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Updated 2025
After three trips to New York City dedicated almost entirely to eating, I’ve narrowed down my list of must-visit spots. From pizza and bagel crawls to chasing down the toughest reservations, these are the places that truly lived up to the hype.
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Scarrs Pizza
@scarrspizza truly masters the art of the perfect slice—balanced, flavorful, and with a crust that holds its own. Their commitment to quality is evident, grinding fresh flour in-house for each batch. I was fortunate to visit around midnight on a Friday with no wait, and the pepperoni and cheese slices did not disappoint—they were exceptional. Scarrs Pizza is a must-visit for anyone in the city, and it delivers incredible quality without the hefty price tag.
Coqodak
Coqodak, opened by the team behind Cote, specializes in upscale Korean fried chicken. The breading reminded me a bit of McDonald’s nuggets—flaky but not especially crunchy. We went for the Bucket List, which comes with cold perilla noodles, banchan, your choice of assorted chicken, a dessert soft serve, and a cup of broth. We also tried the caviar nugget for an extra cost, but honestly, it felt more Instagram-worthy than worthwhile.
As for the chicken, it was tasty but slightly salty. I enjoyed the breading on the boneless pieces, though it felt a bit off on the bone-in ones. My advice? Try as many sauces as possible—they really elevate the experience. At $42 per person, it’s a solid deal for what you get. Reservations can be a bit difficult.
Jeju Noodle Bar
Jeju Noodle Bar is one of the toughest reservations to snag in New York City. Being Michelin-starred, it can be challenging to get a table, though having the American Express Global Access can make it easier. We secured a reservation right when they opened.
The standout—and honestly, the only dish you really need to order—is the Otoro SSambap. It’s minced otoro over minced boiled eggs, topped with caviar (and optional uni if you want to splurge), served over rice with crispy nori. It’s one of the best dishes I’ve ever had. The portion is generous, and I almost felt like I could have eaten two, though at nearly $100 per portion, it’s a bit of a splurge. I’d stick to this dish alone—other menu items didn’t leave much of an impression
Cote
Cote is the sister restaurant of Coqodak and carries a Michelin star. It’s Korean barbecue, but more like a Korean steakhouse—your steak is grilled right in front of you on a Korean barbecue grill. We ordered the Butcher’s Feast for two, which included American Wagyu, and we splurged on the A5 Miyazaki Wagyu as well. The servers cooked everything tableside with vegetables, and the meal came with a variety of banchan. Interestingly, they coursed out the banchan instead of bringing them all at once—even the kimchi came later.
The set also included two stews and a fluffy, bouncy egg souffle (a favorite of mine). To finish, they brought out a kimchi stir-fried paella, which was a nice touch beyond the core menu.
That said, even with a reservation, we waited an extra 40 minutes to be seated, which was frustrating. The reservation itself was tough to land, and while the steaks were excellent, I wasn’t blown away by the banchan or the overall service—it didn’t quite feel like other Michelin-star experiences I’ve had.
Winson
Winsome Bakery in Brooklyn takes inspiration from Taiwanese breakfast, and it shows. We tried the laminated bolo bao, the jiucai breakfast sandwich (basically a scallion-egg sandwich), and a donut. The bolo bao was perfectly flaky and buttery, and the sandwich instantly transported me back to Taiwan—the sauce really made it shine. The donut, on the other hand, was skippable. Just know it’s a bit of a trek from Manhattan and seating is very limited, so plan accordingly.
Don Angie
Don Angie is almost impossible to book—every time the reservations “drop,” the page glitches and nothing shows up. When we went right at opening, there was already a line of 20+ people, and that’s when we realized most reservations probably go to folks waiting in line. Once inside, we ordered their famous lasagna for two, the caramelle pasta, and the chrysanthemum green salad. The salad was a little tough on the palate (though the mountain of cheese on top was a showstopper), and the pasta was just okay. But the lasagna? Perfection. Made with robiola cheese and ragu, it came as a beautiful spiral instead of layered slices, and it was melt-in-your-mouth good.
The real surprise though was the tiramisu—layered with chocolate cake, cream, and crispy wafer bits for texture. Honestly, the lasagna and tiramisu alone made the whole visit worth it. They have a few seats at the bar that is exclusively for walk in which is where we sat.
Misi (Maybe can skip)
We booked Misi a few weeks before our trip and went in ready to try some of their classics. The ricotta toast with ramps was a letdown—pretty bland since the ricotta wasn’t seasoned. The Bucatini ’Nduja, though, was a winner: spicy sausage with tomato sauce that paired perfectly with those thick noodles. We also had the sheep’s milk ricotta occhi, kind of like gnocchi, and the fettuccine with buffalo butter and Parmigiano. The fettuccine stood out—the quality of the cheese melted beautifully into the pasta for a rich, flavorful coating. That said, for $28–30 a plate, the simplicity didn’t quite justify the price.
Faicco's italian Specialty
If you’re after one of the most famous Italian subs in New York—and definitely one of the meatiest—head to Faicco’s Italian Specialties. Their Italian sub is stacked sky-high with prosciutto and topped with fresh mozzarella. It’s seriously dense. Honestly, it was almost too much meat for me (never thought I’d say that), and the combo of salty prosciutto with bland, wet cheese made for a heavy, soggy bite. Not quite my favorite, but I can see why it has a cult following.
Russ and Daughters
Russ and Daughters is one of those spots where you grab a number and wait your turn—about 40 minutes for us, but totally worth it. We went all out with their signature bagel and lox, adding scallion, tomato, onion, and capers. Honestly, it was a flavor explosion—the cream cheese and lox combo is next-level. Definitely sets a new bar for bagels. The cream cheese was excellent but the bagel, subpar.
Mei Lai Wah
While at Russ and Daughters, we got smart and preordered from Mei Lai Wah via @snackpass—a great way to skip the line. We scheduled a noon pickup and walked about 20 minutes to Chinatown to grab our order. Inside, the place was packed, but with our order number, we breezed right in and a friendly staff member handed us our buns.
Our haul included their famous pineapple pork buns and a BBQ steamed pork bun. The exteriors were perfectly flaky and crispy, while the insides were filled with tender, flavorful BBQ pork. I personally preferred the steamed bun, as the pineapple one was a touch too sweet for my taste. Pro tip: preordering is a game-changer, and if the buns appear sold out on Snackpass, just refresh—the app often shows fresh stock.
Lafayette Supreme Croissants
The legendary Supreme Croissant at Lafayette was on our list. Following IG advice, we aimed to get in line an hour before the 4 pm croissant drop—the supposedly quietest round. They release croissants at 8 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm daily.
Arriving at 3:20 pm, the line was surprisingly short and moved quickly, but we hit a snag—they were sold out of everything except one flavor. Even though we were in the 4 pm line, we were asked to rejoin for the official drop, which was a bit confusing.
We took a quick detour to Levain for cookies and returned at 3:50 pm, only to find the line wrapped around the block. At 4 pm, we finally got our pistachio and chocolate Supreme Croissants—one per person at $10 each. With no indoor seating, we stood at the bar to dig in.
Verdict? The puff pastry was fine, but the creamy filling was delicious. I’m not sure I’d go through the whole ordeal again—I've had better in Korea—but credit to Lafayette for creating such a memorable treat
Levain Bakery
A quick pit stop, conveniently next door to Lafayette. We snagged their classic CC cookie with walnuts and a double chocolate one. Surprisingly crisp on the outside, yet melted into warm gooey goodness at the core. The double chocolate stole the show – definitely my top pick. The line was a breeze, moving swiftly.
Una Pizza Napoletana
If Neapolitan-style pizza is your thing, Una Pizzeria is a must-visit. Named the best pizza in the world, securing a reservation feels like hitting the jackpot. Set your alarm—reservations open on Resy two weeks in advance and disappear within seconds. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, you can try walking in. They’re open Thursday through Saturday, offering a limited menu of four pizzas, with options to add extra toppings.
My favorites? The Marinara with anchovies and the Margherita, upgraded with shaved aged Parmesan and pepperoni. The dough is phenomenal—soft, fluffy, and naturally leavened, perfect for tearing and dipping into the rich tomato sauce. The quality of the ingredients, many imported from Italy, really shines through. Honestly, it’s the best Neapolitan-style pizza I’ve ever had. Don’t skip the housemade desserts—they’re worth saving room for, though we were too full to try anything else afterward.
