New York City is an absolute foodie playground and one of the most iconic food cities in the world. Before our trip, my sister and I spent months sending each other Instagram reels, viral eats and must-visit restaurants, but even after a week of eating our way around the city, we'd barely scratched the surface.
One of my favourite things about eating my way around New York was just how varied every meal was. We went from classic bagels and cheesecake to Vietnamese tacos, smash burgers and some of the city's most talked-about viral treats - all within a few days.
With thousands of incredible places to eat, deciding where to go can be overwhelming. To help narrow it down, here are the 12 New York foods we think are genuinely worth adding to your itinerary.
And don’t miss my previous post on 10 Must-Do Experiences in New York City for inspiration of top things to do.
You simply can't visit New York without having a bagel for breakfast. They're a true New York institution and usually filling enough to keep you going well into lunchtime.
Everyone has their own favourite bagel opinion, so I'd definitely encourage you to try whichever one catches your eye. Our favourite was Broad Nosh. They had a huge range of bagels and fillings, everything was incredibly fresh, and the portions were generous. In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we went back a second time at another of their locations.
Simple, classic and iconic. There always seems to be a line stretching down the sidewalk, but it's well worth the wait. It's also one of the more affordable eats in New York, making it great value for money.
New York pizza is famous for a reason, and Joe's Pizza is one of the best places to experience it. With several locations across the city, it's easy to grab a classic New York slice while you're out exploring Manhattan.
Whether you order it in a restaurant or grab a slice from a bakery, trying New York cheesecake is practically mandatory - especially if you have a sweet tooth!
I tried a couple during our trip, and my favourite was from Eileen's Special Cheesecake. I had the strawberry New York cheesecake, and it was an easy 10/10 - light, creamy and absolutely delicious. I'm still dreaming about it!
I also tried the salted caramel cheesecake from Junior's, one of New York's most famous cheesecake spots. While I can see why it's so popular, I personally found it a little too sweet.
If you're looking for a quick, affordable and tasty meal, you can't go past Los Tacos No. 1. It's one of New York's most talked-about taco spots, and after trying it, I can see why.
The tacos are made fresh to order, packed with flavour, and served incredibly fast despite the constant queues. I ordered one pork and one chicken taco with all the toppings, and they were fresh, authentic and delicious. It's the perfect spot for a quick and casual meal that won't break the budget.
The famous Magnolia Bakery banana pudding was an easy 11/10 and one of my favourite things I ate in New York. If you're only going to try one viral food while you're there, make it this. It's unbelievably creamy, light and packed with fresh banana flavour. (Of course, you do need to like bananas!).
My biggest tip - skip the small size and order at least a medium. You'll almost certainly wish you had more after the first few spoonfuls.
With several locations across Manhattan, it's an easy treat to pick up while you're out exploring - and trust me, the hype is completely justified.
A New York hot dog is one of those classic foods you simply have to try at least once.
Grab one from a street vendor while you're out exploring the city, but here's a tip: avoid the carts around Times Square, where prices can be much higher than elsewhere. You shouldn't pay more than US$5 for a standard hot dog.
Keep it classic with mustard and ketchup, or for a twist try a chilli dog. It might not be the fanciest meal you'll have in New York, but eating a hot dog on a busy street corner is all part of the experience.
One of New York's most popular viral treats, Glace's famous hot chocolate is every bit as indulgent as it looks.
They also serve ice cream and sundaes, with plenty of delicious flavours to choose from, including salted caramel and cookies & cream.
What started as a food truck at The Rink at Rockefeller Center has since grown into its own store on Madison Avenue, although you'll still find their original kiosk by the ice rink during the winter season.
It's definitely on the expensive side, but if you're looking to treat yourself to one of New York's most iconic sweet treats, it's well worth the splurge - and it makes for a pretty photo too.
If you're craving a seriously good burger meal, Skinny Louie absolutely delivers.
We ordered the Skinny Louie Cheeseburger, Skinny Fries with Louie Sauce, and the famous Strawberry Bliss Shake - and the combination completely lived up to the hype. The burger was juicy, the fries were great, and the shake was the perfect sweet finish. It's still one of the meals I'm thinking about long after returning home.
For something a little different, head to 5ive Spice Vietnamese Tacos & Banh Mì, where Vietnamese flavours are given a New York twist.
