Long lines in New York City

The viral places people queue for, what to get when you reach the front, how long the wait usually is, and how to beat it. Waits are typical, not live.

12 places in New York City · by Chef Amazing · updated October 23, 2026
Photo: russanddaughters.com

1. 1

   L'Industrie Pizzeria

   Neapolitan-style pizza · West Village

   Get: The burrata slice; a plain cheese slice to compare

   The slice shop that took over every food feed: thin, crisp, burrata added after the oven. Expect: usually 30 to 60 min, longer on weekend nights. Beat it: go mid-afternoon on a weekday.

   Critics: 80% liked it, from 6 reviews (2023 to 2026). Read The Infatuation 2026, Time Out New York 2026, The Infatuation 2024, Time Out New York 2023.

   The crowd: 4.7 of 5 on Google (6,000 ratings).

   104 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Lucali

   Pizza · Carroll Gardens

   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. Expect: people line up before the 5pm opening to put their names down, then wait hours for a table. Beat it: be in line by 4pm, give your name and phone, and get a drink nearby.

   Critics: 85% liked it, from 7 reviews (2025 to 2026). Read Michelin Guide (feature) 2025, The Infatuation 2026, Time Out New York – Best Pizza NYC 2025 2025, Time Out New York.

   The crowd: 4.2 of 5 on TripAdvisor (235 ratings).

   Also on these lists: Where locals eat in New York, Where the famous eat in New York.

   575 Henry St, Brooklyn · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Katz's Delicatessen

   Lower East Side

   Get: Pastrami on rye, hand-cut. Tip the cutter and he hands you a taste

   A century-old deli that's on every first-timer's list, and still worth it for the pastrami. Expect: 15 to 45 min at weekend lunch. Beat it: go before 11am or after 9pm on a weekday.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Mimi's

   Nolita

   Get: Frozen yogurt with a light hand on the toppings

   The froyo line that took over Instagram and doesn't seem to shrink. Expect: up to an hour in the evening, rain or shine. Beat it: go in the early afternoon on a weekday.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Sip & Guzzle

   West Village

   Get: The wagyu burger, served at the bar

   A cocktail bar whose burger went viral, so now there's a line before the doors open. Expect: get there about 30 min before the bar opens if you want the burger. Beat it: queue before opening. The burger goes fast.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Fonty's Deli

   West Village

   Get: The Chicken Tikka Naanini

   A West Village deli whose naan panini became a social-media staple. Expect: lines at lunch and on weekends. Beat it: go before noon on a weekday.

   20 Christopher St, New York, NY · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   Apollo Bagels

   East Village

   Get: An everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, or one hot and plain

   Sourdough-style bagels that turned into a TikTok pilgrimage. Expect: 30 to 60 min on weekend mornings. Beat it: go on a weekday before 9am.

   242 E 10th St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Russ & Daughters

   Jewish appetizing · Lower East Side

   Get: The Classic: Gaspé Nova lox, cream cheese, tomato and onion on a bagel

   A smoked-fish shop run by the same family since 1914. Expect: take a number, 20 to 45 min on weekends. Beat it: go on a weekday morning, or eat in at the Orchard St cafe with a reservation.

   Also on these lists: New York: what to eat and where, 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
9. 9

   Thai Diner

   Nolita

   Get: Thai disco fries, the khao soi and the Thai tea babka

   Uncle Boons' owners doing a Thai-American diner, the babka alone draws a crowd. Expect: up to an hour for dinner without a booking. Beat it: book on Resy, or go for a weekday breakfast.

   186 Mott St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Raku

    East Village

    Get: Niku udon, and the cold udon in summer

    Hand-cut udon in a tiny room the whole city wants a seat in. Expect: 30 to 60 min most nights. Beat it: go right at opening.

    342 E 6th St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    Joe's Pizza

    Greenwich Village

    Get: A plain cheese slice, folded

    The classic New York slice since 1975. Expect: a short, fast-moving line at night. Beat it: it moves quickly, just wait.

    Critics: Read The Infatuation 2024, Time Out New York.

    The crowd: 4.4 of 5 on TripAdvisor (1,723 ratings).

    7 Carmine St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
12. 12

    Salt Hank's

    West Village

    Get: The French dip: shaved prime rib, caramelized onions, provolone, horseradish mayo, rosemary jus

    The viral French dip from the sandwich guy of the internet, still on Bleecker after Wonder bought it in August. Expect: Often an hour or more, Thursday to Sunday, until it sells out. Beat it: Join the line around 10:30am (it opens 11:30am), Thursdays are shortest.

    Critics: 63% liked it, from 5 reviews (2025 to 2026). Read The Infatuation 2025, The Infatuation 2025, BuzzFeed 2026, The Strong Buzz (Robert Sietsema) 2025.

    The crowd: 4.2 of 5 on Yelp (144 ratings).

    Also on the list: New and hot in New York.

    280 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing