Ultimate New York City Foodie Bucket list: What to Eat in NYC

Are you looking for what to eat in New York City? If you’re a foodie, this ultimate New York City food guide will entice you with the best pizza, desserts, and bakeries in the city. No matter your travel budget, this guide will show you affordable eats around NYC.

In this blog post, you will learn what to eat in NYC. Whether you’re a local living in New York City or a traveler, this foodie bucket list has got you covered with the best places to eat in the city!

If you’re ready to experience some of the best places to eat in New York City, this ultimate NYC bucket list has it all.

Go for it!

• Pizza
• Hot Dog
• Cookie
• Milkshakes
• Mac and cheese
• Burgers and fries
• Coffee
• Donuts
• New York City Bagels

Starting this NYC foodie bucket list off strong with the famous Joe’s Pizza. With 5 locations across New York City, if you’re craving pizza, it’s time to try Joe’s Pizza.

My first time trying Joe’s Pizza was at 3 am- a true NYC experience. It truly hits the spot.

Which pizza flavor to try:

• Plain cheese
• Plain cheese and pepperoni

Paulie Gee’s Pizza has got to have some of the best pizza crust in New York City. If you’re searching for what to eat in NYC and you’re feeling like Pizza, Paulie Gee’s is an elite pick.

Situated in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, catch your next pizza night at Paulie Gee’s and kick it off your NYC foodie bucket list.

You have got to try these flavors:

• Vodka pie
• Pepperoni
• The Mootz

Le Petit Monstre is a charming Brooklyn-based patisserie, café, and wine bar that’s a must-visit for anyone seeking plant-based dining options in New York City. It’s the perfect cozy cafe to add to your NYC foodie bucket list.

What to order from Le Petit Monstre:

• Al pastor, salsa verde, onions, pineapple, cilantro + corn tortillas
• A side of potatoes
• Great coffee

A must-have moment on your NYC foodie bucket list is visiting a diner. Most of the Diners in New York City are open 24/7.

For an authentic American diner experience, Gemini Diner in Manhattan will provide you with just this. Wondering what to eat at 3 am after dancing in the city that never sleeps?

Head to Gemini Diner and order this:

• The chocolate chip pancakes and peppermint tea
• Eggs Benedict

Flower Cat is more than just a cafe. It’s a community.

If you’re looking for places to eat in NYC this cozy vintage-themed cafe is a must-have experience. Not only is this NYC foodie bucket list spot great for a latte, sweet treats, and/or a wine, but you’ll find yourself experiencing live Jazz on a Friday night, open mics, and other fun events throughout the month.

Tip: Pick up some flowers from the back of the cafe as this is also a flower shop, hence the name!

What to try at Flower Cat Cafe:

• Wine
• The chocolate chip sea salt cookie

With all the specialty lattes you can order around New York City, don’t forget to check out your local Whole Foods grocery store while you shop. Not only are the prices of the coffee affordable, but the coffee is also great quality. Furthermore, they offer seasonal specialty lattes.

Try this from Wholefoods:

• Brown butter cookie latte

Hungry Llama Cafe is freaking too sweet. Think, cozy atmosphere is the perfect spot to eat in New York City. Additionally, Hungry Llama Cafe is a comfortable laptop-friendly cafe to work remotely in NYC. When exploring places to eat in NYC, choose Hungry Llama Cafe for your next foodie adventure.

Must try drinks and foods from Hungry Llama in NYC:

• Whipped honey latte
• Matcha latte
• Breakfast burrito

Straight from Columbia, Devoción coffee has to be some of the best coffee places in New York City.

Not only do they offer a strong coffee, come and relax with a friend or work remotely from this laptop-friendly cafe.

Devoción coffee certainly lives up to its reputation for being some of the best coffee in the Big Apple.

• Cappucino
• Latte
• Cortado

The iconic Shake Shack, a fast food restaurant based in New York City, is worthy of a spot on your NYC foodie bucket list.

This fast-casual restaurant originally started out as a hot dog cart inside Madison Square Park in 2001. It has now expanded across the United States and internationally.

Simply delicious fast food- that’s how I’d describe it.

Shake Shack recommendations:

• Cookies and cream shake
• Avocado bacon chicken burger and fries

If you would like a day trip activity in New York City, I can recommend strolling through Chinatown. Put in Google Maps, Shu Jiao Zhou and you’ll find yourself a tasty meal in New York City under five dollars. Pop by Little Italy while you are around as they’re conveniently located close to each other.

