Local Favouriteswidely recommended (since 1888)
Katz's Delicatessen
A legendary cafeteria-style deli; keep your ticket and tip the carver for a taste.
Order Pastrami on rye, matzo ball soup
North America · United States
New York
Skyscrapers, Broadway lights, museums, neighbourhood food and big parks make New York a high-energy city where every borough feels like its own world.
Best timeApril to June and September to November
Ideal trip4–7 days
Budget level₹₹₹₹
Getting thereJFK, Newark (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA); direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai
Visa (Indian passport)US B1/B2 visitor visa, with embassy interview and DS-160 form (approximate — verify before travel) Other passport, or hold a US / UK / Schengen visa? Check the visa guide
Great Okay Not ideal
City lifeShoppingFoodMuseums
Four ways to see New York
Touristy, offbeat, local or hidden?
Every traveller is different. Browse by style, then let the planner mix them into a day-by-day plan.
The famous must-sees
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island≈ ₹2,100
Ferry to the famous statue and the immigration museum. Book ahead and bring ID; security is like airports.
culture · about 5 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Staten Island Ferry — Free ferry that passes the statue at a distance; you cannot land, but the views are good.
Central ParkFree
Huge city park with lakes, bridges, a zoo and paths. Rent a bike or take a horse-carriage ride.
nature · about 3 hrsEmpire State Building≈ ₹4,100
Art Deco icon with open-air observation decks. Evening visits show a glittering skyline, so buy timed tickets.
scenic · about 2 hrs · best in the eveningFree alternative: Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront — Free waterfront with a sweeping view of the Manhattan skyline from across the East River.
Times SquareFree
Bright, noisy crossroads with giant screens and Broadway theatres. Brief visit is enough; beware costumed-character street touts.
nightlife · about 1 hr · best in the eveningBrooklyn Bridge walkFree
Stroll across the 1883 bridge on the wooden walkway for skyline views; go early to avoid crowds and cyclists.
scenic · about 2 hrs · best in the morning9/11 Memorial and Museum≈ ₹3,000
Reflecting pools mark the Twin Towers' footprints, with an adjoining museum. The plaza is free; the museum is ticketed.
culture · about 2.5 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: 9/11 Memorial pools — Free outdoor memorial plaza with the waterfalls and names, without the museum exhibits.
Metropolitan Museum of Art≈ ₹2,550
One of the world's largest art museums, spanning Egyptian temples to modern art. Pick a few galleries and take breaks.
culture · about 3.5 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: National Museum of the American Indian — Free museum in lower Manhattan, much smaller but with fine collections and a historic building.
Quieter, still easy to reach
High LineFree
Elevated railway turned garden walkway with art and city views, linking Chelsea markets and Hudson Yards.
relax · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonDUMBO and Brooklyn Bridge ParkFree
Cobbled streets under the bridge with a famous skyline photo spot, carousel, waterfront park and cafes.
scenic · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonStaten Island FerryFree
Free commuter ferry with views of the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan skyline, particularly nice at sunset.
scenic · about 1.5 hrs · best in the eveningRoosevelt Island Tramway≈ ₹255
Short aerial tram over the East River to a quiet island, a cheap way to see Midtown from above.
scenic · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Staten Island Ferry — Free ride with skyline views from the water instead of from above.
The Cloisters≈ ₹2,550
Medieval art museum in a hilltop park overlooking the Hudson, with tapestries and tranquil gardens far from Midtown noise.
culture · about 2.5 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Fort Tryon Park gardens — Free hilltop park around the Cloisters with Hudson views and gardens, minus the museum.
Food, markets, crafts and people
Katz's Delicatessen pastrami sandwich≈ ₹2,100
Classic Lower East Side deli known for hand-carved pastrami. Share a sandwich, as portions are huge; pork-free options are limited.
food · about 1.5 hrsChinatown dumpling crawl≈ ₹1,500
Hop between small shops for pan-fried dumplings, bubble tea and bakeries; vegetarian choices are available at some stalls.
food · about 2.5 hrs · best in the afternoonSmorgasburg food market≈ ₹1,500
Brooklyn's open-air weekend food market with dozens of vendors, usually seasonal and weather dependent.
food · about 2.5 hrs · best in the afternoonJackson Heights food walk≈ ₹1,500
Queens neighbourhood full of Indian, Nepali, Bangladeshi and Tibetan eateries and sari shops, comforting for Indian travellers.
food · about 3 hrs · best in the eveningBagel breakfast in the Lower East Side≈ ₹800
Enjoy a freshly boiled bagel with cream cheese at a long-running neighbourhood bakery, the way New Yorkers do.
food · about 1 hr · best in the morningSpots most visitors miss
Greenacre ParkFree
Tiny pocket park in Midtown with a waterfall and ivy walls, a quiet lunch spot just minutes from busy avenues.
relax · about 1 hrGreen-Wood CemeteryFree
Hilly Victorian cemetery in Brooklyn with a Gothic gate, ponds and skyline views, loved for quiet walks.
nature · about 2.5 hrs · best in the morningGrand Central Whispering GalleryFree
Stand at opposite corners of a tiled arch outside the Oyster Bar and whisper to each other across the vault.
culture · about 0.5 hrsMorgan Library and Museum≈ ₹2,100
Financier's private library with magnificent ornate rooms, medieval manuscripts and a Gutenberg Bible, far from tourist crowds.
culture · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: New York Public Library main branch — Free grand library with a marble hall, rotating exhibitions and the Rose Reading Room, similar in grandeur.
Entry fees and times are approximate, per adult, and change often — we confirm everything before you book. Last reviewed November 2026.
Specialities
What New York is famous for
food
New York pizza slice
Large thin foldable slices sold cheaply at corner pizzerias.
food
Bagel with cream cheese
Boiled-then-baked bagels with fresh cream cheese; vegetarian lox substitutes exist.
food
Pastrami sandwich
Hand-sliced spiced beef piled on rye, a Jewish-deli classic.
food
Cheesecake
Dense creamy New York-style cheesecake from diners and bakeries.
drink
Craft cocktails and coffee
Speakeasy-style bars and specialty coffee shops across Brooklyn and Manhattan.
souvenir
I Love NY merchandise
T-shirts, caps and magnets sold throughout Times Square and Chinatown.
souvenir
Museum shop gifts
Art-inspired prints and books from the Met and MoMA shops.
experience
Broadway show
Watch a musical in the theatre district; same-day discounts are available at TKTS booths.
Where to eat
A taste of New York
From the stalls locals queue at to the tables critics travel for — chosen for flavour, character and a warm welcome.
Must try
- New York slice vegWide, thin, foldable cheese pizza slice - the city's essential cheap eat.
- Bagel with schmear vegBoiled-then-baked bagel with cream cheese; add lox if not vegetarian.
- Pastrami on ryeHand-sliced smoked beef piled high in a classic Jewish deli sandwich.
- New York cheesecake vegDense, creamy baked cheesecake on a crumb base.
- Black-and-white cookie vegSoft cake-like cookie iced half vanilla, half chocolate.
- Classic cocktail (Manhattan) vegRye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters - the city's namesake drink.
Street food trail
Greenwich Village slices and falafel walk
- Best time
- 11 am - 4 pm (any day; the Union Square Greenmarket runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday)
- Takes
- 2.5-3 hours
- Start at
- Union Square Greenmarket (14th St - Union Square subway)
- Budget
- approx USD 30-45 (Rs 2,650-4,000) per person
- Union Square GreenmarketUnion Square, Manhattan
Try Apple cider doughnuts and fresh cider in autumn (veg). Seasonal fruit and baked goods (veg).
Runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, roughly 8 am-6 pm. Saturday is the biggest day.
USD 5-10 (Rs 440-880)Map
- Mamoun's FalafelMacDougal Street, Greenwich Village
Try A falafel sandwich with tahini and hot sauce (veg). Hummus or baba ganoush (veg).
A tiny shop open since 1971 with quick, cheap food. Their hot sauce is strong, so ask for it on the side.
USD 6-10 (Rs 530-880)Map
- Washington Square ParkGreenwich Village
Try Sit down with your food and watch the street performers (veg).
A free, lively break with benches, a fountain and the arch.
FreeMap
- Joe's PizzaCarmine Street, Greenwich Village
Try A plain cheese slice, New York style (veg; the cheese may use animal rennet).
Fold your slice lengthwise to eat it like a local. It is fast, cheap and busy late into the night.
USD 4-6 (Rs 350-530)Map
- Bleecker Street bakeries and gelato shopsWest Village
Try Cannoli or a cookie from one of the Italian bakeries (veg). Gelato (veg).
Bleecker Street between 6th and 7th Avenues has historic Italian bakeries. Pick one with a short queue and check the cannoli shell, as some use lard.
USD 5-10 (Rs 440-880)Map
Eat smart · every traveller
Diets & dietary needs
- Vegetarian
- Very easy. Falafel, pizza, bagels with cream cheese and Indian food are everywhere. Check for animal rennet in cheese, lard in some pastries and tortillas, and gelatin in marshmallows and gummies.
