Often hailed the capital of the world, New York City is probably on every foodie’s bucket list. From fine dining to hot dog carts and everything in between – you name it, this city probably has it. And while it is difficult to come up with the ultimate guide to pretty much anything, if you are just visiting New York or moving there for the first time, an ultimate guide to eating in New York might just be what you are looking for. Before delving into all of the amazing food you’ll get to enjoy in NYC, you want to make sure you have your adventurous hat on. All of the ethnic foods of the world await your palate, as well as some of your old favorites.
Breakfast and brunch
A day’s eating in New York can sometimes feel like the It’s a Small World ride in Disneyland. You wouldn’t even have to try, and you would probably have a different ethnic food for every meal on any given day. When it comes to breakfast or brunch, you can’t really beat an everything bagel. Any ultimate city guide for restaurants in New York City will probably implore you to visit the Russ & Daughters café in Lower East Side. This place serves all kinds of bagel sandwiches and other breakfast foods all day long.
.jpg)
Lunch
The ultimate visitor’s guide to eating in NYC will be hard to navigate when it comes to finding a place to lunch. There are just so many options - too many, perhaps. Depending on your mood and the part of town you’re in, you’ll probably be able to find something appropriate. Chinese food in New York is among the best in the world. If you find yourself in Chinatown, you may want to try the legendary dim sum at Jing Fong. Another affordable place with great Chinese food is Wu’s Wonton King. It may not be as cheap as Jing Fong, but it’s BYOB, and how many restaurants can say that?
If you are up for something different, the ultimate guide to eating in New York would be remiss if it didn’t include any Mexican food. Tacos, for example, are one of the best foods to get while you’re exploring the city. Places like Los Mariscos in Chelsea serve the best fish tacos. Not only that, but they allow you to have a short respite from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
.jpg)
Dinner
As we mentioned above and you surely already know, New York boasts an incredible restaurant scene. This can, however, sometimes feel quite intimidating. Some restaurants have months-long waiting lists, and most require a reservation. There are some, however, that only accept walk-ins. One such place that definitely deserves to be mentioned within the ultimate guide to eating in New York is Kiki’s. Kiki’s is a Greek restaurant in Lower East Side. The wait at the front can be long, but the homey Greek dishes are worth it. The food is not pretentious, the servers are friendly, and the crowd is youthful and fun. The best part is that it is quite inexpensive, especially compared to some other New York restaurants.
New York-style pizza
If any food is going to make you call up movers like U. Santini Moving and Storage NYC upon arriving to New York, it’s going to be pizza. Why would you ever want to go to a place where this type of pizza is not readily available? The large slices with the thin crust, melting cheese and the widest variety of toppings are what sets it apart. It is an easy solution for when you are strapped for dinner ideas. Once you've tried it, you can confidently discuss whether it really is the New York tap water what makes this pizza better than any other.
Checking out some of its legendary pizza spots simply has to be on the first timer’s guide to eating in New York City. You can go to Little Italy Pizza for a slice under 5 dollars. Alternatively, go to Roberta’s for a higher-end experience.
Late night diners
After a long day of exploring the city and perhaps going out, a cozy diner will probably be exactly what you need. Luckily, New York is rife with them, no matter the season. The ultimate visitor’s guide to eating in NYC wouldn’t be whole if it didn’t tackle any diners. Our pick this time is Veselka.
Traditional Eastern European foods are probably not what you think of when you hear the word diner, but that’s what makes this place special. Both with its menu and its patrons, Veselka represents kind of a cross section of New York. There are American diner classics done beautifully, like burgers and fries. However, what has kept Veselka going for upwards of 60 years are its Ukrainian staples such as borscht and pierogis. The best part is, not only will you get the opportunity to be around the most fun people while enjoying some comfort food, but it is also open 24/7.
Final thoughts
The cuisines and restaurants mentioned here are only a small slice of what you can expect once you move to or visit New York. The wide variety of foods you can enjoy on your visit fall right in line with the vibrant nature of the city. The most important thing is to have your game face on and not be afraid to explore. You are sure to find new favorites when it comes to foods and places and probably meet some like-minded people along the way. Hopefully, this ultimate guide to eating in New York will help you get there a little quicker.
