The very best mac and cheese in NYC

Since its opening in 1837, Delmonico’s Downtown location has maintained its status as a New York icon with a menu that does its standard of excellence justice. The Alaskan crab mac and cheese is no exception: It’s made with torchio pasta, Parmesan cream, Crucolo cheese and, of course, a generous amount of Alaskan crab. The dish is also available at Delmonico’s Kitchen in Midtown.

The aptly named Primal Cut takes steakhouses to the next level. From the “Indulgent Sides” menu, the lobster truffle five-cheese macaroni is worth the trip uptown all on its own—Vermont cheddar, American cheese, Monterey Jack, Parmesan and Swiss cheese cloak a truffle-infused ménage of half a lobster tail and panko-Parmesan encrusted pasta.

The legendary eatery has relocated from the West Village to the LES, but still churns out kitchen-sink dishes for a 12-year-old’s palate, such as pumpkin-pistachio–peanut-butter–cinnamon pancakes and chicken-burrito soup. Diners marvel at the wacky fare on a 200-item menu and then bide their time to try the kitchen's bizarro brilliance found in salty, toothsome macaroni-and-cheese pancakes.

As promised, we’re coming through with a full-on vegan masterpiece from health-forward favorite by CHLOE. Now serving up its famed mac and cheese (with sweet potato and cashew magically subbing in for the latter) at five NYC locations and counting, it makes the vegan lifestyle both accessible and enjoyable, not to mention photogenic.

Beecher’s knows mac and cheese like no other, especially considering the cheese itself is its specialty. The “World’s Best” iteration lives up to its name and is known and loved across the city and beyond for its simplicity with a kick. It combines the house Flagship and Just Jack cheeses with butter, flour, milk, salt, chipotle chili powder and garlic powder over penne pasta, all baked to perfection.

A collision of beloved worlds: The best breakfast and mac and cheese unite in Avra Madison’s fried egg–topped brunch menu highlight featuring elbow macaroni and ultrarich cheddar sauce. It also makes the perfect pairing with the best spanakopita in the city.

Among the city’s best-kept secrets is the clandestine four-cheese recipe from Murray’s Cheese Bar, so the most we can say about it is that it’s excellent. And if you’re in the mood for dessert afterward, go for a good old fashioned raclette.

Schnippers’ five NYC locations are known for one thing above all: comfort food. Burgers, fries and shakes are obligatory; however, the no-frills four-cheese baked mac is not to be ignored. Be sure to save room.

If you’re in the mood for burgers, sandwiches and all things fried, you’ve come to the right place. Queens Comfort in Astoria serves up a menu full of ooey, gooey brunch offerings. Think bacon-scallion mac and cheese and Atomic Fire Balls of deep-fried mac & cheese with Sriracha and ranch.

Speaking of perfect pairings, the decadent lobster mac and cheese at Harding’s comes with a view of a stately black walnut bar sourced from Bucks County, Pennsylvania—homage to the American spirit of the cozy Flatiron watering hole. Béchamel and gruyère over orecchiette pasta together serve as a creamy bed for an entire lobster tail, so needless to say, it’s not for the faint of heart.