11 New York Foods People Like To Sample (And 10 They Can’t Stop Talking About)
Close your eyes. Can you smell the roasted nuts mingling with fresh-baked bagels, the sweet whisper of cheesecake, and the savory sizzle of street meat?
That’s New York City calling to your senses, a symphony played out on every corner, in every neighborhood. NYC’s energy is palpable, and nowhere is it more thrilling than in its food scene. It’s a place where every bite tells a story, a culinary journey through global cultures and timeless traditions.
Get ready to embark on an epicurean adventure – because in New York, delicious discoveries await around every block.
1. Classic New York Pizza Slice
Nothing says “New York” quite like folding a giant, thin-crust slice in half and watching the orange grease drip down your wrist. The perfect NY slice has a crispy-yet-chewy crust, tangy tomato sauce, and just the right amount of mozzarella cheese.
Street-corner pizzerias serve these iconic triangles on paper plates, ready for on-the-go munching. Locals debate their favorite spots with religious fervor – Joe’s, Di Fara, or Scarr’s?
First-timers often marvel at the size-to-price ratio, wondering how something so massive can cost so little.
2. Hot Pretzels From Street Vendors
Warm, salty, and bigger than your hand, street cart pretzels are a quintessential New York snack. Vendors dot busy corners throughout Manhattan, their carts emitting that unmistakable bready aroma that pulls you in from half a block away.
The outside should be deep brown and slightly crisp, while the inside remains soft and chewy. A light sprinkle of coarse salt adds the perfect finish.
Grab one while sightseeing for an authentic taste of the city. Just be prepared for the salt to leave you hunting for a water fountain!
3. Bagels With Schmear
The New York bagel stands alone in the bread universe. Boiled before baked, creating that distinctive chewy interior and shiny exterior that out-of-town imitations never quite nail.
Real NYC bagels have a satisfying density and a subtle malty sweetness. Morning commuters line up for these hand-rolled treasures topped with a thick layer of cream cheese (the “schmear”).
Varieties range from everything to pumpernickel, but purists swear by a classic plain bagel with regular cream cheese. The secret to their excellence? Many claim it’s the New York water.
4. Pastrami On Rye From Katz’s Deli
Hand-carved mountains of peppery, smoky pastrami piled impossibly high between slices of seeded rye bread – this is sandwich nirvana. Katz’s Delicatessen has been serving this Jewish deli classic since 1888, and the lines still stretch out the door.
The meat is cured for weeks, then smoked and steamed until it practically melts in your mouth. A smear of spicy brown mustard cuts through the richness perfectly.
First-timers often gasp at both the portion size (enormous) and the price tag (steep). But most agree it’s worth every penny for this taste of old New York.
5. Black And White Cookies
Half chocolate, half vanilla – these oversized, cake-like cookies with flat, fondant-covered tops represent New York’s sweet side. More like mini cakes than cookies, they’re soft, slightly lemony.
Perfect companion to an afternoon coffee break. Bakeries across the five boroughs offer their versions, though old-school spots like William Greenberg Desserts set the gold standard.
The cookie even got its moment in pop culture glory thanks to a Seinfeld episode. Eating technique matters – true New Yorkers alternate bites from each side rather than picking a favorite!
6. Halal Cart Chicken And Rice
The intoxicating aroma of sizzling chicken, yellow rice, and mysterious spices wafts from halal carts on practically every Midtown corner. The most famous – The Halal Guys at 53rd and 6th – draws lines at all hours.
Tender chunks of marinated chicken rest atop a bed of turmeric-tinted rice, topped with shredded lettuce and tomato. The magic happens when you add the sauces!
Creamy white sauce (similar to tzatziki) and fiery red hot sauce (approach with caution!). Served in a foil container for just a few bucks, it’s the ultimate NYC street food experience.
7. Knishes From Yonah Schimmel
Square or round, these potato-filled pastries have been warming New Yorkers’ hands and bellies since the early 1900s. Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery on Houston Street remains the gold standard, operating since 1910 in a tiny, time-capsule of a shop.
The classic version features mashed potatoes wrapped in thin dough and baked until golden. Modern variations include kasha (buckwheat), spinach, or sweet cheese fillings.
