Manhattan’s Best Neighborhoods for Foodies

Take a Delicious Tour Through New York

New York City is one of the most diverse cities in the world and all that diversity does wonders for the food scene. You can sample interesting and hard-to-find flavors from all over the world without buying a lot of rather expensive plane tickets. Instead, all you need is a good pair of walking shoes, an empty stomach, and a sense of adventure. But with a city as big as New York, it helps to have a plan. We’ll break down a few of Manhattan’s more unique neighborhoods to show you where to find some of the best eats in town.

Koreatown
Spanning just two city blocks on a small stretch of 32nd Street, this neighborhood crams more than 100 small businesses into its tiny space. Hit up karaoke joints in between sampling all the kimchi and bulgogi your heart desires.

Le Petit Senegal

Find this micro neighborhood in Harlem to discover the finer points of Senegalese cuisine like ceebu yap: tenderized, seasoned beef with rice, green olives, and black-eyed peas.

Little Dominican Republic

Here, you’ll find the blend of Spanish, Taíno, and African dishes that the Dominican Republic is known for. Just head to Washington Heights and follow the sound of bachata.

Spanish Harlem

This is the famous Mexican and Puerto Rican section of Harlem so get ready for myriad spices, plenty of heat, and some of the best tacos in New York.

Best Diner in New York

Tom’s Restaurant | 2880 Broadway

There are thousands of restaurants in New York, but only a handful of them are considered tourist attractions in their own right, and that’s exactly what Tom’s Restaurant is. It might sound like a run-of-the-mill American diner, but its distinctive exterior is what sets it apart from the crowd. Fans of Seinfeld will immediately recognize the bright neon sign as Monk’s, the fictional eatery where Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer ate in countless episodes of the show. It looks much the same today, though fans should know that the interior bares little resemblance to the one featured on the show (that was a set in LA). That said, they can still get fantastic diner fare from BLTs and burgers to omelettes and banana splits.

A Guide to New York–Style Pizza

New York–style pizza, thanks to TV and movies, is probably what most people think of when they think of pizza in general. It’s a thin triangle cut to nearly an obtuse angle from a round pie—a floppy, cheesy delight with a pliable crust just begging to be folded during bites. Now that you know what it is, where are the best spots to get it? Here’s a small handful of joints to get you started:

Roberta's | East Williamsburg

Hip clientele, fresh ingredients, and wood-fired pies regularly put Roberta’s among the best pizza in NYC.

Prince Street Pizza | Nolita

Deviating from the traditional slice, these are square-cut bites of heaven. Definitely try the Spicy Spring Pie.

Bleecker Street Pizza | West Village

Celebs like Dax Shepard rave about this unassuming spot, calling it “the greatest slice of pizza I’ve ever put in my mouth.”

Dying to know what else made the cut for must-try pizza spots? Check out our article here.

Best Deli in New York

Katz’s Delicatessen | 205 E Houston St.

It would be a stretch to insinuate that When Harry Met Sally’s most famous scene is what put Katz’s on the map. The truth is, pop-culture references aside (“I’ll have what she’s having.”), the deli has been a true New York institution since 1888. Here’s what to know before you go:

• You’ve got to try the pastrami on rye. The shop serves more than 15,000 pounds of pastrami each week, so you know it’s gotta be good!
• Hot dogs are a perfectly acceptable appetizer. They make a great one, just don’t order it with ketchup. Go for mustard and sauerkraut instead.
• There’s a ticket system—don’t lose yours! You’ll get a printed, numbered ticket at the door that tallies up your bill as you order at each counter. If you lose it (or try to get sneaky and skimp on you bill) be prepared to pay a hefty fine.
• The corned beef is cured with care. Other establishments cure the beef for maybe 36 hours, but not Katz’s. They cure if for a full 30 days, which is why the taste is so much better.

The Best Cheap Eats in New York

Called one of the most expensive cities to visit in the world by CNN Travel, New York’s rep for high prices is pretty well known. But not all of its world-class cuisine is going to set you back a pretty penny. In fact, you can find some pretty good meals for just $15 or less. Don’t believe us? Check out a few of these spots:

• New York Dog House in Astoria for truly unique hot dogs inspired by the flavors of Asia.
• Terri in the Financial District, which offers 100% vegan cuisine in the form of sub sandwiches, salads, and more.
• Los Tacos #1 in Chelsea where yes, you’ll have to wait in line, but we promise the legit street-food tacos will be worth it.

Want even more inspiration? See what else made our list of our top 10 favorite cheap eats in New York.

Best Seafood Restaurant in New York

Hotel Chantelle | 92 Ludlow St.

Despite its name, Hotel Chantelle isn’t really a hotel. It takes its name from a War World II French safe house whose influences run throughout the trilevel lounge. Visitors enter through unmarked doors, finding a vintage bar on the other side replete with leather banquettes and colored globe lights. Dark mahogany-wood panels add warmth to the retro decor. Adding to the lounge’s intrigue factor, a hidden dance club, BONBONNIERE, brings the cavernous basement to life with eclectic DJ sets.

The location itself has a historical connection, being situated in a neighborhood where turn-of-the-century immigrants first settled in America from places as far-flung as Atlantis. The theme of tradition extends to the drinks as well. Most of the cocktails are twists on classic drinks.