Our List of New York's Food & Drink Highlights
New York probably has more places to eat and drink than many major cities have people. The tyranny of choice can therefore be overwhelming. Having conducted a good amount of research prior to our trip (and having sacrificed our waistlines in the name of primary research whilst there), what follows is a list of places that we really think should be on any wish list of places to visit whilst in New York.
We have written here about how we spent our time in New York. So, our focus in this article is on places that really capture what we understand to be the historic essence of New York. A number of these are the sort of places (or in some cases the actual places) that will be familiar from film and TV and range from elegant cocktail bars (The Campbell) to takeaway hot dogs eaten by the kerb (Chelsea Papaya). Whilst there may be any number of newer, trendier (and pricier) places to visit too, these places won’t disappoint.
Bryant Park Café
Behind the New York Public Library and smack bang in the heart of Manhattan, Bryant Park is a tonic of green nestled amidst the soaring skyscrapers. When sitting or walking through the park, you feel very much as if you are at the heart of the city. It therefore feels like the perfect place to sit down for a drink whilst you take it all in. If the sun is shining and you can take full advantage of the open-air terrace at the Bryant Park Café, then so much the better.
The café, which backs on to the library offers the perfect vista to enjoy it all. In truth, the drinks were pretty expensive for what they were (and for the service, which could diplomatically be described as brusque), but it is the location you are paying for, and some things are just worth the price.
The Campbell
An absolute classic. Pleasingly hidden within Grand Central station, this is a place where time doesn’t really seem to pass and you don’t really care if it does. After my second (or maybe third cocktail), my mind started to imagine that number of missed trains by Mad Men types enjoying their post-work cocktail hour(s).
The Campbell really is all timeless class, without the pretension or pomposity that spoils so many imitators. Maybe not the cheapest (but in my view good value for New York when you factor everything in), the excellent staff have the assured friendliness of not needing to pander to ostentation or passing trends.
If you like cocktails, this is a must. If you have never really gotten into cocktails, then they will make sense as soon as you enter.
PS. You will probably get lost looking for it, but it will be worth it! After visiting, you will also no doubt recognise it on the screen in the future.
Chelsea Papaya
Another undisputed staple of NYC’s culinary heritage is the hot dog. An authentic New York hot dog (specifically from a classic hot dog joint) was something that I was desperate to try, but also somewhat cautious about. Everyone has different tastes, but for me hot dogs can be very hit and miss. For every delicious bratwurst at a German Christmas market is the traumatic childhood memory of some aberration served up at a theme park or local sporting event.
With that in mind, we made a beeline for Chelsea Papaya on West 23rd Street. Even before entering, it was clear that this was the real deal. Simple, established, busy and right in heart of Manhattan. For our first foray into the New York hot dog scene, the only question was whether it should be a classic hot dog or a first experience of either a chilli cheese dog or a corn dog. The answer of course, was all of them!
If it hadn’t have been for the desire to also sample some other hot dog joints too, a second visit to the counter would certainly have been made.
Ess-a-Bagel
Near the top of any ‘must eat’ list in New York should surely be a real NY-style bagel. No place is more closely associated with them, and whilst I had eaten more than my fair share of bagels previously, one bite into one at Ess-a-bagel and I realised that this is frankly another level entirely.
Established in 1976 and with a few different locations around the city, we visited the original on 3rd Avenue in Manhattan and subsequently couldn’t pass up the chance for another one when visiting the Time Out Market in Brooklyn. There are a dizzying array of different options here, but there was no better place to start than with a classic cream cheese on a plain bagel. Call it the control bagel if you will, but this really gives you an idea of quality – and this was fantastic.
Gray’s Papaya
Having started our NYC hot dog adventure at Chelsea Papaya close to our hotel in Midtown, we then continued the hot dog and papaya name theme at Gray’s Papaya on the Upper West Side.
Although the papaya (and other tropical fruit) drink and hot dog combination actually originated at Papaya King (time unfortunately precluded a visit) in 1932, Gray’s Papaya itself has been around for almost 50 years and is perpetually in the conversation for the location of the city’s best hot dog.
J.G. Melon
This fixture of Manhattan’s ritzy Upper East Side has been around since 1972 is quite simply a great place to go for a hamburger. Despite the location and the legion of celebrity fans (even billionaire and former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg called them “the best hamburgers in the world”), this won’t break the bank.
This corner restaurant is relatively small, so when we arrived (albeit on a Friday evening), there was a wait of 45 minutes for a table and a number of people waiting outside to be seated. The fact that the majority appeared to be locals and regulars rather than tourists chasing a trend gave us the strength to wait in spite of our raging hunger. And how we were glad that we did.
Rather than trapsing through an endless list of food porn adjectives, I will just assure you that this was perfect. Exactly what you would hope that a truly great burger is, and then a little bit more. The restaurant décor added to this, as did the fact that there was a really decent amount of space between the tables.
Junior’s
We have eaten and enjoyed a lot of New York-style cheesecake, but never in New York itself. Therefore, the hunt was on for one that would do justice to our inflated expectations. My research led me to settle on Junior’s, a restaurant established in 1950 that now boasts a handful of outlets across the city. Alas, opening hours, location and the fact that we had stuffed ourselves to the point that dessert was often not an option meant that it appeared as if this desire would go unfulfilled.
