Must TRY NYC Food for First-Timers (And Where To Eat Them!)
1) Pastrami Sandwich:
Anthony Bourdain once said about NYC, "We have good deli. We have better deli than you." The Pastrami and/or Corned Beef Sandwich are distinctly NYC Specialities from the Jewish Immigration from the turn of the 20th century. Unless you're a vegeterian, you have no excuse to skip this experience.
Top CHOICE:
Popular Choice (but my Second):
Runner Up:
2) Bagels:
Eating a bagel for breakfast in New York City, is a MUST. My friends from Montreal disagree, but I'll put New York City area bagels up against the world's best.
Top Tourist Pick For Location/Quality:
My Personal Favorite in NYC:
Honorable Mentions:
For the Nova Scotia Salmon ONLY (the Bagels alone are Solid but Unremarkable)
If You Want To Try a Bialy
3. Halal Food
Not as well-known to visitors... but ask any New Yorker what their favorite street food is, and you'll almost never hear hot dog. Halal Food has been king, since the 1990's, when the Halal Guys (DO NOT Eat There) opened up their first stand. Halal means permissible in Arabic, and it's food prepared by Muslim Law.
lly Lamb or Chicken over Rice, this has become a New York Institution. And in a time of inflation and increasing prices, Halal remains an affordable meal at almost any hour.
Top Choice: (Open 6PM til Late)
Second Choice: (Afternoon Hours as Well):
4. Hot Dogs
While I think tourists seek this out more than locals... There is something to be said about the classic New York Hot Dog. Few do it well, and I think Nathans is quite overrated.
My Top Choice:
Second Choice:
5. Pizza
We have an entire dedicated guide to the Best Pizza in NYC. While it was invented in Italy, many locals argue New York "perfected it". A foldable slice that could be taken on the go by immigrant workers. This is one of the most argued questions in the city: Which is best?
I'm going to suggest a few that I think are the essence of New York City slices.
The Classic Fold and Go (My Answer Isn't Joes)
Best Speciality Slice (The Nona Maria):
Best Sit Down Restaurant for Coal-Oven Pizza:
6. Cheesecake:
My Absolute Favorite:
Second Choice:
Alternate Choice:
7. MORE Desserts:
8. BONUS: Jewish Food
If it's your first trip to NYC you definitley don't want to leave out Chinatown. Check out this guide for an amazing variety of local picks:
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