What are the “Must-Eat" Food choices in New York City for the First-Timer? I'll give my top picks for each food type, as well as interesting alternatives!

This guide could be used by any type of traveler 🧳(groups, families, couples and singles).

This is a live guide, meaning I will update it when I find new favorites or places close. It will automatically sync the changes even after you save it!

Note: Each destination, has an audio message & a timestamped link if it was ever included in my YouTube Channel. Don't forget to check the attached map 🗺 

New York City, NY, USA

Must TRY NYC Food for First-Timers (And Where To Eat Them!)

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.

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.

For the Nova Scotia Salmon ONLY (the Bagels alone are Solid but Unremarkable)

Second Choice: (Afternoon Hours as Well):

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. 

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.

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 Sit Down Restaurant for Coal-Oven Pizza:

I believe the NY Cheesecake also gets more hype from out-of-towners than locals. But I've still eaten my fair share, and am opionated.

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.

Chinatown can feel overwhelming, let me simplify it for you. Let's take a tour of one of New York's Best Destinations for Cheap Eats and Amazing Culture! Chinatown, Manhattan is a foodies dream come true, and I've explored most of it. These picks are all confirmed by my local Chinese-American friends as well, whose opinion I regard highly.

INCLUDED:
1. Cheapest Bites In The City
2. Taiwanese, Malaysian, and Korean Options
3. Best Desserts in Manhattan
4. Soup Dumplings, Noodles, Dim Sum, and MORE!

This guide could be used by any type of traveler (groups, families, couples and singles)

This is a live guide, meaning I will update it when I find new favorites or places close. It will automatically sync the changes even after you save it!

Note: Each destination, has an audio message & a timestamped link if it was ever included in my YouTube Channel. Don't forget to check the attached map 🗺 

Chinatown Ultimate Food CRAWL!

Nonna Maria Slice in Action

Let's find out if eating on a budget in New York City is possible.New York City has always been known to be an expensive town, so thinking about being able t...

Nonna Maria in Action!

Bleecker Street Pizza

John's of Bleecker St.

We'll show you around some hidden gems and unknown neighborhoods in all 5 Boroughs of New York City.🎬 N.Y.C Things To DO PLAYLIST: https://www.youtube.com/p...

Patsy's Pizzeria

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Best Bagel & Coffee

We're going on a Quick and Easy Food Crawl in Midtown Manhattan, NYC! Our first stop is at 10000 Coffee, an Australian brand that believes you need at least ...

Adel's

Adel's Famous Halal Food

Is Katz's New York's Best Deli Sandwich? Todd Hata and I set out to find out, as we take the NYC Deli Sandwich Challenge on this personal Food Tour. The rule...

Sarge's Deli Video

Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner

What are the 10 Best Things to do in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, NYC ? Make sure to hit that like button so YouTube knows you enjoyed this ! Check out ...

Russ & Daughters Video

Russ & Daughters

We eat at New York City's Best Halal Carts to see if they live up to their high ratings? All are located in Midtown Manhattan (not far from Times Square).🎬 ...

Royal Grill Video

Royal Grill Halal Food

Katz's Video

Katz's Delicatessen

Let's go on an NYC Food Tour of Anthony Bourdain's Favorite Restaurants! From Chinatown to the Upper East Side, find out where the Late TV Host/Chef liked to...

Pastrami Queen Video

Pastrami Queen

Which NYC Bagel is Best? The Bagel Battle ! (New York Food Guide)

Bagel Hole

Let's explore NYC's Jewish history with a food tour in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.. from a Hasidic Bakery to Kosher Pickles, and bialys this will be a ...

Kossar's Video

Kossar's Bagels & Bialys

Eating At The Best Reviewed Hot Dog Stands in New York City... Let's visit 3 very different hot dog vendors in NYC, from street hot dogs, to Venezuelan and e...

Billy's Hot Dog Video

Billy’s Hot Dog Cart

Papaya King Video 

Papaya King

What are the Top 5 Foods you MUST Try when you visit New York City? 📝 Plan the Ultimate NYC Trip! Shop our NEW Guides/Itineraries: https://bit.ly/BarrGuides...

Eileens Cheesecake Video

Eileen's Special Cheesecake

Veniero's Pasticceria & Caffe

Molly's Video

Molly's Cupcakes

Magnolia Bakery

Keki Modern Cakes

🧳 JON: https://www.youtube.com/c/HereBeBarr✡️ RUSS & DAUGHTERS: https://www.instagram.com/russanddaughters/ ✡️ B & H DAIRY: https://www.instagram.com/bandhd...

B&H Dairy Video (Friends Channel)

B&H Dairy

Magnolia Bakery - West Village

I didn’t want that guide. Been NYC several times. Looking for cheap eats. But this was an ok guide for  firsties

Too small for what I paid, not enough content.

Must TRY NYC Food for First-Timers (And Where To Eat Them!)

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