New York

Picked by creators

• Katz's Delicatessen — National Geographic, Jon Barr
  Praised the pastrami, cured for up to 30 days, for slicing like butter even stacked 20 layers high, with smoking and steaming ensuring not a single slice loses its seasoning.
• Prince Street Pizza — ur mom ashley, Beatrice Richer
  She recommended it as a top New York pizza spot, saying its popularity is well-earned.
  Heads up: She doesn't personally enjoy pizza, so this isn't a firsthand assessment.
• Joe's Pizza — Beatrice Richer, Jon Barr
  Greasy with cheese that stretches for days—exactly the New York slice they'd always imagined—and gave it a perfect 10.
  Heads up: The line is very long, and there are definitely tastier slices to be found elsewhere in New York.
• Shukette — TOPJAW
  The chicken, marinated for three days in yogurt and saffron, had crispy skin and juicy meat, and the small but moist lamb kofta meatballs were also praised highly.
  Heads up: Aside from the chicken, the menu changes frequently.
• Spring Cafe — ur mom ashley
  She said the salads are the best, especially praising the crispy vegan chicken, the 'liquid gold' sauce, and the tofu skin bao buns, adding that even her non-vegan friends love it.
• Central Park — ur mom ashley
  It's the best place for a walk on a nice day, and she said first-time visitors absolutely must go.
  Heads up: She personally said she likes the piers on the west side even more than Central Park.
• LOS TACOS No.1 — Beatrice Richer
  Rated it among the best tacos they've ever had.
• The Dead Rabbit — TOPJAW
  Said the frozen Irish coffee was like smooth coffee ice cream, and even the notoriously tricky-to-make Black Velvet was top-notch.
• Taqueria Ramirez — TOPJAW
  The al pastor is the bestseller, and the beef and chorizo tacos ranked No. 7 on the New York Times' best dishes of New York 2022 — called the best tacos of a lifetime.
  Heads up: The menu has only six tacos, and they don't serve liquor like margaritas.
• Pier 26 at Hudson River Park — ur mom ashley
  Called it her favorite park of all, even better than Central Park.
  Heads up: Said the love locks once hung at the end have all been cut off and are gone now.
• Levain Bakery — Beatrice Richer
  The chewy, thick cookies are said to be some of the best ever, with the reviewer insisting they're not overrated at all — the walnut chocolate chip is their favorite.
• Fish Cheeks — Condé Nast Traveler
  He declared the wings 'an elevated version of Chinese takeout wings' and the best wings in New York, called the branzino steamed in a ginger-lime-chili-fish sauce broth one of the best bites of fish of his life, and described the crab fried rice topped with two sauces as 'the best bite I've had in years.'
  Heads up: It's a family-style setup, so it's best to order with a group so you can share several dishes.
• Bobwhite Counter — Munchies
  The pressure-fried buffalo chicken sandwich is crispy with amazing sauce, and the mac and cheese is so good you can't skip it.
  Heads up: Mentioned the catfish on the menu isn't to their taste, and the mac and cheese may be heavy for those who are lactose intolerant.
• Café Habana — Munchies
  The corn topped with mayo, cheese, and paprika is cooked just right, called 'insane,' praised as simple but well-made Cuban food.
  Heads up: Recommended as a course to settle your stomach after drinking — nearby diners said they drove over an hour just for this corn and the Cuban sandwich.
• Luigi's Pizza — National Geographic
  Praised the Sicilian slice as fluffy rather than chewy with a crispy bottom and a perfect ratio of tomato sauce to cheese, and said the thin New York slice was equally 'overwhelming' — 'both are amazing.'
• Maison Premiere — TOPJAW
  Praised the tableside martini — an homage to 1940s hotel bars — the huge daily-changing oyster menu, and finishing the night in the backyard garden.
  Heads up: Classic-leaning enough that a margarita only made the main menu for the first time in 13 years.
• Veselka — TOPJAW
  Loved the house-made ricotta-style cheese pierogi and fried potato pierogi and the sausage, calling it a lovable old-school spot for Ukrainian-American brunch.
  Heads up: There's always a line during the lunch rush.
