New York: what to eat and where

The city's signature dishes and the best places for each.

12 places in New York City · by Chef Amazing · updated October 20, 2026
Photo: russanddaughters.com

1. 1

   Cubby's

   Hell's Kitchen

   Order: Off-menu chopped cheese with pickled jalapeños

   630 Tenth Ave, New York, NY 10036 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Nishaan

   East Village

   Order: Chapli chopped cheese

   160 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Zabar's

   Upper West Side

   Order: Nova or belly lox by the half-pound, on a bagel

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Compton's

   Greenpoint

   Order: Chopped cheese on sesame semolina with iceberg

   99 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Manna One

   Two Bridges

   Order: Baked pork bun

   27 Catherine St, New York, NY 10038 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   S&P Lunch

   Flatiron

   Order: Pastrami with slaw, Swiss and Russian on rye

   Also on the list: Breakfast and sandwiches in New York.

   174 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   Shelsky's

   Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

   Order: Belly lox bagel sandwich

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Tim Ho Wan

   East Village

   Order: Baked pork buns (trio of mini buns)

   85 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
9. 9

   2nd Ave Deli

   Kips Bay

   Order: Pastrami on rye, untoasted

   162 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Essen NY Deli

    Midwood, Brooklyn

    Order: Plain pastrami on rye with mustard

    1361 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11230 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    Scarr's Pizza

    Lower East Side

    Order: Plain slice or pepperoni with jalapeños

    35 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
12. 12

    Russ & Daughters

    Jewish appetizing · Lower East Side

    Get: The Classic: Gaspé Nova, cream cheese, tomato, onion and capers on an everything bagel

    Order: The Classic: bagel, Gaspé nova, cream cheese, tomato, onion

    Also on these lists: Long lines in New York City, The best bagel with lox in New York, Where locals eat in New York.

    179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing