, Katz’s Delicatessen, and Orchard Street’s shops.
Address: 88 Essex Street, Lower East Side
This 42,500-square-foot Italian marketplace is part grocery store, part restaurant, and part cooking school. Obviously, this one is all about Italian foods. Shop for pasta and olive oil, grab a gelato, and have lunch while you’re at it.
Nearby: The Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park, the Empire State Building, and the 230 Fifth rooftop.
Address: 200 Fifth Avenue, Flatiron District
8. Say “Cheese”
New York is a great place for cheese lovers, and I am 100% in that category.
From a legendary shop in the Village to counters devoted entirely to American farmstead cheese, you can taste cheeses from around the world without leaving Manhattan.
Cheese Counter at Murray’s
New York’s most famous cheese shop has been around since 1940. Besides hundreds of cheeses, including some rare cave-aged selections, there is also a classroom. Classes like Cheese 101 (with wine) run regularly and sell out, so book ahead.
Nearby: Bleecker Street’s other Italian food shops, Our Lady of Pompeii Church, and Washington Square Park.
Address: 254 Bleecker Street, West Village
New York’s first all-American cheese shop is now in Chelsea Market. Look for the grilled cheese sandwiches and platters, and ask about cheeses from small farms.
Nearby: The High Line, the Whitney Museum, and Little Island.
Address: 75 9th Avenue (Chelsea Market)
This tiny stand in Essex Market has an impressive selection of cheeses from Europe: French cheeses, Italian cheeses, Greek cheeses, and more! Also check out the charcuterie, olive oils, and preserves. This is a great place to find all the elements for a tasty picnic.
Nearby: The Tenement Museum, the New Museum, and Katz’s Delicatessen.
Address: 88 Essex Street (Essex Market)
Started in Williamsburg, this spacious shop on Irving Place is known for its friendly cheesemongers and house-aged cheeses.
Nearby: Gramercy Park (you can peek through the gates, but only key-holders can enter), Union Square and its Greenmarket, and Pete’s Tavern.
Address: 67 Irving Place, Gramercy
9. Get Bookish
For a chef, a cookbook store is the best kind of museum. New York has some of the most famous ones in the world, and they make a great rainy-day activity. (Some are tiny, with limited hours, so check their schedule before you go.)
It’s easy to miss this hidden gem, Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks.
Opened in 1983 and claiming to be the oldest bookshop in the country specializing in cookbooks, this Upper East Side shop was visited by Julia Child, and is loved by chefs and home cooks alike. It’s filled with cookbooks, food history, and food writing, and the staff are happy to help you find just the right book to suit your appetite.
Nearby: The Guggenheim Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Cooper Hewitt, and Central Park’s Conservatory Garden.
Address: 1435 Lexington Avenue (between 93rd and 94th Streets), Upper East Side
This is an East Village favorite for vintage and out-of-print cookbooks, plus old menus and kitchen ephemera. It’s the place to find that cookbook your grandmother used. Hours for this hidden gem vary from week to week, so call ahead.
Nearby: The Merchant’s House Museum, Cooper Union, the New Museum, St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, and the Bowery.
Address: 28 East 2nd Street, East Village
Antiquarian and rare cookbooks line the shelves of this shop that’s located in an 1823 landmark townhouse. Hours are irregular, so text ahead to make sure it’s open.
Nearby: Hudson River Park, Tribeca’s cobblestone streets, SoHo’s shops, and the Ear Inn.
Address: 488 Greenwich Street, Hudson Square
With “18 miles of books,” the Strand is a New York legend, and its cookbook section is worth a browse for new and used titles.
Nearby: Union Square and its Greenmarket, Grace Church, and Washington Square Park.
Address: 828 Broadway (at 12th Street), East Village
10. Mangia Italiano
New York has a long, delicious history of Italian food. Little Italy and the Italian-American neighborhoods of the Bronx and Brooklyn have been feeding the city for over a century. Today you’ll find everything from red-sauce classics to refined regional cooking.
Back in the day, my extended Italian family would gather to celebrate special occasions at Caroline’s in Brooklyn—which sadly closed in 2004. However, tons of great choices remain.
Wherever I go, I tend to skip the fancy secondi (the second course) options and go for the pastas (found among the primi—or first course—opions). Remember to visit the shops too.
Old school Italian: Bolognese with rich ricotta
Many consider this the best Italian restaurant in the city. The hand-crafted pastas are wonderful, and the insalata verde is shockingly famous for a green salad.
Nearby: Christopher Park and Stonewall National Monument, the apartment building from Friends at Bedford and Grove, and Hudson River Park.
Address: 51 Grove Street, West Village
A neighborhood favorite with some of the best Italian-American comfort food in Little Italy. Book ahead.
Nearby: Old St. Patrick's Cathedral, Elizabeth Street Garden, and the boutiques of Nolita.