• Alimama Tea — ur mom ashley
  She said the bubble tea decorated with gold leaf and flowers is the prettiest drink she's ever seen, and that they also have mochi donuts.
  Heads up: There's no seating inside, so it's a grab-and-go setup only.
• Ess-a-Bagel — Beatrice Richer
  Called it one of the best bagels of their life, praising the huge variety of cream cheeses, salads, and spreads.
  Heads up: Waited an hour in line on their first visit.
• Eileen's Special Cheesecake — Jon Barr
  Named as a favorite cheesecake in New York, and they also sell small sizes that are easy for tourists to carry around.
• Russ & Daughters — Jon Barr
  The best nova salmon and lox he's had in New York — the whole experience of pulling a ticket and ordering at the counter is enjoyable, and the quality has stayed consistent over the years. There's also a separate sit-down café on the corner.
  Heads up: The lox cream cheese bagel is pricey at $17 and the line can be long; the bagels themselves aren't baked in-house and are a bit weak — since the cured fish is the real star, some people get their bagels elsewhere.
• Lechonera La Piraña — National Geographic
  Raved that the lechón is so moist it practically falls apart when shaken, with skin puffed up and crackling, and the garlic-chili-vinegar sauce cuts through the richness — calling it 'incredible' and 'a meal worthy of an award.'
  Heads up: It's a street stall that gets swamped on weekends, and it's hard to reach ahead of time.
• Minetta Tavern — National Geographic
  Raved that the thick, meatball-like patty cooked medium-rare melts in your mouth, the soft bun soaks up the juices, and the ratio of caramelized onion to melted cheese is perfect. Also praised the fries as crispy with real potato flavor.
  Heads up: Unlike Chinatown, this is a calm, sit-down bistro atmosphere.
• Radio Bakery — TOPJAW
  The maitake mushroom croissant and salmon focaccia sandwich stood out, said to be good enough to rank among the world's top three bakeries.
• Hamburger America — TOPJAW
  Raved that the Oklahoma-style fried onion burger, with onions mixed into the patty and cooked precisely for 6-7 minutes, is tender and distinctive.
  Heads up: It's a casual counter-order setup.
• Shelsky's Of Brooklyn Appetizing and Delicatessen — TOPJAW
  Praised the old-school bagels made with a sourdough starter for their chewy texture and crisp crust, along with New York's largest selection of smoked fish.
  Heads up: They apparently never toast their bagels here.
• Estela — TOPJAW
  The signature endive salad, running since opening a decade ago, along with scallops with uni and the wagyu steak, impressed with restrained flavors and excellent service.
  Heads up: One of the pricier spots in this guide, and dinner is very crowded — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday lunch are easier to get a table.
• 375° Chicken 'n Fries — Beatrice Richer
  Said everything they ate was perfect, and insisted you must try the chicken tenders and the flaming hot burger.
  Heads up: There was no seating inside, so they got it to go and ate back at their accommodation.
• Lil' Frankie's — Munchies
  The spaghetti limone is 'ridiculously' good and the burrata is so good it practically melts, praised as something special about New York that this quality is available even late at night.
  Heads up: Open until 2am on weekdays and 4am on weekends, so check closing times.
• Adel's Famous Halal Food — National Geographic
  Praised the tender lamb mixed with several sauces for a salty, spicy flavor balanced by sweetness, the rice for being fragrant and fluffy, and the chicken for being moist from marinating, saying 'the wait was completely worth it.'
  Heads up: The line can stretch all the way to the corner at the end of the block, meaning a substantial wait.
• Red Hook Tavern — TOPJAW
  Perfected over 100 attempts across eight months, the burger has an ideal fat ratio and a peppery crust, and the wedge salad and oxtail ragù cavatelli were also outstanding.
  Heads up: It's a small, cozy space with limited seating.
• Black Seed Bagels - Williamsburg — National Geographic
  Raved that the first bite of the chewy, poppy-seed-crusted bagel loaded with salty bacon, melted cheese, and runny yolk was 'a work of art,' and praised the salmon bagel for how the acidity of tomato and onion balances the richness of the cream cheese.
• Lucali — TOPJAW
  Raved about the ultra-thin yet crisp, structured dough, and the tender meatballs made from brisket, short rib, and spicy sausage.
