New York City is a mecca with different cuisine options that will please the palates of even the most discerning foodies. The city boasts culinary delights throughout one of the top destinations of culture and cuisine in the United States.
Whether a visitor or resident, dining in one of the many amazing restaurants New York has to offer is an unforgettable experience.
Our Travel Makes Me Happy Team has compiled this guide with some of the most renowned foodie destinations within New York City to try! Also, we have a guide on some iconic New York City landmarks to visit (read here) to check out too.
Taking a New York City food tour is another great way to experience many of the New York cuisine offerings in a few hours so that you can plan other restaurant visits during your trip!
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A great way to get around to all of these neighborhoods is to use the NYC Hop on Hop off bus that is included in a sightseeing pass! We have had really good experiences with it, especially in New York and feel that it definitely saves money and time.
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East Village
The East Village of New York boasts an enticing range of New York cuisine dining options, making it the perfect destination when travelers still determine what they desire. With a plethora of delicious fare available, all kinds of taste buds will surely be delighted! The East Village runs from the river between E. Houston and E. 14th Streets up to just past Bowery.
Thursday Kitchen
At the Thursday Kitchen, you can indulge in their unique menu. The kimchi paella was a pleasure to behold, the steak was out of this world, and Korean popcorn chicken was served up quality dining – however, nothing beat those divine dumplings! Those al dente parcels had a distinctive aroma that intensified with the addition of truffle-infused citrus oil. Yum!
Address: 424 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009
Miss Lily’s 7A Cafe
Have you ever visited a restaurant and perused its offerings while daydreaming about what to order next time? Yep – that was me! I can’t wait to sample everything from the amazing menu. Escape to an island-inspired haven where you can rejuvenate your palate with concoctions inspired by the tropics while savoring delectable Caribbean fare in a vibrant beach shack atmosphere.
Address: 109 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Stromboli Pizza
When it comes to the quintessential NYC slice, your initial instinct might be to go with a classic cheese pie from Stromboli. But why not dare to live on the edge? Try their daring Margherita pizza – its simple yet delectable olive-oiled crust is topped with generous amounts of mozzarella, canned tomato halves, and fresh basil generously sprinkled with parmesan cheese along with copious amounts of chopped garlic for an extra kick!
Chelsea
The Chelsea neighborhood still has a wealth of delectable places to feast and imbibe the next time you stroll along High Line or admire local art galleries. Chelsea Market is a must-visit destination for tourists and locals, boasting an array of unique food choices, such as Asian tacos at Takumi Taco and charred cauliflower heads at Miznon. The neighborhood runs from the Hudson River to 6th Ave. between W 34th and W 14th Avenues. Some other points of interest in this area are the Whitney Museum, Vessel, and Hudson Yards.
Porteño
For a hearty meal, order the short rib and lentil soup. The succulent meat will practically melt off your fork; it has a rich flavor that will linger in your mouth long after eating! Many offerings on the menu are gluten-free, which is a huge plus!
Address: 299 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Ovest Pizzoteca
Ovest Pizzoteca serves fresh pizza that is succulent and yielding, with just the right amount of cheese and balanced sauce that hints of sweet flavor. Add all sorts of toppings to your pizza, like fresh mushrooms – it will taste delightful! On the appetizer menu, the calamari is so much yummy!
Address: 513 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001
Chelsea Market
A visit here is a must-do for foodies! There are so many choices of different cuisines and the best part is that it is all in one place so you can experience several different restaurants in the same trip. A stop by Very Fresh Noodles and Ting’s Jamaican Jerk Chicken are must-visits!
Address: 75 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
SoHo
The SoHo district is characterized by its regal, iron-clad facades and cobblestone thoroughfares. It provides an evocative setting for fashionable clusters of individuals congregating at trendy eateries and nightlife hotspots during the day when street vendors’ stalls offer everything from jewelry to one-of-a-kind original artwork creations. SoHo is south of W Houston St. to Canal St. between 6th and Crosby Streets.
