Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Foodies in Manhattan
Top Things to Do in New York City for Foodies in Manhattan
1. Katz's Delicatessen
The Lower East Side landmark where hand-carved pastrami on rye, briny pickles, and old-New York neon make a pilgrimage-worthy meal. The lively counter system and photo-lined walls immerse you in a century of NYC deli culture.
✓ Why Go:
For a taste of classic Jewish deli tradition done the old-fashioned way—thick-cut meats, tangy mustard, and a slice of Manhattan history on every plate.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekdays in mid-morning or later in the evening to avoid peak lunch and weekend rushes.
✓ Insider Tip:
Keep the paper ticket you receive at the door safe and present it when you check out; tip the carver for extra-thick slices.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers call it a bucket-list bite, praising the melt-in-your-mouth pastrami and lively, no-nonsense atmosphere.
2. Chelsea Market
A sprawling food hall in a former Nabisco factory, brimming with tacos, noodles, oysters, and sweets under industrial-chic brick arches. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure tasting ground steps from the High Line.
✓ Why Go:
You can sample flavors from around the world in one stop—ideal for groups with different cravings and for grazing between neighborhood explorations.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late morning on weekdays before lunchtime crowds; winter months are generally calmer.
✓ Insider Tip:
Pick up small bites from a few vendors and grab seating near the 10th Avenue end for natural light and people-watching.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the variety and vibe, noting that even picky eaters find favorites and that lines move quickly despite the buzz.
3. Eataly Flatiron
An Italian marketplace blending counters, cafés, wine bars, and a grocery stocked with regional pastas, cheeses, and olive oils. Espresso, gelato, and fresh mozzarella are front and center.
✓ Why Go:
It’s an edible crash course in Italy—shop for ingredients, nibble at standing counters, then linger over pasta and wine.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Arrive just after opening or mid-afternoon for easier browsing and shorter waits at counters.
✓ Insider Tip:
Head up to the seasonal rooftop restaurant for a different atmosphere and a skyline peek alongside aperitivo.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests praise the quality and breadth—many come for one quick snack and end up staying for a full meal and pantry haul.
4. Essex Market
A revitalized Lower East Side institution showcasing small vendors—from heritage fishmongers to global comfort foods—in a bright, community-focused space.
✓ Why Go:
It’s where local flavor and immigrant foodways shine, letting you taste the neighborhood’s past and future in one stop.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday lunch or early evening; weekends are lively but crowded.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check the second-floor seating for a quiet perch and peek at the demonstration kitchen schedule for pop-up tastings.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers applaud the diversity and value, calling it an authentic, low-key alternative to the city’s splashier food halls.
5. Zabar's
Upper West Side legend for smoked fish, bagels, coffee, and babka—plus an upstairs trove of cookware and gadgets for serious home cooks.
✓ Why Go:
For a classic appetizing counter experience and provisions you can picnic with in nearby Riverside Park or take home.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early morning on weekdays to breeze through the lox and bakery counters.
✓ Insider Tip:
Take a number at the smoked fish counter and ask for slicing preferences; many items can be vacuum-sealed for travel.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans rave about the silky lox, loaded bagels, and old-school service that feels timelessly New York.
6. Russ & Daughters Cafe
A sit-down offshoot of the century-old appetizing shop, serving pristine smoked fish platters, latkes, and egg dishes with vintage soda-fountain charm.
✓ Why Go:
It elevates the bagel-and-lox ritual into a leisurely Lower East Side brunch with impeccable sourcing and tradition.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday breakfast or late afternoon to minimize wait times.
✓ Insider Tip:
Join the waitlist early and share a board—sampling multiple fish, spreads, and breads is the way to go.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests highlight flawless fish and friendly service, calling it a quintessential NYC meal worth planning around.
7. Levain Bakery
Home of the famously thick, gooey cookies baked fresh throughout the day in a cozy Upper West Side shop.
✓ Why Go:
For an indulgent dessert icon that doubles as an edible souvenir—perfect after a stroll in Central Park.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid-morning or mid-afternoon between the breakfast and school-out rushes.
✓ Insider Tip:
Split a cookie to start—they’re rich—and consider a second to-go; they reheat beautifully.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors gush over the texture contrast and consistent bakes, often declaring it the city’s ultimate cookie.
8. Xi'an Famous Foods
Casual Chinatown staple known for hand-pulled biang biang noodles, cumin-lamb dishes, and chili-forward sauces.
✓ Why Go:
The chewy noodle texture and bold, northwest Chinese flavors are a craveable counterpoint to typical takeout.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid-afternoon between lunch and dinner for the shortest lines.
✓ Insider Tip:
Choose your spice level carefully; share a noodle dish and a cold appetizer to balance heat and richness.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Diners praise the handmade noodles and value, calling it a repeat-stop comfort-food fix.
9. Joe's Pizza
A West Village slice counter where thin-crust, foldable cheese slices fly straight from the deck oven to the sidewalk crowd.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the benchmark New York slice—simple, blistered, and balanced—best enjoyed standing at the counter.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid-afternoon for a shorter wait while pies turn over quickly for fresh slices.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order a plain cheese slice first; it’s the truest measure of the shop’s sauce, cheese, and crust.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers call it the quintessential slice, applauding the steady quality and old-school pace.
10. Absolute Bagels
Beloved uptown bagel shop rolling out glossy, crackly-crusted rounds with chewy interiors and a lineup of classic schmears.
✓ Why Go:
For a boiled-and-baked bagel made the traditional way—perfect before exploring Morningside Heights and the Columbia campus area.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early morning for the widest selection and oven-fresh warmth.
✓ Insider Tip:
Try an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, or build a lox sandwich and eat on nearby campus steps.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans celebrate the texture and value, noting a neighborhood feel and lines that move faster than they look.
