Top 10 Favorite Food Spots in NYC

New York City is brimming with food choices, with what feels like an endless supply of cuisines, styles, and price points. After seven years in this city, I can say that I’ve hardly made a dent in the 24,000 plus eateries that NYC has to offer! It can be a little overwhelming trying to whittle down this overabundance of options to find the best of the best…but it’s a challenge I’ve been happy to take on. Here are ten of my all-time foodie favorites!

1. Tacombi ($$)
Where: Multiple locations in Manhattan, though my personal favorite is in the Flatiron area.
Why I love it: As a born and bred Californian, my Mexican food standards are crazy high. Tacombi was a welcome find for me a few years back when I started missing those California tacos.
What I order: Elotés (Mexican street corn) and crispy fish tacos w/ rice and beans (plus a smattering of one of their homemade hot sauces…a little goes a long way, believe me).

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGckvYUQL8X/?taken-by=thebluebijou

2. Juice Generation ($$$)
Where: All over Manhattan – list of locations can be found here.
Why I love it: Although I rarely get them (hello, $8-$10 for a smoothie in a bowl? I am not that kind of rich), their peanut butter açaí bowl is to die for. Chock full of freshly sliced bananas, peanut butter, cacao nibs, hemp granola, and strawberries, it’s a perfect way to start the day!
What I order: Any of their smoothies or fancy juices are delicious, but I’m a huge fan of that peanut butter açaí bowl!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRGr0bIFfeC/?taken-by=juicegeneration

3. Sprinkles Cupcakes ($$)
Where: Locations all over the city (and the United States), but the if you want to visit the cupcake ATM (yeah, you read that right), you’ll have to head uptown, to the Upper East Side. Perfect field trip if you want to nab some cupcakes, stroll by Bloomingdale’s, and end up in Central Park!
Why I love it: While many New Yorkers (and tourists) flock to Magnolia Bakery for their famous cupcakes, Sprinkles wins all the awards in my book – flavors, consistency, the whole nine yards. (But don’t fret – Magnolia is still on my list, just for a different reason!)
What I order: The peanut butter chocolate cupcake – it’s perfect.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSo-mtNA6tg/?taken-at=2828954&hl=en

4. The Meatball Shop ($)
Where: Seven different locations in Manhattan!
Why I love it: This place serves up a plethora of the ultimate comfort foods, has a great vibe no matter which location you go to, and is consistently delicious. I’ve probably been here more times than any other restaurant in the city.
What I order: My old standby options are the spicy pork meatballs with pesto, creamy mashed potatoes, sautéed broccoli, the “Smash” sandwich with pesto and a fried egg, or the freshly milled polenta. All to die for.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRv1vPcjLOV/?taken-by=meatballers&hl=en

5. The Smith ($$$)
Where: Five different locations in Manhattan.
Why I love it: Surprisingly creative, consistent comfort food (are we seeing a trend here?)
What I order: Avocado toast if I’m brunching, ricotta gnocchi with truffle cream any other time of day. Need I say more?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRZ4NiAgIAp/?taken-at=11482

6. Magnolia Bakery ($)
Where: Locations all over Manhattan, but my favorite is their Bleecker Street store, because who doesn’t love walking around the West Village with a treat in their hand?
Why I love it: Magnolia is a New York institution, and a charming little bakery that makes the best flippin’ banana pudding this side of forever.
What I order: Banana. Pudding. Yes. Please.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXN0d38Akux/?taken-by=magnoliabakery

7. Veselka ($)
Where: 144 2nd Avenue in the East Village.
Why I love it: After a night out with friends, this Ukrainian restaurant serves up traditional dumplings and deliciousness that are the perfect nightcap before you head home!
What I order: Arugula and goat cheese, spinach, or potato pierogis, potato latkes, grilled cheese (or pancakes if I’m feeling like a midnight breakfast)…pretty much anything on the menu.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSjU9-gDnbS/?taken-at=214861041&hl=en

8. Dough Doughnuts ($$)
Where: They have a few locations in both Brooklyn (where they originally started) and Manhattan, but my favorite location is the one in the Flatiron.
Why I love it: There are tons of doughnut options in NYC, but Dough is really good at what they do.
What I order: Their blood orange doughnut is unreal! The cafe au lait is also a wonder. You really can’t go wrong with anything on their menu though.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSli6HIlMFO/?taken-by=doughdoughnuts&hl=en

9. Hanco’s ($)
Where: Two different locations in Brooklyn (Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope).
Why I love it: Hanco’s does a few things, and they do them well. Their traditional Vietnamese food, especially their sandwiches, are well-loved by New Yorkers and visitors alike.
What I order: The tofu banh mi sandwich, medium spicy, and a fresh lime lemonade. Bingo!

https://www.instagram.com/p/_MyK9Yi7vU/?taken-at=501212

10. Dhaba ($$)
Where: In “Little India,” at 108 Lexington Avenue.
Why I love it: After coming back from London last year with a renewed Indian food obsession, I went on the hunt for something similar in the city. I knew my biggest problem would be picking the best out of a huge pile of options! Dhaba does Punjabi specialties well, and they don’t mess around. Great for meeting friends for a quick lunch or a more leisurely (but casual) dinner.
What I order: Veggie samosas (amazing), saag paneer, aloo saag or just about any other vegetarian dish on the menu.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLtvFwfj09d/?taken-at=289491560&hl=en

Phew! I tried to keep this list short, and look what happened. I hope that you’ve found some foodie inspiration if you live in the city and need to switch things up, or some ideas for your next trip to New York! And yes, I realize I’ve left off bagels and a lot of other very important foods, but I figured this novel-length post was enough to start us off with. Who knows, maybe I’ll have to whip up a Part Two…

Happy noshing!

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