Eat Around the World in New York City
We call New York City our home for so many reasons; but one of them is because of the way we can travel the whole world within the confines of our own city. There are thriving international communities all throughout the five boroughs, and one of our favorite ways to experience these communities is through their food. We are known among our friends for our knowledge of the best places to eat in NYC, so we’re pretty confident this list won’t let you down. We grouped out favorite restaurants according to the continent the cuisine comes from; read on and jot these hidden gems onto your list for the next time you visit New York City!
Notes:
We didn’t put any addresses in this guide because many of these restaurants have multiple locations scattered throughout all five boroughs. Use google maps to find them!
Click on the name of the restaurant to be linked to their website.
Not all of these photos are ours. Some of them were grabbed from the restaurant’s website or instagram.
North America
Southern & BBQ:
Pies N' Thighs
We're starting with Brooklyn-ified Southern Food: fried chicken headlines this diner's menu of Southern specialties and signature pies. When we visit, we both get chicken biscuits smothered with hot sauce and honey butter, then split a side platter of mac & cheese and cheese grits. Pies N' Thighs is the only place in NYC where we've had good grits.
Amy Ruth’s
This incredible Southern restaurant was started by a family who moved to NYC from Alabama. This one is less ‘Brooklyn-ified’ and more authentic. Their walls are adorned by a mural of iconic Black Americans, from Malcolm X and MLK Jr, to Beyonce and Obama. And their food - so good! I could make a meal off of their side dishes alone: fried okra, cheesy grits, potato salad, mac & cheese, collard greens - etc, etc. Just be prepared to eat a lot!
Red Rooster Harlem & Beatstro
Red Rooster is famous for its live gospel music during Sunday brunch, and Beatstro does Hip Hop Sundays! Be aware that both Sundays book out weeks n advance. Both restaurants have similar menu, but we recommend both! At Red Rooster, make sure to get the cornbread with roasted tomato & corn butter. They always have fresh vegetable appetizers that swap out according to the seasons (in the summer we had a watermelon, mozzarella and balsamic salad, in the winter we had their charred glazed cauliflower). At Beatstro, Daniel really recommends their ‘Thick Thighs and Hot Waffles.’ Waffles topped with crispy chicken, pickled strawberries and maple syrup. At both restaurants we recommend their hot honey fried chicken!
Dino BBQ, Craft House & The Butcher Bar
These three (located in Brooklyn, Staten Island and Queens respectively) are our favorite BBQ spots here in the city. All of them have delicious meats - pulled pork and brisket being our favorites. And then they offer special drinks and sides that make them unique. Travel to Staten Island (near the St. George Ferry) for Craft House’s delicious array of wings and creative cocktails - our favorite being a jalapeño cocktail! The Butcher Bar has awesome sangria, and I personally am wild about Dino BBQ’s sweet and sour cucumber salad and cajun corn.
Burgers & Pizza:
Shake Shack
This New York original now has branches all around the world, but to us its still a taste of home. Excellent burgers, fries, and shakes. The lines can be quite long. In our experience, the Upper West Side location @ Columbus Ave and 77th has the shortest waits in the evening unless you want to travel to the outer boroughs (which of course, we recommend!) Also: it's infinitely better than In N' Out. There's just no debate.
Koronet Pizza
New York is known for its pizza; and as a college student, I was fully immersed in the “dollar pizza” scene. (Want some great, cheap, crappy pizza? Go to Two Bros or Joey’s Pepperoni and get a slice for a dollar!) But if your hunger is larger than just a slice of pizza, then go to Koronet in Morningside Heights. They serve delicious, greasy pizza for $5/slice because the slices are twice the size of your head! It’s a great novelty, and also quite delicious. Take a look at the picture and notice how the pizza is the same size as a standard cafeteria tray.
Louie's Pizzeria
Putting the debate between New York and Chicago-style pizza aside, we have to highlight a forgotten favorite: Long Island-style pizza! Aka, the 'Grandma Pie.' And Louie's Grandma Pie takes the cake. (Or the pie?) This thick, olive-oil crust topped with mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and basil is served in rectangles, making it a unique pizza experience.
Note: In the ‘Europe’ section we feature our very favorite pizza in the city (Neapolitan style). Also, though this isn’t in NYC, go to Yonkers or Connecticut for Frank Pepe’s - one of our favorite pizzas in the whole country! Right up there with Lou Malnati’s Chicago-style pizza and Pi Pizzeria St. Louis deep dish. You gotta love the delicious diversity of American pizza!
Salads & Sandwiches:
Beatnic
"Eat well. Eat with purpose" is this vegan restaurant's motto. And they have crafted a mouth-watering menu that lives by it. They have a myriad of vegan options like burgers, breakfast foods, pastas and salads. And their menu of market specials rotates often and are as inventive as 'roasted asparagus w/ tahini vinaigrette + red chili' and smashed avocado toast with 'marinated cucumber, tofu feta and dill + almond parm.’
Sweetgreen
This one isn’t technically NYC based, but it’s a very popular option with the local lunch crowds. Their menu is constantly changing with the seasons, utilizing fresh fruits and veggies from local vendors to create their creative concoctions of salads. Did you know peach and goat cheese pairs wonderfully together? And that curry cauliflower is even better than curry chicken? Sweetgreen knew that!
Also worth checking out if you’re looking for healthy “fast food”: Dig Inn
The Meatball Shop
The Meatball Shop didn't exist when we first moved to NYC, but it's quickly becoming a New York classic. With locations all over Manhattan and one in Williamsburg, there is almost always a Meatball Shop nearby! Their prices have risen throughout the years, but their menu has improved as well. Get your meatballs served over veggies, pasta, salad, in a hero or as sliders. You can score a hero with an apple-and-arugula side salad. We suggest chicken balls slathered in their tasty house made pesto sauce or lemon butter. And pair it with a whiskey float. Mmmm.
Sal, Kris & Charlie’s, Troppo Stretto & Mike’s Deli
Who wants “subs” when you can have a New York hero?! There are so many places to get these sandwiches, but these are our top 3. Our very favorite: Troppo Stretto. This LA-based sandwich shop has opened multiple locations in NYC. The way they use calabrian honey is *chef’s kiss.*
And we wouldn’t be New Yorkers if we didn’t recommend The Bomb at Sal, Kris and Charlie’s. And maybe grab 5 other people who can help you eat it. This 14” hero is stuffed with salami, ham, turkey, pepperoni, mortadella, provolone cheese and American cheese, topped with lettuce, tomato, peppers, deli mustard and thousand island.
Last (but not least) - Mike’s Deli found on Arthur Ave in The Bronx, aka the real Little Italy. Make sure to get your sandwich on their seeded house bread, and try the bruschetta while you’re at it - it’ll blow your mind.
Parm
This delicious New York Italian joint serves our favorite sandwiches in the city! Though their menu differs between locations (their Upper West Side location, for example, serves more traditional Italian meals during their dinner hours), we always decide to order their sandwiches. You can't go wrong when deciding between their chicken parm, eggplant parm, meatball parm or chicken caprese sandwiches. Get it on a sesame seed hero and ask for their spicy tabasco mayo (on their secret menu!) Their buffalo cucumbers or italian fries are a perfect compliment.
Canadian:
Mile End Delicatessen
If you know Daniel and I, then you know that we love poutine. And you may also know that we love Quebec and Montreal. Though poutine is sadly hard to find in the states, we are lucky to live only a few minutes from this incredible deli full of poutine and other Montreal-style cuisine options! (Like smoked meat sandwiches). We highly recommend this spot!
Caribbean:
Freda’s Caribbean & Soul Cuisine
Hop on the C Train to the Northwest edge of Central Park to get a taste of authentic Caribbean without leaving Manhattan. Freda herself serves up affordable and heaping portions of jerk chicken, curried goat, rice and peas (beans), mac and cheese and - our favorite - calalloo. Take a walk around Columbia’s campus or Morningside Park when you’re done.
Mexican:
Birria-Landia
The birria craze has taken over NYC and we jumped on board pretty quickly. We also happen to live just blocks away from the food truck that started the craze, the Birria-Landia food truck in Jackson Heights. When you come, be prepared to wait on line. But it’ll all be worth it for that juicy, melt-in-your-mouth birria (traditionally prepared goat meat stew).
Los Tacos No. 1
With locations in Chelsea Market and Times Square, most tourists know about this place - but surprisingly, it isn’t overrated! Their cactus taco is totally worth a try, and you can fall back on the classics (steak, chicken and pork) if necessary.
Chavela’s
Flautas, empanadas, enchiladas, quesadillas - you can’t go wrong at Chavela’s! We really enjoy their table guacamole paired with fried tortillas to dip in it, and their sparkling sangria. On top of simply delicious food, the ambiance and outdoor dining is refined, and the little sparkling lanterns they put on each table as the sun sets over the city makes for the perfect dinnertime view.
Cuban:
Guantanamera
This Cuban restaurant has live music and employees rolling Cuban cigars in the front windows; it's a lively and busy atmosphere. It's also the most expensive restaurant on our guide and it generally requires a reservation, so keep that in mind. Entrees average $25, but make sure to factor in the cost of their $40 pitcher of sangria because you are not going to want to skip that.
Laly’s Restaurant
This Cuban-Mexican-American fusion in Jackson Heights, Queens has everything you ever wanted out of a brunch place. We go to sleep dreaming about their Roosevelt Street Corn starter (picture elote, but deconstructed and served in a bowl.) Whether you want to start your morning off with huevos rancheros, or lunch on a Cuban sandwich or chorizo mac & cheese - you can’t go wrong. And tell them not to hold back on the spice!
South America
Peruvian:
The Inkan & Pio Pio
Get your taste of Authentic Peruvian food with either (or both!) of these options. The Inkan in Long Island City and Pio Pio in Jackson Heights both serve up spreads full of Peruvian classics. Come hungry! We often decide to treat ourselves to the rotisserie chicken and supplement with delicious sides like salchipapas, sweet plantains and yellow rice. However - no matter what you decide to taste or which restaurant you’re at - ask for extra green sauce. Their spicy, tangy aji verde sauce compliments every single entrees. And if you’re at Pio Pio, definitely spring for their sangria pitcher!
Colombian:
Arepa Lady
Before her brick-and-mortar restaurant, the Arepa Lady was cooking this Colombian staple on the NYC streets for decades. Now she has a location in Jackson Heights and, more recently, Downtown Brooklyn! Experiment with the array of arepas on the menu and utilize their homemade sauces, especially the pineapple relish. Then top it all off with a mango shake!
LATIN FUSION:
Blend
Blend serves Latin fusion cuisine at a great price during their brunch and lunch hours. (It’s one of our favorite brunches in the city.) The mimosas are tasty and you can’t go wrong with their churrasco and chimichurri. Take the 7 train out to Long Island City for a visit.
EUROPE
German:
Spritzenhaus
This Brooklyn Beer Hall isn’t just known for its drink selection, but also its German sausages. You can get a traditional bratwurst or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try something like the Rabbit Sausage with Mango Chutney or Jalepeno Coleslaw. We like to grab the seats by the fireplace and play a game of Jenga.
Ukranian/Polish:
Vaselka, Pierozek & Karczma
When we discovered a love for Polish (and similar Eastern European) cuisines, we found these three incredible places. In the Lower East Side, Vaselka serves up delicious Ukranian food. We most loved their matzo ball soup and chicken paprikash (butter noodles covered in well-seasoned chicken and gravy). Journey to Greenpoint, Brooklyn for more delicious Polish options like Karczma and Pierozek - Pierozek’s specialty includes unique pierogies like jalepeño, cheese, potato and bacon.
Italian:
Fornino & Sotto le Stelle
Fornino is Neopolitan-meets-New York pizza, and our favorite pizza in the city! And Sotto le Stelle in Queens is a close follow-up. We weren’t sure where to categorize these restaurants, seeing as how they are New York Italian, but their menus do have more Italian dishes than just pizza, so ultimately we’re placing them here. Fornino’s spinach pie is the thing of dreams: topped with fresh mozzarella, ricotta, pecorino, spinach, pine nuts, white truffle oil and parmesan. At Sotto le Stelle we recommend the Angel & Devil: tomato sauce, spicy soppressata, spicy honey, fior di latte and basil. But you can’t go wrong with either of these menus!
Supper
This charming spot in the Lower East Side is our favorite place to grab Italian food in NYC! We’ve tried a number of their dishes, and then we plan our next visit immediately after leaving. We love their ‘priest stranglers’ dish - a thick al dente pasta with a flavorful red sauce (and don’t worry, their menu explains why it’s named that) and spaghetti al limone. This spaghetti dish manages to serve up a sweet lemon pasta - it’s like eating dessert for dinner! Supplement with antipastos, desserts and wine. The service here is always phenomenal!
Enoteca Maria
This unique restaurant is a must-visit! Open on the weekends only, the heart of Enoteca Maria is in their Italian Nonnas (grandmas) who cook and serve their authentic family recipes. The concept of the restaurant quickly grew as the owner invited more Nonnas to serve their traditional dinners. Nonnas from all over the world (Japan, Colombia, Syria, Poland, Ecuador, etc etc etc) started cooking out of their kitchen on the weekends, and the concept was so intriguing that we couldn’t stay away. We visited when their Nonna from Albania was serving her homemade Albania recipes. (Each weekend while their international Nonnas cook, an Italian menu is always available as well). We picked dishes from both menus, and everything we tried was absolutely delicious. We can’t wait to go back! During Covid-times, Enoteca Maria is staying in business by selling canned sauces from each of the Nonnas.
SPANISH:
Spanish Diner
Spanish Diner (and the whole Mercado Little Spain) in Hudson Yards is such a fun place to visit! Set up like the Spanish version of Eataly, you can walk around the market, sampling tapas and browsing groceries all the while. We prefer to sit down at the Spanish Diner (though getting some of their menu items a la carte in the market can be cheaper). Create your own experience with the tapas of your dreams. We love their pan con tomato, gazpacho and croquetas de jamon! And make sure to round your meal out with their churros and chocolate dipping sauce, and their sparkling wine called ‘cava’ served in a porron. You’ll thank us.
Greek:
Kikis
Kikis is so pinnacle ‘New York.’ Hidden in the border of Chinatown, Kiki’s is located in an old Chinese pharmacy - they don’t even have signage of their own, you just notice them by walking beside all of the outdoor diners and noticing that they aren’t eating Chinese. The dinner we had at Kikis was one of the best we’ve ever had in the city. And the lamb chops were easily the best lamb we’ve ever had. Make sure you get the saganaki, too (pictured here). It’s a delicious dish of pan seared, sesame-encrusted crispy phyllo surrounding kefalograviera cheese and drizzled with honey and lemon. Make sure to stop by Kikis when you’re in New York!
Asia
Japanese:
KyuRamen
Ramen is one of our favorite favorite foods, and we love sampling different ramen across the city. Throughout all of our exploration, these two make the top of the list. Kyuramen in Flushing is incredible - and their outdoor dining arrangements that started during Covid make for a fun dine-in experience. I personally love their spicy miso option (that’s usually my go-to ramen choice) and Daniel gets their black garlic ramen. You can load it up with extra toppings, and definitely supplement with a Thai Iced Tea or an ‘Amazing Lemonade.’
Fuyu Ramen
Fuyu Ramen is the other ramen option that we really enjoy. Find them in Sunnyside, Queens right off the 7 train. We both get their spicy miso ramen with ground pork. Plus, their fuyu chicken wings and potato salad are our favorite appetizers - both come with a unique, flavorful flair!
Korean:
Yoon Haeundae Galbi
KBBQ is our newest culinary journey, and it started when a friend took us to Yoon Haeundae Galbi. With high-quality cuts of meat like Dry Aged Ribeye, NY Strip Steak, Wagyu Boneless Shortribs and so much more - be prepared to drop a pretty penny on a dinner you’ll never forget! Choose from one of their meat packages, supplement with a few appetizers or rice dishes, and buckle down for the KBBQ experience. They’ll cook the meat right at your table in front of you, and provide you with various marinades, spices and more to dip in.
Not ready to drop the money that’s required to dine at Yoon Haeundae Galbi? No problem, because Wonderpig KBBQ is the next best thing. Located in Woodside, Wonderpig is a rare gem because it is all you can eat for only $37. Say whaaat?! The cut of Yoon’s meats is definitely higher quality, but we still loved everything about our Wonderpig experience. They ask you to order 3 meats at a time, and keep in mind there is a 30% surcharge for any uneaten meat. All of the sides are included in the all-you-can-eat. It’s a diamond in the rough in NYC, all-you-can-eat KBBQ for only $37/person sounds like a dream.
BonChon
This Korean chain has locations all over the world! Get your Korean fried chicken, potstickers and bibimbap here. Every time we go, we sample something new off the menu - we’ve yet to have something that’s disappointed us! But do be warned - their “spicy” wings are not messing around. Daniel and I can tolerate spicy, but this was physical-pain spicy (in the best way.) Highly recommend!
Vietnamese:
Num Pang Sandwich Shop & Joju
Get the city’s best Bánh Mì sanwhiches at either of these locations! They’re very similar, but Num Pang has Cambodian roots and Joju is Vietnamese. We’re just a tad bit more partial to Joju, though The Village Voice voted Num Pang “Best Sandwich” in the city in 2013. In both locations, the sandwiches are served with cucumber, pickled carrots, cilantro & chili mayo. The pork belly at Num Pang and the beef bulgogi at Joju are delicious - and definitely get the loaded Bánh Mì Fries at Joju!
Thai:
Pye Boat Noodle
We found this local Queens gem after returning to the US from our trip to Thailand. While in Thailand, we had boat noodles (literally noodle dishes made from hawkers in their boats and passed to other boaters floating down the canals.) The moment we tasted Pye Boat Noodle, we we were transported back to the land of smiles. Give Pye Boat Noodle a try if you're looking for truly authentic Thai cuisine.
Saranrom Thai
This Thai restaurant moved in just two blocks away from us and it was life-changing. We’ve loved everything on their menu that we’ve tried, including their pad see ew, panag curry and crispy garlic beef. Sit inside or outside for the perfect urban dining experience.
Filipino:
Mama Fina’s NYC House of Filipino Sisig
We realized we had never tried Filipino cuisine before, so we consulted some friends of ours (as well as Yelp) and found Mama Fina’s. It’s a cozy location serving Filipino classics such as sisig, tapsilog, bihon (all three of which we sampled) and more. Top off your meal with halo halos or flan for dessert.
Chinese:
Han Dynasty
This famous Szechwan restaurant has locations scattered across NYC and PA, and it is outrageously delicious. Prepare yourself for some SPICE and embrace the heat. We loved their dan dan noodles and dumplings in chili oil, but you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu!
Joe’s Shanghai
Everyone’s always looking for Xiao Long Bao - aka soup dumplings! And Joe’s Shanghai delivers. With two locations - one in Manhattan’s Chinatown and the other in Flushing, Queens (a true Chinatown experience). Supplement their soup dumplings with other dishes from their giant menu - you can’t go wrong! Feeling extra adventurous? Try the jellyfish!
Hong Kongese:
Joe’s Steam Rice Rolls
If you’re looking to taste something unlike anything you’ve ever had before - while only spending $6 - then Joe’s is the place for you! They have two locations: one in Flushing, Queens and one in Chinatown, Manhattan. We recommend going against the tourist flow and making your way out to Flushing - the real Chinatown, as the locals say. This Hong Kongese street food is gaining notoriety, and for good reason! They’re delicious and unique. A must-try.
Nepalese:
Mom’s Momo & Potala Food Cart
Jackson Heights, Queens has the largest Nepalese/Tibetan community outside of Nepal/Tibet, so the neighborhood is famous for its momos - delicious Tibetan dumplings! In fact, every year Jackson Heights hosts a “momo crawl.” But no need to wait for the annual event, these juicy babes are available 24/7. Our favorite places to get them are at two different street cars: Mom’s Momos and Potala. They’re parked on opposite sides of the street from each other, near the 74th Street Roosevelt station. We recommend getting a platter from both!
