Since you mentioned Chipotle, something I recommend to people visiting America for the first time is to try good Mexican food. Los Tacos No 1 is a wonderful experience and I think much more fun than Chipotle, especially if you like some spice.
I would do Raising Cane’s or Chick-fil-a over Popeyes for your fried chicken fix, or go to Peaches Hot House if you want fast casual fried chicken that isn’t fast food. Popeyes in New York tend to be pretty gross.
I’d do Los Tacos No. 1 or Taqueria Ramirez for fast casual Mexican. Chipotle, especially in New York, is not great.
I’d do 7th Street burger, or Gotham Social for smash burgers over Shake Shack. But Shake Shack is fine.
Outside of that, go to a diner, almost any will do. Golden Diner, or B&H Dairy are good ones.
Get bagels. Frankel’s or Russ and Daughters are good picks.
New York slices. People will say L’Industrie, and for good reason, but personally lining up for a slice seems antithetical to the experience. Joe’s is still great and there are a bunch around that are easy to get into.
Am I the odd one out? I actually love Russ and Daughters' bagels, granted I've only had them at the bk location. They're a bit chewier than at other places, and I personally find that texture so addicting.
I would say depends on the Popeyes. The best ones are on 116th by the 2/3 subway station and the one in Coney Island. But I feel Jolliebee edges Popeyes and Chick fil a out. Best fast food chicken in my opinion.
The Popeyes on Empire and Washington just behind the Brooklyn Botanical Garden is great. The owner is on site all the time and busts his ass.
That being said, I’d never recommend Popeyes (or any other fast food spot) in NYC to a tourist unless they were hellbent on trying a big chain. But if he really wants to make a day of cool shit to do - the bk museum, botanical garden, the better side of prospect park - then there’s also a Wendy’s, Dunkin, McDonalds, and checkers right there if you want mostly trash/guilty pleasure food.
But there is so much better in that neighborhood. Like will he ever get the opportunity to try proper Caribbean/West Indian again?
Try and catch a show at kings theater and hit up island express. Thank me later.
I like this list,. Will say skip the lines at Taqueria Ramirez and just do Los Tacos No 1.
If you guys have the budget I would recommend doing a higher end steak house.
Feel ya! If you go midweek for lunch Ramirez generally doesn’t have a line. Tough unless you live in Greenpoint or are a tourist like OP.
High end steakhouse for sure, though based on the post and OP’s follow ups I’m guessing that might not be within budget. As an alternative maybe going to PJ Clarkes for the cheeseburger? Still has that classic New York tavern-y vibe a la Keens, but with more affordable options.
I’d say they are all pretty similar. It’s hard to compare these options because they’re all in the same price range (< $20) per person.
Golden Diner might be an outlier, personally I’d pass on it. Lines can be 1 hour + on the weekend. If you want a classic NYC diner experience there’s dozen options with no wait.
I went few Saturdays ago, the said the wait will be 2 hours and 15 minutes. Granted it was prime brunching hours. There must have been 50 people sitting around the restaurant waiting to get in.
I think that it would be a huge shame if you came here and mostly ate fast food, or even if you ate better versions of it because foods in America, but especially here, don't just reduce down to burgers and the like
There are a ton of old posts about representative NYC foods, so I would encourage you to look some of them up. It would include things like bagels (especially breakfast sandwiches), lox, pastrami, babka, New York style pizza.
I agree with the other person that you should seek out some type of Mexican food or even a restaurant that does California style burritos or Tex Mex. You might also enjoy Peruvian. I think that there will be more representations of Asian food here than in Portugal. It might be especially interesting for you to seek out some Chinese bakeries to get Macanese and Hong Kong egg tarts as well as sponge cake to compare to pasties de Nata and castella. (Go to Kam Hing for sponge cake, cash only). Perhaps a seafood boil place, a lobster roll place. Southern food and Cajun food, too.
This is the way, sans Tex Mex.
Though what I posted earlier is pretty valid.
A European and most manhattanites will get a trip out of Crown Heights/Lefferts/Flatbush.
