Travel for Food Hub The Food Blog for Travel Lovers
Last Updated on January 29, 2023
New York City may be one of the largest cities in the United States, but it is also renowned for its food. With such a large, diverse population comes a plethora of dishes to eat. Whether you have a sweet tooth, prefer foods that are savory or have cravings somewhere in between, you can find many dishes to enjoy on your trip. Take a bite out of the Big Apple with authentic New York cuisine!
Bus tours can help you get to the destinations you want to reach your foodie dreams. But what is authentic New York cuisine? Check out the list below to learn about the best food in NYC.
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are a staple food in the United States, but there is something about getting them in The City That Never Sleeps that makes them better. When the sausage and the bun meet your mouth, all you can taste is a perfect harmony of flavor.
The best place to get one when cravings hit, or you need a quick snack is from a street vendor. Lucky for you, street vendors are all over the city, and many sell hot dogs. Although it is a counter-service eatery rather than a cart, check out Papaya King at 179 East 86th Street. It has been a mainstay in New York for papaya drinks and hot dogs for over 80 years.
If getting the experience of enjoying one from a cart is a must for you, visit a vendor outside of one of New York’s most popular attractions: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. You can also check these 5 unmissable food carts in Manhattan.
Pizza
Chicago is the home of deep-dish pizza, but New York’s thin slices give the city a run for its money. Only the crust on New York-style pizza is thick, while the rest is thin. Traditionally, the toppings are just mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce, though other variations can be found.
Eat like a local New Yorker and fold your pizza in half to eat it. The best place to grab a slice, and there are a lot of them, is at an original coal-oven pizza parlor. Patsy’s or John’s are standouts. John’s is located right in the heart of Times Square, while Patsy’s can be found at 2287 First Avenue. Go for the classic combination or add additional toppings. The choice is yours, but trying this pizza should be a must-do for anyone wanting to taste the best food in NYC.
Cheesecake
‘New York’ cheesecake, in all its creamy, rich, sweet goodness, must be eaten in its namesake city. Whole eggs, cream cheese, and heavy cream make this cheesecake unique. Past visitors have rated Eileen’s Special Cheesecake and Dominique Ansel Bakery (of Cronut fame) as top places to get a slice.
Bagels
New York City bagels are superior to regular bagels. With a chewy, dough-filled and soft texture, these are unique and so good. Try one for yourself! Absolute Bagels and Bagel Hole are where to find them. As a bonus, Absolute Bagels offers Tofutti cream cheese for those who do not consume dairy.
Italian Food
This list would not be complete without mentioning the Italian food in Little Italy, a neighborhood in the lower part of the city. It is home to the city’s most delicious Italian bakeries and restaurants. Take your pick of dishes like spaghetti, lasagna or chicken parmesan. We recommend you dine at Benito One or Gelso and Grand.
TAKEAWAY: Did you know that Angelo’s, on Mulberry Street, is the oldest restaurant still in operation in Little Italy, open since 1902? And that Lombardi’s is America’s first pizzeria, honored in the Pizza Hall of Fame for its 113 years of history?
No trip to The City That Never Sleeps is complete without sampling as many of the best foods in NYC as possible. Once you get home, you might just find yourself craving a slice of New York pizza or a bagel to start your day. Happy eating and traveling!