Nepali Bhancha Ghar
This place is a Jackson Heights gem - go for an authentic taste of Tibetan food. Once again, we gravitate toward the momos and this place’s Johl Momo is to die for. It becomes a cold-weather classic for us each year. Johl Momo (pictured to the right) is a dish of momos in a delicious - and super flavorful - broth. They used to serve out of a basement like a real hole-in-the-wall, but now they have a new location, website and social media. Definitely visit them!
Singaporean:
Laut Singapura
Singaporean was a new cuisine for us, but it did not disappoint! We love the diversity of Asia: these flavors and dishes were an entirely new experience. I absolutely loved their non-alcoholic drink choices - especially their butterfly lemonade that changes colors when you mixed it in front of you! I also ordered their ‘happy soda’ (rose syrup, condense milk, sparkling soda); the condensed milk was a lot, but I love rose-flavored anything. We ordered their Nyonya Curry and Indian Mee Goreng - both were delicious and unlike anything we’ve had before.
Indian:
Jackson Diner
Don’t let the name fool you, Jackson Diner has delicious, authentic Indian food! We love Indian and get it a lot while traveling, but it’s definitely a cuisine we need to explore more in the city. When Covid isn’t ravaging the world, Jackson Diner has a delicious, affordable Indian buffet on the weekends at lunch time; but, of course, the quality of their food goes up when you order in the evening. Their garlic naan is absolutely delicious and my favorite reason to visit! We also love their aloo gobi, basmati rice and chicken tikka - the classics!
Middle East
(Just a quick note that we realize the Middle East is not a continent - ha! But we love Mediterranean/Arabic food so much that we gave it its own section. We start with restaurants that consider themselves to be just general Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food, and then specify via country.)
Mediterranean:
Duzan
If you only have one meal to eat in NYC, we would tell you to go to Duzan. After spending a month in the Middle East and falling in love with the cuisine, finding Duzan was the greatest discovery we had after our return. The chicken and beef shawarma, the kofta, the hummus, the garlic spread - it’s all so delicious. You literally cannot go wrong with any of the options on their menu!
Kubeh
Branded as a Persian Restaurant, Kubeh has an excellent collection of Kurdish, Iraqi and Syrian Jewish dishes. Go for brunch and make sure to get yourself some shakshuka, or swing by for lunch and sample their Kurdish Siske soup - similar to a matzo ball soup but the protein is dough filled with slow-cooked beef. We also loved their drinks: I, Amanda, got a mint and rose water lemonade (and if you know me, you know how psyched I was to see that on the menu!), and Daniel got a refreshing mint and watermelon juice.
Dill & Parsley
This Mediterranean lunch spot is set up like Chipotle: you can see a display of ingredients and customize your bowl or pita sandwich as you order. The flavors are unique and the ingredients are always healthy and fresh. Whether you throw on some of their falafel, classic doner, red cabbage salad, yogurt & dill sauce, pickled peppers (or all of the above!), you can't go wrong.
Palestinian:
King of Falafel & Shawarma
At King of Falafel & Shawarma, you can find exactly that: incredible shawarma and falafel! This Palestinian eatery in Astoria, Queens, and it’s delicious! They douse their hummus in olive oil just like the Arabs do, and serve large, affordable portions. Make sure to slather white sauce all over everything.
Afghani:
Sami’s Kabab House
Also nestled in Astoria is Sami’s Kabab House, and we cannot rave about this place enough! We got to meet Sami himself during our visit - at first we were seated near the kitchen, but he personally moved us into a dining room with flickering candles and a great ambiance then gave us suggestions for what he likes on his menu. During our meal, he brought out hummus and dessert on the house! We loved everything we ate, including the kofta (I truly love kofta), paired with incredible kabli pulao rice - basmati rice infused with spices, onions, raisins, carrots and almonds. We also sampled a lamb dish called Uzbeki Qabuli Pualo, which is the national dish of Afghanistan! For dessert, Sami treated us to an Afghan Firnee - which is a cardamom and rose water custard. I absolutely love rose-flavored anything, so this dish was to die for. It almost tasted like liquified baklava. Highly recommend visiting Sami’s!
