Dear travelers,
New York City is not a place where you eat. It’s a place where you plan your days around food, walk 20,000 steps to “digest,” and still go to bed thinking about what you should have tried instead.
Before going, I had a list. A very ambitious list. And even after all the eating we did, NYC laughed gently in my face and whispered: “You’ll have to come back.”
This post is my experience-based NYC food guide, the iconic dishes, the famous spots, the ones worth the hype, and the ones that are more about the moment than the flavor.
Let’s eat our way through NYC.
Bagels – What Says “New York” More Than a Bagel?
If pizza is the global symbol of NYC, bagels are the local love language.
Why NYC bagels are different
Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside
Bigger than what we’re used to in Europe
Served loaded and I mean loaded
Prices & portions
Prices usually start at 6–7€
Can easily go up to 15€
Depends on what you add:
Egg
Bacon
Pastrami
Cream cheese (and about milion variations of it)
Important note:
These bagels are huge. You will not be hungry afterward. This is not a “cute breakfast moment.” This is a full meal.
Choose your bagel type
One of my favorite things is that you build your own bagel:
Plain – classic, safe, always good
Whole grain – for when you want to pretend you’re being healthy
Everything bagel – the real NYC star
What’s an everything bagel?
It’s covered in:
Sesame seeds
Poppy seeds
Dried garlic
Dried onion
Salt
Where we tried bagels
Broad Nosh Bagels
Go Bagels
Both were:
Fresh
Exactly what you imagine when you think of a New York morning
My verdict:
If you eat only one “real” breakfast in NYC, make it a bagel.
American Steakhouses – The NYC Splurge Moment
Let’s talk about American steakhouses, because wow… they are an experience.
This is not casual food. This is “we’re celebrating life” food.
What to expect
Prices usually start from $40 and up
Steak is the star, side dishes are extra
Portions are generous, but yes, your wallet will feel it
The iconic New York steak
The New York strip steak is:
Juicy
Tender
Full of flavor
One of the most famous cuts in American steakhouses
Where we went
Dallas BBQ (New Jersey)
The Capital Grill
Both delivered:
High-quality meat
Classic steakhouse atmosphere
That “this feels very American” vibe
My verdict:
Pricey? Yes.
Worth doing at least once? Also yes.
Magnolia Bakery – Banana Pudding, Fame & Sex and the City
I had seen Magnolia Bakery everywhere before coming to NYC:
Instagram
Pinterest
TikTok
Every “NYC must-try food” list ever
So of course, we had to go.
The famous banana pudding
Available in three sizes
Prices start from $6
Creamy, soft, very comforting
Honest opinion?
It was good… but I wasn’t blown away.
Sex and the City moment
One Magnolia Bakery location is iconic because:
It was featured in Sex and the City
Carrie Bradshaw ate a cupcake there
Address: 401 Bleecker Street
You can even try a special cupcake inspired by the show.
Hot Dogs – Street Food That Screams “New York”
When I think of NYC street food, I think of:
Steam rising from metal carts
The smell of onions
Yellow and red bottles of mustard and ketchup
Yes. Hot dogs.
Where we tried them
New York Hot Dog King
Located in front of the MET Museum
Nathan’s Famous
Classic green food stalls (you’ll find them everywhere)
Gray’s Papaya
Cheap, simple, and very New York
Famous not only for hot dogs, but also for their papaya juice
Both were:
Simple
Tasty
Exactly what you want while walking around the city
📍 My verdict:
You don’t need to overthink it.
Grab a hot dog when you’re hungry, tired, and mid-sightseeing. That’s the NYC way.
Cookies – Why American Cookies Hit Different
The US takes cookies very seriously.
We’re talking:
Thick
Soft
Filled with chocolate
Served warm (important detail)
Levain Bakery
Unfortunately, we only tried Levain Bakery, but honestly, that was enough.
Price: around $7 per cookie
Served warm
Chocolate literally melting inside
My verdict:
Expensive for a cookie? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
American Diners – Straight Out of the Movies
One of my NYC dreams was to eat in a classic American diner and yes, it was exactly like in the movies.
Where we went
Near Times Square: Brooklyn Diner
What we ordered
Burgers
Milkshake (with a cherry on top 🍒, obviously)
Coleslaw
Apple pie
Filter coffee
Best part?
They refill your coffee unlimited times.
Price
Around $70 for two people
My verdict:
Do it once, lean into the moment, and pretend you’re in an American movie from the 90s.
Asian Food in NYC – Chinatown & Koreatown Are a Must
If you like Asian food even a little bit, don’t skip this. NYC has some of the best Asian food scenes in the world.
Where to go
Chinatown
Koreatown
We stopped in Koreatown for dinner and tried:
Ramen with homemade noodles
New York Pizza – Thin, Foldable, and Eaten on the Go
You can’t talk about NYC food without talking about pizza. It’s everywhere. And I mean everywhere.
What makes New York pizza special
New York–style pizza is:
Thin-crust
Crispy on the bottom, soft in the middle
Served in huge slices
Prices & expectations
A classic cheese slice is relatively affordable (by NYC standards)
Fancy toppings = higher price
Still one of the best value meals in the city
Bars Worth Visiting (Even Without a Reservation)
Oscar Wilde Bar
Especially magical during Christmas
Looks like a literal Christmas shop
We didn’t have a reservation
Waited a bit, but got in
Cozy, festive, and very NYC.
Nubeluz
If you’re looking for:
Amazing cocktails
Incredible views
This is the place.
Located in the Ritz-Carlton
Reservation recommended
We didn’t have one (of course)
Pro tip:
We waited in the lobby bar, got put on a list, and got called when a table freed up.
Final Thoughts: Is NYC Food Worth the Hype?
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer:
Not everything will blow your mind
Some places are about the experience
Portions are big
Prices can be shocking
But the food culture? Incredible
NYC is a city where:
You eat bagels for breakfast
Hot dogs between museums
Cookies the size of your face
Steak like it’s a special occasion
And ramen at midnight
Don’t miss this blog about New York too.
Truly yours,
The Creation of Us
P.S.: Some of the links are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