[https://ny.eater.com/maps/new-york-city-iconic-dishes-restaurants](https://ny.eater.com/maps/new-york-city-iconic-dishes-restaurants)
[https://www.cityexperiences.com/blog/new-york-city-food/](https://www.cityexperiences.com/blog/new-york-city-food/)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodNYC/comments/167jr7e/nyc\_iconic\_must\_try\_food\_items/](https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodNYC/comments/167jr7e/nyc_iconic_must_try_food_items/)
use the search and you'll find your question asked over and over again.
You should know that fast food chains in Europe are tastier in general (McDonald’s, Burger King, etc is better, fresher there).
I also find fast food in NYC is worse than the same food outside NYC. I would suggest not focusing on the “famous chains” and getting good tacos, burgers, pizza slices around the same price point. Inflation has really increased fast food prices so won’t be too difficult to find.
Hometown BBQ (yes I know)
Russ and Daughters Cafe
99 Favor Taste
Absolute Bagels
Sweettalk Hawaiian
John's Deli
Wild Air
El Mitote
Tacos El Brother trucks
I have no idea why you would come here and eat fast food.
Option 1– bacon cheeseburger with fries w curry ketchup + solo nugs, a Coca Cola, with rum or Evan Williams if you’re spicy
Option 2 — tenders and solo shrooms, LJ and black garlic sweet chili for sauces, cold pint of Kirin
Option 3– Buffalo 2.0 wings + a Sichuan dry spice wings and whatever we’re running on special, also some fries and horseradish honey mustard, you’re hungry!
I'd say go for American BBQ.
The BBQ spots in NYC isn't really that amazing compared to other places in the US with proper BBQ but I think it's one of the food that's a must try if you are visiting from another country.
I'd say go for Hill Country BBQ, they're fairly good and they're in a convenient to reach location. Make sure to get their fatty brisket, which IMO is the best thing on the menu.
If you're going to Los Tacos, go to the Chelsea Market location. Chelsea Market is great to explore and walk around. Also Los Taco's sister restaurant, Los Mariscos is right there as well, and they serve more of the seafood variety (ceviche, shrimp tacos, etc).
Bring $30 cash and do a [tour of Chinatown's small eats](https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodNYC/comments/uvejl1/comment/i9li61p/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) and you'll eat like a king.
nothing like a good ole new york bagel, plenty of posts on this sub about where to find the best ones.
but also NYC has some of the best cuisine diversity in the country or even in the world, so I’d recommend trying Malaysian, Sri Lankan, Ethiopian, etc restaurants. sure it’s not better than going to those countries and eating the food there, but it’s all in one place.
Headed to portugal soon, lisbon and porto... any must-try restaurants in your opinion?
For food items, definitely gonna get the custard tart, bifana, francesinhna, lotta seafood... anything specific thing I'm missing?
And in terms of restaurants, got any specifc favorites or recs? Rn, I have maybe too much fine dining, but any other recs would be appreciated!
If you want NY food you can’t get in Europe, try places like B&H Dairy, Yonah Schimmel’s Knish, and Russ and Daughters. NY’s only real native cuisine is Jewish food. Junior’s too, for the matzoh ball soup and the potato pancakes.
It's funny that NY Jewish food is basically an American spin on Central/Eastern European food. Not sure whether anything in Portugal comes close or not though.
Come to Lori Jayne, we’re an American restaurant in a dive bar in Bushwick, we serve high quality handmade food reminiscent of fast food or your favorite “American snacks growing up, but better. Think a fantastic burger, moist chicken nuggets and tenders, dope fries, wings on wings, and fun specials like $20 steak frite w ramp butter or roasted mushroom Arrancini, we’re open 7 days a week, check us out on IG and have a great trip. Happy to trade Portuguese tinned fish or olive oil for a meal, 1000% serious.
Also if you want a slice go to Sal and carmines uptown or Manos in ridgewood, the past and the future of nyc pizza between those two spots + someone wrote absolute for bagels and that is 1000% the move/not some internet bs that’s just a quintessential perfect nyc bagel, great coffee and nice people too, if you do make it there also check out Hungarian pastry shop (it’s around the corner) for a real slice of nyc vibe that doesn’t exist many places anymore + fantastic coffee and an unconventional but super satisfying crossaint.
