10 Places to Eat in New York City

Drinking and eating are two of the favorite activities of travelers visiting New York for its endless gastronomic possibilities. The most typical establishments are hamburger joints or typical American coffee shops serving breakfast or brunch. You will find them easily and there are of different prices and levels, but that's not all.

Where to eat like a king? I share with you in this list 10 places where to eat great food in New York.

Pizza is a very popular dish in New York. You can find it on practically every corner, from street stands and fast food joints to high-end restaurants. But where to eat slices that will transport you to seventh heaven?

After trying their pizzas, I can say that Rizzo's Pizza 's reputation as one of the best in New York is, without a doubt, well deserved and must be included in the gastronomic tour of Manhattan. The Yelp ranking and the New York Times reviews were not exaggerating when they included this Manhattan restaurant in their lists of the city's must-visit restaurants. After all, they are true specialists: they've been in business since 1959.

What should you try?

The pizzas are a delight. They are available in the classic round shape and also square with a super crispy edge. Their secret is in the dough: perfectly baked, thin and light but firm, not soft at all.

I recommend ordering the americana (chicken, red onion, bacon, BBQ sauce and mozzarella), the diavola (chicken, red onion, bacon, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, parmigiano aioli and mozzarella) and the aumma aumma (sausage, meatball, ricotta, sauce and mozzarella) the most requested at Rizzo's Pizza.

They also have vegan and gluten-free options, which is a plus. For dessert, the famous cannoli, a typical Sicilian sweet made with ricotta cheese. Yummy!

• Where is it: Rizzo's Pizza has two locations in New York. One in the Lower East Side of Manhattan (17 Clinton St. New York, NY 10002) and one in Queens (3013 Steinway St. Astoria, NY 11103).
• Hours: The Manhattan location is open Monday through Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 12 to 12 midnight and Sunday, 12 to 11 p.m.

Starting the morning with energy is essential to endure a whole day of sightseeing in New York without fainting. But where can you get a hearty American-style breakfast for cheap? At Gray's Papaya, of course! The temple of hot dogs in the Big Apple, a must on a gastronomic tour of Manhattan.

They are so popular that Barack Obama himself had his picture taken here eating one for his 2008 election campaign. As with Rizzo's Pizza, the New York Times also praised it as one of the best hot dog places in New York. Moreover, the prices are very cheap: a single hot dog costs $ 1 (around 0.90 €) and each extra topping of chili, cheese or relish $ 0.50.

With these credentials, Gray's Papaya is almost a must-visit on the iconic Broadway, very close to Central Park and Lincoln Center. I can assure you that I was not disappointed.

What should you try?

The lines at the entrance live up to the fame of the establishment, but they go pretty fast. I recommend you order one of the breakfast specials with coffee. They carry an omelet sandwich with cheese & ham, bacon or sausage for less than $4 (3.70 € approximately). Who gives more?

Gray's Papaya is also a good option to put the finishing touch to a night out or at the theater on Broadway, as they are open 24 hours. With a hot dog and their famous papaya juice you will return to the hotel to sleep with a smile from ear to ear.

• Where is it: 2090 Broadway, New York, NY 10023.
• Hours: 24 hours.

Oh, the burgers! The dish that best defines American cuisine at home and abroad. Deciding which is the best burger in New York is no easy task. The ingredients are important, but so is the atmosphere of the place. One of the most unique restaurants for a great burger is Burger Joint, the secret burger joint near Fifth Avenue and Central Park. But what's so special about this place?

It is located inside a luxury hotel, Le Parker Meridien, but the funny thing is that it has nothing to do. You may wonder: how did an underground-looking place end up inside a luxury hotel? When the hotel wanted to build the building on this site there were several locals. They all came to an agreement with the hotel except for the Burger Joint, which did not want to sell its establishment. After some pressure and lawsuits, the burger joint got its way.

Le Parker Meridien had to build its hotel around the Burger Joint and the result is a very striking contrast between the elegance of the hotel and the grunge style of the Burger Joint, which is precisely the charm of the place. That and the entrance seems to be hidden behind mysterious red curtains.

What should you try?

On the menu you'll find the basics at a burger joint: regular or cheeseburger, fries, drinks and shakes and for dessert, ice cream and brownie. In 2012 it received the title of the third best burger in the world in the World Burger Competition. That's nothing!

• Where is it: 119 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019.
• Hours: daily from 11 a.m. to 11:20 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to midnight.

An ideal place to have brunch after touring Harlem or attending a Gospel Mass on Sunday is Amy Ruth's located in the heart of this New York neighborhood. An essential option to include in the gastronomic tour of Manhattan.

If you are looking for the best dishes of southern cuisine you have come to the right place, everything here is delicious! They are famous for serving one of the tastiest Chicken & Waffles in the United States. A combination of waffles and fried chicken dressed with maple syrup that may sound a little strange but surprisingly works and is considered a legend in New York.

What should you try?

Other dishes I recommend from Amy Ruth's menu are the barbecued ribs with barbecue sauce and a side of sweet potato, the hot chicken sandwich or the battered shrimp. To drink, a glass of lemonade and sweet tea called Half and Half. Super refreshing!

The corn muffin with a little butter that they serve as an appetizer while you wait for your food is delicious. Although sometimes you have to wait in line to get a table, they are usually pretty fast with orders, even if the place is crowded.

• Where: 113 West 116th Street, New York, NY 10026.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.

If you've decided to take a tour of Williamsburg, a good option for tasty food at reasonable prices is Tikka Indian Grill. Whether you are an expert in Indian food or a beginner, you will love the menu they have tailored to suit every palate by drawing inspiration from the best of each region of India. In my opinion, it is an option to consider including in your gastronomic tour of Manhattan.

What should you try?

I am a real fan of this bright Brooklyn restaurant. They have a lunch special that includes naan, samosas and a main course for only $10 (just over €9). However, if you want to evaluate other options I advise you to take a look at their menu because it is quite extensive. Two of my favorite dishes are the lamb vindaloo and the extra spicy black pepper chicken that comes with several sauces that you will want to soak up with bread.

TikkaIndian Grill is a very nice restaurant to enjoy a good meal in New York. The place is spacious, nicely decorated with large photographs of scenes in India and as for the dishes, the secret to their success is that they use fresh ingredients from local suppliers combined with spices brought directly from Asia. you'll want to repeat!

• Where: 185 Grand Street Brooklyn, NY - 11211.
• Hours: open Monday through Thursday, 12pm to 11pm; Friday and Saturday, 12pm to midnight; and Sunday, 12pm to 10pm.

Before its resurrection as a trendy neighborhood, the Meatpacking District was an industrial area full of slaughterhouses and packing plants that supplied meat to New York. After its successful conversion, this area is one of the trendiest in the city and is full of fashion boutiques, art galleries and amazing restaurants.

One of these places was the former Nabisco cookie factory, the creator of the famous Oreo, which was transformed into a spectacular gastronomic market called Chelsea Market that has preserved the industrial charm of the original building with the latest gourmet trends.

What should you try?

Literally, everything! If you're in the area on a tour of High Line Park or the Whitney Museum and you're hungry, don't hesitate, head to Chelsea Market because you'll love the fast food stalls. They've got it all! Pizza, tacos, sushi, pasta, noodles, seafood ... It is the best option if you travel to New York in a group and there is no consensus on where to eat. Everyone orders what they want and then share at any of the tables scattered throughout the market.

If you go during the day you can complete your visit to Chelsea Market by walking around the building to see other sites such as Posman Books or the Artists & Fleas market. If you visit in the evening, after dinner go to Chelsea Music Hall in the basement of the market. A place where you can enjoy the New York night with good music, delicious cocktails and lots of atmosphere.

• Where is it: 75 9th Ave, NY 10011.
• Hours: Chelsea Market is open Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 10 pm and Sunday from 8 am to 9 pm.

And from one food hall to another. If during your trip to New York you are homesick for Mediterranean cuisine in Hudson Yards, the trendy new neighborhood in Midtown along the Hudson River, you will find Little Spain Market, a gastronomic space dedicated to the flavors of traditional Spanish cuisine by the prestigious chef José Andrés in collaboration with the brothers Ferrán and Albert Adriá.

Walking through its doors is like stepping into the temple of Spanish cuisine. The delicious aroma given off by the different stalls guides you through the market and the different regions of Spain without leaving New York. A marvel!

What should you try?

The Little Spain Market has a dozen kiosks where you can sample great classics of Spanish cuisine such as tapas, cocas, ham, sandwiches, bravas, Spanish omelettes and, of course, Spanish sausages, cheeses and wines.

One of the most popular kiosks in the Little Spain Market is the churros kiosk, perfect to put the finishing touch to the meal with a cup of coffee. Although I recommend that you do it at the market's bar, toasting your stay in the Big Apple with an excellent glass of cava or demonstrating your expertise to those present by drinking a typical Spanish porrón. Long live wine and olé!

• Where: Located in the skyscraper 10 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday, 12 noon to 9 pm.

Walking through the streets of New York you will come across many types of food trucks, but when it comes to Arabic food, you won't find any like The Halal Guys. But without a doubt, in your gastronomic tour you can't miss this option.

Its owners started with a little street hot dog stand in 1990 and soon took the leap to offer halal food to Muslim cab drivers who at that time had few options for authentic halal food in New York. Thus their famous beef and gyro platters over rice, falafel sandwiches and tasty dips to go with them were born. Word soon spread and long lines of people eager to try the exotic flavors and textures began to form.

The Halal Guys carts are open all day so they are the perfect choice for a quick meal during a break on your route through the city or as a finale to a night out. Just order what you want for dinner and they'll prepare it for you so you can eat it in your hotel room.

What should you try?

The portions are hearty so if you're going as a couple and you're not too hungry you can order a combo and share. The regular sized ones cost $9 (around €8.25) while the small ones cost $7 (about €6.50). My favorite is the falafel platter and the chicken sandwich, although they have a wide variety on the menu. For dessert, baklava of course!

