New York Delis You’ll Love: 13 Must-Try Spots
New York City’s delis aren’t just places to grab a sandwich, they’re cultural institutions where culinary magic happens between two slices of rye.
From towering pastrami creations to luscious lox and everything in between, these iconic eateries serve up authentic flavors that tell the story of the city itself. Ready your appetite as we tour the absolute best delis NYC has to offer!
1. Katz’s Delicatessen: Where Pastrami Dreams Come True
Never has a sandwich been so life-changing. The legendary pastrami at this Lower East Side institution has been perfected since 1888, with meat so tender it practically dissolves on your tongue.
Katz’s creates theater with every order, watch as skilled cutters hand-slice your meat to perfection while you clutch that precious ticket (don’t lose it, seriously). The atmosphere buzzes with energy from tourists and locals alike.
Sure, the lines stretch forever and prices aren’t cheap, but one bite explains everything.
2. 2nd Avenue Deli: Kosher Heaven In An Unexpected Location
Though the name suggests otherwise, this beloved institution now operates on 33rd Street and another spot uptown. The irony doesn’t matter when you’re face-to-face with their heavenly matzo ball soup that could cure anything from heartbreak to the common cold.
Family-owned since 1954, the deli serves up history alongside every plate. Their pastrami and corned beef achieve that perfect balance between fatty and lean that makes deli aficionados swoon.
Portions arrive massive enough to feed you twice, with complimentary gribenes (crispy chicken skin) that’ll make you question why they’re free.
3. Carnegie Deli: The Comeback Kid Of Sandwich Stardom
Where sandwiches reach skyscraper heights that would make architects jealous. After closing its iconic Midtown location in 2016, Carnegie has risen phoenix-like with a Madison Square Garden outpost that still delivers those legendary mile-high sandwiches.
Their pastrami and corned beef remain the stuff of New York legend. Expect enough meat in each sandwich to feed a small family, stacked impossibly high between slices of rye that heroically attempt to contain the deliciousness.
Cheesecake fans, take note, their creamy slices remain some of NYC’s finest dessert experiences.
4. Barney Greengrass: The Sturgeon King Rules The Upper West Side
Are you even a New Yorker if you haven’t experienced Sunday morning with a bagel and lox here? Since 1908, this Upper West Side gem has maintained its title as “The Sturgeon King” with absolutely zero competition.
The vintage décor hasn’t changed in decades, formica tables, worn linoleum floors, and walls adorned with celebrity photos tell stories of a bygone New York.
Their smoked fish platters arrive like edible artwork, with silky sturgeon, buttery nova, and whitefish arranged alongside the obligatory tomatoes, onions, and capers.
Cash only, friends. Come prepared.
5. Russ & Daughters: Appetizing Store Extraordinaire
This isn’t technically a deli, it’s an “appetizing store,” thank you very much. The distinction matters when you’re talking about a 110-year-old institution that has perfected the art of smoked fish.
Hand-sliced lox here is practically transparent, cut with the precision of a surgeon and the love of a bubbe. Four generations of the Russ family have maintained standards so high they’ve become the benchmark for Jewish appetizing nationwide.
Their newer café on Orchard Street lets you enjoy everything sit-down style, but nothing beats the original shop’s controlled chaos as regulars jockey for position.
6. Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner: The 24-Hour Salvation For Pastrami Cravings
When midnight pastrami cravings hit, Sarge’s answers the call. This Murray Hill institution stays open 24/7, serving up mountainous sandwiches to everyone from late-night revelers to early-morning workers.
Founded by a former cop (hence the name), Sarge’s survived a devastating fire in 2012 to return stronger than ever. Their pastrami undergoes a meticulous three-day preparation process before it reaches your plate, resulting in meat so tender it barely needs chewing.
The Monster, their signature sandwich with corned beef, pastrami, roast beef, turkey, salami, and tongue, isn’t just a meal, it’s a commitment.
7. Pastrami Queen: Royalty In The Realm Of Smoked Meat
Hidden on Lexington Avenue, this unassuming spot has quietly served some of the city’s best pastrami for decades. The meat here achieves that magical balance, peppery crust giving way to tender, smoky interior that makes you close your eyes involuntarily with each bite.