Lebanese:
El Toum
This is another local joint near us in Jackson Heights, and we love it! Can’t get much better than El Toum’s falafel. Just like at Sami’s Kabab, El Toum’s owner served us directly and was so friendly! We enjoyed our usuals - falafel, hummus, pita, kofta - but we also tried a chicken shawarma wrap. All of the above was delicious and, though it sounds like a similar menu to many of the others in this section, the Lebanese flavors are an experience all on their own! This is such a small detail to bring up, but the water was served in a gorgeous handmade clay pitcher and we just thought that was cool.
Balade
So many stunning Middle Eastern restaurants in NYC! The next is Balade. We absolutely enjoy their mixed grill, which is a sampler plate of beef kafta, lamb kabab and chicken tawook, paired with french fries and grilled veggies. (Including grilled shishito peppers - yum!) We also recommend their kibbeh, the national dish of Lebanon. If you aren’t sure what kibbeh is, we’d describe these as meatballs, except made with spiced ground beef, cracked wheat, onions and pine nuts. Their menu is huge and we haven’t made a wrong decision yet.
Yemeni:
Shibam Yemen Cafe
We decided to try Yemeni food after we saw Tiktok’s Consuming Couple visit this place, and we’re so glad we did! We highly recommend fahsah with their roshoush bread (pictured). Their bread alone has the circumference of a steering wheel! The fahsah is a stew made of shredded meat lamb broth topped with dip made of fenugreek and it was so incredibly delicious. We can’t wait to go back and try more unique dishes!
Egyptian:
Zooba
Get some Egyptian street food at Zooba! This casual restaurant has locations in Cairo, so you know you’re getting the real deal. While visiting Egypt, we fell in love with koshari, a totally unique dish that consists of a combination of rice, lentils, chickpeas, tomato sauce, fried onions, aswani chili sauce, and a plethora of Egyptian spices. Zooba’s koshari is delicious! Pair your koshari with some taameya (the Egyptian version of falafel, made from fava beans rather than chickpeas), a hawashi sandwich or any one of their finger foods!
MUM Mediterranean
We love Egyptian cuisine! When one of our favorite restaurants in the city called Little Egypt shut down, we were heartbroken. But a year later we discovered that a new Egyptian restaurant with a very similar menu opened in the same spot! Whether or not the owners of Little Egypt were involved in the creation of MUM Mediterranean remains a mystery, but the food tastes just as flavorful and home-cooked as Little Egypt did. Get the koshari and the kofta!
Israeli:
Reunion
For incredible Israeli food, visit Reunion; from shakshuka to shawarma, you will not be disappointed. The ingredients are fresh and the flavors are explosive! Reunion is primarily a brunch restaurant (though it is open until 5pm.) Their menu rotates every now and then, so don't get too attached to your favorite items and be prepared to experiment with new things when the time comes!
Nish Nush
This one was recommended to us by a friend of ours after we returned from our trip to the Middle East. We had both become obsessed with their mint lemonade (called ‘lemonana’) and he had noticed that they had it on their menu. Boy, are we glad he introduced us to this Mediterranean-Vegetarian paradise! We’ve agreed their falafel is the best we’ve had in the city - they serve it on platters reminiscent of the falafel platters we gorged ourselves on in the Middle East. But, most importantly, their lemonana is exactly what we’ve been missing.
Desserts
Desserts are a universal language aren’t they? There’s no way we could publish this list and not include some of our favorite NYC sweets! Read on and prepare your sweet tooth.
Martha's Country Bakery
By far the best NY cheesecake. Martha’s was a local Queens secret, but it has since opened two locations in Brooklyn. With a menu of cheesecake flavors like nutella and apple crumb (plus an egg nog cheesecake during the holidays!), and excellent cookies, strudels, muffins, pies and hot drinks, Martha's should be on every NYC itinerary. My favorite - other than their plain NY Cheesecake - is the peanut butter, and Daniel loves the oreo.
Al-Sham Sweets & Pastries
Returning home from our incredible trip through the Middle East was hard, but finding Al-Sham Sweets & Pastries made it just a little bit easier. Especially because I finally found incredible knafeh in the city! Definitely give this unique treat a try, then sample the plethora of baklava they bake fresh each day.
