What must you absolutely eat when visiting New York?

New York City is a foodie's paradise! From legendary hot dogs to exquisite fine dining experiences - the city that never sleeps has something for everyone. Find out which culinary highlights you shouldn't miss during your visit!

New York City is a food metropolis thanks to its incredible cultural diversity and high density of first-class restaurants. The city attracts people from all over the world who bring their culinary traditions with them, creating a unique mix of dishes. From street food to traditional delis to innovative fine dining experiences, the city offers a huge range of culinary options that are constantly evolving. This dynamic food scene is complemented by the high number of food festivals and markets that take place throughout the year, celebrating the city's gastronomic diversity. New York's culinary scene is so popular that there is even a slot called Best New York Food that focuses on the whole thing.

New York is known for its diverse street food, which can be found on almost every street corner.

The hot dog is an iconic American delicacy that is closely associated with New York. Originally introduced by German immigrants, hot dogs have quickly become an integral part of the New York street scene. 

The best-known vendors include Nathan's Famous which has been operating on Coney Island since 1916 and is famous for its classic hot dogs with sauerkraut and mustard, and Gray's Papaya, known for its affordable hot dogs and the famous "Recession Special".

Pretzels are a traditional German pastry brought to New York by the first German immigrants. Today they are a popular snack, often served with mustard. You can find pretzel stands near tourist hotspots such as Times Square and Central Park.

Halal carts offer a wide range of dishes, including lamb, chicken and falafel, served with rice and salad. One of the most famous dishes is the chicken over rice, often served with white and red sauce. The Halal Guys, which originally started out as a hot dog stand, is now an institution and offers its dishes on the corner of 53rd Street and 6th Avenue.

The New York Style Pizza is famous for its thin, crispy base and large, foldable slices.

New York style pizza was introduced by Italian immigrants at the beginning of the 20th century and has since become one of the city's most popular dishes. It is characterized by its thin yet soft dough and generous toppings of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Lombardi's, known as the oldest pizzeria in the US, offers classic New York style pizzas. Di Fara Pizza is famous for its fresh ingredients and the traditional craft of pizza making.

1. Bagels and lox

Another iconic New York dish is bagels with lox. Bagels were brought to New York by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe and have been an integral part of New York breakfast culture ever since .

2. Deli sandwiches

New York delis are famous for their generous sandwiches. Pastrami on Rye is a traditional Jewish deli sandwich consisting of warm pastrami, rye bread and mustard. The Reuben sandwich consists of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on rye bread.

New York is a melting pot of cultures, which is also reflected in its culinary diversity.

1. Chinese cuisine in Chinatown

In Chinatown you can try delicious dishes such as dumplings, Peking duck and dim sum. Recommended restaurants include Joe's Shanghai for its famous soup dumplings and Peking Duck House for authentic Peking duck.

2. Italian cuisine in Little Italy

In Little Italy, you can enjoy classic Italian dishes such as pasta, pizza and cannoli. Well-known eateries include Ferrara Bakery for its delicious desserts and Lombardi's Pizza for authentic Italian pizza.

3. Jewish cuisine in the Lower East Side

In the Jewish delis on the Lower East Side, you can try traditional dishes such as gefilte fish, matzah ball soup and knishes. Katz's Delicatessen and Russ & Daughters are well-known places to enjoy these dishes.

For those who prefer fine dining, New York offers a variety of first-class restaurants.

New York is a culinary paradise that has something for every taste. From street food to ethnic cuisine to fine dining - the city impresses with its incredible variety and quality. A culinary visit to New York is a journey through the cuisines of the world that you should definitely not miss.