The taste of: New York
Tasting even a little of New York’s smorgasbord of cuisines takes you to the heart of this multicultural metropolis.
New York’s reputation as a culturally diverse city certainly extends to its culinary scene, offering every type of cuisine imaginable. Neighborhood bistros, noodle bars, and classic delicatessens—they’re all here. The creative melting pot has put its stamp on countless dishes, not just in the fusion cuisine from trailblazing chefs, but in the New York staples from Jewish immigrants. Food explorations here are incredibly rewarding, whether that means booking a Michelin-starred restaurant table or following the locals to a corner deli.
A taste of the neighborhoods
Life in the five boroughs is largely neighborhood-orientated and food is no exception. Queens residents recommend Astoria’s Greek restaurants, with as much passion as Harlem locals stand by their soul food. Start your journey through Manhattan with the taste of Peru at the Upper West Side’s buzzy Flor De Mayo (484 Amsterdam Avenue). It’s a short bus ride from Columbia University, so you’ll likely sit among students, while savoring zingy ceviche, spicy patacones, and steak grilled over the flames.
When it comes to delicatessens that define New York life, the legendaryKatz’s Delicatessen (205 East Houston Street) is unmissable. Specializing in slow-cured pastrami and corned beef, it’s been keeping customers satisfied since 1888. Meanwhile, Russ & Daughters Café you can’t miss the perfectly bouncy bagels at Murray’s (500 6th Avenue) – it’s an old school shop in the West Village that’s been drawing hungry crowds since 1996.
Meanwhile, the steakhouse is woven so tightly into the fabric of New York life that it’s difficult to pick the ‘best’ place to enjoy a piece of perfectly seared beef. Instead, it’s wise to focus on the nuances, and Gallaghers Steakhouse (228 West 52nd Street) is a fine place to start. This Theatre District stalwart began life as a speakeasy in 1927, until prohibition was lifted, and meat was added to the mix. Today, the prime cuts are stored in a glass-fronted locker that’s visible from the street and each piece is meticulously flamed over hickory – it’s all about the famed porterhouse, which needs to be ordered in advance.
Things are even more historical at Keens Steakhouse in Midtown (72 West 36th Street), which opened 138 years ago and is renowned for its roll call of past regulars (Babe Ruth, J.P. Morgan, and Teddy Roosevelt to name a few), with its three-inch-thick mutton chops and its generous porterhouse for two.
Five must-try dishes
New York has developed its own distinctive versions of the world’s cuisines, as these culinary icons show.
New York-style pizza - It’s crispy along the edges, soft enough to fold, and topped with tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella. Enjoy a slice in a pizzeria or grab one to go.
New York-style bagel - These donut-shaped rolls have fueled New Yorkers since the 1800s and are best enjoyed with a schmear of cream cheese.
Manhattan clam chowder - Warm yourself when the autumn breeze hits Central Park with this delicious soup, filled with clams, bacon, and vegetables in a savory tomato broth.
Pastrami on rye - A thick sandwich of warm, hand-carved pastrami, this deli staple should be drizzled with yellow mustard and served with pickles on the side.
New York-style cheesecake - Made with cream cheese, fresh cream, eggs, and a hint of vanilla, these velvety slices of dessert heaven can also be topped with fresh fruit and homemade purées.
A taste of the globe
New Yorkers enjoy one of the world’s most creative and varied fine-dining scenes, attracting celebrity chefs like Japanese-born Nobu Matsuhisa of Nobu Fifty Seven (40 W 57th Street). The first Nobu restaurant opened in Tribeca in 1994, a joint venture with Robert De Niro, and this Midtown branch is a stylish spot to experience signature dishes like black cod with miso.
There are almost as many sushi restaurants with Michelin stars in New York as there are lights in Times Square, and you can taste the city’s Asian flavors at the shophouse-style Pure Thai Cookhouse (766 9th Avenue), offering flavorful dishes of lemongrass and handmade noodles in Hell’s Kitchen, and in the impeccable tonkotsu ramen served at the counter of Momosan Ramen & Sake (342 Lexington Avenue).
Also in Hell’s Kitchen, Don Antonio (309 W 50th Street) puts a Neapolitan spin on New York’s margherita-eating heritage, serving wood-fired pizzas, lightly fried pizze fritte, and Italian craft beers. The Italian chef, Giorgia Caporuscio, is one the world’s most revered pizza makers.
For further proof that your culinary dreams can come true in New York, check out Burger & Lobster (39 W 19th Street), which serves wild Atlantic lobsters and prime cut burgers. Even going out for a curry can be a gastronomic experience in the Big Apple, thanks to restaurants like Tamarind (99 Hudson Street), with its fine-dining menu of authentic Mughlai dishes.
Three essential contemporary restaurants
These stars of the Manhattan restaurant crowd will give you a taste of the Big Apple’s trendsetting fine-dining scene.
Full flavor at Hawksmoor NYC
The New York outpost of the UK’s cherished steakhouse franchise opened in 2021 in a renovated space in the historic United Charities Building near Gramercy Park. The space features a soaring vaulted ceiling and an elegant brass-topped bar, setting the scene for a luxe dining experience. Adhering to steakhouse norms, the Hawksmoor menu kicks off with fresh oysters, roasted bone marrow, and Caesar salad, while pasture-raised beef plays the starring role.
Elevated Korean barbecue at COTE
At COTE Simon Kim’s fusion of Korean barbeque and American steakhouse seduces diners with an array of premium cuts aged in-house and an extensive wine list of more than 1,200 labels. Slabs of steak are presented raw then expertly seared on smokeless grills at the table. For a treat-yourself moment, order the Butcher’s Feast – four premium cuts accompanied by a luscious souffle, stews, and classic Korean condiments.
American classics at Mark’s Off Madison
Interweaving the threads of his illustrious career, chef Mark Strausman’s debut restaurant and bakery is an eclectic amalgam of classic Italian, European, and Jewish comfort food. Like Strausman, Mark’s Off Madison exudes both a refined and down-to-earth vibe – mornings see hurried residents dashing in and out for steaming bagels, while evenings witness plenty of romance beneath dim lighting.
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