14 Traditional Food In New York City, USA - Updated 2023

1. Cronut (Dominique Ansel Bakery)

The cronut, a delectable pastry that melds the flakiness of a croissant with the shape and sweetness of a donut, has an intriguing history that unfolds in the heart of New York City. Created by pastry chef Dominique Ansel in 2013 at his eponymous bakery in the SoHo neighborhood, cronut became an instant sensation.

Its popularity can be attributed to a perfect storm of factors: a city that thrives on culinary innovation, the power of social media, and the sheer novelty of the hybrid treat. As lines formed outside Ansel’s bakery each morning, the cronut craze exploded, attracting locals and tourists alike who were eager to experience its unique taste and texture. The limited daily production only fueled its exclusivity and allure.

Cronut’s rise to fame in New York City exemplifies the city’s reputation as a global food trendsetter and its penchant for embracing innovative and indulgent creations.

Dominique Ansel Bakery

Address: 189 Spring St, New York, NY 10012, United States

Website: Dominique Ansel Bakery

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 8am - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 8am - 8pm

2. Porterhouse steak

The porterhouse steak’s origins trace back to the city’s bustling 19th-century meatpacking district, where butcher shops thrived. The porterhouse, a cut from the rear end of the short loin, encompasses both the tenderloin and the larger top loin, offering a marriage of textures and flavors that make it a true carnivore’s delight. Its connection to New York City’s tradition stems from the city’s prominence as a meat distribution hub, as well as its early steakhouse culture.

The porterhouse steak’s reputation as a staple of New York City’s culinary scene was solidified by iconic steakhouses such as Peter Luger, which opened in the late 19th century and continues to serve its famous porterhouse today. The enduring popularity of this cut in the city is a testament to its unparalleled succulence and the city’s appreciation for robust flavors and classic, hearty fare.

Peter Luger Steak House

Address: 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11211, United States

Website: Peter Luger Steak House

Opening hours: 11:45am - 9:30pm (daily)

3. New York-style pizza

Almost everyone loves pizza. It is crafted in unique ways around the world, allowing different locations to lay claim to specific styles. Pizza has been among the food specialties in New York and is characterized by a thick outer crust and thin crust underneath the toppings. It is also hand-tossed. These pizzas are cut into the traditional triangle shape and are designed to be folded in half when you eat them. Make sure to grab an authentic slice in one of the pizza places while you’re here!

Joe's Pizza

Address: 1435 Broadway, New York, NY 10002, United States

Website: Joe's Pizza

Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 10am - 3am; Thu - Sat: 10am - 4am

4. Bagel

Bagels were introduced in the early 1800s, being brought as a traditional food from Poland by Ashkenazi Jews. A kind of food that has influenced the entire American culture, the influence of bagels as a staple food item spread rapidly especially after the 1950s. Although it might be something you’ve already tasted, make sure to try a fresh-baked New York-style bagel while here. You won’t go wrong with adding lox to your bagel, authentically New York-style!

Russ & Daughters

Address: 179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002, United States

Website: Russ & Daughters

Opening hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm (daily)

5. Pastrami and corned beef sandwich

Both pastrami and corned beef tend to come from the same cut of meat, usually a brisket, though their methods of preparation are quite different. Pastrami is typically smoked after being cured with a dry rub while corned beef tends to be cured in a brine and is never smoked. Mix the two together with some rye bread. This, folks, gets you a delicious pastrami and corned beef sandwich.

Lienman's Kosher Deli

Address: 552 W. 235th St., Bronx NY 10463

Website: LIebman's Kosher Deli

Price: 22.95 USD

6. Matzo ball soup

This soup is one of the best foods to try while you’re in New York City. Having an Ashkenazi Jewish origin, the soup’s dumplings are made of matzah meal, eggs, water, and some form of fat. The soup itself is typically chicken-based and can include other additions such as carrots and celery. During preparation, the soup should be at a steady boil when adding the dumplings; lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes, during which time the dumplings will swell in size.

Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop

Address: 174 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10010

Website: Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop

Price: 4.00 USD (small)

7. Hot dog

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more American entree than the hot dog. The traditional hot dog is comprised of a sausage situated in a length-wise bun, topped with various condiments, including mustard, ketchup, horseradish, and cheese. This typical food in New York is commonly dressed in mustard, sauerkraut, and onions.

