Food In New York: Where to Eat (Updated 2026)

No trip to this incredible city would be complete without tracking down the best food in New York. It is renowned for having some of the best places to eat in the world, but the sheer number of options can feel a little overwhelming.

I have now been to New York four times, and on my trips have hunted down some incredible places to eat. Here are the places I have eaten and can recommend. All without turning this into one giant overwhelming list! There are various options, so this list of food in New York is ideal for a five-day itinerary, giving plenty of options of cuisine, price and dining style.

How I Planned my Food in New York

I was very aware that it is an expensive city, and spending money on the food in New York could very quickly add up. To balance this, I would have a smaller, more budget-friendly meal at least once a day, mainly pizza or bagels, and then splurge less often on the rest of my meals.

I also saved all my recommendations into Google Maps, so I could easily and conveniently plot out my days!

So, onto my best finds of the food in New York!

Best Bagels in New York – Food in New York

Bagels are something of an institution when it comes to the food in New York, and you definitely need to add at least one or two spots to your itinerary. I wasn’t sure I was a huge bagel fan, but I absolutely proved myself wrong! Here are my best bagels in New York:

Tompkins Square Bagels

There are five Tompkins Square Bagels locations dotted around the city, with the original opening in the East Village in 2011. They are some of the pricer bagels, but I genuinely think this was my favourite of the trip. They are also huge, so good value for money and, if you are not solo in New York, big enough to share!

It has such a wide selection of, not only savoury, but also sweet options. Choose your bagel and choose your filling! I played it safe and went for cream cheese, scallions and bacon, but I wish I had had time to go back for the sweet fillings, such as chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter and Nutella.

• Locations: Shaver Hall (424 5th Ave), Avenue A (165 Avenue A), Upper East Side (1159 3rd Ave), 2nd Avenue (184 2nd Avenue) and East 17th (23 East 17th St)
• Cost: Cream cheese bagel starts from $6, and breakfast sandwiches around $12-18.
• What to get: Triple Crown for a breakfast sandwich or choose from their 20+ cream cheese flavours.

Apollo Bagels

Apollo Bagels bills itself as ‘new-school bagel shop rooted in old-school technique’. It makes its naturally fermented, boiled bagels fresh every morning. And it’s known for a simple but delicious menu.

The menu is small, with just six options, and they are all open-faced, rather than sandwich style. The bagel really was delicious and perfectly seasoned. It did everything I wanted it to.

• Locations: East Village (242 E 10th St), West Village (73 Greenwich Ave), Tribeca (121 Reade St), Financial District (41 John St), Kips Bay (416 3rd Ave), Midtown (224 W 35th St), Williamsburg (133 N 7th St, Brooklyn), and Industry City (268 36th St, Brooklyn)
• Cost: Bagels start from around $7
• What to get: The signature order is the smoked salmon with cream cheese, capers, red onion and dill.

Pop Up Bagels

A perfect grab-and-go option if you are short on time. There are 8 Pop Up Bagel stores dotted around the city, and they all operate as an exclusive takeaway option. I grabbed mine late afternoon when I arrived in the city, and ate in a nearby park. In my opinion, the best arrival into New York! The best way to eat them is to tear them apart and dip!

You buy the bagels by the ‘bag ‘, choosing from 3, 6, 12 or 30 bagels. And how many ‘schmears’ you get depends on the size of your bag. I chose 3 bagels (plain, poppy seed and sesame) and a scallion cream cheese. There are also weekly schmear specials.

• Locations: Greenwich Village (177 Thompson St), Tribeca (315 Greenwich St), Upper East Side (1457 3rd Ave), Union Square (20 E 16th St), Upper West Side (338 Columbus Ave), Penn Plaza (370 7th Ave), Midtown East (139 E 57th St) and Williamsburg (661 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn).
• Cost: Costs start at $13 for a 3-pack
• What to get: The salt bagel with scallion cream cheese

Russ & Daughters

This spot is a renowned New York institution. Russ & Daughters is a Jewish comfort food spot which has been serving food since 1914! Famous for its smoked fish, caviar, matzo ball soup and pickled herring. But mostly for its bagels and lox!

