New York City is one of the most diverse cities in the world and is home to many different subcultures and immigrant communities. When visiting the city, this makes the question of where to eat a very interesting one. Any time you visit a major city, you want to sample the foods that they are known for. But with such a diverse range of cuisines to choose from, where do you start? To answer that question, we’ve got our picks for the can’t-miss culinary offerings that will have you scouring your fare alerts for a cheap, last-minute flight to New York City!
Bagels
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New York prides itself on the quality of its bagels, often attributing it to the quality of the city’s water that is used both in the dough as well as for boiling. Whether or not that is scientific fact or just urban legend is irrelevant, as no trip to NYC would be complete without trying one. New York bagels tend to have a slightly crispy crust and a dense, chewy interior, and can be purchased with all kinds of different toppings. Probably the most popular version is the Salmon Lox, which comes with cream cheese, capers, and thinly sliced salmon. You can find bagels at many places around New York, and they all claim to be the best, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a good one!
Pastrami Sandwich
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Pastrami sandwiches are a staple of Jewish delis and have become a sort of symbol of New York’s rich and diverse history. Pastrami is beef brisket that is cured, seasoned, smoked, and steamed, and is typically served on rye bread with mustard for the perfect balancing of flavours. There are many delis around New York where you can get a perfectly good Pastrami on Rye, but for the quintessential New York experience, you’ll want to go to Katz's Delicatessen at 205 East Houston Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, which has been serving the community since 1888. You’re not going to get much more authentic than that!
Dim Sum
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While there are plenty of places to get dim sum around town, you’ll want to head to Chinatown for the most authentic experience. Dim sum literally translates to "touch the heart" and includes a variety of small Chinese dishes such as dumplings, buns, rolls, and sweets served with tea. Generally considered to be a brunch dish, it is an experience best shared with friends and family, so hopefully you’ve brought someone with you for your New York City food tour!
Hot Dogs
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Every city in the world has its own signature street food sold out of food carts from street corner to street corner. For New York, it's the hot dog. Typically made from 100% beef, they are most often boiled or steamed instead of grilled and come with relatively simple toppings like mustard, sauerkraut, and onions in tomato sauce. Cheap, fast, and yet surprisingly satisfying, they are the perfect representation of New York’s fast-paced, no-nonsense attitude. As ubiquitous as they are, there’s no one place that can claim the perfect New York hot dog, but any street close to Central Park is a good place to start.
Pizza
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New York style pizza is typically thin crust and sold as large slices, perfect for folding and enjoying on the go. Usually cooked in coal or gas ovens to give them a crispy crust with charred edges, they also favour simplicity with a basic cheese slice being one of the most popular variations. The pizzerias of NYC are also tied to the city’s rich history, with places like Lombardi's in Little Italy, which is often credited as America’s first pizzeria. Other great places to check out include Joe's Pizza in Greenwich Village for an authentic New York slice, or Prince Street Pizza in Nolita for a more unconventional approach to this NYC classic.
Egg Cream
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If you think a drink made of egg and cream seems like a weird treat, then you will be relieved to know that an “egg cream” actually contains neither egg nor cream. Instead, it is made by mixing chocolate milk with seltzer and some vigorous stirring to get a nice frothy foam on top. Similar to an ice cream float, this NYC staple is a perfectly surprising nightcap to end your food tour. Like New York itself, it combines unconventional ingredients to make something unexpectedly memorable and unique. It's the perfect metaphor for the melting pot that is New York City!