Vietnamese cuisine is one of my all-time favourites, so I had high expectations - and it definitely didn't disappoint. I ordered the Lemongrass Chicken Vietnamese-inspired tacos, and they were an absolute flavour bomb. Fresh, vibrant and packed with flavour, they were unlike anything else I ate in New York.
The restaurant itself has a fun, laid-back atmosphere, with colourful artwork covering the walls. If you're looking for something beyond the classic New York food scene, I'd highly recommend adding this one to your list.
If you're in Times Square and craving something sweet, the Hershey's Chocolate World S'mores are a fun treat to try - especially if you're visiting from New Zealand, where we don't really have anything like them.
They also offer a range of other indulgent desserts, including milkshakes, cookies and ice cream, so there's plenty to choose from.
The s'mores are enormous, so I'd definitely recommend sharing one if you can. It's a bit of a novelty, but it's a pretty classic US experience and perfect if you have a sweet tooth.
If you love dumplings as much as I do, make sure you stop by Tasty Dumpling in Chinatown.
I tried the pan-fried pork and chive dumplings, and they were easily some of the best I've had outside of China. Crispy on the outside, juicy in the middle, and packed with flavour, they were an absolute standout.
While you're there, take some time to explore Chinatown, one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns outside of Asia. It's a vibrant neighbourhood filled with fantastic food, bakeries and markets, making it well worth a visit even if you're just passing through.
Last but certainly not least, I had to include the famous Butterbeer from the Harry Potter New York store.
As a huge Harry Potter fan (which was actually the main reason I was visiting New York!), trying a Butterbeer was an absolute must. If you're a fellow Potterhead, you'll definitely want to add it to your itinerary.
The Butterbeer itself is incredibly sweet, but also surprisingly delicious. Mine disappeared much faster than I expected! Even better, you get to keep the collectible cup afterwards, making it a fun souvenir to take home.
One of my favourite things about eating my way around New York was just how varied every meal was. We went from classic bagels and cheesecake to Vietnamese tacos, smash burgers and some of the city's most talked-about viral treats - all within a few days.
With thousands of incredible places to eat, deciding where to go can be overwhelming. To help narrow it down, here are the 12 New York foods we think are genuinely worth adding to your itinerary.
And don’t miss my previous post on 10 Must-Do Experiences in New York City for inspiration of top things to do.
New York Bagels
You simply can't visit New York without having a bagel for breakfast. They're a true New York institution and usually filling enough to keep you going well into lunchtime.
Everyone has their own favourite bagel opinion, so I'd definitely encourage you to try whichever one catches your eye. Our favourite was Broad Nosh. They had a huge range of bagels and fillings, everything was incredibly fresh, and the portions were generous. In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we went back a second time at another of their locations.
Joe's Pizza
Simple, classic and iconic. There always seems to be a line stretching down the sidewalk, but it's well worth the wait. It's also one of the more affordable eats in New York, making it great value for money.
New York pizza is famous for a reason, and Joe's Pizza is one of the best places to experience it. With several locations across the city, it's easy to grab a classic New York slice while you're out exploring Manhattan.
New York Cheesecake
Whether you order it in a restaurant or grab a slice from a bakery, trying New York cheesecake is practically mandatory - especially if you have a sweet tooth!
I tried a couple during our trip, and my favourite was from Eileen's Special Cheesecake. I had the strawberry New York cheesecake, and it was an easy 10/10 - light, creamy and absolutely delicious. I'm still dreaming about it!
I also tried the salted caramel cheesecake from Junior's, one of New York's most famous cheesecake spots. While I can see why it's so popular, I personally found it a little too sweet.
Los Tacos No. 1
If you're looking for a quick, affordable and tasty meal, you can't go past Los Tacos No. 1. It's one of New York's most talked-about taco spots, and after trying it, I can see why.
The tacos are made fresh to order, packed with flavour, and served incredibly fast despite the constant queues. I ordered one pork and one chicken taco with all the toppings, and they were fresh, authentic and delicious. It's the perfect spot for a quick and casual meal that won't break the budget.
Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
The famous Magnolia Bakery banana pudding was an easy 11/10 and one of my favourite things I ate in New York. If you're only going to try one viral food while you're there, make it this. It's unbelievably creamy, light and packed with fresh banana flavour. (Of course, you do need to like bananas!).
My biggest tip - skip the small size and order at least a medium. You'll almost certainly wish you had more after the first few spoonfuls.
With several locations across Manhattan, it's an easy treat to pick up while you're out exploring - and trust me, the hype is completely justified.
Street Cart Hot Dogs
A New York hot dog is one of those classic foods you simply have to try at least once.
Grab one from a street vendor while you're out exploring the city, but here's a tip: avoid the carts around Times Square, where prices can be much higher than elsewhere. You shouldn't pay more than US$5 for a standard hot dog.
Keep it classic with mustard and ketchup, or for a twist try a chilli dog. It might not be the fanciest meal you'll have in New York, but eating a hot dog on a busy street corner is all part of the experience.
Glace Hot Chocolate
One of New York's most popular viral treats, Glace's famous hot chocolate is every bit as indulgent as it looks.
They also serve ice cream and sundaes, with plenty of delicious flavours to choose from, including salted caramel and cookies & cream.
What started as a food truck at The Rink at Rockefeller Center has since grown into its own store on Madison Avenue, although you'll still find their original kiosk by the ice rink during the winter season.
It's definitely on the expensive side, but if you're looking to treat yourself to one of New York's most iconic sweet treats, it's well worth the splurge - and it makes for a pretty photo too.
Skinny Louie
If you're craving a seriously good burger meal, Skinny Louie absolutely delivers.
We ordered the Skinny Louie Cheeseburger, Skinny Fries with Louie Sauce, and the famous Strawberry Bliss Shake - and the combination completely lived up to the hype. The burger was juicy, the fries were great, and the shake was the perfect sweet finish. It's still one of the meals I'm thinking about long after returning home.
5ive Spice Vietnamese Tacos
For something a little different, head to 5ive Spice Vietnamese Tacos & Banh Mì, where Vietnamese flavours are given a New York twist.
Vietnamese cuisine is one of my all-time favourites, so I had high expectations - and it definitely didn't disappoint. I ordered the Lemongrass Chicken Vietnamese-inspired tacos, and they were an absolute flavour bomb. Fresh, vibrant and packed with flavour, they were unlike anything else I ate in New York.
The restaurant itself has a fun, laid-back atmosphere, with colourful artwork covering the walls. If you're looking for something beyond the classic New York food scene, I'd highly recommend adding this one to your list.
Hershey's World Chocolate S'more
If you're in Times Square and craving something sweet, the Hershey's Chocolate World S'mores are a fun treat to try - especially if you're visiting from New Zealand, where we don't really have anything like them.
They also offer a range of other indulgent desserts, including milkshakes, cookies and ice cream, so there's plenty to choose from.
The s'mores are enormous, so I'd definitely recommend sharing one if you can. It's a bit of a novelty, but it's a pretty classic US experience and perfect if you have a sweet tooth.
Chinatown Dumplings
If you love dumplings as much as I do, make sure you stop by Tasty Dumpling in Chinatown.
I tried the pan-fried pork and chive dumplings, and they were easily some of the best I've had outside of China. Crispy on the outside, juicy in the middle, and packed with flavour, they were an absolute standout.
While you're there, take some time to explore Chinatown, one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns outside of Asia. It's a vibrant neighbourhood filled with fantastic food, bakeries and markets, making it well worth a visit even if you're just passing through.
Harry Potter Shop Butterbeer
Last but certainly not least, I had to include the famous Butterbeer from the Harry Potter New York store.
As a huge Harry Potter fan (which was actually the main reason I was visiting New York!), trying a Butterbeer was an absolute must. If you're a fellow Potterhead, you'll definitely want to add it to your itinerary.
The Butterbeer itself is incredibly sweet, but also surprisingly delicious. Mine disappeared much faster than I expected! Even better, you get to keep the collectible cup afterwards, making it a fun souvenir to take home.
Final Thoughts
Of course, these weren't the only delicious things we ate in New York! We also enjoyed everything from deep-fried pickles in Brooklyn and pizza and cannoli in Little Italy to coffee and bagels at the Central Perk cafe, high tea and cocktails at The Empire Hotel, and giant New York pretzels. But if I had to narrow it down, these are the 12 foodie things to try I'd recommend adding to your itinerary.
For inspiration for top things to do, head to my previous post: 10 Must-Do Experiences in New York City.
If you have any questions about visiting New York, feel free to send me a DM on Instagram - I'm always happy to help! You can also follow along for travel inspiration and my latest adventures.
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