Locals fiercely guard this place as their secret, though Anthony Bourdain’s visit years ago threatened to blow their cover. Sandwiches arrive simply dressed with mustard on rye, letting the meat’s complex flavors take center stage.
Their hot dogs deserve special mention. Snappy natural casings with just the right resistance before surrendering to juicy perfection inside.
8. PJ Bernstein: The Upper East Side’s Comfort Food Haven
This is where Upper East Siders have been getting their deli fix since 1965. Walking in feels like entering a time capsule where comfort food reigns supreme and everyone seems to be a regular.
Their matzoh ball soup arrives with golden broth so clear you could read the menu through it, cradling a cloud-like matzoh ball that’s the perfect balance of firm and fluffy. Celebrities from Woody Allen to Bernie Sanders have been spotted at these tables over the decades.
Waitstaff who’ve worked here for generations know many customers by name and order, creating that increasingly rare neighborhood feeling.
9. Liebman’s Kosher Deli: Bronx Institution Since 1953
Did you know the Bronx once had 100+ Jewish delis? Now, Liebman’s stands nearly alone, proudly keeping tradition alive in Riverdale since 1953.
The no-frills interior hasn’t changed much over decades, but that’s exactly the point. Their hot dogs snap with that perfect kosher beef goodness, while the stuffed derma (kishka) offers a taste increasingly hard to find anywhere else in the city.
Families spanning three or four generations often crowd tables on Sundays, passing down deli traditions alongside heaping plates of potato latkes that arrive golden-brown and crackling-hot.
10. Gottlieb’s Restaurant: Williamsburg’s Hasidic Culinary Cornerstone
This isn’t just a deli, it’s a cultural institution serving Williamsburg’s Hasidic community since 1962. The glatt kosher establishment offers a fascinating window into a culinary tradition most New Yorkers rarely experience.
Their cholent (traditional Sabbath stew) simmers low and slow, developing deep flavors that have sustained generations through cold Brooklyn winters. The menu features specialties like kishka, kugel, and kasha varnishkes alongside more familiar deli standards.
Closed for Shabbat from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening, timing your visit requires planning but rewards you with authentic flavors that haven’t changed in decades.
11. Frankel’s Delicatessen: Greenpoint’s New-School Take On Old Traditions
Brothers Zach and Alex Frankel prove tradition can thrive with thoughtful updates. Their Greenpoint deli opened in 2016 but feels like it’s been there forever, striking that perfect balance between honoring the past and embracing the present.
The pastrami-smoked salmon bagel sandwich merges two Jewish food traditions into one mind-blowing creation that would make your great-grandmother simultaneously confused and delighted. Instagram-worthy? Absolutely. But the substance backs up the style with house-made everything.
Weekend lines stretch down Manhattan Avenue for good reason. This is how tradition evolves without losing its soul.
12. Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery: Cheesecake Legend With Serious Deli Cred
Everyone knows about the cheesecake, but Junior’s serious deli game often gets overlooked. Since 1950, this Brooklyn institution at the busy intersection of Flatbush and DeKalb has been serving up mammoth sandwiches alongside their famous desserts.
Their hot open-faced sandwiches arrive drowning in savory gravy, requiring both knife and fork to tackle properly. The dining room buzzes with a mix of locals, tourists, and courthouse employees from nearby Borough Hall.
Whatever you order, saving room for cheesecake isn’t optional, it’s mandatory. The original plain with that signature sponge cake bottom remains undefeated.
13. Mile End Delicatessen: Montreal-Style Magic In Brooklyn
Who dared bring Montreal-style smoked meat to New York City? Noah Bernamoff did, and deli purists initially clutched their pearls before tasting the goods and promptly shutting up.
The Brooklyn spot (with a Manhattan outpost too) serves up meat that’s noticeably different from traditional pastrami, cured with less sugar, smoked differently, and sliced by hand. Their poutine deserves special mention, with squeaky cheese curds and rich gravy that would make a Canadian proud.
The Ruth Wilensky sandwich, salami on an onion roll with mustard, pays homage to a Montreal classic while creating something uniquely delicious.
