This cavernous cafeteria is a repository of New York history—glossies of celebs spanning the past century crowd the walls, and the classic Jewish deli offerings are nonpareil. Start with a crisp-skinned, all-beef hot dog, then flag down a meat cutter and order a legendary sandwich. The brisket sings with horseradish, and the thick-cut pastrami stacked high between slices of rye is the stuff of dreams.
New York is home to some of the most lauded restaurants in the world. The best restaurants in NYC represent a rainbow of cuisines and approaches, with new restaurants popping up and generating buzz on a regular basis. We’re lucky like that: New Yorkers always have something new and exciting to try, but old favorites — the most famous restaurants in NYC — have stood the test of time, serving generations of fans.
NYC’s most famous restaurants are classics, spots that everyone — both locals and visitors — should try at least once. These restaurants include steakhouses, delis and pizza joints (the best pizza in the USA in fact), all of them classically New York. When dining at these institutions, you’ll find neighborhood regulars, families, ownership passed down through generations and of course amazing food.
These iconic restaurants may be nationally (and internationally) famous, but they’re still beloved right here at home. When you’re looking for a place to celebrate or a place where you’ll feel like you’re dining among family, these famous New York restaurants are the place to be.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC