New York City is a food lover’s paradise. With more than 25,000 restaurants, food carts, and cafes, the options are endless. But deciding where to eat can be overwhelming for first-time travelers with only a few days in the Big Apple. So, if you’re wondering what is the best food in New York City or where to go for that unforgettable bite, this blog is your cheat sheet. Here are some of the best food places in New York City that will surely give you a taste of the city’s real flavor.
Whether you’ve already booked tickets to JFK or Newark, this list is worth considering. These are the traditional food places in New York City you shouldn’t miss!
Joe’s Pizza
You haven’t lived in New York if you haven’t experienced some of its legendary thin-crust pizza. And where to experience it is Joe’s Pizza. A Greenwich Village staple since 1975, Joe’s doles out classic New York-style pizza as authentic as you’ll get. The crust is crunchy, the cheese melted to golden brown perfection, and the sauce is tangy enough to crave.
Locals and tourists agree Joe’s is one of the best food spots in New York City. And here’s the kicker: you’ll get a huge, cheesy slice for just a few dollars. No frills, no gimmicks, just pure pizza perfection. If you’re planning your next visit by booking flights to USA then make sure to explore this food.
Xi’an Famous Foods
If bold flavors and hand-pulled noodles make your tastebuds dance, Xi’an Famous Foods is your dream come true. This family-run chain started as a humble stall in Queens and has since become one of the famous food places in New York City. Their menu features nearly 30 dishes, but the star of the show is the Spicy Cumin Lamb Noodles. Made with lovingly hand-shredded lamb, fresh hand-torn noodles, and more than 30 spicy-sweet aromatics, this is a steaming, fragrant masterpiece.
The prices aren’t bad either, ranging from $4 to $13 per meal. Whether you are backpacking through Manhattan or catching a food-fueled train, Xi’an Famous Foods has got to be on your NYC agenda.
Halal Guys
Pretending it’s your first time eating street food? Skip the fakes and go directly to the original Halal Guys cart on 53rd Street and 6th Avenue. It’s where it all started, feeding hungry New Yorkers and visitors in the 1990s, and it remains one of the most coveted food spots in New York City. Order their iconic combo platter of chicken and gyro meat on rice smothered with their famous white sauce. It’s rich, full, and great for a quick but fulfilling meal between tours. Tip: avoid lunchtime and have it early or late evening. Even with several outlets across the world these days, nothing can compare to the charm of the original cart.
Halal Guys has the answer if you’re wondering what is the most affordable, iconic, and just yummy food in New York City.
Papaya King
Papaya King is the real deal in New York. Since the 1930s, this offbeat eatery has paired two strange dining companions: hot dogs and fuzzy tropical fruit juices. Amazingly, it is successful—and continues to do so. For a little more than $10, you receive two crispy, snapper hot dogs with your choice of topping and couple them with a cool papaya, mango, or coconut juice. It’s the instant favorite grab-and-go food among rushing travelers and a locals’ specialty in the know.
Papaya King is a testament to the fact that in New York City, the best food is often the simplest.
Murray’s Cheese Bar
Is grilled cheese your heart’s desire? Then Greenwich Village’s Murray’s Cheese Bar is your dairy heaven. Renowned for its cheese shop and downright more renowned for its eatery, Murray’s offers up one of the city’s best-loved grilled cheese sandwiches, the Murray’s Melt.
This sandwich features a proprietary blend of cheeses, perfectly melted between buttery, golden-brown bread slices. It’s rich, gooey, and undeniably comforting. Pair it with tomato soup or a glass of wine, and you’ll understand why Murray’s is considered one of the best food places in New York City for cheese lovers.
And when it comes to New York City’s better-known culinary institutions, this is just the beginning. From hole-in-the-wall restaurants to landmark eateries, every neighborhood in the city has a taste to offer. But no matter your duration of stay in the city, make sure to have some time for these five places; they’re the heart and soul of NYC’s multi-dimensional culinary world.
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