I was scrolling through Tiktok to find the cheapest eats in Chinatown, New York City, and I arrived at this iconic moment- eating peanut butter noodles in NYC.

What to order at Shu Jiao Zhou:

• Rice noodles with peanut butter sauce
• Their handmade dumplings

Okay, Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop has to be one of the best places to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Not only is the food just scrumptious, but the prices are too hot to pass up this old-school bakery with counter seating.

Make sure to bring cash—this establishment only accepts it!

The best recommendations at Peter Pan Pastry and Donut Shop

• Marble cruller
• Toasted egg and cheese bagel
• $1 coffee
• Apple fritter

The Butcher’s Daughter in Williamsburg, Brooklyn has an elegant feel and a ‘let’s stay while and chill’ atmosphere.

If you have been searching for a plant-based resturant

Order this from the menu at The Butcher’s Daughter:

• $10 Wake and Bake special- signature breakfast sandwich + coffee of your choice, from opening until 10am
• Butcher’s burger with truffle potato chips

If you’re looking for a New York City moment, this is your chance. Bubby’s restaurant’s simplistic, fresh, and comforting American dishes, along with the stunning street views of Manhattan, are an opportunity not to be missed. Stare out the window as you delight your senses and treat yourself to an iconic New York moment.

Try this from Bubby’s:

• The Griddle special

• Banoffee pie

The well-known Levain Bakery is talked about all over the internet. Do these cookies live up to the hype?

In fact, they do. A delicious gooey cookie that’s best enjoyed when you are craving a sweet treat!

Levain Bakery cookies flavors to try:

• Chocolate chip walnut
• Dark chocolate chocolate chip

Certainly, you have to try one of the incredible food trucks that are all around New York City. From tacos to hot dogs and falafel, these are a must on NYC foodie bucket list.

Tip: Most food trucks are cash only. Although, some food trucks do accept cards, have your cash on hand.

Food to try from a NYC food truck:

• Tacos
• Enchiladas

Mokafe offers some of the most delicious sweet drinks and desserts. Think, Dubai chocolate-themed desserts and date lattes! This cafe’s authentic flavors and culturally inspired food, are the perfect match for when you’re wondering what to eat in NYC.

Mokafe’s commitment to sustainability is yet just another reason for you to try their specialty lattes, pastries and desserts in New York City.

Tip: Moka Cafe To Go is on TooGoodToGo. This food-saving app lets you save food from some of the best restaurants and cafes around New York City from going in the trash.

Delicious! That is at least one word to describe Martha’s Country Bakery in locations across Queens and Brooklyn. This homestyle bakery offers cakes, pies, incredible coffee, croissants and cupcakes.

Don’t forget to check out their daily specials. I ended up scoring a divine slice of pie and my first Freddo cappuccino for only $8USD from their Wednesday $4 slice of pies day.

What I got and what I can recommend:

• Freddo cappuccino
• Sour cream apple pie

When in New York City, hot dogs are one of the must-try NYC bucket list foods. The hot dogs at Gray’s Papaya are well-deserving of a spot on this what to eat in NYC guide.

It’s true, sometimes all you need is a hot dog ( and maybe a shake too). Furthermore, the prices are insanely affordable. For just one hot dog and a tropical drink, it costs $5 inclusive tax.

What to order at Gray’s Papaya:

• Frank with ketchup, mustard, sauerkraut, onions, relish
• Breakfast roll – eggs, cheese & ham, bacon, or sausage
• Cheap coffee ranging from $1-$2

When I was outside of Lite Bites Cafe, I instantly sensed the positive energy. If you’re looking for healthy places to eat in New York City, head over to Lite Bites Cafe in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

From freshly squeezed juices and smoothies to breakfast platters and gourmet salads, this is the perfect spot to go in NYC for a satisfying meal.

Order this from the menu:

• Grilled Chicken Deluxe Salad. You can also substitute the chicken for tuna like I did. Tip: Opt for the ranch dressing. 😋
• Choco-delight smoothie
• Bacon Hash’wich

What’s one of the meals you’ve had in New York City? If you haven’t been to New York City yet, what food are you most excited to try in NYC?

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Author: Lana

Welcome! Lana is the founder of Living Her Way. She's passionate about all things Travel and Self-Empowerment. Lana's mission is to inspire you to live a more happy and fulfilling life your way each day.