That was until we unexpectedly happened across a branch at La Guardia airport whilst waiting for out flight to New Orleans. I don’t think I have ever been as excited in airport departure lounge food queue!
Katz’s
Few things are as evocative of New York and its past than the city’s authentic Jewish delicatessens and the dishes they are famed for. Think pastrami on rye, Reuben sandwiches, corned beef and so much more.
Whilst they once formed part of the backbone of the city’s dining scene, with over 1,500 estimated to have existed in 1930’s New York, today there are believed to be only about 20 remaining. Fear not however, because in Katz’s they retain a truly exceptional example.
Having fed the denizens of the Lower East side since 1888, it is fair to say that Katz’s has now been ‘discovered’. Regulars rub shoulders with tourists keen to experience both the culinary heritage (many rank the pastrami on rye as the city’s best) and cinematic history (among various other film and TV credits, this is where that Meg Ryan scene from When Harry Met Sally was filmed). Nevertheless, the place is far from feeling overrun and still has a genuinely authentic feeling to it.
The atmosphere and decoration are incredibly evocative of a time, place and lifestyle, that feels both familiar and remote. And then there is the food! Oh, the food! Firstly, it is terrific, and secondly, there is a lot of it!
Having decided to share a pastrami on rye and a Reuben, it was immediately apparent that this was both incredibly delicious and also far more than we could possibly eat! Again, pastrami, pickles and mustard are not things that are new to us, but the Reuben in particular was a revelation. In fact, it was so good that I couldn’t bring myself to order another one elsewhere for the rest of our trip as I was sure it couldn’t measure up.
Lombardi’s Pizzeria
Bagels, pastrami, hot dogs, burgers, cheesecake – there are certainly a lot of foods closely associated with New York. And then there is pizza. The size, importance and profile of New York’s Italian-American population is legendary, and while Italy will always be regarded as the home of pizza, the role of Italian-Americans and American culture in turning pizza into the worldwide phenomenon that it now is, cannot be underestimated.
With that in mind, where better to head to than Manhattan’s Little Italy, and specifically what is regarded as the USA’s first pizzeria. Established, initially as a grocery store in 1897, Lombardi’s became a pizzeria in 1905 and aside from a 10-year hiatus, has been churning out pizzas ever since.
Although today’s Little Italy is smaller than its heyday, the area depicted in films such as The Godfather retains a number of classic establishments. Lombardi’s is certainly one, all tablecloths, efficient waiters and outrageously good pizza.
Old Town Bar & Restaurant
In continuous operation since 1892, this is one of New York’s oldest bars and in my view still amongst the very best. Another place that will have likely made an appearance in a film or TV programme that you have seen, this place has everything you could want from a bar / tavern.
In describing his ideal pub in The Moon Under Water, George Orwell talked of the central importance of ‘atmosphere’ and this place has it in spades. Combined with the traditional bar fittings, terrific drink selection and some very tasty food, this place is a real favourite.
Pete’s Tavern
Located in the Gramercy Park area of Manhattan close to Union Square, Pete’s Tavern has been going since 1864. In fact, it is New York’s oldest operating bar and restaurant and it is easy to see why.
It’s classic and humming interior combines a real bar feel with something more (white tablecloths, waiters) to produce something that feels distinctive. Cosmopolitan, yet local. An authentic bar/pub, but somehow different. Again, this is exactly the sort of Manhattan established that people have tried to replicate with varying levels of success around the world. Ultimately, what tends to be missing is the hard to describe and certainly impossible to manufacture authenticity and atmosphere. Pete’s Tavern has all of this, but wears it lightly, which is perhaps what it is really all about. There really should be time for a drink here in any trip to New York and when we visited on a Saturday night, we still managed to find a table even though the place was packed.
The Dead Rabbit
Named after an Irish-American street gang active in Lower Manhattan in the mid-nineteenth century, the Dead Rabbit is a much mythologised pub that was named as the world’s best bar a few years ago. The intimate, traditional drinking den atmosphere together with an extensive cocktail list and a frankly astonishing range of whiskies make this a special kind of place.
Our visit coincided with seeking a refuge from the strong icy winds blowing in from the harbour, so the fortifying whisky cocktails really hit the spot.
Time Out Market Brooklyn
As mentioned here, I have some mixed views regarding the Time Out Markets in general, but reservations aside there is no denying that the Brooklyn iteration offers some truly excellent food options in a brilliant location.
I would imagine that this place is perpetually busy with tourists, but the converted riverside warehouse successfully provides the intended industrial chic vibe. Weather permitting there is also the chance to sit outside in the shadow of the Brooklyn bridges.
Throw in a diverse array of dining options (including some New York staples like Ess-a-bagel) and the proximity to the Brooklyn Bridge Park, and this is certainly well worth a visit.
The Considered Journey is a travel blog focused on travel reviews, travel tips and travel guides, all focused on travel inspiration with a view to helping you make the most of your trip and maximise your travel time.
Having travelled across Europe, Asia, South America, North America, and parts of Africa, we have a host of experiences to share with you. As our focus is on helping you make the most of your trip and maximise your travel time, we highlight the best things to eat, best things to drink, best places to go, and best things to do. In addition, we have written a range of airline reviews, hotel reviews, airport lounge reviews and credit card reviews, and also cover topics such as travelling as a couple, career break travel and sabbatical travel.
We understand that circumstances vary from trip to trip, so we cover everything from luxury travel to some more budget travel options, and the traditional to the modern.
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