Frequently Asked Questions
A slice of New York pizza — specifically, a plain cheese slice from Joe's Pizza in Greenwich Village, Di Fara in Midwood Brooklyn, or Scarr's on the Lower East Side. Fold it in half, eat it on the sidewalk, and you will understand why New Yorkers are so passionate about their pizza. It should cost $3-5. If you only eat one thing in New York, make it this.
It can be, but it does not have to be. Dollar pizza slices ($1-1.50), halal cart plates ($6-8), Chinatown noodle bowls ($8-12), and bodega chopped cheese sandwiches ($6-8) are all exceptional cheap eats. A great meal in NYC can cost $8 or $800 — the range is unmatched. Budget $40-60/day for food if you eat like a local; $150+ if you want sit-down restaurants for every meal.
Start with a bagel from Russ & Daughters on the Lower East Side (morning). Walk to Chinatown for soup dumplings at Joe's Shanghai (lunch). Take the subway to Chelsea Market for a Los Tacos No. 1 afternoon snack. End with a classic New York slice at Joe's Pizza in Greenwich Village (dinner). If you have room, grab a pastrami sandwich at Katz's between lunch and dinner. Total cost: under $60.
Absolutely — Flushing is the best food destination in all of NYC. The 7 train from Times Square takes 35 minutes to the end of the line. Start at New World Mall basement food court for soup dumplings, then walk to Nan Xiang for xiao long bao, grab boba tea from Kung Fu Tea, and finish at a Sichuan restaurant on Main Street. You will eat better and cheaper than anywhere in Manhattan.
Smorgasburg (Brooklyn, weekends April-October) is the largest and most exciting — 100+ vendors. Chelsea Market (Manhattan, daily) is the best year-round indoor market. Essex Market (Lower East Side) is smaller but excellent for specialty foods. For the full NYC experience, visit the Union Square Greenmarket (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday) — the city's premier farmers market since 1976, where top chefs shop.
For fine dining and popular spots, yes — book 2-8 weeks ahead on Resy or OpenTable. Carbone, 4 Charles Prime Rib, and Don Angie are notoriously hard to book. For casual restaurants, most have walk-in availability, especially on weeknights. Many popular places (like Joe's Pizza, Katz's, Halal Guys) are counter-service with no reservations needed. Pro tip: eat lunch at places that are impossible to book for dinner — the food is the same, the price is lower, and there is no wait.