Angelina’s Paris & Ladurée
I told you you’d see Angelina’s mentioned again! But this time for dessert! Both Angelina’s and Lauderee are the macaron spots in Paris. (Disclaimer: I’m sure there are plenty more that locals would swear by.) However, both of these French bakeries have a soft spot in our hearts. I remember sitting in front of the Eiffel Tower and eating a rose macaron from Lauderee for the first time, then returning home to NYC only to find out they were opening a location here! Perks to living in the capital of the world, amiright? When it comes to macarons, I am partial to the floral flavors and Daniel loves the citrus ones, but you can’t go wrong with any of the flavors from these bakeries! Angelina’s Paris also has awesome baguette sandwiches if you’re looking for a light meal to go with your macarons.
Levain Bakery
Over-sized cookies made with love in an undersized kitchen. The line at this Upper West Side store can sometimes be quite long, but the wait is worth it. These cookies come warm, gooey and HUGE. We most recommend the dark chocolate peanut butter chip.
Ralph's Italian Ice
This Staten Island original is home to a unique, cream-based variety of italian ice. Try some out on a hot day at either their Manhattan location (E. 24th & Lexington Ave) or one of the many scattered across the boroughs.
Jacques Torres
Are you visiting in the winter? Stop by one of Jacques Torres' locations for the best hot chocolate in the city! It's essentially a cup of liquid chocolate, so rich that a size 'small' will do. Some locations even have blood orange or mexican hot chocolate. Even if you aren't visiting in the winter, their specialty chocolate is worth a taste!
ROYCE Chocolate
And speaking of chocolate: ROYCE chocolate is like no other! This melt-in-your-mouth Japanese chocolate has only made its way to the USA in the past few years. (Now it's sold in NYC, Boston, Santa Monica, Chicago and Las Vegas.) This chocolate is rich, cool and silky smooth; but keep in mind that it has to be refrigerated. Stop by one one of their locations for some samples.
Läderach
(Okay, so I like chocolate.) Royce is one of my favorite for a new and unique experience, but Laderach is the best chocolate I’ve ever had in my life. (And I’ve had chocolate all over the world!) I’m so glad this Belgian shop opened locations in NYC - you can stumble across their stores all throughout the city. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny, but just know it’s worth it!
Pasticceria Rocco
Go here for rainbow cookies! Rainbow Cookies are a New York staple; they were created by the New York-Italian community in the early 1900s and, in most cases, actually rep the colors of the Italian flag in their layers. Though there are many variations, most often they are an almond or vanilla-flavored sponge cake, pieced together with a thin layer of raspberry jam, and then covered in chocolate. Our favorite Rainbow Cookies can be found at this Italian Bakery in The Village. Try your hand at their other delightful pastries and grab a seat in the back of the restaurant if you’d like!
Milk Bar
This is the famous Christina Tossi’s bakery, and it’s famous for a reason! Before she was on MasterChef or featured in Netflix documentaries, Milk Bar still stood out among New York City’s various bakeries because of its impossibly-moist cookies and inventive recipes like “Cereal Milk” soft serve ice cream and “Crack Pie.” I always get the confetti cookies and Daniel gets the crack pie; but you can mix and match between her cookies, cakes, truffles, pies and ice creams until you find your fave!
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Ice cream isn’t my favorite dessert, but it is definitely one of Daniel’s (and most of the world’s) so I’m including his favorite ice cream shop, Van Leeuwen! He loves their plain jane Cookies and Cream, but they have a lot of inventive flavors. (They even have dairy-free and vegan options, which comes in handy for me!) Try Bourbon Cherries Jubilee, Honeycomb, Earl Grey Tea and more!
Tiger Sugar
We aren’t necessarily Boba Tea connoisseurs, but we can confidently tell you that Tiger Sugar is absolutely excellent. With only a few locations in the United States, this wildly popular Taiwanese chain is making waves. They specialize in brown sugar boba - which is absolutely delicious - and just have some great vibes overall when visiting their Flushing or Chinatown location.
