02 November 2025
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Whether it’s a mile-high sandwich of hot pastrami or the quintessential slice of cheesecake, there are some dishes that New York does exceptionally well, if not better than anywhere else. Many have been served for decades — some for more than a century — at storied restaurants like Russ & Daughters and Katz’s Delicatessen.
See all of the iconic New York dishes below.
Bagels and Lox
Russ & Daughters Cafe
Opened in 1914, this mothership “appetizing shop” (a place known for smoked fish and dairy) has been a staple of Manhattan’s Lower East Side for over a century. Here, they hand-slice lox, or silky smoked salmon — offered in five varieties — paper-thin and pile it onto homemade New York-style bagels spread with a generous schmear of thick cream cheese. The updated Lower East Side café nearby channels the spirit and charm of the original counter, located just a few blocks away. Don’t skip out on other classics like pickled herring, fresh challah, babka and rugelach.
Burgers
Minetta Tavern
A New York City landmark, Minetta Tavern opened in 1937 and over the years welcomed famous guests such as Ernest Hemingway and Eugene O’Neill. Nowadays, folks drop in for Minetta’s appealing gastropub classics, but it’s the burger that has become most sought after: a $38 dry-aged Black Label burger (made with a perfectly balanced blend of different cuts) topped with sharp cheddar, caramelized onions and served on an airy brioche bun. While this quintessential tavern was refurbished in 2009, it’s still decked out with a dark wood bar, checkerboard tiled floors, red banquettes and caricature-lined walls.
Cheesecake
Peter Luger
The classic New York cheesecake is rich, dense and creamy with a bit of a sour tang and this is exactly what you’ll get from the slice served at Peter Luger, the iconic steakhouse located under the Brooklyn Bridge. While the cheesecake is not made in-house, the restaurant sources it from S&S Cheesecake, a Bronx bakery that has been making award-winning cheesecakes in the Bronx since 1960. As if cheesecake isn’t creamy enough, Peter Luger adds a generous dollop of homemade schlag (whipped cream) to make this decadent dessert even more so.
General Tso’s Chicken
Szechuan Gourmet
This beloved Chinese-American dish may have been created in Taiwan by a Hunanese chef (to appeal to an American, nonetheless), but by the early 1970’s, the famously sweet dish had landed in New York City’s Chinatown. General Tso’s chicken — the crispy battered bites of deep-fried chicken coated in sweet, salty and slightly sour sauce — has since been a staple on menus throughout the city’s Chinese restaurants. At Midtown’s long-established Szechuan Gourmet, it appears alongside plenty of fiery Szechuan dishes.
Pastrami Sandwiches
Katz's
One of the last old-time Eastern European spots on the Lower East Side, Katz’s is an institution. Don’t be surprised to find lines extending full city blocks any day of the week. Why the wait? People come from all over for steaming bowls of matzo ball soup, crisp potato latkes and the famous pastrami on rye: heaps of hand-carved, tender, melt-in-your-mouth pastrami laid onto fresh bread (don’t neglect to add a healthy squirt of mustard, per local custom). Pick up your order at the counter and nab a spot at an open self-serve table, or opt for a slightly less dizzying experience at a server-attended table in the back.
Pizza
Una Pizza Napoletana
You’ll often find pizza maestro and obsessive Anthony Mangieri tending to the wood-burning oven at Una Pizza Napoletana, which yields glorious Neapolitan-style pies with exceptionally fluffy edges, paper-thin crusts and minimal toppings. The selection is limited, but you can’t go wrong ordering a classic margherita, with its milky mozzarella di bufala, sweet tomato sauce and fresh basil. Note: the restaurant is reservations only and they prepare a limited amount of dough each morning, so the kitchen only allows one pizza per person.
Steak
Gallaghers
Steak has been served in New York City since the mid 19th-century, and Gallaghers has long been part of the tradition, serving its signature smoky, charcoal-grilled meat. In the dining room, the visible dry-aging locker showcases the selection, from a tender bone-in ribeye to a juicy prime rib. Settle in with an ice cold martini or a bottle of wine from the ample list, and enjoy the vibes at this classic spot. Note: For a steal, Gallaghers offers a three-course $34 lunch special — the perfect way to try a wedge salad, filet mignon and a New York-style cheesecake.
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Hero image: Iconic entrance of Gallagher's. © Marc Santiago/Gallagher's