There are four locations; Orchard St Cafe and Hudson Yards also offer sit-down spots, but the other two are take away /counter only.

• Locations: Original Shop, Lower East Side (179 E Houston St), Russ & Daughters Cafe, Lower East Side (127 Orchard St), Brooklyn Navy Yard (141 Flushing Ave), and Hudson Yards (502 W 34th St)
• Cost: For a classic bagel with lox, expect to pay around $15-18. A sit-down brunch is closer to $25-30 per person.
• What to get: The classic. Hand-sliced Gaspé Nova salmon, cream cheese, tomato, onion and capers in a bagel.

Best Pizza in New York – Food in New York

Pizza in New York? When thinking about food in New York, name something more iconic! It is famous for its large, foldable slices with thin, crispy crusts, and classic neighbourhood-style joints. Here are a couple of spots that definitely live up to the hype!

Joe’s Pizza

Arguably the most famous of pizza joints in New York? Joe’s Pizza. It is the quintessentially New York street slice. Thin, crisp crust and good sauce-to-cheese balance. Established in 1975 in Greenwich Village by Joe Pozzuoli, originally from Naples, it is still managed by him today. It quickly became a New York institution, and now there are 5 locations around the city.

The joints are often crowded, but the service is incredibly quick as you choose from the slices in front of you. I ate in the original Greenwich Village one and was able to get a seat at the counter. Be aware that at some locations they only accept cash.

• Locations: Greenwich Village (7 Carmine St), Union Square (150 E 14th St), Times Square (1435 Broadway), Financial District (124 Fulton St) and Williamsburg (216 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn)
• Cost: A plain slice starts at $4.
• What to get: The classic plain cheese slice, which is still the original recipe.

L’Industrie

A relatively new kid on the block, L’Industrie first opened in 2017, but it has really made a name for itself. And it was so good, I actually went twice! It started as a small spot in Williamsburg, but has now become some of the most talked-about food in New York. There are three locations, and it is known for its ultra-thin crust, after a 3-day dough fermentation process, and creative flavours.

I had the L’Industrie prosciutto di Parma and burrata, and it was incredible. There are a few high-top tables and counter areas to eat at. If you stay, you can also treat yourself to some natural wine and end your meal with a traditional Italian pastry or a soft serve. Highly recommend!

• Locations: Williamsburg, Brooklyn (254 S 2nd St), West Village (104 Christopher St) and Little Italy (197 Grand St).
• Cost: Slices start from $6 and a whole pie is around $37.
• What to get: The basil-topped burrata slice and bacon fig jam pie are consistently said to be a favourite.

Best Brunch in New York – Food In New York

Unsurprisingly, brunch is also a massive thing in this city. And some of the best food in New York is found at brunch spots!

Bubby’s

This frequently comes highly recommended, and once I visited it was clear to see why. It has one of the best brunch menus in the city. Known for its simple and fresh comfort food, the idea is to ‘defend’ the American table. Its menu consists of absolutely delicious pancakes, as well as other brunch options such as grits and eggs Benedict. I had the Griddle Special of pancakes, eggs and bacon. And when I tell you I drowned it in maple syrup. It was so good.

There is often a queue, especially on weekends, so do expect to wait. It does move quite fast, and larger groups often get seated faster than pairs. As a solo traveller, I waited no more than 25 minutes.

• Location: Tribeca (120 Hudson St)
• Cost: Pancake stacks and mains are around $24-28
• What to get: The James Beard pancakes are always recommended. As well as the flaky biscuits with fresh butter and jam.

Clinton St Baking Company

Another institution and commonly slated among the best food in New York for brunch. It serves classic brunch dishes such as Southern breakfast, pancakes and eggs Benedict. It is a classic American restaurant, and also has a bakery. You can get takeaway baked goods and breakfast items from their takeaway hatch. Reportedly the best pancakes in the city, due to the way the whipped egg whites are folded into the batter just before cooking, which makes the inside very light and fluffy.