Perfect for a quick, portable lunch. Knishes represent the enduring influence of Eastern European Jewish cuisine on New York’s food landscape.
8. Bacon Egg And Cheese On A Roll
The humble BEC (bacon, egg and cheese) is New York’s great equalizer – enjoyed by Wall Street traders and construction workers alike. This simple sandwich fuels the city that never sleeps, especially after late nights out.
A kaiser roll houses crispy bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs, and melted American cheese. The magic words when ordering: “Salt, pepper, ketchup”.
And yes, it’s often pronounced as one word). Delis and bodegas citywide compete for breakfast sandwich supremacy, but the best ones come wrapped in wax paper with a slightly greasy bottom – the mark of true excellence.
9. Soup Dumplings In Chinatown
Delicate steamed pouches filled with pork and hot, savory broth that explode in your mouth – soup dumplings (xiao long bao) are worth the trip to Manhattan’s Chinatown. These labor-intensive treats require special eating techniques to avoid scalding yourself.
Veterans know to place the dumpling on a spoon, nibble a small hole, slurp the broth, then eat the remaining dumpling. Places like Joe’s Shanghai draw dumpling devotees from across the globe.
The best versions have thin, translucent skins and richly flavored soup. It’s somehow contained inside until that first magical bite.
10. Egg Creams From Classic Diners
Despite containing neither eggs nor cream, this frothy beverage remains a beloved New York mystery. Born in Brooklyn soda fountains, the classic egg cream combines chocolate syrup, cold milk, and seltzer water, stirred vigorously to create a foamy head.
Old-school diners and candy shops like Gem Spa (RIP) and Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop kept the tradition alive for decades. The key to authenticity is using Fox’s U-Bet chocolate syrup.
Accept no substitutes! Sipping this nostalgic drink connects you to a vanishing New York that exists more in memory than reality.
11. Cronuts From Dominique Ansel Bakery
The pastry that launched a thousand copycats and endless lines – the Cronut remains New York’s most famous food invention of the 2010s. Chef Dominique Ansel’s croissant-donut hybrid created a sensation when it debuted in 2013, with people waiting hours for a taste.
Layers of buttery, flaky pastry are fried, filled with flavored cream, then rolled in sugar. The bakery releases new flavor combinations monthly, keeping the craze alive.
While no longer requiring pre-dawn queuing, these treats still sell out daily. They represent New York’s ability to transform even pastry into a status symbol.
12. Cheesecake From Junior’s
Creamy, rich, and impossibly smooth – Junior’s cheesecake has been Brooklyn’s sweet claim to fame since 1950. Unlike Italian versions, New York cheesecake is unapologetically dense and tall, with a thin graham cracker crust that doesn’t distract from the star: cream cheese.
The original Junior’s location on Flatbush Avenue still draws crowds seeking the perfect slice. Their secret reportedly involves extra egg yolks and a hot water bath during baking.
While plain remains the purist’s choice, strawberry-topped and chocolate swirl varieties tempt those seeking something more indulgent. Which one would you choose?
13. Smoked Fish From Russ & Daughters
Gleaming slices of hand-carved smoked salmon, sturgeon, and whitefish have made Russ & Daughters an institution since 1914. This “appetizing” store (a term referring to foods that complement bagels) represents the height of Jewish food traditions.
White-coated counter staff slice paper-thin portions of buttery nova or more robustly flavored lox. Regulars know to take a number and come prepared with exact specifications for their order.
Beyond salmon, don’t miss the whitefish salad or herring in cream sauce. Perfectly paired with an everything bagel and some crisp capers.
14. Spicy Cumin Lamb Noodles From Xi’an Famous Foods
Chewy hand-pulled noodles tossed with fiery cumin-spiced lamb and chili oil – this northwestern Chinese specialty became a New York obsession thanks to Xi’an Famous Foods. Starting as a basement stall in Flushing, it grew into a city-wide phenomenon.
The magic comes from noodles made fresh daily, pulled by hand until they reach the perfect springy texture. Tender morsels of lamb carry the aromatic punch of cumin, balanced by vinegar’s tang and chili’s heat.
Founder Jason Wang expanded from his father’s humble Queens stall to multiple locations. But while maintaining the authentic flavors of Xi’an province.
