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10 Top Places To Eat In New York Like True New Yorker

A cafe in the corner in New York. (Photo By: Tomas Anton Escobar)
Source : instagram

Top 10 places to eat in New York include bistros in Greenwich Village and delis in East Village. Dine where the locals love to feel like a New Yorker.

Whether you are looking for places to eat during the weekend, or looking for a place to hang out and chill with a date or friends, NYC has plenty of options. So, we shortlisted some great neighborhoods to eat like a true New Yorker.

1. Midtown

Wholesome lunch at Her Name Is Han.
Source : instagram

Being among the busiest neighborhoods in New York, it offers a high concentration of diverse high-quality eateries with a wider range of flavors, including fine dining and steak houses.

Residing at the central location, this place becomes more accessible for tourists and locals looking for a convenient meal during the day or evening. 

Some Notable Spots in Midtown

  • Beyond Sushi
  • Le Bernardin
  • Liberty Bagels Midtown
  • The Grill
  • Dave's Hot Chicken

2. Chinatown

The busy streets of Chinatown. (Photo By: Tobias Pfeifer)
Source : instagram

Although there are tons of places with good Chinese food in the city, nothing beats Chinatown. It is one of the leading destinations for diverse as well as tasty cuisine.

With a lively atmosphere and mouthwatering cuisines, foodies will love this place. This entire neighborhood is like a gem in Manhattan. However, if you do not know the spots, you are seriously going to miss out.

Some Notable Spots in Chinatown

  • Shanghai 21
  • Fried Dumpling
  • Alimama Tea
  • Joe's Shanghai
  • Peking Duck House

3. Koreatown

The perfect spread at Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong.
Source : instagram

Although Koreatown in NYC is small, the flavors here do not disappoint. With a growing population and demand for Korean food, it is now bustling with amazing eateries.

Whether you want a small spot to have a quick bite or a fine dining experience at a Michelin-star restaurant, K-Town has it all. Also, there are karaoke restaurants where you can sing and dance while enjoying rice cakes and kimbap.

Some Notable spots in NYC's K-Town

  • Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong
  • Hangawi
  • Osamil
  • Love Korean BBQ
  • Take 31

4. East Village And Lower East Side

Double decker sandwich at Katz's Delicatessen.
Source : instagram

East Village NYC restaurants include some of the best Jewish eateries and old-school staples. The downtown neighborhoods of the Lower East Side and East Village also have fun bars for special nightouts.

You can find food sandwiches anywhere in NYC, but the classic pastrami sandwich on rye, only this part of the town does it right. Some say the Neapolitan pies here are the best in all five boroughs.

Some Notable Spots To Try

  • Katz's Delicatessen
  • Contra
  • Dhamaka
  • Wildair
  • Cibao
  • Dirt Candy

5. Greenwich Village And West Village

Little Owl, a seasonal Mediterranean, West Village restaurant.
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West Village restaurants in New York include trattorias, taverns, and bistros. The cultural hotspot has many historic landmarks, trendy stores and boutiques, and music venues.

A lovely part of the Big Apple, this part of town has ivy-covered buildings, old brick townhouses, adorable coffee places, and cafes. Be it sushi counters, vegetarian spots, cheap eats, high-end locavore-based brasseries, legacy falafel joints, or fast-casual pizza spots, the Western part of NYC is filled with it.

Some Notable places where the locals eat

  • Carbone
  • Annisa
  • The Spotted Pig
  • Minetta Tavern
  • Gotham Bar & Grill

6. Jackson Heights

Beautiful feast at Angel Indian Restaurant.
Source : instagram

Jackson Heights is the place in New York to find authentic, fresh, and traditional Indian food. This multicultural section of town hosts the annual Queens Pride Parade and Festival.

More than half of the residents here are immigrants; they brought their cuisines and cultures from mostly Asia and South America. Besides Indian food, Thai, Himalayan fare, Peruvian, Mexican, and Brazilian cuisines rule this place.

Be it Filipino food from the Bicol region or buckwheat flatbread from the Mustang District of Nepal, you will find various kinds of authentic traditional food.

Some Notable Spots in Jackson Heights

  • Phayul
  • Angel Indian Restaurant
  • Taste of Lahore
  • Aroma Brazil
  • Samundra

7. Chelsea

Freshly baked bread at Sullivan Street Bakery.
Source : instagram

A proper destination known for its food, Chelsea has become a major hub for both tourists and locals. Chelsea Market, a space that is building community through food, has tons of options available. Some include Amy's Bread, Black Seed Bagels, and Chote Miya.

The diverse cultures and cuisines make Chelsea such a great place to dine. It has great tacos, cheesy khachapuri, tapas, ramen, Palestinian food, and many more.

Some Notable Options To Consider

  • Del Posto
  • Hav & Mar
  • Chelsea Markert
  • Sullivan Street Bakery
  • Toro
  • Txikito

8. Harlem

Outdoor seating at The Honey Well.
Source : instagram

Restaurants in Harlem New York are loved by both New Yorkers and tourists. You will find dishes from Ethiopia, Japan, East Africa, to Puerto Rico. 

The east side of the town has a bustling Latin community along with Puerto Rican, Dominican, Mexican, and Caribbean restaurants. The west side of town is filled with soul food places, cafes, bars, bistros, and many new establishments.

Some Notable Spots To Try 

  • Sushi Inoue
  • The Honey Well
  • ROKC
  • Lee Lee's Baked Goods
  • Harlem Hops
  • Red Rooster

9. Williamsburg

A beautiful feast at Allswell.
Source : instagram

Best restaurants in Williamsburg NY include Peter Luger and Fette Sau. This part of town is much hipster with some outstanding casual restaurants.

Whether you want chain restaurants, high-end dining areas, comfort food, or legacy spots, the food scene here is unlike anywhere else. The steakhouses and Moroccan food here are award-winning and well-acclaimed.

Some Must-Eat Places in Williamsburg

  • Allswell
  • Pies-n-Thighs
  • The Four Horsemen
  • Fette Sau
  • Emmy Squared
  • Zenkichi

10. SoHo, NoHo, and Nolita

Banana Crème Suprêmes at Lafayette Grand Cafe & Bakery.
Source : instagram

Home to beautiful boutiques and quaint restaurants, this part of NYC is worth your time and hard-earned money. A little more posh than other neighborhoods, you will find limited edition bags and $100 candles that smell like rain here.

If you get tired of shopping and walking around do drop by some trendy and pretty cafes to enjoy some refreshments. Some restaurants here are so popular they have a two-hour wait.

Some Must-Visit Places

  • Emilio's Ballato
  • Balthazar
  • Le Coucou
  • Bohemian
  • Estela
  • II Buco Alimentari