What Is the Top 10 Most Popular Food in New York? The Ultimate Tourist Checklist

New York City’s culinary scene is a glorious, overwhelming universe. With endless options, every traveler asks the same question: What is the top 10 most popular food in New York? This list isn’t just about famous dishes; it’s about the foods that are woven into the city’s daily life, beloved by locals, and essential for any visitor. Here is your definitive guide to the ten must-eat icons of NYC.

The Definitive Top 10 Most Popular Foods in New York

These dishes define the city’s flavor profile. To truly experience New York, consider this your edible bucket list.

1. New York-Style Pizza (The Slice)

The foldable, thin-crust cheese slice is more than food; it’s a symbol of the city. Sold by the slice at countless “holes in the wall,” it’s the perfect, quick, affordable meal. The classic plain cheese is the benchmark, but a “pepperoni slice” is a close second.

Where to Try: Joe’s Pizza (Greenwich Village), Scarr’s Pizza (Lower East Side), Lombardi’s(Nolita, first US pizzeria).
Useful Link: Use the NYC Pizza Map to find a top-rated slice near you.

2. The Bagel with Schmear & Lox

The New York bagel—chewy, dense, boiled then baked—is the undisputed breakfast champion. The most iconic preparation is topped with cream cheese (a “schmear”) and silky lox (cured salmon), plus tomato, red onion, and capers.

Where to Try: Russ & Daughters (Lower East Side), Ess-a-Bagel (Midtown), Absolute Bagels(Upper West Side).
Useful Link: The Lower East Side Tour details the neighborhood where the bagel and lox tradition flourished.

3. Pastrami on Rye

A monument to the city’s Jewish deli tradition. This sandwich features an impossibly high pile of spicy, smoked, hand-sliced pastrami on seeded rye bread with a swipe of mustard. It’s a messy, glorious, and uniquely New York experience.

Where to Try: Katz’s Delicatessen (Lower East Side), 2nd Avenue Deli (Multiple locations).
Useful Link: Read about the history at Katz’s on the Official Katz’s Website before you visit.

4. The New York Hot Dog

The classic “dirty water dog” from a street cart is a rite of passage. It’s a simple, steamed all-beef frankfurter in a soft bun, traditionally topped with mustard and sauerkraut or a sweet onion sauce. It’s the taste of a quick New York minute.

Where to Try: Any cart with a steady line, but especially in Central Park or from Nathan’s Famous at Coney Island.
Useful Link: Plan a trip to the original with the Coney Island Visitor Guide.

5. Halal Cart Chicken & Rice

The people’s champion of street food. This generous platter of grilled chicken or lamb over seasoned rice, topped with lettuce, pita, and the legendary white sauce and hot sauce, is a flavor explosion that fuels the city.

Where to Try: The Halal Guys (original cart at W 53rd & 6th Ave), Adel’s Famous Halal Food(Financial District).
Useful Link: Find top-rated carts citywide with The Halal Food Blog’s NYC Map.

6. Cheesecake (New York-Style)

Dense, rich, and creamy, New York-style cheesecake is made with cream cheese and has a smooth, velvety texture. It’s the indulgent dessert that says “New York.”

Where to Try: Junior’s Restaurant (Brooklyn, the most famous), Eileen’s Special Cheesecake(Nolita), Veniero’s Pasticceria (East Village).
Useful Link: Discover more iconic desserts on the NYC Dessert Trail.

7. The Classic Diner Breakfast

The no-frills, eggs-any-style, bacon, home fries, toast, and bottomless coffee combo is a foundational New York meal. It’s served at all hours in the city’s iconic 24-hour diners and represents the city’s relentless pace.

Where to Try: Tom’s Restaurant (Brooklyn), B&H Dairy (East Village), or any classic neighborhood diner.
Useful Link: Find a classic NYC diner using Time Out’s Best Diners List.

8. Black & White Cookie

This cake-like cookie, half-coated in vanilla fondant and half in chocolate, is a beloved NYC bakery icon. As the famous rule goes: “Look to the cookie!”

Where to Try: William Greenberg Desserts, Glaser’s Bake Shop, or any good Jewish bakery.
Useful Link: Learn the fascinating history of this cookie on Eater NY’s History of the Black & White.

9. Soft Pretzel

The giant, salty, soft pretzel sold from street carts is the perfect walking snack. Best when warm and dipped in spicy mustard.

Where to Try: Any hot dog cart, but especially in high-foot-traffic areas like Times Square or outside major museums.
Useful Link: The Street Vendor Project offers insights into the lives of the people who make and sell this iconic snack.

10. Buffalo Wings

While born in upstate Buffalo, the spicy, vinegary, fried chicken wing served with celery and blue cheese dressing is a New York State export that became a national obsession. Any great sports bar in NYC will serve an excellent version.

Where to Try: Anchor Bar outlet (Times Square for the original recipe), Dan & John’s Wings(East Village).
Useful Link: Explore the wing’s origin story on the Official Buffalo Wing Trail page.

How to Conquer the Top 10: A Strategic Plan

Tackling this list is a marathon, not a sprint. Here’s how to approach it:

Focus on Neighborhoods

Many top foods cluster in specific areas. A walk through the Lower East Side can net you a bagel at Russ & Daughters, pastrami at Katz’s, and cheesecake at Eileen’s. Midtown is perfect for a halal cart lunch and a pretzel snack.

Share and Pace Yourself

Portions are huge. Split a pastrami sandwich. Share a slice of cheesecake. Eat a single hot dog as a snack, not a meal. The goal is to taste, not to be stuffed by item three.

Embrace the Settings

Eat your pizza slice standing up. Have your diner breakfast at the counter. Enjoy your hot dog on a park bench. The context is half the experience.

Beyond the List: Honorable Mentions

New York’s food scene is endlessly deep. Once you’ve hit the top 10, explore these other popular classics:

Bodega Breakfast Sandwich: The ultimate on-the-go egg and cheese.
Cronut®: The legendary pastry hybrid from Dominique Ansel.
Egg Cream: A chocolate soda fountain drink with no egg or cream.
Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings): A Chinatown essential.

Useful Link for Overall Planning: The official NYC Tourism Food & Drink Guide is an excellent resource for hours, locations, and making reservations.

So, what is the top 10 most popular food in New York? It’s this delicious, diverse, and iconic list. From street cart to historic deli, each item tells a story of the city’s culture, history, and appetite. Use this guide as your roadmap to eating through the very best of NYC, one unforgettable bite at a time.

What Is the Top 10 Most Popular Food in New York? The Ultimate Tourist Checklist