15. Dollar Slice Pizza
The miracle of modern New York: the dollar slice. These budget-friendly pizza slices defy inflation and economic logic, somehow remaining just $1 despite everything else getting more expensive.
2 Bros. Pizza pioneered the concept during the 2008 recession, and spots like 99¢ Fresh Pizza carry the torch today. The slices aren’t artisanal – expect thin crust, basic sauce, and processed cheese.
But they’re hot, fast, and satisfying. College students, late-night revelers, and budget-conscious New Yorkers keep these no-frills joints packed around the clock. Good pizza doesn’t have to break the bank.
16. Matzo Ball Soup From 2nd Ave Deli
Golden chicken broth with fluffy matzo dumplings floating like clouds – this Jewish penicillin remains the ultimate comfort food in New York. 2nd Avenue Deli serves one of the city’s most celebrated versions, with baseball-sized matzo balls that somehow remain light despite their heft.
The soup’s healing powers are legendary. Especially during cold winter months when steam rises from the bowl like a warm embrace.
A sprinkle of fresh dill adds the perfect finishing touch. Whether you’re fighting a cold or just the winter blues, this soul-warming classic never disappoints.
17. Rainbow Cookies From Italian Bakeries
These colorful, layered treats showcase the Italian-American influence on New York’s food landscape. Three thin layers of almond cake – dyed green, white, and red to honor the Italian flag – are sandwiched together with apricot jam and coated in dark chocolate.
Italian bakeries in neighborhoods like Arthur Avenue in the Bronx or Court Street in Brooklyn compete for rainbow cookie supremacy. The best versions have distinct almond flavor.
Also, just the right balance between cake, jam, and chocolate. Though technically petit fours rather than cookies, nobody’s complaining when they’re sold by the pound in little white bakery boxes.
18. Chopped Cheese Sandwich From Uptown Bodegas
Born in Harlem and the Bronx, the chopped cheese has become New York’s underground sandwich sensation. Similar to a cheesesteak but with its own distinct identity, this bodega specialty features ground beef chopped on the grill.
Together with onions, melted American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and condiments on a hero roll. Bodegas like Blue Sky Deli (aka Hajji’s) claim to have invented this affordable masterpiece.
The magic happens when the spatula chops everything together, creating the perfect meat-to-cheese ratio. Recently discovered by food tourists, longtime locals still claim the best versions come from no-name corner stores uptown.
19. Dirty Water Dogs From Street Carts
Hot dogs from sidewalk carts – affectionately called “dirty water dogs” for the water they simmer in – represent New York street food at its most democratic. Vendors with yellow and blue Sabrett umbrellas dot busy corners, especially near tourist attractions and park entrances.
The classic order: a snappy frankfurter on a soft bun topped with sauerkraut, onion sauce (a sweet red onion concoction), and yellow mustard. No fancy artisanal toppings needed here!
At just a few dollars, they remain one of the city’s best bargains. A quick meal that unites New Yorkers of all backgrounds.
20. Cannoli From Little Italy
Crispy fried pastry shells filled with sweetened ricotta cream – cannoli embody the Italian-American experience in one perfect bite. The contrast between the crunchy tube and creamy filling creates textural magic, especially when the shells are filled to order.
Old-school spots like Ferrara Bakery and Cafe still make them the traditional way. Purists prefer them plain, while others enjoy variations with chocolate chips, pistachios, or candied fruit mixed into the filling.
Though Little Italy has shrunk over decades, these Sicilian treats remain a required stop for anyone exploring downtown Manhattan. Their flaky, buttery layers and rich ricotta filling capture the essence of old-world New York.
21. Babka From Jewish Bakeries
Swirls of chocolate ribbon through soft, buttery bread in this Eastern European Jewish delicacy that’s experienced a major revival. Traditional bakeries like Breads Bakery and Green’s have perfected the art of babka-making, creating loaves that balance sweetness with bready substance.
The best versions feature multiple layers of chocolate (or sometimes cinnamon) twisted throughout the dough. When sliced, each piece reveals a mesmerizing marble pattern.
Seinfeld famously declared “you can’t beat babka,” and a new generation of New Yorkers clearly agrees. Lines form daily for this comfort food masterpiece.