The following highlights some of the popular Traditional New Yorker Foods. If you manage to be in an New Yorker restaurant or you are visiting New York in The United States, I recommend the following:
1. Bagels
The authentic origin of the bagel is in Poland, and it was the Jews who perfected it. It is also very popular in Los Angeles and other parts of the United States, but it has become one of the traditional foods of New York and they take it in their own way. It’s basically a type of wheat bread, which has a hole in the middle. The most common way to eat it is as a sandwich, adding different ingredients inside. In New York they are almost always eaten for breakfast or mid-morning, and their favourites are the salmon or cream cheese ones, which is like cream cheese.
2. Black & White Cookies
These biscuits are one of the most typical New York foods, and you’ll find them in every café, shop and restaurant. The black and white biscuit originated at Glaser’s Bake Shop, a Bavarian bakery in Manhattan. These thick, cake-like biscuits are half covered with chocolate icing, while the other half is covered with vanilla icing. In other words, they offer the best of both worlds!
3. Burger
There’s no denying it, when you talk about New York food, the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind is burgers… And with good reason. Imagine if it’s typical that practically every single restaurant in New York has a burger on the menu. There’s something for everyone, you’ve got huge, greasy burgers, you’ve got burgers with different types of meat and toppings, and there are even burgers for vegans and vegetarians.
4. Cheesecake
For those with a sweet tooth, a NY-Style Cheesecake is the perfect end to a hearty meal. It’s easy to find this New York staple everywhere. For those who wonder what makes a cheesecake “New York-style”, the secret is basically in the preparation. New York cheesecake has more cream cheese, which creates a denser texture and richer taste. Plus, you have a lot of options, you can try strawberry, raspberry, apple, brownie and other delicious varieties.
5. Donuts
Another of New York’s best foods are doughnuts, which, like others, are found all over the country, and all over the world. BUT… There is something special about them, which is that it is said that donuts as they exist today were invented in New York. As the creators and marketing geniuses that they are in New York, they have specialised and sell them in all types and colours. Filled without filling, with frostie or flavoured sugar, red velvet… it’s crazy, it takes a lifetime to try them all.
6. Eggs Benedict
You can’t miss one of the best foods in New York, which is eggs benedict. Admittedly, people love them, and they are very common in New York. The way New Yorkers eat them is with hollandaise sauce and bacon, at mid-morning brunch time. By the way, brunches are very typical in New York, the only thing is that they are quite expensive. As a curiosity, eggs benedict, according to many people, is a dish that originated in New York. So, if only for that reason, you have to try them.
7. Hot Dog
Just like hamburgers, which originated in Hamburg, hot dogs are also of German origin, but that doesn’t stop them from being one of the most famous foods in New York. Hot dogs are one of those foods, which are everywhere on the streets of New York, there are a lot of carts selling them. They are also sold a lot in sports stadiums (basketball, baseball, football). And the best area in the whole city to eat them is Coney Island. Hot dogs in New York are usually served with spicy mustard, onions and sauerkraut, but there are really thousands of types, so you can order whatever you like.
8. Pizza
New York pizzas, on the one hand, are very simple, with a spiced tomato sauce, mozzarella, and are made on a fairly thin crust. On the other hand, what is typical in New York is to order “slices”, which are gigantic portions (enough to fill you up) that you order on the street while strolling around. The pizzas are divided into giant portions, the slices, which are already a symbol of New York. There isn’t a New Yorker who hasn’t eaten a slice (they’re gigantic, so you can usually fill up on one) while strolling down the street, as the shops don’t usually have room to sit down. So they serve it to you on a cardboard plate and you devour it wherever you can. Of course, as every New Yorker knows, you have to fold it in half so that you can eat it with one hand and so that the oil doesn’t end up on your clothes.
9. Pastrami Sandwiches
Another typical New York dish, which is also eaten a lot in the rest of the country, but which New York has perfected to perfection, is the pastrami sandwich. For those who are not familiar with pastrami, it is smoked beef that has been seasoned with different spices. The way they are usually served in New York is the way Americans like to do everything, that is, big. The sandwich itself is a normal size, but the inside is stuffed to the top, so it’s impossible not to get stained as the meat drips down the sides.
10. Pretzel
Although its origin and tradition is unclear, it is a typical German dish and is a common sight at popular festivals. As soon as you pass by one of these places and let yourself be intoxicated by its smell, you will feel the irresistible urge to go in and eat an original pretzel. You can also try the cinnamon sugar, sweet almond, sour cream & onion, roasted garlic & parmesan, pepperoni, jalapeño or raisin pretzels, but the original is a good place to start. It’s hard to describe the taste as it’s a mix of sweet and savoury, it’s totally addictive and once you start it’s impossible to stop.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional North American Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.