When tourists question what to eat in New York, the New York-style pizza, which the Italians brought to the city is the FIRST suggestion. But did you know that New York, which receives immigrants from many parts of the world, has amazing Jewish, Asian, Middle-Eastern, and of course European counterparts to the famous pizza? So let’s put that slice of the obvious aside and explore other New York delicacies.
What To Eat In New York: Portions, Classic Menu, and Cultural Menu
New York is an exciting city that does not sleep and is always on the move. So is the food! Although America, the homeland of fast food culture, is usually categorized with fast food dishes like pizzas and burgers, I can easily say that if you happen to be in New York, you can come across OTHER unique tastes and authentic foods from all the cuisines of the world. It is very natural that New York, which receives heavy immigration from Europe, Asia and many other places, reflects this diversity in its food culture.
So in this article, we cater to those who want a classic taste of New York with the American menu in mind (milkshakes, cheesecakes, pizzas, and the burger) but also the flip-side of New York where many international flavors come to cheer up your palate and become a must-taste when you go to New York!
Keep in mind the portions:
What to eat in New York depends on if you are alone or with friends. While New York, one of the most crowded and lively cities in the world with a population of approximately 20 million, reflects the richness of culinary cultures blended from many parts of the world, I can say that the portions are generally larger. The solution if you are alone: Ask if they can make half for you.
1. New York Style Bagel
The New York Style bagel is a chewy, doughy, sour cream infused blast of flavor eaten during breakfast.
The bagel brought to New York by Jewish immigrants, is among the best symbols of the city that never sleeps, especially when you’re hungry in the morning after lively nights. While the brilliance of its exterior appeals to your eyes, its crispness leaves a distinct flavor on your palate. The inside of the bagel has a soft texture as it is a bread whose main ingredients are milk, flour, yeast, oil and eggs.
Ingredients such as sesame, oats, poppy, cinnamon-raisins can decorate the delicious bagels, as well as plain types. Products such as tomatoes, cream cheese and salami are usually put inside. Even eggs and salmon offer a delicious breakfast. You can try the everything bagel for extra bragging rights.
2. Donut
You cannot wonder what to eat in New York and get tempted to go to Dunkin Donuts. While we skipped on the Italian influence of Pizza, we will not be skipping their donuts!
Prepared with ingredients such as eggs, flour, yeast, milk, butter, sugar, vanilla, the inside of the puffy dough can be empty or filled with some products. The tops of the donuts are decorated with many different products such as white/cocoa chocolate, coconut, powdered pistachios, raspberries, and colorful candies.
New York Donuts, which seem to never lose their popularity, have a special place in the hearts of New Yorkers with their very different varieties.
3. Bacon, Egg, Cheese
This option can be observed in the above-mentioned New York Style Bagel but the bread is different from a sandwich.
One of the indispensable foods of New York, Bacon, Egg, Cheese sandwich is very filling and nutritious. The meal won the hearts of Americans with its high calorie yet delicious taste, making it the star of breakfasts.
This sandwich, which is also ideal for lunch or dinner, appeals to those who love the combination of bacon, eggs, and cheese.
4. Pastrami On Rye
Next on our list of what to eat in New York is another Jewish classic: Pastrami On Rye.
This is a sandwich type identified with New York culture as it is a practical and economical meal as well as a city-specific flavor during your New York tour. The main ingredient of the dish consists of bacon, and if you are keen on this taste, Pastrami on Rye promises you an unforgettable eating pleasure.
Bacon slices are often placed on rye bread with spicy mustard. Pickled gherkins are among the details that make this dish a signature dish. Katz Delicatessen is one of the best places for this delicious and satisfying sandwich.
5. Hot Dog
One of the legendary flavors for 150 years, serving a feast of taste with its sausage and various sauces, the NY Hot Dog is one of the favorite snacks you can taste in New York.
A hot dog is cheap but caters to kids who grow up in New York, the everyday man who is working his shift, actors and actresses, and even politicians. Clearly a New York hotdog is one of the favorite tastes of almost everyone, big or small.
This dish belongs to the city’s classic fast food culture as it is a practical meal alternative that you can consume as a snack or meal and can be found in many places.
