The best New York delis

What is it? New York’s quintessential kosher-style sandwich shop. It’s not really a deli, but it’s adjacent to one.

Why we love it: Katz's sign reads: Katz’s that’s all! Because at one time it advertised itself as Katz’s kosher deli, except it wasn’t actually kosher and there was outcry, so they changed the sign. It’s just Katz’s, that’s all. If you’re visiting, it’s probably on your list. And there’s almost always a line these days, which is sad to those of us who have a longstanding relationship with the place. But if you haven’t ever eaten at Katz’s, you want to. The sandwiches are huge, delicious, and the place is-and I don’t use this word lightly-iconic. Mind that the efficiency you’re supposed to observe on the street goes triple here: know what you want by the time it’s your turn, and keep things moving. The order is simple: pastrami or corned beef on rye with mustard. Pickles. Maybe a knish if you’re dead-set on sleeping directly after your meal. A Cel-Ray or cream soda. People love calling this place a tourist trap, and it is one. It's also a tourist trap that serves genuinely excellent food in an environment unreplicable by any wannabe or imitator.

Time Out tip: Keep your ticket. Do not lose your ticket. And when the slicer gives you a taste of the meat, TIP THEM. If budget is a concern, one sandwich handily serves two people. Don’t miss out on the pickled green tomatoes.

Address: 205 East Houston Street, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 8am-11pm; Fri 8am-11:30pm; Sat, Sun 24 hours

Expect to pay: ~$28.95-30.95/sandwich; ~$8.54-9.95/small plate; ~$6/hot dog

What is it? The (now) confusingly named deli titan that used to be on Second Avenue but has since moved to 33rd St. 

Why we love it: The original East Village location was a stone-cold classic. This place really encapsulated the Jewish deli experience. It moved in 2006 and, despite some apprehension, we’ve found it hasn’t missed a beat. The chopped liver is moussey and light, the pastrami is fatty without being gummy, and each table still gets fixed with pickles-half and full-sour for your pleasure. There’s a second location further uptown on the Upper East Side. And above that one, they’ve got a cute little cocktail bar called 2nd Floor Bar & Essen. But if you’re trying to go for the real deal, it doesn’t get much realer than this. The place is the quintessential New York deli, with pastrami, kishkas, kasha varnishkes-a grain and pasta salad. Whenever I go, I get a tongue sandwich with a lot of mustard, pickles, a root beer, and remember New York the way it used to be-something a person can scarcely find anywhere else. 

Time Out tip: They don’t toast bread; they don’t serve cheese. Don’t ask.

Address: 162 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016

Opening hours: Daily 11am-8pm

Expect to pay: ~$28–44/sandwich; ~$10–23/small plate; ~$8-11/knish/hot dog;  ~$34-65/Entree; ~$14-29/breakfast plate; ~$4-10/drink

What is it? A hundred-and-some-year-old appetizing counter, classic of classics, self-proclaimed “Sturgeon King.”

Why we love it: Barney Greengrass opened in 1908. Think about that math for a moment as you step inside and realize that probably nothing has changed in the intervening years.  If you’re here and have no interest in smoked fish, you’re going to be paying a whole bunch of money for eggs. What I mean is, show up ready for sturgeon, sable, nova, lox, whitefish-all of that stuff that murders your breath but feeds your soul. The people working here, from the servers to the slicers to the egg-cooks, are absolute pros. Make no mistake: you’ll get your eggs cooked perfectly, but don’t get them without the smoked-fish addition. Lox, eggs, and onions, for example: the classic that doesn’t sound like it should work but truly does, beautifully. Or you could go the sandwich route, sturgeon or sable on rye with lettuce, onion, tomato, and mayo. It doesn’t come cheap, but you’re not going to get this virtually anywhere else. Weekend mornings are nuts. Old-timers who’ve earned preferential treatment rub elbows with stroller-pushing nouveau yorkers. But the crowds mesh-they both get it. If you’re smart, you’ll send an advance party to scout a table. Or you can show up during the week, when it’s easy to just sit and have a meal.

Time Out tip: Cash only. Closed Mondays. No reservations. 

Address: 541 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Opening hours: Tu-Fri 8:30am–4pm; Sat, Sun 8:30am–5pm

Expect to pay: ~$16-30/sandwich; ~$14-17/small plate; ~$23-30/entree; ~$5.50-8.50/dessert

What is it? A diner/deli all-star.

Why we love it: Abe "Sarge" Katz, a retired NYPD sergeant, opened this place in 1964. A fire shut it down in 2012 for over a year and we were all worried, but it came back, Tiffany lamps intact. This place has that feel you’re after, the crusty and well-worn New York sensibility that comes with neighborhood trust. Sarge's cures its own pastrami on-site. That’s not a claim most New York delis can still make. Is it the best pastrami? What do you care? It’s pastrami and it’s good. The Monster is ungapatchka-pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, turkey, and salami on rye. You may be tempted, but don’t fall for it. Keep things simple: pastrami on rye, tuna melt; they’re not kosher, so go nuts and get a Reuben. This is one of those places that could function like a diner if you order that way, but you wouldn’t really be getting the full effect. Of note: Sarge's is also one of only a handful of delis left in the entire country still doing rolled beef, which is one of those foods of necessity that turned into a favorite; it’s a cheaper cut of beef than a brisket, but with fattier trimmings rolled up in it before the cooking/curing. It’s then sliced like deli meat. It’s worth an order for sure. 

