New York: One City, a Kaleidoscope of Flavours

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New York, The Big Apple, The City That Never Sleeps: you know the city, you know the iconic landmarks (the Empire State, Central Park), but do you know what you can eat while you walk around Times Square? In this article, we propose a guide of all the meals that make New York the “NewYorkest” city.

A Bite of the Big Apple

New York dazzles with activity as it amazes with its culinary culture. Here are some dishes to look out for in your New York food tour:

Street Life, Street Lunch

Hungry while strolling through the city? Grab a bite of these New York essentials:

Bagels

The legend claims that the quality of New York’s bagels comes from the city’s water supply that is used for the preparation. Whatever the cause, the bagel has risen to be one of the most famous dishes of the city. While it may seem simple (a bread donut with stuffing, generally lox mixed with cream cheese, red onion and tomato), you can find several outtakes of the recipe: from those who add honey to the bread’s cooking to those who get creative when it comes to stuffings. You can try some of the city’s most renowned examples at Tompkins Square Bagels, Sadelle’s or Murray’s Bagels, among others.

Pizza

It is not a surprise that Little Italy is a celebrated New York Food tour, for Italian culture has made pizza a New York classic. While you can find variations with thicker or thinner crusts, different kinds of cheese or multiple toppings, New York pizza is known for being a simple, yet delicious, bite. Flexible without losing the crispy element, a sauce that mixes sweet and sour and the long-stretching cheese make each piece stand out. You can try some in one of the city’s most beloved restaurants: Totonno’s, Williamsburg Pizza and Joe’s Pizza, among so many others.

For Those With a Sweet Tooth

Craving for dessert? Have a go at these delicacies:

Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich

Do not be fooled by its simple appearance: wafers stuffed with vanilla ice cream are the perfect mixture for something sweet, crunchy and cool. It became so popular that, nowadays, you can find both the original recipe and several different outtakes. You can try some at Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop, Russ & Daughters, Milk & Cookies Bakery and Melt Bakery, to name only a few examples.

Cheesecake

Another well-known international recipe, but with a New York twist. The Big Apple’s recipe maintains the cookie crust, but adds more yolk to the recipe, which makes it more dense without losing its smoothness, soft but firm at the same time. Topping? None for the “NewYorkest” outtake of the recipe. If you want to try some of the most illustrious cheesecakes in the neighborhood, try Eileen’s Special Cheesecake, S&S Cheesecake or Junior’s.

Food Tours: Tasty Tourism

In a food tour, the culinary culture meets iconic landmarks: it allows visitors to get to know the hidden jewels of the local cuisine while they learn about the history of the town through its most renowned sites. A guide helps you unlock the background behind every dish and the secrets behind the tasty bites. Some of the best known food tours to enjoy New York are:

Central Park and Hell’s Kitchen

Doughnuts, curry puffs, baba ghanoush, hush puppies and empanadas: this food tour will lead you to one of the most beloved places in the city and to a famous neighborhood (once the residency of the Irish-American working class) in an experience that combines tastes from the Latin, Middle Eastern and Indonesian plates.

Union Square and Flatiron District

This location is known for its architecture, but food does not fall behind from that prestige. From Italian plates to a visit to the Union Square Farmer’s Market, this food tour goes deep into the lively activity of the Flatiron building, boutique firms and start-ups that surround the area.

The Highline and Chelsea Market

This food tour mixes the delights of the Chelsea Market with the elevated views of the High Line park, and some include the Meatpacking District. Hot dogs, artisanal delicacies and ice cream: meet the birthplace of the Oreo cookie and its hidden flavours.