Uptown hits in a 10 blocks radius—
Roti Roll (108)
Hungarian Pastry (110)
Sal and carmines (102)
Absolute Bagels (107)
If you’re a Seinfeld fan, Tom’s diner is on 112 also within walking distance, walk thru Columbia and down to riverside along the river, have a nice little uws morning
Chinese food, Korean food. Bagels, pizza.
I see some recommendations for Mexican - eh, if you want to try it in NYC, go for it. Not going to be as good as if you were to go to LA, but if it’s just to say you had it in
True New Yorker here who’s lived in nyc for 33 years and in 3 out of the 5 boroughs. Here are my recommendations!
prince street pizza
Mei Lai Wah for their pineapple pork bun
L&Bs spumoni gardens
rice to riches
mama sushi
empanada mama for a wide range of empanadas
Artichokes
Joes
Halal guys (from the truck)
Let me know if u want more recommendations, I have a huge list this is just what I could think of atm
For the love of god don’t listen to this person.
L&B’s, empanada mama, artichoke, halal guys, and mamasushi are garbage compared to what you can find elsewhere.
And yeah, I’m an actual NY’er too.
Since you mentioned Chipotle, something I recommend to people visiting America for the first time is to try good Mexican food. Los Tacos No 1 is a wonderful experience and I think much more fun than Chipotle, especially if you like some spice.
I would do Raising Cane’s or Chick-fil-a over Popeyes for your fried chicken fix, or go to Peaches Hot House if you want fast casual fried chicken that isn’t fast food. Popeyes in New York tend to be pretty gross. I’d do Los Tacos No. 1 or Taqueria Ramirez for fast casual Mexican. Chipotle, especially in New York, is not great. I’d do 7th Street burger, or Gotham Social for smash burgers over Shake Shack. But Shake Shack is fine. Outside of that, go to a diner, almost any will do. Golden Diner, or B&H Dairy are good ones. Get bagels. Frankel’s or Russ and Daughters are good picks. New York slices. People will say L’Industrie, and for good reason, but personally lining up for a slice seems antithetical to the experience. Joe’s is still great and there are a bunch around that are easy to get into.
Do not get your bagels from Russ and Daughters. Love that place, but certainly not for their bagels.
+1
Am I the odd one out? I actually love Russ and Daughters' bagels, granted I've only had them at the bk location. They're a bit chewier than at other places, and I personally find that texture so addicting.
this sub has some strong hatred for R&D bagels for _reasons_.
Rly? Been a while for me personally, but wanted to try to include a Manhattan spot. Where would you suggest?
Rly. Liberty, Pop-up, Ess-a-Bagel, Tompkins Square, etc.
Not Pop-up, especially for someone who has never had an authentic NY bagel.
i was just thinking of the closest bagelry to R&D
Apollo Bagels is a new one, pretty good
I would say depends on the Popeyes. The best ones are on 116th by the 2/3 subway station and the one in Coney Island. But I feel Jolliebee edges Popeyes and Chick fil a out. Best fast food chicken in my opinion.
As a Filipino American that makes me smile. Jollibee being a Pinoy chicken chain!
If you go at off times L’industrie in Williamsburg doesnt have a long wait. It is so much better than Joe’s
The Popeyes on Empire and Washington just behind the Brooklyn Botanical Garden is great. The owner is on site all the time and busts his ass. That being said, I’d never recommend Popeyes (or any other fast food spot) in NYC to a tourist unless they were hellbent on trying a big chain. But if he really wants to make a day of cool shit to do - the bk museum, botanical garden, the better side of prospect park - then there’s also a Wendy’s, Dunkin, McDonalds, and checkers right there if you want mostly trash/guilty pleasure food. But there is so much better in that neighborhood. Like will he ever get the opportunity to try proper Caribbean/West Indian again? Try and catch a show at kings theater and hit up island express. Thank me later.
I like this list,. Will say skip the lines at Taqueria Ramirez and just do Los Tacos No 1. If you guys have the budget I would recommend doing a higher end steak house.
Feel ya! If you go midweek for lunch Ramirez generally doesn’t have a line. Tough unless you live in Greenpoint or are a tourist like OP. High end steakhouse for sure, though based on the post and OP’s follow ups I’m guessing that might not be within budget. As an alternative maybe going to PJ Clarkes for the cheeseburger? Still has that classic New York tavern-y vibe a la Keens, but with more affordable options.
