New York City’s Iconic Dishes: What to Eat & Where to Find the Best Versions

Katherine Garciano
· · · ·

New York City is a food lover’s dream, packed with iconic dishes like classic New York-style pizza and legendary bagels. With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to know where to find the best versions of these must-try eats. This guide highlights the top spots for the city’s most famous dishes, so you can enjoy the best of what NYC has to offer, whether you live here or are just visiting.

  • Diversity of NYC’s Food Scene: A reflection of the city’s immigrant roots, offering a mix of Italian, Jewish, Chinese, and other international cuisines.
  • What Makes These Dishes Iconic?: Decades (or even centuries) of history and craftsmanship go into each dish, often with a unique NYC twist.
  • Where to Eat Like a Local: Skip the tourist traps and go for authentic, tried-and-true spots loved by New Yorkers

New York City: What to Eat & Where to Find the Best Versions

1. New York-Style Pizza

New York-style pizza is famous for its thin, foldable crust, slightly charred bottom, and perfect balance of cheese and tomato sauce. It’s the ultimate grab-and-go meal.

Where to Find the Best Slice:

Joe’s Pizza (Greenwich Village) – A classic NYC slice joint that’s been around since 1975.

  • Where: The Greenwich Village Institution. 7 Carmine St, 150 E. 14st, 216 Bedford Ave,
  • Website: https://www.joespizzanyc.com/
  • Price: $6
  • Must try: Pizza by the Slice

Prince Street Pizza (SoHo) – Known for their spicy, thick-crust pepperoni squares.

2. Bagels with Lox and Schmear

NYC bagels are boiled before baking, giving them their signature chewy texture. Pairing them with lox (smoked salmon) and a rich schmear of cream cheese is a true New York breakfast staple.

Where to Find the Best Bagels:

Russ & Daughters (Lower East Side) – An institution serving hand-rolled bagels with premium lox.

Ess-a-Bagel (Midtown) – Giant, fluffy bagels with a variety of schmears.

  • Where: 831 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10022
  • Website: www.ess-a-bagel.com
  • Price: $18.75
  • Must try: Signature Favorite

3. Pastrami on Rye

A towering sandwich stacked with smoky, hand-cut pastrami on soft rye bread, typically served with mustard.
Where to Find the Best Pastrami Sandwich:

Katz’s Delicatessen (Lower East Side) – The undisputed king of pastrami sandwiches since 1888.

Pastrami Queen (Upper East Side) – A lesser-known but equally delicious alternative.

  • Where: 78th and Lexington 1125 Lexington Ave #2
  • Website: www.pastramiqueen.com
  • Price: $29.50
  • Must try: Royal Sandwich

4. New York Cheesecake

New York-style cheesecake is dense, creamy, and rich, with a smooth texture that melts in your mouth.
Where to Find the Best Cheesecake:

Junior’s (Brooklyn & Times Square) – The gold standard for classic NYC cheesecake.

  • Where: 386 Flatbush Avenue EXT Brooklyn, New York 11201
  • Website: www.juniorscheesecake.com
  • Price: $10 | Slice
  • Must try: Original NY Plain Cheesecake

Eileen’s Special Cheesecake (SoHo) – A family-run shop serving velvety, small cheesecakes in various flavors.

  • Where: 17 Cleveland Pl, New York, New York 10012
  • Website: www.eileenscheesecake.com
  • Price: $7
  • Must try: Salted Caramel Cheescake

5. Hot Dogs

An NYC hot dog is a simple but perfect street food—grilled or boiled, served in a soft bun, and topped with mustard, onions, or sauerkraut.

Where to Find the Best Hot Dogs:

Gray’s Papaya (Upper West Side) – Famous for its recession special (two hot dogs and a drink).

Nathan's Famous | New york City's iconic dish
Photo via iloveny

Nathan’s Famous (Coney Island) – The original hot dog joint, home to the annual hot dog eating contest.

  • Where: 1310 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
  • Website: www.nathansfamous.com
  • Price: $10 – $20
  • Must try: NY Cheesesteak DOG

6. Egg Cream

Despite its name, an egg cream contains neither egg nor cream—just milk, seltzer, and chocolate syrup, shaken to perfection.

Where to Find the Best Egg Cream:

Ray’s Candy Store (East Village) – A 24-hour spot serving nostalgic treats. A classic New York City drink made with milk, soda water, and a touch of sweetness.

7. Black and White Cookie

This half-vanilla, half-chocolate glazed cookie is soft, cake-like, and a New York bakery staple.

Where to Find the Best Black and White Cookies:

William Greenberg Desserts (Upper East Side) – A bakery known for its perfectly balanced, thick cookies

Zabar’s (Upper West Side) – A gourmet grocery store with a top-tier black and white cookie. NYC’s famous Gourmet Epicurean Emporium. Celebrating 90 years on Broadway

  • Where: 2245 Broadway, New York, New York 10024
  • Website: https://www.zabars.com/
  • Price: $14.98- 11oz
  • Must try: Zabar’s Mini Black and White Cookies (Kosher)

8. Chicken and Rice (Halal Cart Style)

A flavorful, affordable street food dish consisting of spiced chicken over yellow rice, served with white sauce and hot sauce.

Where to Find the Best Chicken and Rice:

The Halal Guys (Midtown) – The original cart that made halal street food famous.

  • Where: 307 E 14 St., New York NY 10003 | 31-10 Thomson Ave, New York NY 11101
  • Website: https://thehalalguys.com/
  • Price: From $13
  • Must try: Chicken and Beef Gyro Combo Platter

King of Falafel & Shawarma (Astoria) – A top competitor with an authentic taste. Taste the Best of Palestinian Cuisine

  • Where: 3015 Broadway , Astoria NY 11106
  • Website: https://kofnyc.com/
  • Price: $15
  • Must try: Keftah Platter

New York City serves up some of the world’s most iconic dishes, from pizza and bagels to pastrami sandwiches that tell the city’s story. Skip the tourist spots and head to the places that perfect these classic bites. Come hungry and taste the real flavors of NYC like a local!

More…

Katherine Garciano

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *