Every food lover should visit New York. From celebrity hot spots to hole in the wall delis, New
York is crammed with places to eat. In such a large city it’s easy to miss out on some great
little places, but our guide to the Big Apple for foodies should have you booking those flights
to New York in no time.

No visit to New York would be complete without sampling a traditional bagel. Opinions differ
on where the best bagel joint in town is, but there are a few names that always crop up: Ess-
a-bagels, Absolute Bagels, H&H Bagels and Murray’s Bagels. Authentic New York bagels are
cooked on site, and most bagel shops don’t even have a toaster. If you’re averse to a cold
bagel you’ll need one fresh out of the oven, so do as the locals do and ask: “what’s warm?”

Indulge the urge to shop with a visit to foodie heaven Zabar’s on the Upper West Side.
Zabar’s sell speciality foodstuffs and kitchenware, so it’s perfect for picking up a taste of
the Big Apple to bring home. For something kitsch, Bonnie Slotnick’s Vintage Cookbooks in
Greenwich Village is a great place for a vintage find, or to while away some time between
meals.

Built under the Spanish Benevolent Society building, La Nacional is the last vestige of New
York’s Little Spain; serving delicious and traditional tapas to the Spanish men and women of
the neighbourhood – perfect for an early supper.

Sex and the City fans may hanker after the taste of a Magnolia Bakery cupcake, but it’s worth
exploring other options. Serious Eats voted Baked the best cupcake purveyor in town; but no-
one will judge you if you decide to visit every bakery yourself and make up your own mind.

Street food and quick bites are all well and good, but during your time in New York you’ll want
to sample some of the finer things that the city has to offer. Since the closure of Tavern on the
Green, public opinion favours Per Se in The Time Warner Centre. It’s hard to argue. Floor to
ceiling windows that overlook Central Park provide a delightful backdrop for a romantic meal;
be sure to try the signature dish, Oysters and Pearls.

Would a foodie odyssey to New York City really be complete without reliving the famous diner
scene from When Harry Met Sally? Of course not! Join the line at Katz’s Deli and find out
what all the hype is about.

There are some experiences that just ooze New York: buying a slice of pizza to go; sampling
all of the little dim sum restaurants in China Towns; searching for soul food in Harlem. No
matter where you choose to go in New York, it’s sure to be the foodie odyssey of your
lifetime.

James writes for Skyscanner.net

Image by: diana.shumate/flickr

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