  Heads up: Only 10 tables, no reservations — you line up to put your name down and get a assigned time. BYOB.
• Cha-An — ur mom ashley
  She said the oat milk iced matcha is rich and thick, the best in New York, and praised the sakura drop dessert and the beautiful Japanese-style atmosphere.
• Oishi Bay — Beatrice Richer
  With its interior, atmosphere, and food, it delivered a classic bustling New York dining experience, and the double cheeseburger was one of the best meals of their life.
  Heads up: They strongly recommend making a reservation.
• Emilio's Ballato — TOPJAW
  Praised the meatballs, slow-cooked for seven hours, as the juiciest they've ever had, with the tagliatelle Bolognese as the signature dish.
• Murray's Bagels — Beatrice Richer
  Praised the wide variety of smoked fish and the standout menu, calling the salmon and caper bagel a perfect 10 out of 10.
  Heads up: Known from reviews for having long lines, and the egg sandwich fell short of expectations since the cheese wasn't melted.
• JOJI BOX — Condé Nast Traveler
  He said the sweetness and saltiness of the snow crab and cucumber made for a perfect bite, called the grilled kinki 'a dish with nowhere to hide,' meaning the ingredients themselves have to be top-notch, and raved that the hojicha ice cream topped with truffle was 'a flavor you can't get anywhere else in the world.'
  Heads up: It's tucked away inside a train station, so it's easy to walk right past if you don't know exactly where to look.
• Lan Larb Chiang Mai — ur mom ashley
  She said the panang curry is the best item on the menu and a must-try in New York, and that she goes so often she just orders 'the usual.'
• Grand Street Skewer Cart — National Geographic
  Praised the lamb skewers as juicy with a subtle dusting of chili and cumin for great flavor, calling them 'by far the highlight.'
  Heads up: Comes straight off the grill, so it's very hot.
• C as in Charlie — TOPJAW
  The oxbone marrow pasta tasted distinctly Korean rather than Italian, and the gochujang fried chicken and umami-packed bibimbap were excellent.
  Heads up: Plenty of playful presentation, including a 'gimmick' dish styled to look like a cappuccino.
• Jin Mei Dumpling — TOPJAW
  Highlighted the crispy texture from one side being seared hard, and the great value at 33 cents apiece.
  Heads up: There's a line every day, and 15 dumplings is a lot to eat alone.
• Strong Rope Brewery Red Hook — TOPJAW
  Said the beer tasted amazing by the water, and they wanted to sit there all day.
  Heads up: It's in a remote industrial area about a 30-minute cab ride from Manhattan.
• The High Line — ur mom ashley
  Called it a truly beautiful elevated park built on historic freight rail tracks.
• Little Island — ur mom ashley
  Said the man-made island is unique and pretty.
  Heads up: Admitted it feels more like a spot for photos.
• Pier 57 — ur mom ashley
  Praised the free public rooftop for its great views of Little Island and the skyline.
  Heads up: Said you have to go all the way up to the top floor, and it's easy to miss since it's not well known.
• Times Square — ur mom ashley
  They said they loved the flashy lights, Broadway, and the energy that's as bright as day even at 3am.
  Heads up: They said it's very chaotic and packed with tourists, so they wouldn't recommend staying in this area.
• Tompkins Square Bagels — Beatrice Richer
  Her boyfriend called the chipotle chicken salad bagel the best bagel of his life, and she said hers was also excellent.
  Heads up: With so many menu options and a line forming, she rushed her order and regretted her choice.
• 4 Charles Prime Rib — Beatrice Richer
  Introduced as the most famous burger restaurant in New York.
  Heads up: Getting a reservation is described as nearly impossible.
• Rubirosa — Beatrice Richer
  Loved the atmosphere and the cozy little bar, and said the pasta was excellent.
  Heads up: The pasta portion was a bit small, and they deeply regretted not ordering the restaurant's famous tie-dye pizza.
• Molly's Cupcakes — Jon Barr
  Said to have better cupcakes than Magnolia.
• Cheong Fun Cart — TOPJAW
  Said the big, chewy rice rolls paired with peanut sauce and chili were really delicious.