Time Out tip: It used to be 24 hours, but those days are gone. If you’re here with a friend, order a sandwich and split halves. The half sandwich + soup combo is a lot of food and their mushroom barley is very nice.

Address: 548 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Opening hours: Daily 10am–10pm

Expect to pay: ~$30-37/sandwich; ~$12-44/mains; ~$9-13/small plate

What is it? A kosher pastrami counter since 1956.

Why we love it: Pastrami, in case you didn’t know, is more or less the same thing as corned beef, except CB is boiled whereas pastrami is covered in a black pepper crust, then smoked. It is, if you’ve never had the pleasure, one of the great sandwich meats-a New York cousin to smoked brisket. And you will eat one of the great versions of the dish here, on rye, with mustard. The counter setup and the news playing on a TV in back have the specific, unglamorous charm of a place that's never once tried to impress an Instagram audience, baruch Hashem. There’s really only one old Upper West Side location, meanwhile, quietly closed, leaving this Lexington Avenue original to reign alone.

Time Out tip: This place is Kosher-you can’t get cheese on anything. That’s not negotiable. But that’s not really a compromise. The sandwich doesn’t lack anything. 

Address: 1125 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10075

Opening hours: Daily 10am-9pm

Expect to pay: ~$26-32/sandwich; ~$7-9/small plate; ~$33-35/entree. 

What is it? The Bronx's last real kosher deli.

Why we love it: Joe Liebman opened this place back when Jewish delis were as ubiquitous as bodegas are now. Joseph Dekel bought it in 1980 and, since his death, his son Yuval has been the owner/proprietor. Side note: Yuval used to play drums in NYC heavy metal band Irate before pivoting to pastrami. This is a place with real history, real roots, real quality that just won’t quit. We sincerely hope not. Unlike a lot of other places on this list, Liebman’s does it all—the smoked fish is appetizing, hot dogs, cold cut sandwiches, eggs, old-world entrees like goulash. The big draw is their pastrami sandwich, which is every bit as good as you hope it is. This is a truly special place, friendly, with a ton of character-the delicious food is kind of just the cherry on top. It's an uphill walk from the 1 train's 238th Street stop, about fifteen minutes. At least the walk back is downhill. 

Time Out tip: The Liebman’s Favorite is a huge pile of hot pastrami and corned beef, with kishka, and a choice of fried potatoes or mashed, plus gravy and pickles. This is a MASSIVE amount of food and well worth the $32. It can easily feed two.

Address: 552 West 235th Street, Bronx, NY 10463

Opening hours: Daily 11am-9pm

Expect to pay: ~$26–30/sandwich; ~$10-24/small plate; ~$26–42/entree; ~$5-8/dessert

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What is it? A deli in deep South Brooklyn that is also an art gallery.

Why we love it: Mill Basin Kosher Deli has the things you’re expecting, but it also has a lot of little innovations and quirks that keep things fun and interesting. Pastrami eggrolls, pastrami and cabbage knish; they have fajitas for some reason. The best of their inventions is the PLT: a kosher BLT that subs bacon for pastrami griddled until crisp. Truly delicious and novel-one of those things that’s so brilliant we can’t believe nobody else has tried it. The other thing that’s truly unique about the place is its walls; they’re covered in art, all of which is for sale. It's regularly cited as one of the last full-service kosher delis left in Brooklyn, which may just be true. That really matters less than the experience of eating here, which is a hoot every single time. 

Time Out tip: Mill Basin is deep. You’re not going out here unless you’re dead-set. A car is the best way. While you’re out here, you might as well go to the King’s Plaza Shopping Center-one of the only mall malls in all of NYC. And you can definitely take a walk in the Marine Park marshland; just bring appropriate footwear. If you do have a car, check out Floyd Bennett field-an abandoned airport nearby. There’s not much to see; it’s just kinda cool.

Address: 5823 Avenue T, Brooklyn, NY 11234

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9am-8pm

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What is it? It’s a sandwich shop selling traditional Jewish sandwiches, but it’s halal, run by a Yemeni Muslim family.

Why we love it: Halal versions of the classic Jewish deli sandos are on the menu. It’s not a deli per se, but it works for our purposes. And this whole thing isn’t actually as nuts as it sounds—halal and Kosher are similar in certain ways. No, one couldn’t pass as the other, but they aren’t as different as, say, Mexican and French cuisine. Point is, you can get pastrami, brisket, and corned beef just like you want. Sandwiches come in four sizes, small through jumbo. There’s also a few items you likely won’t find in a deli-the "Brooklyn cheesesteak," for example, swaps the usual sheet of beef with brisket meat. It rules.

