When I first started this blog, it actually used to be a food blog for a college class. It’s evolved a bit through the years and now it’s more of a part-time food blog and part-time travel blog. Recently, we had family visiting New York City and I had to come up with a travel guide. I took the opportunity to make my own impromptu food tour while I was at it – a short introduction to classic institutions in Lower Manhattan. 

The tour started off at Russ & Daughters, a Lower East Side staple known for its smoked fish, bagels, and traditional deli fare. Established in 1914 by Joel Russ, a Jewish immigrant from Poland, the business began as a pushcart selling herring. The storefront, where it still remains today, opened in 1920, and is currently still operated by fourth-generation family members. Russ & Daughters is celebrated for its commitment to preserving Jewish culinary traditions. Their Classic Bagel & Lox Sandwich is a must-have item. We also had the Super Heebster, which was filled to the brim with creamy whitefish and salmon salad and wasabi flying fish roe. Get there early, grab a ticket, and wait for your classic NYC bagel experience. 

The second stop is just across the street at Katz’s Delicatessen, a famous Jewish deli in the Lower East Side. Established in 1888, it has become an iconic institution in New York City, renowned for its pastrami on rye sandwiches. They use a traditional slow-curing method, which takes up to 30 days, which makes the pastrami super juicy with that peppery, smoky crust. They offer both self-service dining, where you order at their counter or dine-in with waiter service. The counter is part of the experience, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed, waiter service is just as good. Make sure you have their classic pastrami sandwich with a dab of their house mustard. And I highly recommend their Matzo Ball Soup as well! 

The third stop is the Noho branch of Levain Bakery, originally founded in 1995 by Constance McDonald and Pamela Weekes on the Upper West Side. Levain is known for their oversized, ooey, gooey cookies. Their Chocolate Chip Walnut is their original and most popular cookie. My personal favorite is the Oatmeal Raisin, but I’m always happy to try their seasonal products as well. 

The fourth stop of the tour is in Greenwich Village, at Porto Rico Importing Co., a cherished New York City institution known for its dedication to quality coffee and tea. Established in 1907, Porto Rico now offers over 130 varieties of coffee beans sourced from 28 countries. The coffee is roasted daily at their Williamsburg facility and delivered fresh to their 4 NYC locations. The back of the shop has a little coffee stand, where you can order your caffeine hit of choice. 

The fifth stop on the tour is another classic New York staple. Established in 1975 by Italian immigrant, Pino “Joe” Pozzuoli, Joe’s Pizza has been serving authentic New York-style pizza for over 4 decades. Joe’s is my favorite pizzeria in Manhattan, where you can grab a quintessential New York slice. The Times Square location always has a line, so skip that and visit the Village location instead! 

The last stop will be further west at Magnolia Bakery. Founded in 1996, Magnolia became a cult favorite after its original Bleecker Street location was featured on Sex and the City. They are famous for their banana pudding as well as their pretty cupcakes. I’m a personal fan of their banana pudding and have made my own dupe many times. They have several locations in NYC and other cities around the world, but the original Bleecker Street shop is my favorite. 

If at any point, you are still hungry, here are a few more spots that I think you should definitely check out: 

• Dominique Ansel Bakery – known for their signature Kouign-amann and Cronuts 
• Lombardi’s – known as the first pizzeria in the US 
• Veselka – Ukrainian diner known for their Pierogis and borscht
• Minetta Tavern – known for their Black Label Burger