The restaurant is small, with only 32 seats inside. You can make reservations, but they do also hold a few seats at the counter for walk-ins. It is notorious for long waits, sometimes hours on weekends. There is also an outpost in Time Out in Dumbo, which is walk-in only.

• Location: Lower East Side (4 Clinton St) and inside Time Out Market DUMBO (55 Water St, Brooklyn)
• Cost: Pancakes and mains are around $19-24.
• What to get: The blueberry pancakes. The dish this place was built on.

Best Bakeries in New York – Food in New York

In need of a sweet treat? Grab some baked goods to go at these locations.

From Lucie

From Lucie is a beloved spot in the East Village. It began with a love of the French countryside, where Lucie was raised. The bakery opened in 2020, and has the feel of home baking in each baked good. Flavours and bakes are rotated depending on what is found in the farmers’ market, and always made with seasonal ingredients. Each is topped with organic and locally grown flowers, whose stems are too short to be used by a florist.

The cafe is small and cosy, with a few seats inside. As well as a couple of tables dotted on the sidewalk. It is the perfect spot to enjoy a cake and drink and watch New York happen around you.

• Location: East Village (263 E 10th St)
• Cost: A slice of cake is between $12-17, and a cookie $5-6.
• What to get: The Victoria Sponge if available, a slice of the flower-topped seasonal cake or their chocolate chip cookie, which is regularly said to be the best in NYC.

Magnolia Bakery

Magnolia Bakery was made famous by Carrie and Miranda visiting in the iconic Sex and the City, and has been a top tourist destination ever since. It is known for its banana pudding, as well as old-fashioned, brightly frosted, heavy-buttercream cupcakes with thick buttercream icing. They were popularised just as the modern boutique bakery trend began.

Perhaps it is more of a must-visit due to its iconic status, rather than its bakes now. But the original location in West Village is a very cute stop when in this part of New York.

• Locations: West Village (401 Bleecker St), Rockefeller Center (1240 6th Ave), Upper West Side (200 Columbus Ave), Hudson Yards (20 Hudson Yards), Moynihan Train Hall (383 8th Ave), Grand Central (89 E 42nd St), Central Park South (1794 Broadway), and inside Bloomingdale’s (1000 3rd Ave)
• Cost: Cupcakes are $5-6, and banana pudding is $8-12.
• What to get: The banana pudding became a favourite after the bakery shot to fame.

Best Restaurants in New York for a Proper Sit-Down Meal – Food in New York

If you are looking for a more traditional sit-down dining experience, then New York has plenty! Again, there are so many to choose from. But I highly enjoyed all of the below!

Momofuku

I had my first taste of a Momofuku char sui bun when they were served at the Milk Bar (which now operates as a separate brand). And it was absolutely delicious! So upon returning, I knew I was having them again.

Momofuku began in 2004, with the opening of the Noodle Bar in New York and is known for contemporary Asian-American cuisine. Think constantly changing menu of noodles, steamed breads and daily dishes. But whatever you do, make sure to have a char sui bun! These are some of my favourite I have ever tasted.

• Locations: East Village (171 1st Ave) and Columbus Circle (10 Columbus Cir)
• Cost: Small dishes are around $12-16, and large $18-21. So expect to pay around $30-45 per person for a full meal.
• What to get: The pork buns! The ginger scallion noodles are also a signature dish.

Mokyo

Mokyo offers a range of ‘tapas’ style Korean-inspired dishes, and it is quite the incredible fusion. The dishes are small and designed to be shared, so you can order plenty of different flavours! It is the sister restaurant to Thursday Kitchen, and Mokyo is a playful way of saying ‘Thursday’ in Korean.