Address: 235 Mulberry Street, Little Italy
Chef Addolorata “Nonna Dora” Marzovilla has been making pasta by hand for about 70 years, and she still makes it fresh every day. Her specialty is Puglia-style pasta, so order the orecchiette and taste why they call her “the pasta machine.”
Nearby: The East River Esplanade, the United Nations headquarters, Tudor City, and the Empire State Building, a short walk west.
Address: 606 Second Avenue, Kips Bay
DiPalo's Fine Foods & Alleva Dairy
These two old-school Little Italy shops sit steps from each other on Grand Street. Pick up fresh mozzarella and ricotta from Alleva, and other cheeses and cured meats from DiPalo’s (the staff will offer samples).
Nearby: The Italian American Museum, Mulberry Street’s cafés and restaurants, and Chinatown, just a few blocks south.
Address: 200 Grand Street (DiPalo’s) and 188 Grand Street (Alleva Dairy), Little Italy
For what some consider an even more authentic Italian-American experience, take the train to the Bronx's “real Little Italy.” This market was established in 1940 and has butchers, pasta makers, fishmongers, and pastry shops.
Nearby, stop at Teitel Brothers for Italian pantry staples and Madonia Brothers Bakery for bread. Many shops are closed on Sundays.
Nearby: The Bronx Zoo, the New York Botanical Garden, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
Address: 2344 Arthur Avenue, Belmont, the Bronx
11. Explore Chinatown
Manhattan's Chinatown is one of the city's great food neighborhoods. Dumplings, dim sum, noodles, bakeries, and ice cream shops are packed into a few blocks, and many have been around for decades. Come hungry and plan to eat at least three meals.
Don’t miss the chance to try General Tso's chicken, which was popularized in New York’s Chinese restaurants in the 1970s.
No foodie should miss the sights, sounds, and flavors of Chinatown.
The oldest dim sum parlor in Chinatown has been in business since 1920. The retro look is part of the charm, and the shrimp shu mai, soup dumplings, and pork buns are all worth ordering.
Nearby: Doyers Street'‘s famous bend (once called the “Bloody Angle”), Columbus Park, and the Museum of Chinese in America.
Address: 13 Doyers Street
The 28-seat wine bar was named Best New Restaurant at the 2026 James Beard Awards, and it’s a great fit for a special-occasion dinner. The cooking is Chinese-inspired and the wine list is exceptional. It’s open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, and reservations open two weeks out.
Nearby: Doyers Street’s pedestrian plaza, Columbus Park, and the Museum of Chinese in America.
Address: 15-17 Doyers Street
You’ll find a crowd here for the soup dumplings, which come out piping hot. Bite a small hole and sip out the soup before you eat the dumpling.
Nearby: Pell Street’s old-school barbershops, Doyers Street, and Columbus Park.
Address: 9 Pell Street (a second location is at 46 Bowery)
This cult favorite started in Flushing, Queens, and the Chinatown outpost is known for hand-torn biang biang noodles. For a vegetarian choice, try the cold skin noodles.
Nearby: Columbus Park, the Museum of Chinese in America, and the shops of Mott Street.
Address: 45 Bayard Street
A Chinatown bakery since the 1960s, Mei Lai Wah is famous for its roast pork buns. Get one hot, and keep walking while you savor it.
Nearby: Columbus Park, Mott Street’s shops, and the Museum of Chinese in America.
Address: 64 Bayard Street
Black sesame, lychee, almond cookie, and red bean are all flavors you’ll find on the menu. This stop is the perfect ending to a day in Chinatown.
Nearby: Columbus Park, the Museum of Chinese in America, and Little Italy, a short walk north.
Address: 65 Bayard Street
12. Learn a Little History
New York’s restaurants and bars are living history. Some opened before the country had a president, and walking into one feels like stepping back in time. These are the ones I recommend for foodies who love a good story.
Enjoy a heaping helping of history at Fraunces Tavern.
Built in 1719 as a private home, today it’s a restaurant and a museum. It became a tavern in 1762 when Samuel Fraunces bought the property and renovated it.
After victory in the American Revolutionary War, George Washington said farewell to his officers here in 1783. I came for the first time after visiting Mt. Vernon, so I thought it was especially fun.
Nearby: Stone Street’s cobblestones, Battery Park, the Staten Island Ferry and Statue of Liberty ferries, Wall Street, and Federal Hall.
Address: 54 Pearl Street, Financial District
Opened in 1854, McSorley’s is the oldest continuously operating saloon in the city. It’s cash only, slightly rowdy, and sawdust covers the floor.
The food is cheap, and there are only two drinks: light and dark beer. I can personally recommend them both.
Nearby: Cooper Union, Astor Place, St. Marks Place, Tompkins Square Park, and St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church (directly across the street).