Lure Fishbar
Head to Lure Fishbar for a unique New York cuisine experience – The inside of the restaurant looks like a yacht, so you’ll feel like you’ve left NYC! The entrees are unconventional yet delicious, as are the beverages. The incomparable tuna melted like pâté in your mouth, while the eel roll tasted scrumptious. Immaculate!
Address: 142 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012
Antique Garage Soho
This ecclectic eatery boasts amazing Mediterranean food and the ambiance is unique! They also have live music some nights and a funky display of antiques throughout. The food is the standout here, however!
Address: 41 Mercer St. New York, NY 10013
Chinatown
This cosmopolitan district of Manhattan is a mecca for gourmets, boasting an unparalleled variety of dining establishments where patrons can sample cuisine from all over China. Chinatown encompasses the East Broadway area between Henry and Hester Streets and also between Rutgers Street and Broadway.
Joe’s Shanghai
Joe’s Shanghai is most well known for its soup dumplings! The concoction is bursting with flavor and scent! They were steamed in a bamboo basket-like container with a lid that ensured they remained piping hot throughout.
There is also a selection of noodles, fried rice, and other delectable dishes for us to enjoy, so generous portions were provided depending upon what was selected- an excellent way of ensuring that everyone had enough food!
Address: 46 Bowery, New York, NY 10013
Xi’an Famous Foods
This local eatery boasts an impressive array of Xi’an-style Chinese cuisine, including a wide range of noodles and ample soups and sandwiches. The hand-torn variety is unparalleled in consistency – each bite has its own distinct flavor!
The restaurant has prompt service, comfortable seating options, and delectable cuisine making this eatery a must-visit for anyone who enjoys Asian fare. However, remember that spicing up any dish with chile gives it extra piquancy!
Address: 45 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013
Thái Sơn
Casual eateries abound in this neighborhood, where patrons can savor delectable Vietnamese fare at leisure. Crispy pork spring rolls adorned with vermicelli noodles, succulent grilled pork chops, and rice, along with classic pho featuring tender beef slices and meatballs; all are available here!
Address: 89 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013
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Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village is the most captivating district in New York City, so locals and visitors flock to this zip code. Wandering aimlessly through the twisting streets and sampling the inviting eateries tops many visitor wish lists. The Village is just North of SoHo between W. Houston and W. 14th Street and from the Hudson River to Broadway.
Tartine
Dine here, and it’s like you’re eating in a quaint French café. You will love the sauteed chicken or beef mignonette; the fries always provide an excellent side dish alongside a salad!
Nestled within its lavish ambiance at Tartine, your senses will be captivated by the charming staff and mouthwatering cuisine. This is why the restaurant’s lengthy queues are commonplace; visitors cannot resist their tantalizing wares!
Address: 253 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014
Minetta Tavern
The star at Minetta Tavern is undoubtedly the Minetta burger – one of New York’s most famous burgers. This delectable creation has enticed crowds all over town with its incomparable flavor and savory ingredients.
Minetta Tavern is one quintessential New York eateries that imparts an aura of traditional charm and understated elegance. Luxurious leather booths, ornate paneling, and waiters in classic-style waistcoats add to the ambiance; this bar’s got it all!
Address: 113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Lower East Side
Discover the Lower East Side’s diverse and engaging culinary scene. Adventuresome diners can discover varying cuisines and meander through Chinatown and Little Italy, stumbling upon amazing New York delis a mere block away from scrumptious sandwiches. Indulge in delectable ice cream shops – which offer an array of flavors to suit any palate – or savor slices of unparalleled pizzas that brim with history while soaking up its fascinating past. The Lower East Side runs from the East River to East Houston and between Bowery and the E. River Promenade.
Kiki’s
Kiki’s is as Greek as it possibly gets in NYC! The grilled lamb is delectable, the lemony roasted potatoes are remarkable, and the aromatic taramasalata-laden plates can be savored for around $25-$30 per person. And only leave with ordering cheesecake or baklava for dessert.
