What are the “Must-Eat" Food choices in New York City for the First-Timer? I'll give my top picks for each food type, as well as interesting alternatives!

This guide could be used by any type of traveler 🧳(groups, families, couples and singles)

This is a live guide, meaning I will update it when I find new favorites or places close. It will automatically sync the changes even after you save it!

Note: Each destination, has an audio message & a timestamped link if it was ever included in my YouTube Channel. Don't forget to check the attached map 🗺 

Must TRY NYC Food for First-Timers (And Where To Eat Them!)

Anthony Bourdain once said about NYC, "We have good deli. We have better deli than you."  The Pastrami and/or Corned Beef Sandwich are distinctly NYC Specialities from the Jewish Immigration from the turn of the 20th century. Unless you're a vegeterian, you have no excuse to skip this experience.

Eating a bagel for breakfast in New York City, is a MUST. My friends from Montreal disagree, but I'll put New York City area bagels up against the world's best.

For the Nova Scotia Salmon ONLY (the Bagels alone are Solid but Unremarkable)

Second Choice: (Afternoon Hours as Well):

Not as well-known to visitors... but ask any New Yorker what their favorite street food is, and you'll almost never hear hot dog. Halal Food has been king, since the 1990's, when the Halal Guys (DO NOT Eat There) opened up their first stand. Halal means permissible in Arabic, and it's food prepared by Muslim Law. 

While I think tourists seek this out more than locals... There is something to be said about the classic New York Hot Dog. Few do it well,  and I think Nathans is quite overrated.

We have an entire dedicated guide to the Best Pizza in NYC. While it was invented in Italy, many locals argue New York "perfected it". A foldable slice that could be taken on the go by immigrant workers. This is one of the most argued questions in the city: Which is best?

I'm going to suggest a few that I think are the essence of New York City slices.

The Classic Fold and Go (My Answer Isn't Joes)

Best Sit Down Restaurant for Coal-Oven Pizza:

I believe the NY Cheesecake also gets more hype from out-of-towners than locals. But I've still eaten my fair share, and am opionated.

lly Lamb or Chicken over Rice, this has become a New York Institution. And in a time of inflation and increasing prices, Halal remains an affordable meal at almost any hour.

Chinatown can feel overwhelming, let me simplify it for you. Let's take a tour of one of New York's Best Destinations for Cheap Eats and Amazing Culture! Chinatown, Manhattan is a foodies dream come true, and I've explored most of it. These picks are all confirmed by my local Chinese-American friends as well, whose opinion I regard highly.

INCLUDED:
1. Cheapest Bites In The City
2. Taiwanese, Malaysian, and Korean Options
3. Best Desserts in Manhattan
4. Soup Dumplings, Noodles, Dim Sum, and MORE!

This guide could be used by any type of traveler 🧳(groups, families, couples and singles)

This is a live guide, meaning I will update it when I find new favorites or places close. It will automatically sync the changes even after you save it!

Note: Each destination, has an audio message & a timestamped link if it was ever included in my YouTube Channel. Don't forget to check the attached map 🗺 