New York State is a powerhouse of American culture, history, and natural beauty, anchored by New York City—the most visited city in the United States. From the iconic skyline of Manhattan to the thundering Niagara Falls, the tranquil Adirondack wilderness, and the rolling vineyards of the Finger Lakes, the state offers an extraordinary range of experiences. Whether you seek world-class museums, outdoor adventure, farm-to-table dining, or vibrant nightlife, New York State delivers on every front.
New York State is arguably the most culinarily diverse food destination in the world. New York City's 26,000+ restaurants span every cuisine on Earth, from Michelin-starred French temples to steaming Cantonese dim sum in Flushing, Queens. The state's culinary identity is anchored by the New York deli tradition (pastrami, bagels, lox), New York-style pizza (thin, foldable, coal- or gas-fired), and the immigrant foods that became American staples — Italian-American red sauce, Jewish delicatessen, and Chinese takeout. Upstate, the Finger Lakes produce award-winning Rieslings, the Hudson Valley is a leader in farm-to-table cuisine, and Buffalo gave the world the Buffalo wing.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define New York.
New York Pastrami on Rye
Hand-cut hot pastrami piled high on rye bread with mustard — the ultimate NYC deli experience
Where to try: Katz's Delicatessen, Lower East Side
Price: $26–$30
New York-Style Pizza Slice
Thin, foldable slice with a slightly charred crust, tangy tomato sauce, and fresh mozzarella
Where to try: Joe's Pizza (Greenwich Village), Di Fara (Brooklyn)
Price: $3–$5 per slice
New York Bagel with Lox and Cream Cheese
Hand-rolled, water-boiled bagel with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and all the fixings
Where to try: Russ & Daughters, Ess-a-Bagel
Price: $12–$22
Buffalo Wings
Jumbo chicken wings fried crispy and tossed in Frank's RedHot and butter — invented in Buffalo in 1964
Where to try: Anchor Bar, Buffalo
Price: $15–$20
New York Cheesecake
Dense, creamy baked cheesecake with a graham cracker crust — a different animal from European cheesecake
Where to try: Junior's Restaurant, Brooklyn
Price: $8–$12
Black and White Cookie
A New York institution — a soft, cake-like cookie half-covered in vanilla fondant and half in chocolate
Where to try: Any NYC bakery or deli
Price: $3–$5
Egg Cream
A classic NYC soda fountain drink of milk, seltzer, and Fox's U-bet chocolate syrup — no eggs, no cream
Where to try: Classic NYC diners and candy shops
Price: $4–$6
Rochester Garbage Plate
Rochester's proudly unruly dish: any protein piled on home fries and macaroni salad, covered in hot sauce
Where to try: Nick Tahou Hots, Rochester
Price: $10–$14
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
American
Italian
New York Pizza
Japanese
Food tours & tastings in New York
Eat your way through New York with a guide.
Browse food experiences in New YorkWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Halal Cart Combo Plate
Rice, chicken or lamb gyro, salad and pita, doused in white sauce and hot sauce — the most beloved NYC street food
Find it at: The Famous Halal Guys cart at 53rd & 6th Ave and carts citywide
Pretzel
Oversized soft pretzels sold from classic NYC street carts — best with mustard
Find it at: Street carts throughout Midtown Manhattan
Hot Dog
The New York street dog — all-beef frank in a steamed bun with sauerkraut, onion sauce, or mustard
Find it at: Street carts throughout NYC, especially near parks and tourist areas
Chestnuts (seasonal)
Roasted chestnuts sold from smoking braziers — an autumn and winter NYC street tradition
Find it at: Midtown Manhattan carts, October–March
Gyro
Thin-sliced gyro meat in pita with tzatziki, onions, and tomatoes — a NYC deli and street food staple
Find it at: Greek delis and food carts throughout the city
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Chelsea Market
A 1.2-million-square-foot food hall and marketplace in the former National Biscuit Company building (birthplace of Oreos) in Chelsea, with vendors ranging from the excellent Lobster Place to the Ronnybrook Farm Dairy.
Hours: 7AM–10PM Mon–Sat; 8AM–10PM Sun
Eataly NYC Flatiron
Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich's massive Italian food marketplace spanning two floors of the Flatiron District, with restaurants, counters, butchers, fishmongers, and Italy's finest imported products.
Hours: 9AM–11PM daily
Grand Central Market
Inside Grand Central Terminal, a curated market of New York specialty food vendors including Murray's Cheese, Ceriello Fine Foods, and Li-Lac Chocolates.
Hours: 7AM–9PM Mon–Fri; 10AM–7PM Sat–Sun
Smorgasburg
The largest open-air food market in the United States, with 100+ vendors operating every weekend in Brooklyn (Williamsburg on Saturdays, Prospect Park on Sundays) from spring through fall.
Hours: 11AM–6PM Sat–Sun, April–October
Union Square Greenmarket
New York City's most celebrated farmers market, operating since 1976, with 140+ vendors selling produce, meats, dairy, and baked goods from New York State farms.
Hours: 8AM–6PM Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
NYC restaurants add 8.875% sales tax; tipping 18–22% is expected at sit-down restaurants
Make reservations on Resy or OpenTable for popular NYC restaurants — some require booking months in advance
Many of the best cheap eats in NYC are in the outer boroughs: Flushing (Queens) for Chinese food, Jackson Heights for South Asian cuisine, Bay Ridge (Brooklyn) for Middle Eastern
The best pizza in NYC is a matter of fierce local debate — have at least three slices from different pizzerias and form your own opinion
Sunday brunch is a NYC institution; expect long waits without a reservation on weekend mornings
- Vegetarian
- Excellent options across the state; NYC has dozens of dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurants including Superiority Burger (Michelin-starred) and Dirt Candy
- Halal
- Widely available throughout NYC, especially in Midtown (cart vendors), Queens, and the Bronx; look for the halal certification sign
- Gluten free
- Well catered to in NYC — most restaurants can accommodate; dedicated gluten-free bakeries include Senza Gluten in the West Village
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $10–$20 per meal | Street carts, pizza slices, deli sandwiches, halal carts, and fast-casual chains |
| Mid-range | $25–$60 per meal | Sit-down neighborhood restaurants, bistros, and casual fine dining |
| Upscale | $80–$200+ per meal | Michelin-starred and top-tier NYC dining; tasting menus at top restaurants $200–$400+ |