[takeaways] • NYC has a globally celebrated food scene built on iconic dishes — from pizza by the slice and New York cheesecake to pastrami sandwiches, bagels, and clam chowder.
• The best street food vendors and delis in NYC will always have a line — it's the most reliable indicator of quality and safe food preparation.
• Avoid Times Square for dining if you can — prices are significantly higher than elsewhere in the city for the same food.
• Always tip at least 18% pre-tax at sit-down restaurants in NYC — tipping is non-negotiable here, not optional.
• Stick to Grade A restaurants when dining in — NYC's health code grading runs from A to C and is displayed at the entrance.
• A SIMOVO eSIM for the USA keeps you connected to find restaurants, check reviews, and reserve tables on the go. [/takeaways]
NYC is famous for lots of things, but it's gained a fantastic global reputation for being a bit of a foodie paradise. After all, there are tons of recipes out there that start with "New York Style" — and where better to try these treats than straight from the source?
Several of the crew here at SIMOVO have been to NYC over the years and have made a concerted effort to enjoy the city's best-loved dining experiences again and again. To save you some time scrolling TripAdvisor on your next adventure here, let's take a close look at the top food in New York City you'll want to savor every moment of.
Food in New York: our top picks
Everyone has different tastes, but when it comes to NYC cuisine, these staples are must-try at least once — and there are sure to be variations to suit your tastes and dietary preferences. NYC is famous for its street food vendors and its delis, so keep your eyes peeled for all of the following on menus around the city.
[numbered title="Pizza" pill="Street food staple"]Pizza is absolutely Italian by invention, but many Americans will tell you that New Yorkers perfected the nationwide take on this classic dish. Here it's served by the slice — big enough to fold up and chomp — and the way NYC vendors prepare it sets it apart from anywhere else. There are corner slice spots all over the city; grab one on the go for as little as $3.[/numbered] [numbered title="New York cheesecake" pill="Iconic dessert"]If pizza is NYC's iconic main course, cheesecake is the dessert. Famous for its thick, creamy texture, New York-style cheesecake is a rich, vanilla-flavored treat made with full-fat cream cheese and a graham cracker crust. You can buy it anywhere in the world — but try it once in the heart of NYC and all other versions will pale in comparison.[/numbered] [numbered title="Bagels and bialy" pill="Breakfast and lunch"]New York bagels are a must for breakfast or lunch, with plenty of different twists — seeded, plain, fruit — usually enjoyed with smoked salmon and cream cheese. If you want something a little different, try a bialy instead: Polish in origin, prepared completely differently, and notably without the hole. Both are best from the city's top bakeries.[/numbered] [numbered title="Pastrami sandwich" pill="Jewish deli classic"]The NY pastrami sandwich is a Jewish deli classic — smoked and steamed pastrami served on seedless rye with mustard and dill pickle. Pastrami is beef navel seasoned with black pepper and coriander, and it's been part of the culinary scene in New York state since the late 19th century. You'll rarely find a deli in NYC that doesn't have it on the menu.[/numbered] [numbered title="Knishes" pill="Deli snack"]Another Jewish staple, the knish is a crispy dough snack packed with mashed potatoes and onion — sometimes filled with sauerkraut, mushrooms, or cheese. They come in all shapes and sizes, and are found not just at Jewish delis but also at kosher supermarkets across the city. A great option if you want something filling and inexpensive on the go.[/numbered] [numbered title="Egg cream" pill="Classic NYC soda"]A super-sweet New York soda made from seltzer water, milk, and chocolate syrup — and despite the name, it contains no egg or cream. The prevailing theory among foodies is that the name is derived from "echt keem", roughly Yiddish for "pure sweetness." Other flavor variations exist, but the chocolate original is the one to try first.[/numbered] [numbered title="Manhattan clam chowder" pill="Seafood"]NYC's take on clam chowder is a hearty, tomato-based seafood dish that swaps out the cream and milk of the New England classic for sweet clam juice, shucked clams, and vegetable and tomato crush. If you enjoy the original, give the NYC twist a try — just don't tell any purists you're deviating from the recipe.[/numbered] [numbered title="Hot dogs" pill="Street food icon"]No NYC food list would be complete without a classic hot dog. A staple of baseball games and street food vendors, there's a unique "snap" to the texture of an NYC wiener — usually served with sauerkraut, mustard, and red onion sauce. Don't be put off by signs for "dirty water dogs" — that just means they've been boiled in a warm water bath, which is entirely normal.[/numbered] [esim flag="🇺🇸" label="United States" data="10GB · 30 days" price="£9" href="/products/usa" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Find the best food in NYC with reliable mobile data on tap[/esim]
Where to enjoy great food in New York
NYC is packed with opportunities to try all of the above — but here are a few spots worth checking out first, based on their TripAdvisor reviews at the time of writing.
- Katz's Deli — the go-to for pastrami sandwiches
- NY Pizza Suprema — excellent pizza by the slice
- Ellen's Stardust Diner — brilliant bagels
- Please Don't Tell — a superb speakeasy bar with an amazing selection of hot dogs
- Junior's Restaurant and Cheesecake — the place to go for the best cheesecake in the city
New York food tips for travelers
Here are a few final tips to help you uncover the best — and safest — foodie experiences in NYC.
[tip title="Avoid Times Square for dining"]Many local foodies warn tourists away from Times Square restaurants — prices are significantly higher than elsewhere in the city for the same food. Head a few blocks in any direction and you'll find far better value.[/tip] [tip title="Reserve tables in advance — even off-season"]NYC is famous with foodies for good reason. Reserve tables wherever you can using apps like OpenTable, even if you're visiting during off-season. Popular spots fill up fast.[/tip] [tip title="Follow the lines at street food vendors"]The best street food vendors have queues — it's the most reliable indicator that the food is good and the preparation is safe. If a vendor is empty, move on.[/tip] [tip title="Know your order at delis and vendors"]Delis, bodegas, and vendors in NYC move fast — it's wise to know what you want before you reach the counter so the server can get to the next customer. If you're used to taking your time in line, NYC is a slightly different experience.[/tip] [tip title="Cash is preferred at vendors and delis"]You can pay by card across most of the city, but cash is preferred by most street vendors and delis. Check out our guide to currency exchange in NYC to get the best rates before you go.[/tip] [tip title="Make sure you have enough US mobile data"]If you're going to be using your smartphone a lot to find restaurants and check reviews, make sure you have enough data. Our guide to US mobile data covers how much you're likely to need.[/tip] [warning]Tipping is non-negotiable in NYC sit-down restaurants — expect to pay at least 18% pre-tax on top of your bill. This is standard practice, not optional. Quick-serve vendors are more relaxed about it, but tipping is always appreciated if you've had a great experience.[/warning] [warning]Always stick to Grade A restaurants when dining in. NYC uses a health code grading system running from A to C, displayed at the entrance of every restaurant. A Grade A rating means the establishment meets the highest standards of food safety.[/warning] [faq] [q]What is the most famous food in New York City?[/q] [a]Pizza by the slice is arguably NYC's most iconic food — oversized, foldable, and found on almost every block. New York cheesecake, pastrami sandwiches from Jewish delis, bagels with cream cheese, and hot dogs from street vendors are all equally celebrated staples of the city's food culture.[/a] [q]What is a New York egg cream?[/q] [a]Despite the name, an egg cream contains no egg or cream — it's a sweet soda made from seltzer water, milk, and chocolate syrup. The name is thought to derive from "echt keem", a Yiddish phrase meaning roughly "pure sweetness." It's a uniquely New York drink and well worth trying while you're in the city.[/a] [q]What is the difference between Manhattan and New England clam chowder?[/q] [a]New England clam chowder is cream-based and white; Manhattan clam chowder uses a tomato base instead, with sweet clam juice, shucked clams, and vegetables. The NYC version is lighter and slightly tangier — a distinctly different dish, though both use clams as the main ingredient.[/a] [q]Where should I eat in New York City?[/q] [a]For pastrami sandwiches, head to Katz's Deli. For pizza, try NY Pizza Suprema. For bagels, Ellen's Stardust Diner is a great option. Junior's Restaurant and Cheesecake is the go-to for New York cheesecake, and Please Don't Tell is a superb speakeasy with standout hot dogs. Avoid Times Square for dining — prices are inflated compared to the rest of the city.[/a] [q]Do you have to tip in New York City restaurants?[/q] [a]Yes — tipping is non-negotiable at sit-down restaurants in NYC. Expect to add at least 18% pre-tax on top of your bill. This is standard practice and not considered optional. Street food vendors and quick-serve spots are more relaxed about tipping, but it's always appreciated.[/a] [q]Do I need an eSIM for visiting New York?[/q] [a]A SIMOVO eSIM for the USA is a convenient way to stay connected throughout your visit — useful for finding restaurants, checking TripAdvisor reviews, reserving tables on OpenTable, and navigating between neighborhoods. It means no hunting for a local SIM card on arrival and no relying on patchy public WiFi.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇺🇸" label="United States" data="10GB · 30 days" price="£9" href="/products/usa" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected before you land in New York[/esim]
