Hello there!
A few months ago I went on a solo trip to the one and only New York City. As always, the main purpose of my trip, besides exploring the busy streets and enjoying the panoramic views of the city, was to eat my way around one of the culinary wonderlands of the world. New York is home to some of the best and most interesting food, with influences from all over the globe. I had to make most of my time there and try as much food as I could.
Every time I go on a trip, especially if it’s a solo trip, I try to walk as much as I can. Not only is it cheaper and better for exploring IMO, but it also makes you hungrier so you can hit even more food spots!
Being the foodie that I am, I had a long list of famous and viral food spots that I wanted to visit during my stay. I spent years watching videos and reading articles about the most amazing food that you can find in the city. Even though it was impossible to try every one of them, I managed to hit a few and I want to give you my honest opinion on whether they were really worth it.
RUSS AND DAUGHTERS
BAGELS. One of the most amazing inventions in the whole world. I miss bagels everyday and every bagel that I tried in NYC was incredible. There are so many good bagel spots in the city, it’s really hard to go wrong. Some of my other favorites were Absolute Bagels and Tompkins Square Bagels, where you can get amazing bagel sandwiches.
Russ and Daughters is an institution in the city. It’s also just a block away from another NYC institution, Katz’s Deli. If you’re passionate about food, you really have to visit it. They have an amazing selection of cream cheeses and smoked and cured fish. I do prefer my bagels to be a bit softer so they’re easier to eat, but that’s a personal preference. It’s a little pricier than other bagels, given the popularity and the history of this place, but I think it’s definitely worth it!
If you can eat it by the Hudson, gazing at the amazing skyline, it tastes even better.
Price: $$
Taste: 9/10
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iz84aKxqxt4GY19g6
Worth it? Absolutely!
VILLAGE SQUARE PIZZA
Disclaimer: I’m Italian. HOWEVER, I’m not the kind of Italian that will slap you in the face for putting pineapple on pizza or eating chicken Alfredo. As far as I’m concerned, you can do anything you want with food and there are almost no rules (almost). So for me, New York pizza didn’t sound like a crime, on the contrary, I was intrigued. I think there are many good spots and you have to think about it as its own thing, not as a copy of Italian pizza.
Village Square Pizza had been on my list for a very long time. Something about it just looked so good, especially the pepperoni slice with Mike’s hot honey. I kept watching videos of it and salivating at the sight of those shiny pepperoni cups, filled with liquid gold. And maybe my expectations were a little too high.
I hate to say that I was very disappointed by it, I wanted to like it so bad! I don’t know if maybe my tastebuds are just used to another flavor or if I picked the wrong kind of slice, but I just found it to be very bland. The dough wasn’t crispy and lacked flavor overall and the pepperoni just tasted weird to me (although I think I have this problem with all American pepperoni). I think there wasn’t enough salt or spiciness to contrast the sweetness of the honey and it ended up just tasting like sweet salami bread.
Price: $
Taste: 6/10
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dWRQtSmsu861HxLF9
Worth it? Not for me, sorry 😭
MEI LAI WAH
Amazing and authentic spot in Chinatown! Super cheap and traditional, there are so many buns and treats you can try here. One of the most famous products is the pineapple pork bun. It was quite good, but I do think the combination of sweet pineapple crust and bbq pork was a little weird for me. However, I think this is just a flavor you get used to. I did find a lot of food in the US to be quite sweet, so it’s probably just my European tastebuds.
Price: $
Taste: 8/10
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FGTwXHg7cmZtZxmGA
Worth it? Yes!
LOS TACOS NO. 1
This final viral food spot is taco chain with a few locations around the city. I went to the one in Chelsea Market. Tacos are around 3 or 4 dollars each and they’re truly amazing. They’re incredibly flavorful, juicy, perfectly spiced and authentic. There’s also a sauce station where you can adjust them to your liking. Also, pickled cactus?! Yes please!
Price: $
Taste: 10/10!
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dxbz7XpN4EbfDEN58
Worth it? 100% YES!