Time Out tip: Know your size before you order: XL is a full pound of meat. 

Address: 533 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 9am-9pm; Fri, Sat 9am-10pm; Sun 10am-8pm

Expect to pay: ~$10-35/sandwich; ~$8-13/breakfast plate; $7/dessert

What is it? One of New York City’s best places, full stop.

Why we love it: This is NOT a deli, it’s Jewish appetizing. The distinction isn’t actually subtle; there is no meat here, no matzoh balls, no hot dogs. Many delicatessens offer Jewish appetizing, but the reverse doesn’t hold. Russ & Daughters makes this list because it is a quintessential piece of New York City’s Jewish gastronomy, which is really what the whole enterprise is about. Four generations of the Russ family have run this exact storefront on East Houston Street for over a century. Today, the owners are Niki Russ Federman and her brother, Josh Russ. This place isn’t a sit-down restaurant—for that, you’ll have to go around the corner to the Russ & Daughters cafe, where they’ve got a polished thing going that’s closer to a deli but still isn’t. There, they’ve got their signature appetizing on full display. But you can and should get a sandwich at the counter here, a truly beautiful, perfect thing that bears no improvement. You’re gonna have to find a spot to eat it, though. A visit to the store also grants an opportunity to buy some delicious baked goods like halva (a dessert made from sesame seeds, usually streaked with chocolate), black and white cookies, babka, and dried fruit.

Time Out tip: The truth is that the cafe is a more comfy dining situation, but the store is the realness. If you have to sit at a table with a server to eat, head over to Orchard Street; you won’t be disappointed. If you want to do as New Yorkers have done for 100+ years, find a bench on Houston Street.

Address: 179 East Houston Street, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Daily 8am-4pm

Expect to pay: ~$17/sandwich; all other food is by the pound

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What is it? A Formica-counter luncheonette on Fifth Avenue.

Why we love it: S&P Lunch isn’t a deli, it’s a luncheonette. It used to be Eisenberg’s, a little deli with a lunch counter. That place never modernized and shuttered and now, it’s got new owners who-miracle of miracles-have actually kept exactly what was great about the place and added more. The people who are now behind the space come from one of New York City’s best sandwich shops, Court Street Grocer. But this place keeps it more traditional. Case in point: their "Lil' Shonda" is a pastrami, egg, and cheese sandwich. The name’s homonym, “shanda,” means “shame” in Yiddish, which we take to be a play on words; consider the presence of cheese and meat—very non-kosher. It’s a funny, delicious joke. But this place has the perfect tuna melt, delicious egg creams—it’s a throwback in the best way.

Time Out tip: Sit at the counter, order an egg cream.

Address: 174 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10010

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm; Sat, Sun 9am-8pm

Expect to pay: ~$12-27/sandwich; ~$14-20/breakfast plate; ~$7-16/small plate; ~$6/egg cream

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What is it? A kosher deli… that serves Chinese food.

Why we love it: Essen exists to feed its own neighborhood first and tourists a distant second, probably why it doesn't get the attention the Manhattan spots on this list do, despite genuinely excellent thin-sliced pastrami. It’s got all of the cold cut favorites, soups, hot dogs, knish. And it’s got that sort of bedraggled charm of the kosher delis you love… then you realize they’ve got a menu of Chinese takeout. It feels like a gimmick until you realize the place is Glatt kosher, which is a specific, ever stricter version of Kosher than the one you’ve heard of. This is New York City-everyone loves Chinese takeout. Do the math: this is kosher Chinese takeout, a real blessing for the neighborhood and any visitor looking to tell a true NYC story.

Time Out tip: As the place is Kosher, they’re closed during Shabbat: Friday afternoon until Sunday.

Address: 1359 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11230

Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Sun noon-10pm; Thu noon–midnight; Fri 10am–2:30pm

Expect to pay: ~$5-14/small plate; ~$4-10/hot dog; ~$20-40/entree; ~$11-16/sandwich

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What is it? A Third Avenue deli-diner sans frills.

Why we love it: Current owner Eugene Slobodski took the place over from his own grandfather. They’ve been experimenting with online ordering, late-night drinks, and other small concessions to a younger clientele, but beneath the juice bar and smoothie mishegas, the actual menu (matzo ball soup, kreplach soup, pierogies, a seven-layer chocolate cake) is, at its core, the same as it's always been. This is kind of more in the diner zone than an actual deli; you’re not gonna buy spread by the pound and you can get bacon and cheese here. No complaints about that. But they’ve got a lot of the old-school favorites that only people with the kishkes know about: Matzoh Brie (rhymes with fry) is a classic, matzoh (unleavened bread, sort of like a water cracker) soaked in egg, then fried. It’s delicious; try it.

Time Out tip: Ask about the borscht. It’s only available in the summer, and people go nuts for it.

Address: 1215 Third Ave, New York, NY 10021

Opening hours: Daily 10am-8pm

Expect to pay: ~$8-22/breakfast plate; ~$23-33/entree; ~$10-16/small plate; ~$22-30/sandwiches