Best of New York City
Where locals eat in New York City
Start with Katz's Delicatessen in Lower East Side for pastrami or corned beef on rye with mustard and pickles, Russ & Daughters in Lower East Side for the Classic: bagel, Gaspé nova, cream cheese, tomato, onion and Rubirosa in NoLita for the Tie-Dye pizza, the vodka pizza, the rigatoni. Here are all 12, with what to get at each.
- Katz's DelicatessenLower East Side · Pastrami on rye
Get: Pastrami or corned beef on rye with mustard and pickles; a knish and a Cel-Ray soda
A century-old deli that's on every first-timer's list, and still worth it for the pastrami.
Russ & DaughtersLower East Side · Bagel with loxGet: The Classic: bagel, Gaspé nova, cream cheese, tomato, onion
The 1914 appetizing shop that defines the New York lox bagel.
RubirosaNoLita · Italian-American pizzaGet: the Tie-Dye pizza, the vodka pizza, the rigatoni
Order: the vodka pie and a red-sauce pasta. Easier to walk in at lunch.
Via CarotaWest Village, Manhattan · ItalianGet: the insalata verde and the cacio e pepe. The West Village's neighborhood room
Beloved West Village Italian spot, always crowded, known for its insalata verde, cacio e pepe and rustic small plates.
- Bernie'sGreenpoint · American diner
Get: the burger and the shrimp cocktail. Hearty American comfort food by McCarren Park
Retro diner-style spot in Greenpoint with a laid-back vibe, known for griddle classics and weekend brunch.
- Frankies 457 SpuntinoCarroll Gardens · Italian
Get: the House-Made Ricotta Cavatelli with Hot Sausage & Browned Sage Butter, the meatballs with pine nuts and rais
Order: the cavatelli with hot sausage and the meatballs. A mostly local crowd.
- Joseph LeonardWest Village · American bistro
Get: the burger at dinner or the brunch plates. A small corner room with regulars at the bar
Cozy, rustic-chic West Village spot for brunch and shared plates, always crowded with a lively neighborhood feel.
- LucaliCarroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Get: A plain pie with basil and the calzone. Bring your own wine
Candlelit Brooklyn pizza that celebrities and Instagram made impossible to get into.
- Rolo'sRidgewood · American diner
Get: the wood-grilled meats and the focaccia, or the burger at lunch. A Ridgewood favorite
Lively Ridgewood neighborhood spot in an old German hall, known for smashburgers and a fun, packed bar scene.
- Raoul'sSoHo · French bistro
Get: the steak au poivre, or the burger au poivre at the bar. A SoHo fixture since 1975
Iconic SoHo French bistro since the 1970s, known for steak au poivre and a dim, bohemian atmosphere.
- Walter'sFort Greene · American, fried chicken
Get: the fried chicken and a martini. The room by Fort Greene Park that locals ride to most
Fort Greene neighborhood spot known for wood-fired fried chicken and a cozy, friendly backyard garden feel.
- Gus's Chop HouseCarroll Gardens
Get: the hash brown with smoked trout roe and the Sunday roast. A go-to for local families
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What are the local restaurants in New York City?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Katz's Delicatessen (Lower East Side), Russ & Daughters (Lower East Side) and Rubirosa (NoLita). All 12 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Katz's Delicatessen, get pastrami or corned beef on rye with mustard and pickles; a knish and a Cel-Ray soda. At Russ & Daughters, get the Classic: bagel, Gaspé nova, cream cheese, tomato, onion. At Rubirosa, get the Tie-Dye pizza, the vodka pizza, the rigatoni. At Via Carota, get the insalata verde and the cacio e pepe. The West Village's neighborhood room.
Which neighborhood is best for local restaurants in New York City?
Most of these are in Lower East Side and Carroll Gardens. The map on this page shows every one, numbered like the list.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for New York City: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in New York City
Local restaurants in other cities
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.