  Heads up: It's a nameless street cart, making it hard to find the exact name.
• Double Crispy Bakery — TOPJAW
  Said the thick, egg-rich egg tarts and lemon buns were delicious, and the staff were friendly.
  Heads up: Regretted not ordering the pork bun.
• The Penny Hotel Williamsburg — TOPJAW
  Called it cool, convenient, reasonably priced, with a fantastic rooftop terrace.
  Heads up: The rooftop bar is closed on Mondays.
• Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pie — TOPJAW
  Said the key lime pie with a hint of cinnamon and the spicy-sweet chocolate-covered chipotle Swingle were both excellent.
• Washington Square Park — ur mom ashley
  It's the liveliest park in New York, and she said this is the place to come to people-watch New Yorkers with strong personalities.
  Heads up: She mentioned that on nice days it gets very crowded and loud.
• Tacombi — ur mom ashley
  She said the sweet potato taco is the best in New York and orders it every time she goes.
• Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company — ur mom ashley
  Called it the 'perfect bagel,' with a dense, chewy bagel generously slathered with cream cheese.
• Matcha Cafe Maiko — ur mom ashley
  She was impressed by the sparkling matcha, and said the owner was kind enough to give her free matcha ice cream.
• Junior's — Jon Barr
  Convenient location in Midtown near 49th and 45th Streets, and open until midnight on weekdays and 1am on weekends, which is handy for late nights.
  Heads up: The Midtown location is pricey—a slice of cheesecake runs $9.25, and the egg platters are also on the expensive side.
• Juliana’s — Jon Barr
  The original coal-oven pizza famously made by Patsy Grimaldi is excellent, and the classic Margherita is so good you don't even need to add toppings. A great choice for a group lunch or dinner.
  Heads up: There's usually a line, and you can only order whole pies, not slices—pies start at $26, which is a lot if you're not that hungry.
• Best Pizza — TOPJAW
  Praised for making their own mozzarella to control salt and moisture, and for baking unusually large pies for a slice shop in a wood-fired oven.
• Maison Pickle — Beatrice Richer
  The pull-apart bread was soft and light, making it the highlight of dinner, and her boyfriend loved the French dip.
  Heads up: The buffalo chicken mac and cheese is tasty but very heavy and filling.
• Bleecker Street Pizza — Jon Barr
  Recommended over Joe's for a slice in Greenwich Village.
• David's Brisket House — Jon Barr
  A budget-friendly pastrami option, and unusual for New York, you can choose your portion size.
• Junior's Restaurant & Bakery — National Geographic
  Praised the original cheesecake as perfectly creamy with a lively vanilla flavor, with the crust merging seamlessly into the cheesecake.
  Heads up: The cake shake is stacked so high it's prone to toppling over, and it's so massive it ends up all over your face.
• The New York Hot Dog King — National Geographic
  Praised as cheap and fast, with the jumbo hot dog's juiciness contrasting nicely with the tang of the sauerkraut, calling it one of the best hot dogs in New York.
  Heads up: A street cart in front of the Met with no seating, so you eat standing up.
• Mei Lai Wah — National Geographic
  Praised the combination of sweet custard topping, soft bread, and the moist, sauce-soaked pork filling as 'a classic must-eat in Chinatown.'
  Heads up: So busy that the line stretches out to the sidewalk, and freshly baked batches sell out quickly.
• Wo Hop — TOPJAW
  Called it an incredible deal, saying $90 could feed 20 people.
  Heads up: Mentioned as a recommendation in the video but not actually visited.
• Wildair — TOPJAW
  Loved the bold, nuanced flavors and lively atmosphere, saying the trademarked savory eclair, the Pissaladiéclair, sums up the whole place.
  Heads up: Said to be a neighborhood restaurant — no need to queue or book months ahead.
• Saigon Shack — ur mom ashley
  She recommended it as the new alternative for the veggie banh mi she used to get at the pier.
• The Crown — ur mom ashley
  They said the rooftop deck with a small bar has excellent city views and admission is free.
  Heads up: They mentioned you might need to be 21 or older to get in.