Tucked away in the heart of the East Village, the restaurant has a really cosy vibe. The menu is traditional Korean, with a twist inspired by the chef’s travels in Spain and South America. I particularly enjoyed the wagyu oxtail spring roll.

• Location: East Village (109 St Marks Pl)
• Cost: Small plates are around $15-25 each. For a shared meal for two, expect $80-100 including drinks.
• What to get: The corn dumplings and the wagyu oxtail spring rolls.

Pranakhon

Pranakhon is a Michelin Bib Gourmand pick and is known for its good quality and good value. It is the sister restaurant to Thai Villa, which is another great alternative option.

Thai food is one of my favourite cuisines, so when I find a good Thai restaurant, I have to recommend. The inspiration comes from the atmosphere of the outdoor alley food scene you find in Bangkok. The menu is based on Thailand’s authentic flavours, made with high-quality ingredients. Pad Thai is my favourite dish ever, and Pranakhon’s was a great one!

• Location: Greenwich Village (88 University Pl)
• Cost: Mains are around $16-24
• What to get: The Pad Thai and the short rib massaman curry.

Rubirosa

Head to Rubirosa if you want an Italian feast! The menu is all about reinvented Italian American classics, and was opening in 2009, inspired by the family’s legacy of pizzas.

The portions are incredibly generous, but so delicious. I loved the Caesar salad, meatballs and the honey pie. It is quite hard to get a reservation; people set alarms for when the booking window opens! If you are happy to eat outside of traditional meal times, you have a much better chance.

• Location: Nolita (235 Mulberry St)
• Cost: Pizzas are $22-30, pastas $24-30. A full meal with starters is around $40-55 per person.
• What to get: The Honey Pie was delicious! The signature order is the Tie Dye pizza, and housemade rigatoni for pasta.

Loulou – Food in New York

Named after a rescue dog, Loulou runs on this principle. It has a warm welcome, is a little scruffy, and is always happy you came. The food is French-inspired, and cooked based on what they miss from Paris! The cocktail menu is also fun and delicious. Mine was served in a mini bathtub with a rubber duck in it!

Outside there are some cabanas, which is a great option for summer dining. And downstairs is a speakeasy, which is open until 2 am.

• Location: Chelsea (176 8th Ave)
• Cost: Mains are between $28-40, so a full dinner with a drink is around $60-80 per person
• What to get: The duck leg confit or the lamb chops. And start with the French onion soup or escargot.

Beauty and Essex – Food in New York

Entering Beauty and Essex is part of the experience, and immediately sets the tone. It is not every day you arrive at a restaurant through a pawn shop! The shop is genuinely run as one, and the restaurant is known as one of New York’s most beautiful. However, this is most likely going to be one of the splurges of your food in New York!

The food is in tapas format, and its signature is its small plates, as well as dry-aged steaks and a raw bar. The grilled cheese, smoked bacon and tomato soup dumplings were amazing. We also had chicken meatballs with whipped ricotta, as well as one of the “jewels on toast”. The decor and atmosphere were so eclectic and just fabulous.

• Location: Lower East Side (146 Essex St)
• Cost: Small plates are $18-28, mains from $29 right up to $115 for the dry-aged rib eye. So you will be looking at $80-120+ for a full meal
• What to get: Tuna Poke Wonton Tacos and the French Dip sliders.

Best Bars in New York

It is not just about the food in New York. There are also some fabulous places to visit if you are after a drink or cocktail.

Attaboy

This spot in New York is known for its innovative and creative cocktails. But the experience is more than that. There is no signage, and it is almost impossible to find. Head to the unmarked metal door, press the buzzer marked “AB”, and give your details to the host. If you can’t find the door, you need to look for a window with a sign for a tailor shop. However, there is frequently a line to get on the waitlist, so you will know you’re in the right spot.

Pop your name down on the waitlist, and go and grab a drink somewhere else until you are called. Once inside, there is no menu, but the bartenders are extremely talented, and it often feels like they have read your mind as they come up with the concoction perfect for you!

• Location: Lower East Side (134 Eldridge St)
• Cost: Cocktails are around $14-20
• What to get: The penicillin (Scotch, ginger, honey, lemon) was invented here.

Bibliotheque

I loved this spot! This is a wine bar, meet restaurant, meet bookshop. I walked into Bibliotheque on my last night, and managed to get a spot in the bar. I chose just to have a glass of wine, with a book, of course! But they also offer bar snacks at these tables. If you want to eat in the restaurant, make sure to reserve.

During the day, it operates as a cafe with laptops welcome until 5 pm. You can sit and study or work at a table, and they offer hot drinks and sandwiches. In the evening, it is the perfect place for a glass of wine with charcuterie boards and small plates. It is a bookstore throughout, with around 10,000 books for sale, and an art collection is on the walls.

• Location: SoHo (54 Mercer St)
• Cost: Wine by the glass is $15-20, with food around $18-28.
• What to get: A cheese or charcuterie board with a glass of wine.

Employees Only

Employees Only opened in 2004 and almost immediately became a classic, serving cocktails such as martinis and Manhattans. It is an art deco style bar, and treats cocktail making and drinking as a theatre. The name has two meanings. The first is that the bar was opened to attract industry people as customers, since they are “employees” of other bars. And the second is a nod to the speakeasy era, where entrances had “employees only” signs above them as a discreet way of marking hidden entrances.

The bartenders are dressed smartly and free pour with aplomb. The cocktails are all delicious, and they play excellent music. It is famous for its excellent bar staff and even has a tarot card reader in the entrance.

• Location: West Village (510 Hudson St)
• Cost: Cocktails are $17-20, snack bites $18-24, and larger dishes start from $25.
• What to get: The Ready, Fire, Aim, which is a mezcal-based cocktail.

Bathtub Gin

Another speakeasy bar, and a fun one! To reach Bathtub Gin, you arrive through the tiny storefront of Stone Street Coffee Company; it is a genuine working coffee shop. It is a genuine 1920s prohibition theme, complete with a copper bathtub right in the middle of the room. It is opulent and decadent inside, and feels just like you imagine a speakeasy to. Small and dimly lit, with vintage wallpaper and copper ceiling tiles. There is also food available.

I spent a New Year’s Eve here, and it was a lot of fun. The cocktails kept on coming, and posing in the bathtub in the bar was necessary. Booking is definitely advised for any evening.

• Location: Chelsea (132 9th Ave)
• Cost: Cocktails are $17-21
• What to get: A classic gin and tonic flight.

Food Tours – Another Great Way to Experience Food in New York

One final recommendation for finding some of the best food in New York is to book a tour.

If you are visiting New York, one of the most cost-effective ways to see some of the sights of the city is by purchasing a New York Go City Pass, which allows you to visit top sites and attractions for up to 50% less.

Find out all you need to know about the savings you can make with a New York Go City Pass:
New York Go City Pass Review: Everything You Need to Know

Some of the many attractions you can book include tours of districts. These are such a great way to find out about neighbourhoods, as well as get top recommendations from a local. I joined a tour of Little Italy, Soho and Chinatown and had some of the best cannoli I have ever had on her recommendation.

TOP TOURS TO CONSIDER:
Food On Foot Tours: Discover five incredible food spots, off the tourist trail.
Speakeasy Pub and Prohibition History Tour: Learn more about the history of prohibition, and visit three speakeasies where you can purchase drinks.
Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Walking Tour: Brooklyn is known for its delicious desserts and pizza shops, so get insider tips on where to dine on this tour.
Greenwich Village Walking Tour: This area is famous for quirky cafes

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Visiting New York? Check out my other guides:

• Solo Travel in New York: A Complete Guide
• 5 Days in New York: The Perfect Itinerary
• New York Go City Pass Review: Everything You Need to Know
• Visiting New York in the winter
• Visiting New York for the first time – a first-timer’s guide

Have you been? I would love to hear your thoughts and also any more recommendations on food in New York!

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