Gastronomy in New York: the essential flavors of a world city

American cuisine as experienced in New York is far from the usual clichés. It is primarily the result of exceptional cultural mixing, where each community settled in the city has left a lasting imprint on the plates and in the memories.

Since the 19th century, successive waves of immigrants from Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean have transformed New York into a true culinary laboratory. The Jewish communities from Eastern Europe introduced pastrami and smoked salmon bagels, Italians brought pizza and fresh pasta, while German immigrants popularized the hot dog on Coney Island beaches. Each neighborhood still bears the traces of this heritage today, making each meal a sensory immersion into the city’s history. Here, culture and gastronomy are inseparable.

In New York, culinary specialties are enjoyed both on the street and in exceptional dining rooms. The street food culture is deeply rooted: a slice of pizza at the corner of an avenue, a hot dog grabbed on the go, or a bagel with cream cheese enjoyed on a bench are all rituals that punctuate the lives of New Yorkers. But the city also offers gastronomic experiences of another level, with eateries like Le Bernardin or Per Se that push the boundaries of American cuisine. It's this duality — both accessible and refined — that makes gastronomy in New York so captivating.

It's impossible to discuss New York gastronomy without listing its must-try dishes, those that have made the city's reputation well beyond its borders. Between traditions passed down from generation to generation and contemporary reinterpretations, here are the specialties not to miss during your visit:

• The pastrami sandwich on rye bread: a thick and generous slice of culinary history, made of smoked and spiced meat, accompanied by tangy pickles;
• The smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel: an absolute classic of New York breakfast, with its soft texture and slightly crispy crust;
• The thin crust pizza: flexible, generous, often folded in half to be enjoyed while walking through the city;
• The hot dog: beef sausage in a soft bun, topped with mustard and grilled onions, a timeless emblem of New York street food;
• The New York cheesecake: dense, creamy, set on a biscuit crust, both rich and delicate — a dessert that‘s well-earned.

Did you know? Each of these dishes carries a story of migration. Tasting them is also a way to read the city differently.

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New York is also discovered through its neighborhoods, each one carrying a distinct culinary identity. Sometimes just a few streets are enough to move from one culture to another, one continent to another. To find the best spots, it's all about knowing where to place your steps.

The Lower East Side is undoubtedly the neighborhood with the richest culinary history in Manhattan. Here lies the iconic Katz's Delicatessen, opened since 1888, an absolute institution for pastrami on rye sandwich. Its walls covered with photographs and its bustling counters tell several decades of New York life all by themselves. A rare appointment not to be missed during a gastronomic trip to New York.

Beyond the Lower East Side, great spots multiply in every direction. In Brooklyn, Junior's has established itself as the undisputed reference for New York cheesecake since 1950, while Nathan's Famous in Coney Island remains a historic step to enjoy a hot dog in style. For a more immersive culinary experience, food tours organized in the alleys of Chelsea Market or during the open-air markets of Smorgasburg in Brooklyn allow you to taste a multitude of local flavors in a few hours. These markets, particularly lively in spring and fall, also offer a chance to meet directly with producers and craftsmen. Tips from our Travel Planners: include a half-day food tour in your custom itinerary to ensure you don't miss anything essential.

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To fully enjoy the gastronomy in New York, a few landmarks are invaluable. The most sought-after tables often require a reservation several weeks in advance. For travelers with dietary restrictions, New York is one of the most accommodating cities in the world: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or kosher, each profile can easily find what they need in the diversity of the local offerings. In terms of beverages, do not leave without having savored a Manhattan or a Cosmopolitan at a rooftop bar, nor without discovering the wines from the Finger Lakes, the main wine-producing region of the State of New York, known for its fresh Rieslings and elegant Chardonnays. Our advice: if you wish to extend the experience beyond restaurants, some cooking workshops offer lessons on preparing homemade specialties—a unique way to bring back a tasty souvenir in your luggage.