Liebman's Kosher Deli

Address: 552 W 235th St, Bronx, NY 10463

Website: Liebman's Kosher Deli

Price: 4.75 USD

8. Manhattan clam chowder

Manhattan clam chowder is a tomato-based soup (as opposed to a cream based Boston clam chowder) that will keep you warm on a cold New England night. The soup features spices like garlic, salt, pepper, thyme and parsley with staple ingredients that include potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and, of course, clams. It is interesting to note that while the dish carries the city Manhattan in its name, the chowder actually originated from nearby Rhode Island.

Randazzo's Clam Bar

Address: 2017 Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235

Website: Randazzo's Clam Bar

Price: 7.00 USD

9. Fried chicken and waffles

While fried chicken and waffles may sound like a relatively new concoction of sweet and delicious foods, the paired entrees actually have a much longer history than you might expect. Dating back to at least the 1860s, it was popular to serve the waffles with chicken and a gravy for the Sunday meal. These days, the dish has become known more like a soul food, with the waffle being served as you would normally take a breakfast waffle, with butter and maple syrup.

Sweet Chick

Address: 178 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Website: Sweet Chick

Price: 19.00 USD

10. Black and white cookie

A cookie known by many names, including half and half cookies or half moon cookies, these tasty treats are unapologetically delicious and can trace their roots to Bavarian immigrants to New York City itself. This cookie is always round, and it is half frosted with a chocolate icing while the other half is a vanilla frosting. Some variations include a cake base instead of a shortbread base, or having one side’s frosting being higher than the other.

Russ & Daughters

Address: 127 Orchard St, New York, New York 10002

Website: Russ & Daughters

Price: 2.50 USD

11. New York-style cheesecake

While most cheesecakes rely on cream cheese and eggs as the primary ingredients, the New York style cheesecake uses heavy cream or sour cream, giving it a dense and creamy consistency. Making the cake in this manner allows for an ease in freezing the cake for future events or occasions. The New York style cheesecake can be served plain or with any number of toppings, including berry compotes or whole berries, chocolate Ganaches or caramel sauce.

Two Light Red Hens

Address: 1652 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10028

Website: Two Little Red Hens

Price: 29.00 USD

12. Hamburger

While the true origins of the hamburger remain in dispute (many say it comes from Germany), one thing about the hamburger is not disputable: how delicious they are. A staple in the cuisine of New York City, a typical hamburger is made of a fried, grilled, or flame-broiled patty of ground meat, usually beef, and is placed on a sesame seed bun. What makes it great is how customizable the topping can be: typical vegetable toppings include lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion, while condiments include mayonnaise, mustard, or ketchup. Don’t forget to add some cheese!

JG Melon

Address: 1291 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10021

Website: JG Melon

Price: 11.50 USD

13. Bacon, egg & cheese

While the name might not imply it, the bacon, egg & cheese is, in fact, a sandwich, and a rather infamous one at that. This versatile sandwich can be made in any number of ways, with a mixture of how the eggs are cooked (from two scrambled eggs to one egg over easy) to which bread keeps it together - bagels and rye toast are popular choices. Available sometimes simply as ‘the breakfast sandwich’ on some restaurant menus, the bacon, egg & cheese is the best way to start off a morning in New York City.

BEC NYC

Address: 148 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Website: BEC NYC

Price: 8.50 USD

14. Soft pretzel

With its iconic, twisted shape, you’ll always know a pretzel when you see it. If you’ve never had a soft pretzel, you may be in for more of a treat than you realize. While crunchy pretzels are a great snack, there is something undeniably cozy and inviting about having a freshly prepared, warm soft pretzel. You can get this popular food in New York as a savory item or sweet, with common flavors being original (think crunchy pretzel flavored, except soft and warm), jalapeno cheddar, or cinnamon sugar.

Harlem Hops

Address: 2268 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10030

Website: Harlem Hops

Price: 9.00 USD

Eat like a New Yorker

Delicious food may seem like it’s around every corner in New York City - that’s because it is! For the most authentic food experience in the city, these are some of the absolute must-try foods. There are also other fancy restaurants and sushi restaurants to check out for more dining options.