New York, New York!
So, you’re going to ‘The Big Apple’. New York is an incredible place and I was lucky enough to go there with my girlfriend last May. The food… don’t even get me started on the food. We ate well from cookies to pizza to pasta to pastrami... the list goes on. New York is foodie heaven. There are also some amazing places to sip on a beer or cocktail in New York which is also included in this blog.
New York is amazing. But the food, the food makes it the BEST place on planet Earth. . However, make sure you save up because it is NOT CHEAP! I mean I paid $27 for a sandwich but more on that later. Whether you’re in the mood for New York’s finest pizza, its best cookies or want to go to Katz's deli, you have come to the right place.
1) Levain Bakery
Starting with cookies, I gift to you Levain Bakery. Their cookies are to die for!
Source: Levain's Instagram.
This picture,from Levain's Instagram page proves how good they look but you'll have to taste them to really know. Situated on West 74th Street, it is near Central Park. So why not burn off that cookie with a walk around one of the most famous parks in the world. It was so good that we came back for another cookie on our last day.
2) Katz's Delicatessen
Katz's Delicatessen is without a doubt the most famous deli in New York and maybe even the world. 'When Harry Met Sally' fans will remember the unique restaurant scene... I'll just leave it below for you to enjoy.
So if, like the lady at the end, you wanna have what she's having, head to Katz's for an unforgettable experience. The two of us shared a pastrami sandwich due to the costly price of $27 and thickness (see below). It is a popular spot so my advice would be to skip the lunch time rush and get there at noon, we did and only queued for about ten minutes.
3) Roberta's
Pizza. Pizza. Pizza. Who doesn't like pizza. New York lives and breathes pizza. Whether it's a dollar slice when you're feeling peckish or you want to dine in Jay-Z and Beyonce's spot, New York is the right place for you. I'm talking about Roberta's Pizzeria.
They have two locations, one in Manhattan and one in Bushwick in Brooklyn. I'd recommend the latter. It has a beer garden to enjoy instead of waiting weeks for a booking (yes, it is THAT good!). They have a takeaway pizza place as part of the beer garden. So sit out and enjoy a beer with your pizza. The 'Bee Sting' is probably the best pizza I have ever had. It has chili, honey and soppressata, an Italian sausage along with mozzarella. Don't be put off by the honey, it is incredible!
4) Cecconi's, Dumbo
Sticking to Italian, Cecconi's is THE place to eat in Dumbo. The atmosphere was delightful. Dumbo is a lovely area on the edge of Brooklyn overlooking the scintillating skyscrapers of Manhattan. Here's a picture I took just after our marvelous meal;
The meal itself was really tasty. There is a wide range of items on the menu, mainly pizza and pasta. I ordered the burrata pizza which was both unique and mouth-watering. All in all, Dumbo is a wonderful place to explore and go for food. Since we've left they've even opened up a Time Out Market in Dumbo which allows you enjoy 21 different restaurants and 3 bars all under the same roof. FOODIE HEAVEN! I've been to the Time Out Market Lisbon and it was an incredible culinary experience. Worth a try for lunch if you find yourself in Dumbo.
So, you're well-fed after tasting some of the vast array of cuisines available in New York and you're thirsty for some booze! Being a city of skyscrapers, The Big Apple is full of rooftop bars with some spectacular views.
1) Westlight in the William Vale
This Brooklyn-based establishment should be at the top of your list of bars. It is situated on the 22nd floor of the plush William Vale hotel. The fact that it's in Brooklyn is one of its best features because it means you can see the skyline of Manhattan from the other side of the Hudson. You can bask in the beautiful view while sipping on some surprisingly reasonably priced drinks. Words cannot describe its beauty.
Source: Flikr.com
2) Eataly NYC Flatiron
Situated just steps away from the iconic Flatiron Building is a quaint Italian rooftop bar. It is actually a restaurant too but we just went for a few drinks one evening. It's relaxing to sit down up here after a long day of walking and sightseeing. It is not your conventional rooftop bar like Westlight.
Source: Pinterest
There is something comforting and relaxing about having a drink here surrounded by an array of beautiful and colourful flowers. The flower arrangement changes with the seasons. The above picture was taken during spring but apparently in winter all of the flowers are white and it looks surreal.
So that's it. That is my top food and drink recommendations for New York. It is a vast city full of a variety of options. You will not be short on options but there's no harm doing a little bit of research in order to find out where the right place to eat is. Most of all, enjoy your trip. New York is a remarkable city with so much more to offer than just food and drink.
PS Please bring me back a cookie from Levain!