• Where is it: One of their stands is on 53rd St and 6th Avenue although you can see all the locations of their carts on their official website.
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 am; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5:30 am.

Want to eat the best pastrami sandwich in New York? Then you have to include in your gastronomic tour of Manhattan a unique proposal, Katz's. There must be something special about the recipe when the restaurant has been around since 1888 and has become a classic in the city. The long lines of people waiting to get in attest to its success.

This Lower East Side deli is not only famous for its sandwich but also for having been the setting for the most iconic scene in the movie When Harry Met Sally. In fact, if you notice when you walk in there is a sign indicating where Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan sat and it says: "Where Harry met Sally... hope you have what she had!".

What should you try?

But back to the food, what to order at Katz's? Without a doubt, their famous pastrami sandwich is a must, although I also recommend the corn beef sandwich and a serving of potato latkes, delicious potato pancakes with applesauce or sour sauce. To drink, a glass of homemade lemonade.

I recommend going early on a Friday or Saturday after going out in the lively East Village or the Lower East Side because they don't close and a pastrami sandwich will recharge your batteries to keep on partying.

• Where is it: 205 East Houston Street, corner of Ludlow Street.
• Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.; Thursday, 8 a.m. to 2:45 a.m.; Friday, from 8 a.m. and doesn't close until Sunday at 10:45 p.m.

In this list you can't miss a tasty fast food to finish. Have you ever heard of Shake Shack? It started as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park and became a success. In 2004 it opened its first location and since then they have made thousands of people happy with their hot dogs, hamburgers, wavy fries and milkshakes. Me among them!

Shake Shack has establishments all over New York, also in its most touristic areas, so it is a very popular option if you want to eat luxury for little money.

Which Shake Shack to go to? The one I like the most is the one in Madison Square Park because of the beautiful setting surrounded by trees in which it is located. It also has an outdoor terrace ideal for enjoying the sunny days.

What should you try?

As for their menu I have to say that it is quite varied and they have vegetarian options. The burgers are to die for and the hot dogs are also very good. Like any self-respecting burger you have to accompany them with a portion of fries with ketchup and to drink I recommend you try a glass (or two) of freshly brewed iced tea.

If you still have room for dessert, order a tub of frozen custard, which has nothing to do with traditional ice cream. It is made of milk, cream and egg yolks and is super creamy.

• Where is it: The Madison Square Park Shake Shack is on the southeast corner of the park near Madison Avenue and E.23rd Street. You can check out the rest of the locations on their official website.
• Hours: The Madison Square Park Shake Shack is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm. You can check other hours on their website.

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New York has many dining options and a wide variety of prices.

• Eating at a fast-food restaurant costs about 10 €.
• If you want to upgrade your meal you can opt for a small restaurant, usually pizza or carnet which is usually around 20-30 € per person.
• Higher level restaurants can be very expensive, but you can find options from 40-60 € per person.

Meal times in New York are very different from those in Spain and it is something you should get used to as soon as your plane lands.

• Breakfast: Breakfast establishments open around 7 am.
• Lunch: Lunch is usually lighter and takes place between 11 am and 12:30 pm.
• Dinner: Dinner, like all other meals, is early, between 17:00 and 19:00 hours.

How tipping works in New York is one of the main questions that visitors have. From our perspective, it is a complex issue. To understand this service, first of all, we must know that waiters' salaries are very low and that with these tips they complete their salary.

The tip must be between 15% and 20% of the bill. 15%, when the service is correct; 18%, when the service is good, and 20% or more, when the service is excellent. Even so, the minimum recommended tip in New York is currently 18%.

And if you don't tip, it is considered very rude and the waiter may say something to you, especially if he thinks the service was good. At fast food places where you order at a counter before eating, you don't have to tip. These establishments usually have a tip jar for you to leave a tip, but it is not mandatory. Still, many leave change.

How to tip in a restaurant

• Paying in cash: It is more usual and convenient. To do this, you must calculate what you want to leave extra on the bill and pay it all together. If you do not have the exact amount, the waiter will ask you if you want change, you tell him yes and you leave him the tip of the change he has brought you.

• Payment by card: When you pay by card you first pay the bill and then they give you the card with two tickets, one for you and one for the restaurant. On the restaurant's ticket you have to write down the amount you want to tip (Tip) and the total amount (Total) of what they have to charge you for the meal, taxes and service. Leave this ticket on the table and you can leave. The restaurant will add this amount in the charge that will come to your bank.

As you may already know, New York is huge and you won't always get hungry near one of these 10 places. That's why you can take a look at these restaurant guides by neighborhoods, areas and around New York's main attractions. Whatever happens and wherever you are, you'll find a good option for you!

Guide to the best restaurants by area

• Where to eat in Brooklyn.
• Where to eat in Chinatown.
• Where to eat inHarlem.

Restaurant guides near the main attractions

• Where to eat near Top of the Rock.
• Where toeat near MoMa.
• Where toeat near the Empire State Building.
• Where toeat near One World Observatory.
• Chelsea Market.