10 Things to Eat in New York and Where

New York is a cosmopolitan city, a place where cultures from all over the world meet. This international soul is also reflected in its cuisine: in addition to the great American classics such as hot dogs and hamburgers, pizza is now also considered one of New York's most famous and popular dishes. Not to mention desserts, starting with the New York cheesecake or the iconic cupcakes.
Let's find out together which are the 10 things to eat in New York.

1 - Hot dogs

The hot dog is definitely one of New York's iconic dishes. It was back in 1871 when German butcher Charles Feltman started selling them on Coney Island, and nowadays you can find them everywhere, in every corner of New York: in Times Square, at the entrances to Central Park, outside major museums. Of course they are also a favourite stadium food, whatever sport you go to watch.

But why has it spread so fast? In a city that runs and never sleeps like New York, the hot dog is perfect because it's a cheap, on-the-fly food that fits in perfectly with the city's lifestyle. And make sure you have plenty of sauces like a true New Yorker!

• Recommended for: lunch, dinner

• Average cost: €4.00

• Main ingredients: bread, frankfurters, sauces

2 - Hamburger

Another great classic of American cuisine is the American hamburger. It is impossible not to visit New York without ordering at least one. You'll find plenty of places that serve it in the city.

It is a real must-eat and, nowadays, you can find numerous variations: from the classic burger with bread, meat, vegetables, tomatoes and sauce, to the double burger, with everything double, up to vegetarian burgers. And there is no better accompaniment than fries and sauces, the latter being a must. To be really satisfied also order a coke and, if you want to mix it up with the Americans, you could even try the thrill of ordering an American coffee or cappuccino with your burger.

• Recommended: lunch, dinner

• Average cost: from €10.00

• Main ingredients: bread, meat, sauces, vegetables, fries

3 - Pizza

That's right, pizza is one of New York's great classics! Strolling around the skyscrapers you'll come across pizza parlours galore, from multinational chains like Domino's Pizza, to small pizzerias perhaps opened by Italians themselves: it was we who exported it to the city during the great migrations at the beginning of the 20th century.

You will also be pleased to know that New York is home to the best pizza in the United States! Here you can find it, in most cases, thin and nice and big, nothing like the deep pizza in Chicago. You just have to taste it and find the pizzeria that serves the best pizza.

• Recommended for: lunch, dinner

• Average cost: €15.00

• Main ingredients: flour, tomato, mozzarella

4 - Pastrami on Rye

Besides hot dogs, another great American street food classic is Pastrami on Rye, which arrived in New York around 1888, when Sussman Volk, originally from Lithuania, opened his delicatessen shop on Delancey Street . From that time on, the rest is history and today this is a true icon.

The Patrami on Rye is a sandwich with beef and mustard. The meat is prepared with dried herbs and spices, pressed, smoked and steamed, placed inside bread and accompanied with mustard. A real must-eat that you won't want to miss.

• Recommended for: lunch, snack

• Average cost: €15.00

• Main ingredients: beef, bread, mustard

5 - Bagel

You will have realised that in New York, especially for lunch, people prefer fast food because time really does run fast here. And another great classic is the bagel, brought to New York by Eastern European Jews around 1880.

Making bagels is a true art: they have to be soft on the inside and crispy and shiny on the outside. To achieve this effect, they are boiled, not fried, and then baked. We recommend you try the bagels with schmear, a spreadable cheese, and salmon, delicious!

• Recommended: brunch, lunch, snack

• Average cost: €3.00

• Main ingredients: water, flour, yeast

6 - Eggs Benedict

Photo by Jon Mountjoy. If you're in New York on a Sunday you must have brunch, it's a real tradition here. It is a cross between breakfast and lunch and is now popular all over the world.

And one of the big stars of brunch are Eggs Benedict. These are poached eggs served on an English muffin cut in half and toasted. Slices of pork loin and a special sauce made with mayonnaise and butter are then added. Absolutely to be tasted!

• Recommended for: brunch

• Average cost: €10.00

• Main ingredients: poached eggs, english muffin, pork loin

7 - New York Cheesecake

And now to the desserts, because for those with a sweet tooth, New York is a veritable paradise! And we begin our discovery of the most iconic New York desserts with the Cheesecake. But not just any cheesecake: New York Cheesecake, the mother of all cheesecakes, exists here. You'll find it in every restaurant in town!

It probably dates back to 1929, when it was created by restaurant owner Arnold Reuben, and has been a favourite dessert ever since. It consists of a biscuit and butter base, the thickest part consisting of cream cheese and sour cream and a topping usually of berries, but today there are many variations. Jelly is not needed, as this cheesecake is baked in the oven.

• Recommended for: breakfast, snack, after meal

• Average cost: per slice €4.00

• Main ingredients: biscuits, butter, cheese, sour cream

8 - Doughnut

Among sweets, you can't miss one of the American symbols: the famous doughnut, or donuts, now known and spread all over the world, also thanks to cartoons like The Simpsons. In New York you will find them everywhere and New Yorkers go crazy for these doughnuts. Even in 2013, the fashion for the hybrid croissant/doughnut, called'cronuts', has spread.

American donuts are the classic coloured glazed doughnuts, covered with sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles and coloured sprinkles, with fillings such as chocolate, cream or fruit. Super calorific for sure, but they are a great source of energy for exploring all over the city. They're also very Instagrammable, so have fun taking the perfect photo between New York avenues!

• Recommended for: always

• Average cost: €2.00

• Main ingredients: flour, milk, butter, eggs, sugar

9 - Cupcakes

Another great classic is cupcakes, a true New York speciality. You can find small shops selling only cupcakes in many different flavours, you definitely have to try the red velvet ones. They were first mentioned in 1796 in a cookbook, with instructions on how to bake cakes in small cups.

And indeed, we can define cupcakes as small cakes, each baked in its own ramekin, be it ceramic or paper. The dough consists of butter, sugar, flour, eggs and milk, while on top they are decorated with classic American buttercream. Nowadays there are so many variations, from vanilla cupcakes to chocolate and pistachio cupcakes, as well as more special flavours designed for occasions such as Christmas or Halloween.

• Recommended for: always

• Average cost: per piece from €3.00

• Main ingredients: butter, sugar, flour, eggs and milk, buttercream

10 - Pancakes

And we conclude this list of things to taste in New York with the ever-present pancakes. Now widespread all over the world, here in New York you will find them in really many breakfast places and in the collective imagination they represent a bit of the American breakfast. Impossible, therefore, not to try them.

They are fluffy pancakes made with eggs, flour, sugar and milk, cooked in a special pan greased with butter. Once ready, they can be served in many ways: the most classic version is to stack them on top of each other and serve them with maple syrup and fruit. Of course they are also delicious with jam, chocolate or peanut butter.

• Recommended for: breakfast, brunch

• Average cost: €10.00

• Main ingredients: eggs, darin, sugar, milk

Where to eat in New York: best restaurants, cafes and street food

New York has never stood out for a particular or typical cuisine but, given its international and cosmopolitan soul, here you can find cuisines and flavours from all over the world. Strolling along its streets, surrounded by tall skyscrapers, you can find Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Indonesian and many other restaurants side by side.

The places that crowd the city, especially Manhattan, are countless and, since New York is the city that never sleeps, it is not difficult to find places that are open 24 hours a day. However, lunch is generally quick, especially for office workers, and Americans tend to dine early in the evening, as early as 6pm. You should definitely try the experience of ordering a hot dog in one of the little bars all over the city, eating a cupcake in Times Square or enjoying a slice of pizza in one of the many small pizzerias around every corner.

1 - Gray's Papaya

• Description: one of New York's most popular hot dog places, so much so that even former President Obama was photographed here

• Speciality: Recession Special (two hot dogs + a papaya drink)

• Average price: from €5.00 per person

• Address: 2090 Broadway - Get directions

2 - Burger Joint

• Description: Restaurant near Fifth Avenue and Central Park, located inside Le Parker Meridien hotel. Here you can eat one of the best burgers in New York.

• Speciality: Burger

• Average price: from €20.00 per person

• Address: 119 W 56th St - Get directions

3 - Katz's Delicatessen

• Description: Open since 1888, here you can taste the best pastrami in New York. Stopping here is a real step back in time.

• Speciality: Katz's Pastrami

• Average price: from €30.00 per person

• Address: 205 E Houston St - Get directions

4 - Amy Ruth's

• Description: Located in Harlem, here you can enjoy one of the best Chicken & Waffles in the US. Odd combination, but worth trying

• Speciality: chicken & waffles

• Average price: from €35.00 per person

• Address: 113 W 116th St - Get directions

5 - Ellen's Stardust Diner

• Description: One of New York's most unique places to spend the evening. Here the waiters dance and sing on the tables, creating a unique show.

• Speciality: burgers

• Average price: from €50.00 per person

• Address: 1650 Broadway - Get directions

6 - Freemans

• Description: located on the edge of the East Village, almost hidden in a small alley, you can recognise it by the little blue door. Intimate atmosphere, excellent cuisine. Drinks also excellent. Reservations must be made well in advance

• Specialities: burrata, pesto, Roasted Amish Chicken Breast, filet mignon

• Average price: from €60.00 per person

• Address: Freeman Alley - Get directions

7 - Bubba Gump

• Description: chain made famous by Forrest Gump, located on Broadway, is a perfect place for a quick and informal lunch or dinner, in fact you can even eat at the counter

• Speciality: cayun shrimps

• Average price: from €30.00 per person

• Address: 1501 Broadway - Get directions

8 - Hometown Bar-B-Que

• Description: in Brooklyn perfect for barbecue lovers with typical American flavours.

• Speciality: Barbecue meat

• Average price: from €45.00 per person

• Address: Van Brunt Street, Brooklyn - Get directions

9 - Chelsea Market

• Description: an indoor market that originated where meat used to be butchered. Today, in the Chelsea neighbourhood, you can find everything and of excellent quality.

• Speciality: pizza and seafood

• Average price: from €20.00 per person

• Address: 9th Avenue - Get directions

10 - Keens steakhouse

• Description: a must for lovers of American steak in man vs. food format. T-bones, ribs, tenderloins, all in a typical American steak house setting.

• Speciality: porterhouse

• Average price: from €60.00 per person

• Address: Midtown, West 36th Street - Get directions