10 Iconic New York Restaurants You Have To Visit At Least Once

New York City has always been a melting pot of cultures, and nowhere is that more obvious than in its legendary restaurant scene.

From old-school delis to fancy steakhouses, these spots have fed generations of locals and visitors alike.

Each one tells a story about the neighborhoods they call home and the people who built them from scratch.

Walking into these places feels like stepping back in time, with recipes and traditions that have been passed down through families for decades.

Whether you’re craving a towering sandwich, a perfectly cooked steak, or a plate of fresh dim sum, these restaurants offer something truly special.

They’re not just places to eat but landmarks that capture the spirit of New York.

Get ready to explore the flavors, history, and atmosphere that make these ten restaurants absolute must-visits in the city that never sleeps.

1. Katz’s Delicatessen

Walking through the doors at Katz’s feels like entering a time machine that takes you straight to old New York.

The walls are covered with faded photos and celebrity autographs that tell decades of stories.

Located at 205 East Houston Street in the Lower East Side, this deli has been serving the community since way back when horse-drawn carriages were still a thing.

What makes Katz’s different from other delis is its unique ticket system.

You get a little paper ticket when you walk in, and you hand it to the counter workers as they carve your sandwich.

Losing that ticket means paying a hefty lost ticket fee, so hold onto it tight.

The atmosphere inside is always buzzing with energy.

Long communal tables fill up fast during lunch and dinner rushes.

Tourists and lifelong New Yorkers sit side by side, all there for the same reason.

Hand-carved pastrami and corned beef are the stars here, sliced thick and piled impossibly high between slices of fresh rye bread.

The smell of spices and cured meat fills every corner of the space.

Visiting Katz’s isn’t just about grabbing a quick bite.

It’s about experiencing a piece of New York history that has survived through generations and still draws crowds every single day.

This place represents the heart and soul of the Lower East Side.

2. Peter Luger Steak House

Brooklyn’s oldest restaurant sits on Broadway in Williamsburg, and it has been grilling up perfection since before the Brooklyn Bridge was even finished.

Peter Luger Steak House opened its doors when New York looked completely different.

The dining room still has that classic, no-nonsense steakhouse vibe.

Dark wood paneling covers the walls, and the tables are simple and sturdy.

There’s nothing fancy about the decor, and that’s exactly the point.

People come here for one thing above all else: dry-aged steaks that are cooked to absolute perfection.

The restaurant dry-ages its beef on-site, letting the flavor develop over weeks.

This process creates a tender, richly flavored steak that’s hard to find anywhere else.

One quirky thing about Peter Luger is the payment policy.

They only accept cash or their own house account, no credit cards allowed.

It’s an old-school rule that keeps the place feeling authentic and unchanged.

The waiters are known for their straightforward, sometimes gruff service style.

They know the menu inside and out and aren’t afraid to tell you what’s best.

Reservations are highly recommended because this place fills up fast, especially on weekends.

Located at 178 Broadway, it’s a bit of a trek from Manhattan, but true steak lovers make the journey without hesitation.

Peter Luger represents Brooklyn’s proud culinary history.

3. Russ & Daughters

Few places in New York can claim a legacy that spans more than a century, but Russ & Daughters wears that honor proudly.

This appetizing shop started as a pushcart on the Lower East Side and grew into a beloved institution.

The original shop and newer cafe locations continue to serve the same high-quality smoked fish, bagels, and other traditional Jewish delicacies.

What’s an appetizing shop, you might wonder?

It’s a Jewish food store that specializes in fish, dairy, and baked goods but doesn’t serve meat.

Russ & Daughters perfected this tradition and kept it alive through multiple generations of family ownership.

The cafe space has a warm, welcoming feel with touches of vintage New York charm.

Cream-colored tiles and wooden accents create a cozy atmosphere that feels both historic and comfortable.

Customers can watch skilled workers slice fish with precision and care behind the counter.

The shop has always been a gathering place for the neighborhood.

People from all walks of life come together over shared appreciation for quality and tradition.

Smoked fish is the specialty here, prepared using time-tested methods.

Bagels are baked fresh and have that perfect chewy texture.

Russ & Daughters shows how a family business can thrive by sticking to its roots.

It remains a vital part of New York’s culinary landscape.

4. Lombardi’s Pizza

Pizza lovers everywhere should know about the place that started it all in America.

Lombardi’s opened its doors in Nolita back when pizza was still a foreign concept to most Americans.

Located at 32 Spring Street, this pizzeria has been baking pies in a coal-fired oven for well over a hundred years.

The coal oven is what makes the pizza here so special.

It reaches incredibly high temperatures that create a perfectly charred, crispy crust with a slightly smoky flavor.

Modern gas ovens just can’t replicate that same taste and texture.

The dining room has exposed brick walls and simple wooden tables.

Pictures and newspaper clippings cover the walls, documenting the restaurant’s long and proud history.

There’s nothing pretentious about the space, just honest, delicious pizza in a comfortable setting.

Lines often form outside, especially during peak hours and weekends.

But the wait is always worth it once you take that first bite.

The crust has a perfect balance of crispy edges and chewy center.

Simple, fresh toppings let the quality of the dough and sauce shine through.

Lombardi’s proves that sometimes the simplest foods, done right, are the most satisfying.

This pizzeria helped introduce an entire nation to one of the world’s most beloved dishes.

Visiting here connects you to that important piece of American food history.

5. Sylvia’s Restaurant

Harlem’s most famous soul food spot has been feeding hungry New Yorkers since the early sixties.

Sylvia’s Restaurant sits at 328 Malcolm X Boulevard, right in the heart of one of New York’s most culturally rich neighborhoods.

The restaurant earned its nickname as the Queen of Soul Food through decades of serving authentic Southern comfort dishes.

Sylvia Woods, the original owner, brought recipes from her South Carolina roots and shared them with her adopted New York community.

Her warmth and hospitality became just as famous as the food itself.

The dining room has a welcoming, homey atmosphere.

Bright colors and family photos create a space that feels more like eating at a relative’s house than a restaurant.

Gospel music often plays softly in the background, adding to the soulful vibe.

Sunday brunch here is a Harlem tradition that draws locals and tourists alike.

The restaurant serves classic Southern dishes that warm your heart and fill your belly.

Chicken and waffles is one of the signature combinations that keeps people coming back.

Everything is cooked with love and seasoned just right.

Sylvia’s represents more than just good food.

It’s a cultural landmark that celebrates African American culinary traditions and Harlem’s vibrant history.

The restaurant has hosted celebrities, politicians, and everyday folks, treating everyone like family.

New York State is lucky to have such a special place.

6. Keens Steakhouse

Step inside Keens Steakhouse and you’ll immediately notice something unusual hanging from the ceiling.

Thousands upon thousands of churchwarden pipes cover the space above your head.

These clay pipes belong to members of the Keens Pipe Club, a tradition that dates back to when the restaurant first opened.

Located at 72 West 36th Street in Midtown Manhattan, Keens has been serving hungry diners for more than a century.

The restaurant’s most famous dish is the mutton chop, something you won’t find on most modern menus.

This massive chop is tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection.

It’s a throwback to an era when mutton was more popular than it is today.

The dining rooms are dark and cozy, with wood paneling and vintage artwork covering every wall.

It feels like eating in a private gentleman’s club from the late eighteen hundreds.

The atmosphere is refined but not stuffy.

Waiters in traditional uniforms provide attentive service without being overbearing.

They know the menu and the restaurant’s history inside and out.

Keens has hosted everyone from Teddy Roosevelt to Babe Ruth over the years.

The walls hold countless stories of famous diners and memorable meals.

This steakhouse represents a piece of New York that refuses to change with every passing trend.

It remains true to its roots while still welcoming new generations of diners.

7. Nom Wah Tea Parlor

Chinatown’s oldest restaurant hides on a curved street called Doyers, tucked away from the busier main roads.

Nom Wah Tea Parlor has been serving dim sum since the roaring twenties.

The address is 13 Doyers Street, and finding it feels like discovering a secret.

Walking inside transports you to another era entirely.

The restaurant kept its original vintage booths with red vinyl seats and Formica tables.

Old-fashioned light fixtures hang from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the small dining space.

Everything about Nom Wah feels authentic and unchanged.

Dim sum here is made the traditional way, with recipes passed down through generations.

The kitchen still hand-makes dumplings and buns daily.

You can taste the difference that comes from doing things the old-fashioned way.

The restaurant is small and fills up quickly during weekend brunch hours.

Sharing a booth with strangers is common, which adds to the communal, neighborhood feel.

Service is friendly and efficient, even when the place is packed.

Nom Wah survived decades of change in Chinatown.

While newer, flashier restaurants have come and gone, this humble tea parlor keeps drawing crowds.

It represents the immigrant experience and the tight-knit community that built Chinatown from nothing.

Eating here connects you to generations of New Yorkers who came before you.

The vintage atmosphere makes every visit feel special.

8. Grand Central Oyster Bar

Beneath the bustling main concourse of Grand Central Terminal lies a seafood lover’s paradise.

Grand Central Oyster Bar occupies one of the most beautiful dining spaces in all of New York.

The address is 89 East 42nd Street, right inside the terminal itself.

Vaulted tile ceilings arch overhead, creating incredible acoustics and a sense of grandeur.

The Guastavino tile work is a architectural masterpiece that makes the space feel almost cathedral-like.

Despite being underground, the restaurant feels bright and airy.

The long counter seats are perfect for solo diners who want to watch the expert shuckers at work.

These skilled workers open oyster after oyster with lightning speed and precision.

The menu features an impressive variety of oysters from different regions.

Each type has its own unique flavor profile, from briny to sweet.

Fresh seafood arrives daily, ensuring everything tastes as good as it possibly can.

The restaurant has been serving commuters and travelers for generations.

It survived fires, economic downturns, and changing tastes to remain a New York institution.

The atmosphere is lively and energetic, especially during rush hour when the terminal is packed.

Eating here while trains arrive and depart overhead creates a uniquely New York experience.

Grand Central Oyster Bar proves that great food and historic architecture can coexist perfectly.

It’s a landmark within a landmark, celebrated across New York State and beyond.

9. Delmonico’s

America’s first fine dining restaurant makes some bold claims, but the history backs them up.

Delmonico’s opened in the Financial District way back in the eighteen thirties.

The current location at 56 Beaver Street continues the tradition of elegant dining that started almost two centuries ago.

This restaurant literally invented dishes that we now consider American classics.

Eggs Benedict was created here, as was Baked Alaska.

The kitchen pioneered fine dining techniques that other restaurants later copied.

The dining room maintains an atmosphere of refined elegance.

White tablecloths, polished silverware, and attentive service create a formal but comfortable environment.

Dark wood and rich fabrics give the space a timeless, sophisticated feel.

Delmonico’s has always attracted the wealthy and powerful.

Business deals were made over dinner here, and celebrations marked important occasions.

The restaurant became synonymous with success and good taste.

Even today, dining at Delmonico’s feels like a special occasion.

The menu blends traditional dishes with modern interpretations.

Everything is prepared with the same attention to detail that made the restaurant famous in the first place.

The waitstaff is professional and knowledgeable, making sure every guest feels valued.

Visiting Delmonico’s means experiencing the birthplace of American fine dining.

It’s a living museum where you can actually eat the exhibits.

Few restaurants anywhere can match this level of historical significance.

10. Tavern on the Green

Central Park’s most famous restaurant started life as something completely different.

The building at West 67th Street was originally a sheepfold, housing the sheep that grazed in the park.

Sometime in the nineteen thirties, it transformed into a restaurant that would become a New York icon.

The location alone makes Tavern on the Green special.

Large windows overlook the green lawns and trees of Central Park.

Depending on the season, you might see snow-covered branches or lush summer foliage.

The interior is elegant without being too formal.

Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and the decor changes with the seasons and holidays.

During certain times of year, twinkling lights cover the outdoor trees, creating a magical atmosphere.

The restaurant has gone through several renovations and ownership changes over the decades.

Each generation tried to maintain the charm while updating the facilities.

Today’s version balances historic character with modern comfort.

Dining here feels like a celebration, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or just a beautiful day.

The park setting provides a peaceful escape from the city streets just outside.

Tavern on the Green represents the romantic side of New York.

It’s where proposals happen and memories are made.

The combination of natural beauty and refined dining creates something truly unique.

Few restaurants in New York State offer such a distinctive experience.