Address: 15 East 7th Street, East Village
Pete’s has served customers since 1864, and it has never closed, not even during Prohibition, when it was disguised as a flower shop. The tin ceiling, tile floor, and mahogany bar are all original.
Nearby: Gramercy Park, Union Square and its Greenmarket, and the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace.
Address: 129 East 18th Street (at Irving Place), Gramercy
Open since 1868, Old Homestead is known as the longest continuously operating steakhouse in the country. It also claims to be the first to bring Wagyu beef to the U.S.
Nearby: The High Line, Chelsea Market, the Whitney Museum, and Little Island.
Address: 56 9th Avenue, Meatpacking District
The building dates to 1770, and the bar has been serving since 1817. It’s a no-frills spot on the far west side of SoHo that’s a historic choice for a drink or a bite.
Nearby: Hudson River Park, Tribeca, SoHo’s shops, and Joanne Hendricks Cookbooks.
Address: 326 Spring Street, SoHo
Two last servings of history on a plate: Katz’s has been a Lower East Side staple since 1888, and the Waldorf Astoria’s bar is where one of the world’s most famous cocktails was made famous.
13. Take a Food Tour or Cooking Class
If you only have a few days in NYC, a food tour is the fastest way to taste several neighborhoods with a local guide. And if you want to bring a piece of New York home, a cooking class is the answer.
Walking off some calories by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge
Guided Food Tours
A good guide will take you to the spots most visitors walk right past. Greenwich Village, the Lower East Side, Chinatown, and Arthur Avenue in the Bronx are all great areas for a tour. Here’s my favorite New York City food tour: More info: [ADD VIATOR AFFILIATE LINK HERE]
Institute of Culinary Education (ICE)
It’s unfortunate acronym notwithstanding, ICE has been inspiring New York cooks since 1975, and its recreational classes are taught in professional kitchens. Pasta-making and croissant classes are year-round favorites.
Nearby: The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Brookfield Place’s Winter Garden, the Battery Park City Esplanade, and the Oculus.
Address: 225 Liberty Street, Brookfield Place, Lower Manhattan
Take an Italian cooking class inside the Italian food hall, with options exploring pasta, pizza, and regional menus.
Nearby: The Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park, and the Empire State Building.
Address: 200 Fifth Avenue (Eataly Flatiron), Flatiron District
Learn to cook Afghan, Lebanese, Bangladeshi, and other cuisines in the home kitchens of immigrant women who are the instructors.
Address: Classes are held in private homes around NYC; details are provided when you book.
McSorley’s is like a museum that let’s you drink beer in the middle of the exhibit.
NYC Foodie Tips
You could spend a lifetime in New York and never run out of places to eat. But here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time. For a sample itinerary, check out my 3 Days Eating in Manhattan.
Make Reservations
If a restaurant takes reservations, make one, especially for the popular spots, tasting menus, and anything with a view. Some of the hottest tables open up for reservations only a couple of weeks ahead of the day being made available for booking.
Bring Cash
Many street carts, delis, and old-school bars (I’m looking at you, McSorley’s) are cash only. So, keep some bills handy.
Skip the Tourist Traps
Restaurants in Times Square and around major attractions cater to tourists. Walk a few blocks, and you’ll usually find something better.
Group by Neighborhood
Map out what you want to do and group it by area. The subway is the fastest way around, but there’s no sense in zigzagging if you can plan ahead.
Don’t Do It All
This is a guide, not a checklist. Pick a few must-dos, share plates to maximize variety, and save room for dessert.
Chef’s Tip: I always carry a few napkins and a knife in my purse in case they’re needed to make sharing easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s always something delicious to eat and drink at Eataly.
What are the best foodie things to do in New York City?
My top picks are trying the famous foods (pizza, bagels, pastrami, and cheesecake), visiting an iconic restaurant, eating your way through a food hall like Chelsea Market, exploring Chinatown and the East Village, and stopping in at a legendary bakery or cheese shop.
What food is New York City known for?
New York is known for pizza, bagels with lox, pastrami on rye, cheesecake, hot dogs, egg creams, and chicken and rice from a halal cart. Read my guide to 20 Famous New York Foods for where to find each one and more.
How many days do you need for a foodie trip to NYC?
Three days is enough to cover the highlights, and a week lets you explore several neighborhoods properly.
What's the best neighborhood for food in New York City?
It depends on what you want. The East Village and Lower East Side have the best mix of old-school and new, Chinatown is the best for dumplings and noodles, and Little Italy and Greenwich Village are great for pizza and Italian food.
Final Bite: Eat Your Way Through New York City
Whether you’re folding a slice in Greenwich Village, slurping soup dumplings in Chinatown, or lingering over cheese at Murray’s, you’re part of a tradition that makes New York one of the best food cities in the world.
So pick a few of these things to do in New York City, bring your appetite, and dig in. Let me know your favorites in the comments below!
Bon appétit!