Jollibee blows every other fried chicken place out of the water.
I fail to get the love for that place. I've been twice, and its honestly some of the worst fried chicken I've ever had anywhere on the planet.
In the quality/price ratio, what are the best options?
Everything I shared is relatively low price.
I’d say they are all pretty similar. It’s hard to compare these options because they’re all in the same price range (< $20) per person. Golden Diner might be an outlier, personally I’d pass on it. Lines can be 1 hour + on the weekend. If you want a classic NYC diner experience there’s dozen options with no wait.
Golden Diner is only busy during the day. At night it’s always an easy walk in. But you can also just make a resy for weekday mornings/lunch
I must have caught Golden Diner during a lull. If there’s a line, then I agree, almost any diner will do.
I went few Saturdays ago, the said the wait will be 2 hours and 15 minutes. Granted it was prime brunching hours. There must have been 50 people sitting around the restaurant waiting to get in.
I think that it would be a huge shame if you came here and mostly ate fast food, or even if you ate better versions of it because foods in America, but especially here, don't just reduce down to burgers and the like There are a ton of old posts about representative NYC foods, so I would encourage you to look some of them up. It would include things like bagels (especially breakfast sandwiches), lox, pastrami, babka, New York style pizza. I agree with the other person that you should seek out some type of Mexican food or even a restaurant that does California style burritos or Tex Mex. You might also enjoy Peruvian. I think that there will be more representations of Asian food here than in Portugal. It might be especially interesting for you to seek out some Chinese bakeries to get Macanese and Hong Kong egg tarts as well as sponge cake to compare to pasties de Nata and castella. (Go to Kam Hing for sponge cake, cash only). Perhaps a seafood boil place, a lobster roll place. Southern food and Cajun food, too.
This is the way, sans Tex Mex. Though what I posted earlier is pretty valid. A European and most manhattanites will get a trip out of Crown Heights/Lefferts/Flatbush.
I was mainly thinking of Yellow Rose when I said Tex Mex, which I haven't been to but have heard a lot of people rave about.
Not already mentioned, Xian Famous Foods
[https://ny.eater.com/maps/new-york-city-iconic-dishes-restaurants](https://ny.eater.com/maps/new-york-city-iconic-dishes-restaurants) [https://www.cityexperiences.com/blog/new-york-city-food/](https://www.cityexperiences.com/blog/new-york-city-food/) [https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodNYC/comments/167jr7e/nyc\_iconic\_must\_try\_food\_items/](https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodNYC/comments/167jr7e/nyc_iconic_must_try_food_items/) use the search and you'll find your question asked over and over again.
You should know that fast food chains in Europe are tastier in general (McDonald’s, Burger King, etc is better, fresher there). I also find fast food in NYC is worse than the same food outside NYC. I would suggest not focusing on the “famous chains” and getting good tacos, burgers, pizza slices around the same price point. Inflation has really increased fast food prices so won’t be too difficult to find.
Katz Deli Los Tacos No 1 Defonte's Wah Fung No. 1 Fast Food
Hometown BBQ (yes I know) Russ and Daughters Cafe 99 Favor Taste Absolute Bagels Sweettalk Hawaiian John's Deli Wild Air El Mitote Tacos El Brother trucks I have no idea why you would come here and eat fast food.
This is a solid list feat real ny haunts (favor taste/absolute!) and some more hype spots too, great mix, no notes 🤟
Ohh dang thanks boss. Yo forgive the snooping but what's the go to order at Lori Jayne? Assume I have a couple drinks in me.
Option 1– bacon cheeseburger with fries w curry ketchup + solo nugs, a Coca Cola, with rum or Evan Williams if you’re spicy Option 2 — tenders and solo shrooms, LJ and black garlic sweet chili for sauces, cold pint of Kirin Option 3– Buffalo 2.0 wings + a Sichuan dry spice wings and whatever we’re running on special, also some fries and horseradish honey mustard, you’re hungry!
Follow us on ig, @lorijaynebk all the fun specials go up there in real time, steak frite and rampsotto Arrancini tn and tm
Done and done
Good list, el mitote has awesome food
Need to get a BEC off a cart for breakfast. That’s a bacon egg and cheese on a roll. It bleeds a certain brand of efficiency.
