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New York City is among the most revered cities when it comes to diverse food scenes and culture. This is the only place where you will get to taste cuisines from around the world curated especially to mimic the traditional essence.
Thanks to the years of immigration and advancements, the drastic transformation of the food scene has made this city a melting pot for a number of cultures. The intertwining, experimenting and merging of flavours from different regions creates a sight to behold.
Among all the cuisines that have delighted the platters of Americans, some of the foods shined through, giving the city its unique identity. Whether you are a fan of hearty Indian curries or delightful Japanese noodles, the famous restaurants in the city will serve you an unmatched taste. Check out these famous foods in New York and where you can get them.
These 8 Famous Foods Are A Must-Try In New York City
1) New York Style Pizza at Scarr’s Pizza
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The way New York has transformed this Italian delight and made it its own is like no other. If there's one dish that can describe New York City well, it is only the iconic New York-style pizza. The unique thing about this pizza is its hand-tossed bread that creates a thin centre and crispy rim, making the big slices easy to fold in half. The classic recipe consists of tomato-based pizza sauce topped with grated dry mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. Scarr's Pizza in Manhattan is the best place to get this pizza in the city.
Location: 35 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Timings: Fri-Sat: 12 pm–1 am; Sun-Thu: 12 pm–12 am
Must Try: New York Style Pizza
Price For 2: $40 approx.
2) New York Hot Dog at Nathan's Famous
Image Credit: Nathan's Famous via Facebook
Hot Dog has become New York’s soul. The grab-and-go design with simple toppings and juicy sausage makes up for an anytime treat, and you can find this treat at every corner of the city. Yet, the only restaurant that does it best is Nathan's Famous Hotdogs, located in Brooklyn. This restaurant has been a famous landmark with more than 100 years of service, and the menu only serves 12 hotdog varieties known all across the country. You can get all the toppings you like and get the best of its taste.
Location: 1310 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224
Timings: Fri-Sat: 10 am–11 pm; Sun-Thu: 10 am–10 pm
Must Try: New York Hot Dog
Price for 2: $30 approx
3) Manhattan Clam Chowder at Lobster Place
Image Credit: Lobster Place
Among all the kinds of seafood, the taste of clam chowder has been ingrained in the veins of New Yorkers like no other. The fresh clams, smothered in a rich broth along with onions, celery, potatoes and bacon form a delightful soup with a creamy and hearty consistency. This delicacy is served with sourdough bread slices or oyster crackers and creates a gourmet delight. The restaurant that makes the best clam chowder is Lobster Place located in Chelsea Market. This restaurant is known for its fresh and straight-of-the-boat seafood items.
Location: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Timings: Mon-Sun: 11 am–9 pm
Must Try: Manhattan Clam Chowder
Price For 2: $50 approx.
4) Banana Pudding at Magnolia Bakery
Image Credit: Magnolia Bakery
Magnolia Bakery's legacy has delighted New Yorkers' hearts like no other bakery could. Among all the items you will get here, Banana Pudding is the most celebrated. The “combination of fresh bananas, vanilla wafers, and fluffy vanilla pudding” creates a heavenly bite for the tastebuds with an “unparalleled” flavour. This is probably the most highlighted item on the menu, and the creative addition of crunchy wafers gives it a unique bite.
Location: 401 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Timings: Fri-Sat: 9:30 am–11 pm; Sun-Thu: 9:30 am–10 pm
Must Try: Banana Pudding
Price For 2: $50 approx.
5) New York Cheesecake at Lady M Cake Boutique
Image credit: Lady M Cake Boutique
Picture this: fluffy texture, sweet and tart flavour and crispy bottom combined to create a heavenly delight that melts in your mouth and leaves you craving more. If you pictured a decadent Cheesecake, then you’ve got the idea. Cheesecake is one of the most iconic desserts of the Big Apple and its decadent and indulgent flavour creates an unforgettable treat. Lady M Cake Boutique is one of the best places in the city to get this delightful dessert.
Location: 1178 Broadway, New York, NY 10001
Timings: Mon-Sun: 11 am–6 pm
Must Try: New York Cheesecake
Price For 2: $40 approx.
6) Bagel at Russ & Daughters
Image Credit: Russ & Daughters
Whether it's sweet or savoury, coated with cream or converted to a sandwich, Bagel gives a range of possibilities to make unique creations. And the way this city does it can never be seen elsewhere. With a crusty outside and gooey inside, New York’s Bagels are revered to be the best in the world. Russ & Daughters, an iconic culinary and cultural icon in New York, whips up the best bagels in the city and serves different varieties.
Location: 179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Timings: Mon-Sun: 8 am–4 pm
Must Try: Bagel
Price for 2: $40 approx.
Also Read: 5 Best Donuts Spots In New York To Devour
7) Dim Sum at Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Chinatown
Image Credit: Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Chinatown
Chinese food has its own special place in the heart of New York. And Dim Sum is the most loved and enjoyed Chinese dish in the city. In several Chinatowns, you will come across various varieties of Dim Sum, each unique and equally indulgent. Yet, if you’d like to name one place that comes to mind first is Nom Wah Tea Parlor. Dating back to 1920, the timeless legacy of this restaurant continues to draw Chinese lovers from all across the border.
Location: 13 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013
Timings: Mon-Sun: 11 am–9 pm; Wed: Closed
Must Try: Dim Sum
Price for 2: $40 approx.
8) Chocolate Chip Cookies at Levain Bakery
Image Credit: Levain Bakery
Chocolate Chip Cookies in New York are arguably the best in the world. The reason for that is this is the only city where you will get the original 6-ounce chunky, gooey, chewy, soft and melty cookies. Levain Bakery has been whipping up this beloved delicacy since 1995. The fresh-off-the-oven delights packed with rich and luscious chocolate chips and chewy dough create a drool-worthy sight, which makes it hard to resist.
Location: 167 W 74th St, New York, NY 10023
Timings: Mon-Sun: 8 am–8 pm
Must Try: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Price for 2: $50 approx.
To savour the true essence of New York, these famous foods are a must-try for you. While preference of restaurant can change from person to person, nothing beats the original taste of iconic places. Even though you get the same treats in other cities, the unmatched taste of New York can’t be replicated.
