Key Takeaways
- Apart from scenic landscapes and architecture, New York is also home to some exquisite cuisine.
- From world-famous hot chocolate drink to serving juicy Kobe beef, the city offers mouth-watering meals.
- Other ways to explore NYC food places include food trucks, inside food markets, Journey dining, and many more.
When visiting New York, it seems like there’s so much to see and so little time to see it. From the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building and everything in between, you won’t want to miss a thing.
But not every NYC experience involves looking at landmarks. Make sure you indulge your sense of taste by trying out these five must-visit places in New York for foodies!
Serendipity3
Serendipity3 wasn’t a made-up part of the movie Serendipity with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. It’s been a part of the Upper East Side restaurant scene since 1954. The brightly colored décor gives a major nod toward desserts throughout its two floors.
Despite having plenty of space, reservations are strongly encouraged, so you don’t miss your chance to get the world-famous Frozen Hot Chocolate drink. It’s even better with fries to dip into it. And adults can have it spiked too.
At Serendipity3, you shouldn’t pass on dessert, though the menu also features full meal options from salads to burgers. However, no one will bat an eye if you go for dessert first.
Interesting Fact
Other than the movie Serendipity, the restaurant has been the setting of two other Hollywood production, i.e. One Fine Day (1996) and Trust the Man (2005).
Katz’s Delicatessen
On the Lower East Side, Katz’s Delicatessen has been a landmark since 1888, making it the oldest Jewish deli in the city. If you’ve seen When Harry Met Sally, then you know the pastrami on rye will have you shouting its praises.
But whatever you order, you’ll be getting freshly sliced meats piled high for the ultimate New York deli experience.
Keep in Mind
If you fail to return the ticket after your meal, then you are obliged to give $50 as a penalty.
Nom Wah Tea Parlor
Over in Chinatown, the place for dim sum is Nom Wah Tea Parlor. Grab your travel companions and discover a unique New York food ritual. Nom Wah Tea Parlor was the first dim sum place there and has been there since 1920, serving up small plates of delightful Cantonese-style dishes.
Some of the items you shouldn’t miss are the pork buns, siu mai, turnip cakes, and the O.G. eggroll.
212 Steakhouse
New York has no shortage of steakhouses. However, in Midtown Manhattan, 212 Steakhouse is the place foodies need to visit for its classic atmosphere and perfectly curated menu. Plus, it has the best wagyu beef in the U.S.
Naturally, it has all those things you can count on from a steakhouse, like French onion soup and truffle mashed potatoes. This is the place for foodies to visit for a signature meal in the Big Apple.
Do You Know?
Only 37 restaurants in the US have the certification to serve Kobe beef, and 212 Steakhouse is among them.
Lucali
A visit to NYC would not be even remotely complete without stopping in Carroll Gardens for the best slice of pizza in the city. The wait is long, but this pizza shop makes it all the old-fashioned way by proofing the dough for 24 hours, marinating the tomatoes on the premises for the sauce, and baking it up in a fiery wood oven to give it that perfect finish.
This cash-only place opens every day at 5 pm except for Tuesdays, and by then, the line is already long. Try to arrive a bit earlier to avoid being at the end of the line.
Other Fun Ways to Explore New York’s Foodie Scene
In addition to dining at the most iconic, must-visit places in NYC, there are even more ways to integrate yourself into the foodie scene. Make sure you put one of these ideas on your itinerary!
Try a Cooking Class
When you take a cooking class in NYC, you’ll learn from local chefs who can help you hone your skills in the kitchen. Recreate some of the most iconic foods from the city, and you’ll be able to have a taste of New York any time.
Exercise and Eat with a Walking Food Tour
While trying the best restaurants in New York is a must, there are tons of little neighborhood eateries that you won’t find unless you wander around. Join a food tour, and you’ll get to explore the best-hidden gems tucked throughout town.
Explore Indoor Markets
In a melting pot as big as New York City, there are plenty of other ways to satisfy your foodie curiosities. Indoor markets throughout the city can give you some of the most distinctive experiences with international cuisine.
You’ll find Essex, Chelsea, and DeKalb to be great places where the vendors represent the world’s best cuisines with tasty street food delights.
Pop Over to a Food Truck
Across the country, food trucks have taken off in popularity. New York is the place that gave them their rise to stardom. If you can’t seem to commit to one restaurant for sitting and dining, then try a little something from every food truck you find.
Food trucks offer a spectacular way to sample street food, try fusion food gems, and indulge in gourmet goodies.
The Halal Guys, Wafels & Dinges, Birria-Landia, and Gorilla Cheese NYC are just a few of the most popular ones to chase around the city.
Satisfy Your Chocolate Cravings
For chocoholics, you shouldn’t miss the chance to tour one of the famous chocolate factories in NYC. Both Li-Lac Chocolates and Raaka Co. Virgin Chocolate provide interactive journeys that indulge you in history, processes, and of course, chocolate tastings that will give you an epic experience.
Li-Lac Chocolates, founded in 1923, is considered to be Manhattan’s oldest chocolate house.
Have Breakfast with Bagels
Bagels, next to pizza, may just be this City’s signature food. If you’ve never had a New York bagel, you absolutely need to grab one.
When topped with plenty of cream cheese shmear, smoked salmon, red onions, and capers, a bagel is the best way to start any day.
Explore the Dynamics of Molecular Gastronomy
Modernist cuisine is one of the top-trending ways to explore the culinary arts. Melding science with cooking techniques creates some truly unique ways to pamper your palate.
Liquid nitrogen flash-frozen foods, syringe infusions, and other creative presentations for foods you know and love all prove that playing with food isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Atera is by far one of the most popular places to try out molecular gastronomy.
Take the Ultimate Food Journey
To fully indulge all of your senses at once, make sure you get a reservation to Journey. This unique dining venue offers theatrical gastronomy, bringing you a multisensory culinary experience.
Through immersive video installations, theater, fashion, and fine dining, this collaboration is absolutely unlike anything else.
Journey offers four completely unique experiences for diners. The first is Journey 360, which provides 360-degree projections that take you from your white linen-covered table to five exotic locations. Each of the courses from the prix fixe meal matches the location, allowing you to travel the world without going anywhere.
Do You Know?
Journey Lounge provides tapas in a unique bar setting with paintings and objects that seemingly come to life through 3D animations.
Journey À La Carte brings your plates to life for a more casual dining experience, though no less impressive, with hidden 3D designs and a hint of theater. Journey Odyssey is another experience that will be joining the offerings.
It will combine live and filmed performances to make your table come to life, complete with an award-winning Broadway cast.
With all these great places for foodies to visit in New York, it’s time to start planning. Make your reservations now to ensure you have a seat for every bite of foodie delights in NYC!