• Bubby's — Beatrice Richer
  A homestyle American brunch spot famous for pancakes, biscuits, and breakfast platters; they enjoyed the famous pancakes.
  Heads up: They didn't get to try the biscuits but strongly recommend ordering them.
• Peter Luger Steak House — Jon Barr
  The lunch burger special made with prime chuck is truly excellent — he prefers it to the steak — and the gruff but funny waiters give it an old-school, throwback feel.
  Heads up: Expect a 15-30 minute wait regardless of reservation time, service is brusque, and prices are high.
• Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi — Condé Nast Traveler
  The chef himself named it his favorite restaurant in New York.
  Heads up: Reservations are so hard to get that he jokes at the end of the video he couldn't get a table.
• Sylvia's Restaurant — National Geographic
  Praised the freshly fried chicken as juicy and well-seasoned, the ribs as smoky all the way to the bone and tender, and the mac and cheese as buttery and melt-in-your-mouth.
  Heads up: Notes that the fried chicken really shines when paired with the restaurant's own hot sauce.
• Stone Street Coffee — ur mom ashley
  She said the iced latte is quite affordable and delicious.
• La Colombe Coffee Workshop — ur mom ashley
  Said she really loves the iced draft oatmilk latte.
• Juice Generation — ur mom ashley
  Named The OPP as her favorite smoothie, saying the first sip tastes like Nutella.
• L Train Vintage — ur mom ashley
  She said it's essentially the only thrift store in all of New York with reasonable prices.
• Nusr-Et Steakhouse New York — Beatrice Richer
  The 8-hour roasted asado short rib and mashed potatoes were excellent, and the herb-crusted fries were said to be perfect.
  Heads up: Even with a reservation, they waited an hour for a table, and the prices are steep enough that it's really an occasion-only spot.
• Ping — Jon Barr
  More local, with better food quality and prices than Nom Wah.
• Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner — Jon Barr
  Said to be more local and taste better than Katz's, at similar prices.
• Magnolia Bakery — Jon Barr
  The classic banana pudding, small size, is still a great deal at $4.95 and hasn't disappointed in years. Bleecker Street is a pretty neighborhood, great for a stroll with it in hand.
  Heads up: Pre-ordering online lets you skip the line; otherwise the wait can be long depending on the time. The cupcakes are unremarkable.
• elNico Rooftop — TOPJAW
  Praised for margaritas with real character unlike any tried before, including the Verd-rita made with fresh avocado.
  Heads up: The margaritas are said to be quite strong.
• Nom Wah Tea Parlor — Jon Barr
  The oldest dim sum spot in Chinatown, in business for over 100 years, with a retro diner interior that feels like a movie set—called the most photogenic place on the list.
  Heads up: The atmosphere is great, but the dim sum itself is just average—other spots in Chinatown are better.
• Joe's Shanghai — Jon Barr
  Moved to the Bowery in 2019, giving it a bigger space and shorter waits; the broth is flavorful, and the pork and crab dumplings are especially good. Prices are reasonable.
  Heads up: Cash only (though there's an ATM inside), there's still a wait despite more seating, and 80-90% of customers are tourists. Some say the non-soup dumpling dishes are unremarkable.
• Gray's Papaya — Jon Barr
  Wildly cheap prices — one hot dog for $3.25, two plus a tropical drink for $6.95 — and it's a New York institution over 50 years old. Coffee plus a breakfast sandwich for $3 might be the cheapest breakfast in Manhattan.
  Heads up: There's no seating whatsoever and the setup is very bare-bones; while the breakfast menu is cheap, a neighborhood bodega might be better for a dollar or two more.
• Juice Press — ur mom ashley
  Raved that the tofu scramble breakfast burrito is the perfect post-workout snack.
  Heads up: Called the blueberry smoothie only lukewarmly "decent."
• Ess-a-Bagel — Jon Barr
  Nearly 50 years old, known for thick, chewy bagels generously slathered with cream cheese, with three Midtown locations for easy access.
  Heads up: The Midtown flagship had the longest bagel line he's ever waited in, and it doesn't quite reach the top tier of crispy-outside, chewy-inside bagels.
• Think Coffee — ur mom ashley
  Praised briefly for having pretty good coffee.