- Vegan
- Excellent, with many fully vegan restaurants and bakeries in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Ask for 'no cheese' on falafel.
- Jain (no onion, garlic)
- Realistic in Jackson Heights (Queens) and Murray Hill, Manhattan's 'Curry Hill' around Lexington Avenue and 28th Street. Several Gujarati and South Indian vegetarian restaurants there will cook Jain.
- Halal
- Very easy. 'Halal cart' street vendors (chicken or lamb over rice) are on many Midtown corners, such as The Halal Guys at 53rd Street and 6th Avenue. Many places display halal certificates.
- Gluten-free
- Good. Many restaurants and bakeries have gluten-free menus. Ask about shared fryers.
- With children
- Pizza slices, pretzels, hot dogs (meat), cookies and bagels are easy. Portions are huge, so share.
- Spice level
- Mostly mild. The white sauce on halal-cart platters is mild, but the red sauce is very hot, so ask for red sauce on the side.
Say it like a local
Useful phrases
- Ask about cheese and lardIs the cheese made with animal rennet? Is there lard in the pastry?Use it at pizzerias, bakeries and Mexican places. Staff may not know, so a specialist vegetarian place is safer.
- Ask about hidden ingredientsIs there any meat stock, fish sauce, anchovy or gelatin in this?Use it for soups, Caesar salad, Asian sauces and desserts.
- Order to take awayCan I get that to go, no hot sauce?'To go' means takeaway. 'On the side' means served separately.
- Ask about halalIs the meat halal-certified?Halal carts usually say so on the cart. Restaurants often display a certificate.
- Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere. Some carts and old-school pizzerias are cash-only. Prices shown exclude sales tax (about 8.9%), which is added at the till.
- Tipping is expected: 18-20% at sit-down restaurants, and a dollar or two in the tip jar at counters is appreciated. Street carts do not need a tip.
- Smorgasburg, the big outdoor food market, runs only from April to October (Saturday in Williamsburg, Sunday at Prospect Park), so it is closed in November-March. Chelsea Market and Urbanspace food halls work all year.
- Avoid the overpriced chain restaurants in Times Square. Walk 2-3 blocks away for better food at fair prices.
Trail stops, hours and prices are approximate and stalls move — check locally. Pronunciations are simplified guides. Last reviewed 9 November 2026.
Where to eat, by budget
Street food, markets and humble legends
Local Favourites
Joe's Pizza
The archetypal New York slice shop - quick, cheap and consistently good.
Order Plain cheese slice
Local Favouriteswidely recommended (since 1914)
Russ & Daughters
Fourth-generation shop for bagels, smoked fish and sweets; the café nearby offers table service.
Order Bagel with cream cheese, babka, egg cream
Local Favourites
Superiority Burger
An all-vegetarian diner with a cult following; inventive yet comforting.
Order Superiority burger, burnt broccoli salad, gelato
Acclaimed cafés and celebrated mid-range tables
Smart & Stylishwidely recommended (Unapologetic Foods group)
Dhamaka
Bold, rarely-seen regional Indian dishes in a lively market setting - a favourite with Indian diners in New York.
Order Paneer dishes, chicken pulao, regional curries
Smart & Stylish
Via Carota
Romantic West Village trattoria known for simple, vegetable-rich Italian cooking. Walk-in heavy, so go early.
Order Cacio e pepe, insalata verde, seasonal vegetables
Award-winning tables, tasting menus and grand hotel dining
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin 1 star (held since 2022); No. 1 on The New York Times' 100 Best Restaurants 2025
Semma
Chef Vijay Kumar's deeply personal Tamil Nadu cooking - the most celebrated Indian restaurant in the US right now. Reservations are very hard; book the moment slots open.
Order Gunpowder dosa, Dungeness crab, vegetable dishes
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide New York 2025: 3 stars
Eleven Madison Park
Daniel Humm's Art Deco dining room became famous for its fully plant-based three-star menu; confirm current menu options when booking.
Order Plant-based tasting menu
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide New York 2025: 3 stars
Le Bernardin
Eric Ripert's seafood temple and a three-star fixture for years; also offers a dedicated vegetarian tasting menu.
Order Chef's tasting menu; vegetarian tasting available
Restaurants change hours, menus and prices often; awards are as published at the time of checking. Approximate — verify before you go. Last reviewed 9 November 2026. All our food picks
Local tip: Use the subway with contactless tap payment and consider a sightseeing pass only if you plan many paid attractions.
Make New York yours
Build a free itinerary in a minute, or let our team plan it all — stays, transport and a clear price.