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New York food: 8 iconic dishes locals actually eat
From century-old pastrami sandwiches to halal carts and tasty sweets, discover all about New York food with recommendations from Manhoor.
New York is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and that’s something travelers can find in the local food.
Trying the New York food means visiting specific Queens halal carts or century-old delis, and these are all part of a true New York travel experience.
To find out what New York food locals actually eat, we sat down with Mahnoor Bangush, a Holaflyer born and raised in Queens, who shares her picks for the 8 iconic dishes every visitor should try in the Big Apple.
Plus, with a Holafly eSIM for New York, you can navigate to every spot on this list with unlimited data from the moment you land.
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New York-style pizza – huge slices from Joe’s or Lucia Pizza
New York pizza is a bit different from the usual. It has a large, hand-tossed thin crust and is usually sold by the slice to go, which can carry you through the day when planning things to do in New York.
For crisp-texture lovers, this pizza offers thick, crispy edges, which are pliable enough to fold and eat without issues while walking around the Big Apple.
If you want it to be more New York-styled, get the tomato sauce with shredded mozzarella cheese, which is traditional for locals. Plus, take Joe’s Pizza and Lucia Pizza as your go-to spots, recommended by Mahnoor herself.
Halal cart chicken and lamb over rice – late-night street food staple
Halal carts started as a small thing in Midtown Manhattan in the 90s and quickly displaced the city’s popular hot dog carts as the preferred New York street food.
These carts focus on halal food, with the traditional option being chicken shawarma or lamb gyro. These usually come with yellow rice and salad, and based on your preferences, red or white sauce on top.
Keep this in mind: if you want a spicy touch, ask for the red sauce. If you want something fresher, not spicy at all, ask for the white sauce.
Finding halal food in New York isn’t complicated at all, but these are some recommendations by Mahnoor:
“Any of the top Halal carts (especially in Queens) — Mahmoud’s, King of Souvlaki, King of Falafel & Shawarma, Shah’s, Adel’s, and the Halal Guys!”
Everything bagel with cream cheese – a New York classic
Bagels are a New York classic that even series feature from time to time. Ever seen Suits? Harvey and Mike were rarely without one — and for good reason.
But the most popular version is the everything bagel, a savory option coated with a mixture of garlic, onion, sesame seeds, salt, and poppy seeds, then spread with cream cheese.
You can also customize yours with whatever you prefer, like bacon, chives, or any additional toppings you find. The result? A crunchy, flavorful bagel is a non-negotiable dish for Mahnoor that visitors must try.
Pastrami sandwich from Katz’s Delicatessen – NYC’s oldest deli since 1888
Born in 1888, Katz’s Delicatessen deserves a spot in the must-try dishes, as said by Mahnoor.
The iconic Pastrami sandwich features tender, smoked beef brisket on rye bread. These are topped with only mustard in most cases, but that’s up to visitors when visiting one of the most famous New York food spots.
The hand-carved, thick-cut pastrami offers a smoky flavor and succulent texture, making it a staple of New York food.
Travel tip: Katz’s works with a ticket system. Once you order, keep your ticket safe, or you’ll end up paying a hefty fee on top of the delicious sandwich.
New York-style cheesecake – dense and creamy perfection
One of the preferred and must-try dishes for Mahnoor is the New York-style cheesecake.
This version is larger, denser, and has a strong, creamy texture, achieved with large amounts of eggs, heavy cream, or full-fat cream cheese.
The Graham cracker crust remains as the base layer, and depending on where you buy one, you can find small notes of lemon or orange, adding an extra layer of flavor.
Banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery – layers of vanilla wafer heaven
Another recommendation from Mahnoor is Magnolia Bakery, which many Sex and the City fans will remember.
This bakery offers a variety of high-quality desserts, including cakes, cookies, and cupcakes. But the real deal is the banana pudding.
These are made with vanilla wafers, fluffy vanilla pudding, and fresh bananas, and that’s the classic version. You can try other flavors, too, such as Red Velvet Banana Pudding or Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Pudding, which is perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
Cookies from Levain Bakery – massive, gooey, legendary
Levain Bakery started as a humble bakery in Manhattan, but nowadays, it is among the most famous New York bakeries. Make sure to add it to your New York travel guide.
For Mahnoor, this is another must-visit spot, but here’s the thing: their cookies are so good it’s hard to choose just one.
The quirky flavors and the available combos make it hard to choose. But to get the original, go for the Chocolate Chip Walnut!
Vegan food scene – plant-based Korean, Mexican, Italian, and Thai
Food in New York isn’t limited to halal food, delicious sweets, and centuries-old sandwiches; there’s also a spot for vegans.
Here are some recommendations from Mahnoor for those visiting New York:
“Here’s what my vegetarian friends recommend: Hangawii for vegan Korean food, Jajaja for vegan Mexican food, Coletta for vegan Italian food, and Kin’d for vegan Thai food.”
Tipping culture in New York – what visitors need to know
Tipping in New York is part of the culture, and it isn’t limited to food. Actually, it’s pretty common to tip taxis, hotel and salon staff, and even tour guides.
Here’s what Mahnoor told us about tipping:
“I think tipping is very common and expected in the whole of the United States. People mostly tip at restaurants (at least 15-20%), bars (15-20%) and in taxis (15%). You could also be expected to tip hotel and salon staff. “
Travel tip: Take some additional cash with you. It’ll help you tip, but keep in mind that you may incur additional fees if you need to exchange money in New York.
Find New York’s best spots on the move with Holafly
Finding the best food in New York might be complicated for one reason: there are many places to visit!
With an eSIM-compatible phone, you can get an eSIM for New York with unlimited data, 24/7 customer support, and 5G speeds for up to 90 days.
Feel like staying longer to try out all iconic dishes? Consider Holafly Plans, a monthly subscription with coverage in 170+ destinations with a single eSIM.
Plus, at Holafly, we make travel easier by including 1 GB of Always On data with every eSIM purchase to keep you covered. Keep your Holafly eSIM installed and stay connected, no matter how difficult traveling gets.
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