Address: 130 Division St, New York, NY 10002
Kopitiam
This Malaysian cafe on East Broadway serves some delectable dishes all day, such as their signature nasi lemak, a flavorful coconut rice dish with fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumbers, and a hard-boiled egg.
The popular breakfast dish – kaya toast – is also savory and fragrant! And don’t miss out on tasting their Malaysian white coffee! Indulge in the flavors and savor the delicious flavors.
Address: 151 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002
Contra
Are you searching for a restaurant that boasts an exquisite menu, offering a serene ambiance and décor? This could be the place! Contra is a charming spot for foodies, boasting an array of tempting options available on its la carte tasting menu, such as succulent lobster tart and velvety boudin noir.
Address: 138 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Upper East Side
From quaint Bohemian cafes to Michelin-starred restaurants the Upper East Side has a little bit of everything. One of our favorites, Budapest Cafe is located in this amazing area.
Budapest Cafe
The Paprika Chicken here brought our taste buds back to Europe and the quaint bakery/restaurant was a delight to have a breat from the crowds and energy outside. The bakery delights are also a standout at this restaurant! We always try to visit and it is on the list of one of our favorite New York City restaurants.
Address: 1631 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028
Tri-Dim Shanghai
This foodie destination offers Shanghai cuisine with fresh ingredients, dim sum, and also offers Szechuan dishes. The dishes are elegant and well-done. A visit to New York City’s Upper East Side is not complete without a stop at this impressive restaurant and it may wind up being one of your favorites.
Address: 1378 3rd Ave New York, NY 10075
Heidi’s House by the Side of the Road
This small eatery has some really delicious lobster mac and cheese! They also have beautiful handmade napkins that you can order to take a little Heidi flair home! It is a favorite restaurant to stop by.
Address: 308 E 78th St New York, NY 10075
Midtown West/Clinton (Hell’s Kitchen)
No matter what you call this formerly gritty industrial neighborhood, it has come a long way and contains some of the top foodie bucket list restaurants. The Hell’s Kitchen area is located between West 40th Street and West 59th Streets to the north and south and the Hudson River and 8th Avenue to the west and east. Some other iconic landmarks close to this neighborhood are the Empire State Building, Broadway District, Times Square, and Madison Square Garden.
Capizzi
This fantastic Hell’s Kitchen brick oven pizza restaurant may not be huge, but they have some of the best pizza that we’ve had in New York and that is saying something! This restaurant should be on your foodie radar on your next trip.
Address: 547 9th Ave, New York, NY 10018
El Centro Cocina and Cantina
Delicious enchiladas and other amazing Mexican cuisine are on the menu at this quaint restaurant. We love the hanger steak enchiladas, burro carnitas, as well as the Cantina Sangria!
Address: 824 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Guantanamera
If Cuban cuisine is on the must-do list for a visit, then Guantanamera is the restaurant to visit! Amazing food, craft cocktails, and live music make this one of our favorite New York restaurants to visit in the Hell’s Kitchen area!
Address: 939 8th Ave. New York, NY
Other Great Foodie Options in New York City
A visit to New York City would not be complete for us without finding Twister Cakes Bakery’s current offerings. We order for delivery (here in New Orleans) when we can’t make it to New York! They are a mobile bakery offering many delicious Romanian pastries and our favorite is the chimney cake Kurtos Kalacs which comes in many different variations, but we like the original plain or cinnamon the best! Check them out when the Queens Night Market is in operation in the warmer months or see current popups on their website! They are definitely a New York favorite that we try to enjoy at home between trips.
Eataly at NYC Flatiron 200 Fifth Avenue | New York, NY 10010 is another great option to find some delicious Italian cuisine! They also have pantry items to stock your own foodie kitchen.
Bottom Line on New York City Foodie Resaturant Options
The bottom line is that New York City restaurants offer something for everyone. It is definitely a foodie bucket-list destination with so many cuisine choices it’s hard to decide where to eat! Whether you’re looking for a quick bite between tourist destinations, a culinary experience with friends, a fine dining experience during a date night, or something in between, you’re sure to find a fantastic favorite restaurant in NYC’s foodie neighborhoods.