Sunday
Pop Up Bagels- 7 am
Bright and early at 6 am, we headed to Pop Up Bagels for their renowned soft bagels. Surprisingly, there was no line at 7 am—a major win! We went all out and grabbed a dozen, which came with two complimentary tubs of cream cheese. We kept one tub and asked for an extra bagel on the side.
These bagels truly redefine greatness. Fluffy, warm, and baked fresh to order, they’re best enjoyed immediately—perfect for tearing apart and dipping into that luscious cream cheese. I even tried freezing and reheating them later, but honestly, nothing beats the fresh experience.
Emily (possible Skip)
We had a lunch reservation at Emily, and I’d been eager to try their famous burger on Instagram for ages. Featuring LaFrieda dry-aged beef, EMMY sauce, American cheese, pickles, and caramelized onions on a pretzel bun, it’s served with curly fries. Unfortunately, the burger came overcooked and lacked the promised caramelized onions. The fries were nothing special—more fast-food quality than remarkable. I’ve heard the Brooklyn location might deliver a better experience. At $26, it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me.
L'Industrie
We set our sights on L’Industrie in Brooklyn, recommended by the owners of Pedrosos. The setup here is simple: line up for whole pizzas or slices, with a typical wait of about 20-50 minutes. While the fig and bacon and burrata slices were crowd favorites, the bacon had unfortunately run out. We went with pepperoni and hot honey, along with a burrata slice.
The verdict? Absolutely divine. Easily the best pizza by the slice I’ve ever had—the crust and flavor balance were spot on. Each slice costs around $5–6. And if you’re there, don’t miss their in-house pistachio gelato—it’s a must-try.
Raku Noodle Bar
Due to an unexpected flight delay, we ended up at Raku Noodle Bar. Around 6 pm, we walked right in and were pleasantly surprised there was no wait. We ordered the Torikarage Udon with chicken on the side and the Zaru Udon with tempura. This spot is an absolute must-try, and they do accept reservations. The udon lived up to its reputation—flavors and textures that clearly showcase their dedication to quality. Honestly, this is the best udon I’ve ever had!
Spots we reviewed to Skip: Joes Pizza, Artichokes
Now Here are the Non Food things we did while in NYC. It's a short list
Visting MOMA
After enjoying the MET in the past, we opted for a change and headed to MOMA this time. We secured 1 pm timed tickets, ensuring a smooth entry to explore contemporary art.
MOMA's visitor-friendly policy allowed us to bring hydroflasks, handy for staying refreshed as we navigated through exhibits. Refill stations scattered throughout kept us hydrated.
Although we missed Starry Night (temporarily at the MET), MOMA's collection of Modern Art Masters captivated us. Sculptures, paintings, and immersive installations filled the galleries, each telling a unique story.
MOMA's curation showcased the dynamic evolution of modern art, guiding us through diverse styles and movements. Our visit deepened our understanding of New York's artistic landscape and left us inspired by the city's creative energy.
Central Park Zoo
During our recent trip, we decided to check out the Central Park Zoo. We got our tickets at the entrance kiosk, opting for the limited tickets option. Despite its smaller size, the zoo offers a neat 1-2 hour experience, laid out in a circular path that takes you through various animal habitats.
The highlight for us was definitely the charming Red Panda. We also enjoyed the Snow Leopard exhibit, the playful bears, the tropical rainforest, and the lively penguin area. But the seal exhibit was the star of the show, with the seals showing off tricks and entertaining the visitors.
The Central Park Zoo is a well-curated space that offers a mix of education and fun. It's a great escape right in the middle of the city, perfect for a quick and enjoyable visit.
Summit One Vanderbilt
Summit One truly stood out during our trip. We secured tickets for the 9 am opening, though it does tend to draw sizable crowds. The ascent takes you to impressive heights, offering breathtaking vistas of the city skyline.
Among the highlights is a room adorned with shimmering silver balloons and even a glass-bottom floor that adds an exhilarating touch. Another captivating feature is a room entirely covered in mirrors. This spot is a prime opportunity for striking photos and undoubtedly provides some of the most stunning views you'll encounter.
For those who have experienced the Umeda Sky Building in Osaka, Summit One offers a similar sensation, making it an unforgettable part of our journey. Note you can't bring food or drinks but you can bring a hydroflask. You can't bring carry on luggage either.