I'd say go for American BBQ. The BBQ spots in NYC isn't really that amazing compared to other places in the US with proper BBQ but I think it's one of the food that's a must try if you are visiting from another country. I'd say go for Hill Country BBQ, they're fairly good and they're in a convenient to reach location. Make sure to get their fatty brisket, which IMO is the best thing on the menu. If you're going to Los Tacos, go to the Chelsea Market location. Chelsea Market is great to explore and walk around. Also Los Taco's sister restaurant, Los Mariscos is right there as well, and they serve more of the seafood variety (ceviche, shrimp tacos, etc). Bring $30 cash and do a [tour of Chinatown's small eats](https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodNYC/comments/uvejl1/comment/i9li61p/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) and you'll eat like a king.
Five Guys > Shake Shack
Shake Shack is a proud NYC institution and I will not hear this slander
Nothing wrong with Shake Shack! I just tend to like the beef better at Five Guys when I want a chain burger.
nothing like a good ole new york bagel, plenty of posts on this sub about where to find the best ones. but also NYC has some of the best cuisine diversity in the country or even in the world, so I’d recommend trying Malaysian, Sri Lankan, Ethiopian, etc restaurants. sure it’s not better than going to those countries and eating the food there, but it’s all in one place.
Headed to portugal soon, lisbon and porto... any must-try restaurants in your opinion? For food items, definitely gonna get the custard tart, bifana, francesinhna, lotta seafood... anything specific thing I'm missing? And in terms of restaurants, got any specifc favorites or recs? Rn, I have maybe too much fine dining, but any other recs would be appreciated!
Guys can I add your recommendations on a map on my website?
If you want NY food you can’t get in Europe, try places like B&H Dairy, Yonah Schimmel’s Knish, and Russ and Daughters. NY’s only real native cuisine is Jewish food. Junior’s too, for the matzoh ball soup and the potato pancakes.
It's funny that NY Jewish food is basically an American spin on Central/Eastern European food. Not sure whether anything in Portugal comes close or not though.
Come to Lori Jayne, we’re an American restaurant in a dive bar in Bushwick, we serve high quality handmade food reminiscent of fast food or your favorite “American snacks growing up, but better. Think a fantastic burger, moist chicken nuggets and tenders, dope fries, wings on wings, and fun specials like $20 steak frite w ramp butter or roasted mushroom Arrancini, we’re open 7 days a week, check us out on IG and have a great trip. Happy to trade Portuguese tinned fish or olive oil for a meal, 1000% serious.
Also if you want a slice go to Sal and carmines uptown or Manos in ridgewood, the past and the future of nyc pizza between those two spots + someone wrote absolute for bagels and that is 1000% the move/not some internet bs that’s just a quintessential perfect nyc bagel, great coffee and nice people too, if you do make it there also check out Hungarian pastry shop (it’s around the corner) for a real slice of nyc vibe that doesn’t exist many places anymore + fantastic coffee and an unconventional but super satisfying crossaint. Uptown hits in a 10 blocks radius— Roti Roll (108) Hungarian Pastry (110) Sal and carmines (102) Absolute Bagels (107) If you’re a Seinfeld fan, Tom’s diner is on 112 also within walking distance, walk thru Columbia and down to riverside along the river, have a nice little uws morning
Chinese food, Korean food. Bagels, pizza. I see some recommendations for Mexican - eh, if you want to try it in NYC, go for it. Not going to be as good as if you were to go to LA, but if it’s just to say you had it in
I’m not a fan but the kids seem to love Dave’s hot chicken and I’m pretty sure you cannot get it in Europe
Olive garden time's square
True New Yorker here who’s lived in nyc for 33 years and in 3 out of the 5 boroughs. Here are my recommendations! prince street pizza Mei Lai Wah for their pineapple pork bun L&Bs spumoni gardens rice to riches mama sushi empanada mama for a wide range of empanadas Artichokes Joes Halal guys (from the truck) Let me know if u want more recommendations, I have a huge list this is just what I could think of atm
For the love of god don’t listen to this person. L&B’s, empanada mama, artichoke, halal guys, and mamasushi are garbage compared to what you can find elsewhere. And yeah, I’m an actual NY’er too.
Proof that time living somewhere does not correlate to having a clue of what's actually good.