New York City Food Guide

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The number one question I get asked most is, ” Where should I eat in New York City?” For years, I’ve been meaning to share my New York City Food Guide, and now that I live 3000 miles away, I finally sat down and wrote it up. New York City is a melting pot of cultures and unarguably serves some of the world’s best food. Even my Californian-lover husband would agree with me on this.

If you want Indian food, they have excellent Indian food, and if you want Thai food, they have incredible Thai food. Traditionally speaking, New York City is most famous for its pizza and bagels, neither of which I indulged in too much because I’m more of a sit-down-and-dine type kinda gal. That will quickly change on future visits since I can no longer access the best pizza and bagels in town. With that said, here are some of my favorite NYC eateries.

New York City Food Guide with an image of a hand holding a cupcake.

How I Rate Establishments

I have personally vetted every New York City restaurant, café, and bakery mentioned below and holds a rating of 4.5 stars or higher. In my rating method, entrees carry more weight than drinks, appetizers, or desserts. I also factor in how I feel after the meal – do I leave feeling satisfied and energized, or do I feel heavy and sluggish? While standout service is considered, I don’t factor in ambiance or price (I know what to expect), as my primary focus is on the food.

Here’s a breakdown of the establishments by cuisine. I’ve also included the NYC district and my top recommendations for what to order.

Asian

Tao (downtown/uptown): lychee martini, glazed salmon, banana bread pudding

Bagels

Best Bagel and Coffee (midtown west): favorite. garlic bagel with chive cream cheese + tomatoes & jalapenos

Bakeries & Desserts

Breads, Buns & Scones

Librae Bakery (east village): favorite & exceptional. za’atar labneh morning bun, dirty chai sticky bun, loomi babka bun, pistachio rose croissant, tahini date latte
Fabrique Bakery (meatpacking): favorite. cardamom bun, americano
Mary O’s (east village): favorite. Irish soda bread scone with homemade blackberry jam and Irish butter

Bread Pudding

Magnolia Bakery (multiple locations): banana bread pudding, pecan caramel cheesecake

Cakes

Hani’s Bakery (east village): favorite. honey cake, carrot cake, cinnamon roll

Cheesecake

Eileen’s Special Cheesecake (nolita): strawberry cheesecake, blueberry cheesecake
Magnolia Bakery (multiple locations): pecan caramel cheesecake

Cookies

L’Appartement 4F (west village): favorite & exceptional. (BEST) tahini chocolate chip cookie au sel de mer, iced latte with pistachio milk
Culture Espresso (midtown): favorite. chocolate chip cookie
Levain Bakery (flatiron/noho/midtown west/more locations): chocolate chip walnut cookie, dark chocolate peanut butter chip
Red Gate Bakery (east village): chocolate toffee cookie

Croissants

Lafayette Bakery (noho): pistachio supreme croissant
Librae Bakery (east village): favorite & exceptional. za’atar labneh morning bun, dirty chai sticky bun, loomi babka bun, pistachio rose croissant, tahini date latte

Cupcakes

Molly’s Cupcakes (west village): favorite. creme brulee, cake batter, butterscotch
Sprinkles Cupcakes (multiple locations): red velvet, banana
Billy’s Bakery (multiple locations): carrot, banana

Donuts

Angelina Bakery (midtown west): favorite. chantilly cream bombolone (Italian donut)

Scones

Brunch

Clinton Street Baking Company (lower east side): blueberry pancakes with warm maple butter
The Cookshop (chelsea): huevos rancheros

Chai

The Chai Spot (lower east side): favorite. traditional cardamom chai, coconut rose chai
Qahwah House (west village): yemeni chai pot

Chinese

Joe’s Shanghai (chinatown): pork soup dumplings

Coffee Shops

Culture Espresso (midtown): chocolate chip cookie.
Fabrique Bakery (meatpacking): favorite. cardamom bun, americano, hot tea
La Cabra (soho): favorite. matcha latte oat milk with 1 pump simple syrup
Librae Bakery (east village): favorite & exceptional. za’atar labneh morning bun, dirty chai sticky bun, loomi babka bun, pistachio rose croissant, tahini date latte

Cuban/Latin

Victor’s Cafe (midtown west): red sangria, ensalada de aguacate y berro, cilantro cuban tamale, tres leches

French

Le Bernardin – 3 Michelin Star (midtown): favorite & outstanding experience, pricey. black truffle tagliatelle, salmon tartare, hazelnut praline

Greek

The Greek (tribeca): bifteki – beef patties, feta cheesecake
Estiatorio Milos (midtown west): milos special fried eggplant zucchini tower, Greek salad, grilled vegetables

Healthy Fast Food

Locations all over NYC

Dig Inn favorite. wild salmon, sweet potatoes
Sweetgreen

Holiday Markets

Located at Bryant Park & Union Square

No Chewing Allowed favorite. dark hot chocolate

Hot Chocolate

No Chewing Allowed (holiday market only between Thanksgiving and New Year, WTC Oculus): favorite. dark hot chocolate

Ice-Cream

Caffe Panna (gramercy): favorite. cookies n panna with fudge & oreo brittle, red flag with panna, strawberry drizzle & graham crunch.

Indian

Bungalow – Michelin Bib Gourmand (east village): favorite & exceptional. yogurt kebabs, five cheese kulcha, anarkali chicken, chicken amrit, daal bungalow, chicken biryani, rose kulfi, mango three ways, masala chai
Dilli Dilli (midtown west): favorite. koyla chicken, gilafi paneer, dilli dilli tikki, marwadi baingan, pandara road butter chicken, roomali roti, masala chai, golgappa margarita, coconut dillight – mocktail.
Indian Accent (midtown west): favorite & exceptional. potato sphere chaat, bengal rice khichdi, baked sea bass, makhan malai, doda burfi
Junoon (flatiron): eggplant chaat, piri piri shrimp, murgh lababdar, daal makhni, junoon spice naan with gruyere
Baar Baar (east village): dahi puri, potato tikki, paneer pinwheels
Jazba (east village): pipli cocktail, paneer teh pe teh, green chili chicken, ros omelet prawn, romali roti, chur chur.

Italian

Torrisi – 1 Michelin Star (nolita): favorite. tortellini pomodoro, cucumbers New Yorkese, rainbow cookies, bread & butter
Carbone (greenwich village): favorite. spicy rigatoni vodka, zucchini flowers, Italian rainbow cookie cake, carrot cake
L’Artusi (west village): favorite. olive oil cake, spaghetti
Rubirosa (nolita): fresca, vodka, tie-dye, tuscan kale campanelle pasta

Japanese

Nobu 57 (midtown west): favorite. miso black cod, Peruvian chicken skewers

Korean

Hangawi (midtown east): favorite. lychee mojito, stuffed shitake mushrooms, bean curd with kimchi, combination pancakes, tofu chocolate pudding

Mexican

La Esquina (lower east side): grilled corn, grilled fish tacos

Michelin Star Restaurants

Bungalow – Michelin Bib Gourmand (indian/east village): favorite & exceptional. yogurt kebabs, five cheese kulcha, anarkali chicken, chicken amrit, daal bungalow, chicken biryani, rose kulfi, mango three ways, masala chai
Le Bernardin – 3 Michelin Star (french/midtown): favorite & outstanding experience, pricey. black truffle tagliatelle, salmon tartare, hazelnut praline
Pranakhon Thai Restaurant – Michelin Bib Gourmand (west village): thai red curry, curry pancake
Torrisi – 1 Michelin Star (italian/nolita): favorite. tortellini pomodoro, cucumbers New Yorkese

Middle-Eastern/Moroccan

Mamoun’s Falafel (west village): falafel
Casa La Femme (west village): branzino, french fries, babaghanoush, hummus, crabmeat kofta

Pizza

L’Industrie Pizzeria (west village): favorite & outstanding. burrata pizza, tartufo pizza
Roberta’s (midtown east, brooklyn): favorite. Margherita
Rubirosa (nolita): favorite. fresca, vodka, tuscan kale campanelle pasta
Joe’s Pizza (west village): fresh mozzarella, plain cheese
Razza Pizza (downtown jersey city): margherita

Romantic Restaurants

Salinas (chelsea): red sangria, croquetas del dia, seco paella
La Lanterna di Vittorio (greenwich village): pesto lasagna, pomodoro e basilico, tiramisu, warm pecan pie
Casa La Femme (west village): branzino, french fries, babaghanoush, hummus, crabmeat kofta
The River Cafe (dumbo): chocolate Brooklyn Bridge cake

Spanish

Salinas (chelsea): red sangria, croquetas del dia, seco paella

Street Food

The Halal Guys (midtown west): chicken & rice

Thai

Thai Villa (flatiron): favorite & exceptional. royal pad thai, hok talay, coconut sticky rice, Thai iced tea
Pranakhon Thai Restaurant Michelin Bib Gourmand (west village): thai red curry, curry pancake
Mitr Thai (midtown west): favorite. chicken kea mao, shrimp green curry, mango avocado salad
Soothr (east village): chicken ki mao, koong karee

Trendy

Catch (meatpacking district): cod lettuce wraps, mushroom spaghetti, hit me cake

Vegan

Planta (nomad): rainbow roll, avocado lime tartare

OVERRATED NYC RESTAURANTS

Afternoon Tea at The Palm Court – The Plaza Hotel: it’s an experience at a landmark hotel, but the food is overrated, especially for the price tag.
Bar Pitti: rude service, obnoxious staff. Food is average except for the famous pappardelle alla fiesolana.
Ilili: it’s not the same anymore, their food has been off the last two times I visited.
Massara: delicious pizza, however unmemorable pasta, overpriced & small portions.
Prince Street Pizza: overhyped, wasn’t impressed, nothing special about the sauce.
Semma – 1 Michelin Star: unpopular opinion, but I don’t get the hype. extremely spicy South Indian food, ghee & coconut oil heavy – hard to digest.
Veniero’s: overrated. not the best cheesecake in NYC, so disappointed with the classic Italian desserts.