This way you can have a quick meal in the fast city and continue your tour right away! Head to Crif Dogs or you can easily find them in street vendors, restaurants and cafes.
6. Soft Pretzel
There is nothing more New York than the Soft Pretzel served with yellow mustard or cheese sauce. Among the places to eat soft pretzels in New York, Auntie’s Anne is a good address.
The classic knots provide flavor that can appeal to both your eyes and your palate. You can enjoy the brown salty bun with a crispy crust and a soft inside, which is claimed to be originally from Germany, to satisfy your hunger or for breakfast.
There are also many different varieties such as chocolate and almond as well.
7. New York Cheesecake
The New York style Cheesecake New York is among the tastiest and most popular desserts of the 20th century. New York Cheesecake was owned by a restaurant owner (Arnold Reuben) living in the city and has been on many menus under this name since 1929.
New York style cheesecake, which is set apart from the cheesecake types made in many parts of the world in some aspects, can offer you the sweet taste, freshness and energy you are looking for. Cheesecake, one of the city’s special desserts, has a unique flavor with more intense cream cheese and lemon flavor.
Blending this smooth, soft cream with the biscuit base creates an irresistible taste.
8. Buffalo Wing
When your favorite beverage accompanies the chicken wings blended with buffalo sauce, you can become a regular in this feast of taste. Buffalo Wing, which is more of a snack, is among the delicacies served in many of New York’s restaurants, bars and cafes.
The sauce of chicken wings, which is made by frying in oil, is prepared in different ways. It is especially common to eat chicken wings dipped in hot sauce and served with carrots and celery.
9. Black and White Cookie
While black and white cream varieties cover the top of the cookies in a Yin & Yang-like appearance, a delicious cake greets you on the inside.
Eating and drinking in the rich flavors of New York might make you want to mellow down with some cookies and coffee. Find them in Russ & Daughters on Houston Street.
New York’s Black and White Cookies are types of cookies, which are often consumed by Americans for the nostalgia of growing up and eating these.
10. Burgers
If you crave hamburgers in New York, you don’t have to go far to find the best burgers in the world and satisfy your craving in many places. I can say that the sizes of these delicious burgers, which can be prepared in different varieties with many sauces and ingredients, are usually quite large.
11. Milkshake
Knowing what to eat in New York boils down to knowing what the children of New York grew up on. Milkshakes have been a fan favorite since the 1950s thanks to their cold and sweet flavor. The New York Milkshake was first served with vanilla ice cream on milk prepared with malt yeast, milk, and chocolate syrup, but today it can be served in many different ways.
Stop by Black Tap Craft Burgers, which is famous for making milkshakes despite being a burger place.
This can be an experience that knows no boundaries in creativity, you can let your inner child go wild here.
12. Cronut
Discovered by French-American pastry chef Dominique Ansel in 2013, the cronut has a flavor between a croissant and a donut, one of the most popular desserts of these two cultures: a mixture of donut and croissant.
This dish literally went viral in New York.
After preparing a laminated dough, it is fried in grape oil. After cooking, it is filled with cream, rolled with sugar, and finally covered with glaze. So head to Dominique Ansel Bakery for the most exotic and original cronuts.
13. Falafel
Although its homeland is Israel and the Middle East region, falafel is a New York classic! The main ingredient of falafel, which is one of the favorites of vegan and vegetarian diets thanks to chickpeas. In some places, it can also be prepared with other legumes.
Falafel, which is appetizing, is a meal that is mostly preferred as a snack. When served with tahini sauce, you can’t get enough of its taste.
After grinding the chickpeas, they are flavored with garlic, tahini and various spices and then fried in the form of meatballs in front of you.
One of the best falafel places in New York is Mamoun’s Falafel.
14. Ramen
Amongst the many dishes from many different cultures that have been brought to New York from many parts of the world, Ramen offers New York a Far Eastern influence!
Most consumed in America after Japan and Korea, ramen is a multi-layered dish made from noodles and also meat. Ramen, which is a kind of noodle soup, contains ingredients such as noodles, soy sauce, ginger, meat, and eggs.
In conclusion
Big and thin crust, New York Style Pizza is basically traditional Neapolitan Italy in America but as New York started constantly growing, is not a place that can be defined simply by the American Pizza.
