New York City is known for many things, including amazing food! Some people worry that a busy, tourist-heavy city like NYC will be packed with terrible touristy food, but that’s not the place. Sure, you get some cheap and nasty stuff - but if you know where to look, then you’ll go on a delightful food adventure. With that in mind, here are the four best New York neighborhoods for food.
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side of Manhattan has been an iconic spot for culinary delights, and it continues to please. This neighborhood is home to some viral eateries - including Katz’s Delicatessen, which is known for its gigantic sandwiches and deli meats. It’s a great area to explore the local cuisine and get a true taste of New York.
Also, if you’re looking for food on the move, then Essex Market is located in the Lower East Side area. This legendary market has served Manhattan locals for over a century with food from a host of local vendors.
Midtown
As the busiest part of NYC, it’s no surprise that Midtown Manhattan is a top place for some seriously good grub. If you’re interested in fine dining or trying some Michelin-starred restaurants, then you have to go here. It’s also home to one of the best boutique hotels in Manhattan NY, The Carnegie Hotel, which is known for the best breakfasts in the city.
One other cool thing about Midtown is that, despite the lavish hotels and restaurants, it boasts plenty of classic street food vendors. If you want an iconic NYC hot dog or pizza slice, you’re sure to find some delicious ones at many of the main tourist attractions - like Times Square or Central Park.
Queens
Many people claim that Queens is the best food borough in NYC, mainly because it celebrates global cooking. Much of New York shows you the typical NYC street foods or more traditional cuisines like French or Italian, but Queens knows diversity like no other. It’s got some wonderful Colombian restaurants, a strong Mexican cuisine scene, some fantastic Nepalese and Bangladeshi eateries, and loads of Asian-inspired places to dine.
You’ll easily slip into a food coma here, but there’s one more major thing to know: Queens is the best area for a New York bagel. Don’t bother getting a bagel anywhere else; this borough has dozens of the best bagel shops around.
Greenwich Village
Most of the food we’ve been talking about is bold and punchy. It’s the stuff you plan to eat for an evening out, but what about your food choices during the day? When traveling to New York City, you need to find loads of great lunch spots to eat at if you’re peckish. Greenwich Village is the ideal place for this, as it feels like it was constructed specifically for cute cafes.
Look up where to eat in Greenwich Village and find an assortment of boutique coffee shops and places with amazing lunch options. It’s the perfect location for moments when you just want to recharge in the middle of the day.
A true foodie won’t leave NYC without visiting all four of these neighborhoods and seeing what they have to offer. You won’t be disappointed - and you’ll likely be very eager to come back for more.