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May 20, 2022

Eating Out in New York City

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When it comes to eating out, the options in New York can often leave you feeling a little dizzy. However, you’ll be able to find cuisines from all around the world in the big apple.

From Michelin-star restaurants housing some of the best chefs in the world to incredible street vendors, New York boasts it all!

However, it can be challenging for those not familiar with the city or someone visiting for the first time to pick a place with so many options to choose from. 

Luckily, we’ve done all the extensive tasting so you can visit the best that New York has to offer. So here are all the foods that you absolutely must try while visiting Manhattan. 

Kochi

Kochi is Sungchul Shim’s first solo venture in the restaurant industry and was recently the recipient of a Michelin star award. He’s a former alum from the highly acclaimed three Michelin star restaurant Per Se. 

The restaurant takes inspiration from the Korean royal court and offers customers several incredible skewered dishes. They offer a nine-course meal at a very reasonable price that’s sure to provide customers with a brilliant dining experience. From an incredible charcoal-grilled Spanish mackerel to some brilliant, braised ribs, the food on offer is sure to get your tongue wagging. 

They also provide customers with many luxury food items like caviar and everything you’d expect from a Michelin star restaurant. 

Photo: Kochi NYC

Africa Kine

Since it first opened in New York in 1996, Africa Kine has been one of the best places for authentic Sengalese cuisine worldwide. Founders Kine and Samba Niang grew up in Dakar, so they had a pretty good idea about the authentic taste of Senegal. 

Today their menu continues to evolve to include even more dishes and make the restaurant more accessible to a wider audience. However, the brunt of the menu still features traditional dishes from Senegal. 

You can enjoy dishes like Thiebu djen, Yassa, and Mafe! You can typically expect to enjoy these dishes for lunch, while their dinner menu is much broader, featuring a wide array of cuisines. 

4 Charles Prime Rib

When it comes to a late meal, there’s nothing in New York city that’ll quite hit the spot like some Charles Prime Rib.Link opens in a new tab So, after an exciting day of walking and exploring the big apple, you want to make your way to this small little steakhouse. 

However, don’t let the quaint little interior fool you. They make some of the best burgers in town. It’s also a great spot to visit if you’re in the mood for some ribs. Finally, you can top things off with a slice of cholate pie to end your night with a bang. 

The King Falafel & Shawarma

Around every corner in New York, you’ll find a falafel and shawarma stand. Everyone’s always on the go in New York, and that’s why these food stands are so popular. However, there’s one stand that rises on top of all of them, and it’s rightly known as “the King.” 

It’s pretty easy to identify this particular stand because there will always be a super long line before you can get your food. However, it’s food that’s definitely worth the wait. You’ll get to experience the best shawarma in the city.

Aside from the shawarma and falafel, they also have a few other notable dishes. They also offer a lot of rice dishes, and their tahini sauce is something that you absolutely must try. Make sure that you take the time to visit the King of Falafel & Shawarma. 

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Louie & Ernie’s Pizza

New York is one of the few places worldwide where even bad pizza is good pizza. With so many different styles of pizza, visiting just a single pizza place isn’t enough. However, if there’s one that you absolutely must try, it’s Louie & Ernie’s pizza. 

They’ve been around since 1959 and consistently attract headlines for their delicious pizzas. Their plain cheese and sausage topped pies are the most popular. Louie & Ernie’s also serve single slices, so you can try out a whole bunch of different flavors when you visit. 

Katz’s Delicatessen

Very few restaurants can boast that they’ve been around for a part of three different centuries, but Katz’s Delicatessen is one of the few that can proudly claim that achievement. They initially started operations in 1888 and are still going strong to this day. 

They offer a wide variety of different sandwiches, but there’s one thing that everyone flocks to the place for, and it’s the pastrami. One bite of the pastrami will have you rushing in for the second. The meat is incredibly tender and features the perfect amount of spices. 

It’s a good idea to visit the restaurant around the time it opens for breakfast. During lunchtime or dinner, it becomes incredibly frantic and busy. 

Kwik Meal Cart

When a street vendor can offer better food than most restaurants in the area, you get a good idea regarding the strength of the street food scene. Kwik Meal Cart is run by Muhammed Rehman, a former chef at the Russian Tea Room. 

With a year of high-level cooking experience under his belt, he serves some of the best-tasting food in the city. When visiting the Kwik Meal Cart, it’s absolutely essential that you try a bit of the lamb. Overall, it’s an exquisite dining experience. 

Final Words

New York can definitely put in a strong claim for being the food capital of the world. You’ll find food from all corners of the world, and you’ll have the choice of some of the best establishments. 

From Michelin star restaurants to some of the best food vendors globally, New York offers something for all the foodies out there. Book your flight with PLAY and enjoy New York as much as you can! 

It’s hands down one of the best places to explore different styles of cuisines and boasts some of the most vibrant chefs in the world.

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