New York City is packed with thousands of restaurants serving every cuisine you can think of.
But a few aren’t just places to eat—they’re pieces of NYC history, with walls that hold stories and food that keeps regulars coming for decades.
These are spots where deals were made over steaks, presidents grabbed hot dogs, and writers drank too much whiskey.
From old-school delis to pizzerias that started it all, these iconic restaurants have stood the test of time—and one bite will tell you why.
1. Katz’s Delicatessen
A Lower East Side staple since 1888, Katz’s Delicatessen piles pastrami high and lines its walls with decades of celebrity photos.
This old-school Jewish deli is famous for its hand-carved, melt-in-your-mouth pastrami on rye, plus classics like corned beef and matzo ball soup.
If the neon sign and long line don’t pull you in, the “Send a Salami to Your Boy in the Army” slogan and the “I’ll have what she’s having” scene from When Harry Met Sally definitely will.
Katz’s Delicatessen – Google Maps Listing
2. Peter Luger Steak House
Across the river in Brooklyn, Peter Luger Steak House has been serving no-nonsense porterhouse steaks since 1887—big, bold, and no fancy frills.
The star of the show is the dry-aged beef, sizzling in its own juices, plus old-school sides like creamed spinach and thick-cut bacon.
Landing a table feels like a jackpot, but the first bite of that charred steak proves why it’s been packed for over a century.
Peter Luger Steak House – Google Maps Listing
3. Minetta Tavern
Minetta Tavern, located in Greenwich Village, is where old-school charm meets serious burger perfection—yes, you’re here for that Black Label Burger.
This dimly lit, red-leather-booth bistro has been around since 1937 and was once a favorite haunt for literary legends like Hemingway.
These days, it’s all about the insanely rich, dry-aged beef burger that food lovers treat like a religious experience.
It’s pricey and takes a lot of patience to book, but the first bite of buttery, seared beef proves that the hype is real.
Minetta Tavern – Google Maps Listing
4. Sylvia’s Restaurant
Up in Harlem, Sylvia’s has been dishing out the kind of soul food that feels like a warm hug since 1962, and if you leave here hungry, that’s on you.
Founded by the legendary Sylvia Woods, this place is all about crispy fried chicken, buttery cornbread, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and very creamy mac and cheese.
Sundays mean gospel brunch with live music, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a celebrity digging into a plate of smothered pork chops next to you.
Sylvia’s Restaurant – Google Maps Listing
5. Barney Greengrass
Over on the Upper West Side, Barney Greengrass—aka The Sturgeon King—is the go-to spot for perfect bagels, silky smoked fish, and old-school New York deli vibes.
This no-frills, family-run spot serves up legendary lox, nova, and sturgeon piled high on fresh bagels.
You can also have classic Jewish comfort food like matzo brei and potato latkes that taste like someone’s grandma made them.
Their strong coffee and vintage Formica tables set the scene, but once you taste the hand-sliced smoked salmon, nothing else will matter.
Barney Greengrass – Google Maps Listing
6. Nom Wah Tea Parlor
Down in Chinatown, Nom Wah Tea Parlor has been serving up some of the best dim sum in NYC since 1920, making it the city’s oldest dumpling destination.
This cozy, no-carts-needed spot is famous for its delicious roast pork buns, pillowy shrimp siu mai, and golden egg rolls.
Time stands still with red booths and vintage tiles, but their legendary dumplings are why people have filled these seats for over a century.
Nom Wah Tea Parlor – Google Maps Listing
7. Grand Central Oyster Bar
Deep under the ceilings of the Grand Central Terminal, the Grand Central Oyster Bar has been shucking fresh oysters and serving up seafood classics since 1913.
The place feels like a time capsule with arched tile ceilings and wooden counters, but the massive selection of oysters and velvety clam chowder steal the show.
Whether you’re slurping oysters at the counter or savoring seafood stew, this iconic spot proves that some classics never go out of style.
Grand Central Oyster Bar – Google Maps Listing
8. Tavern On the Green
Right in the heart of Central Park, Tavern on the Green is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re in a movie—because, well, it has been in plenty.
Originally built as a sheep barn in the 1800s, this restaurant now glows with chandeliers and string-lit garden patios that make everything look magical.
It’s the perfect place for a fancy brunch, a special dinner, or some vintage glam, one thing’s for sure—this spot is truly one of a kind.
Tavern On the Green – Google Maps Listing
9. Bamonte’s
Over in Williamsburg, Bamonte’s has been serving up classic red-sauce Italian since 1900, and walking through its doors feels like stepping into a scene from The Sopranos.
White tablecloths, red vinyl booths, and waiters in tuxedos set the stage for a menu packed with favorites like veal parm, baked clams, and spaghetti with meatballs.
Regulars have been coming here for generations, and if you don’t leave covered in marinara and grinning from ear to ear, you did something wrong.
Bamonte’s – Google Maps Listing
10. P.J. Clarke’s
On the corner of 55th and 3rd, P.J. Clarke’s has been slinging burgers and pouring drinks since 1884, making it one of the last great saloons in the city.
The bacon cheeseburger is legendary, the raw bar is top-notch, and the vibe is pure old-school New York.
The dim lighting, checkered floors, and a well-worn wooden bar where Buddy Holly and Nat King Cole once knocked back drinks make it a must-visit.
Whether you’re here for an ice-cold beer, a plate of crispy onion strings, or just to unwind, this place proves that the simplest things really are the best.
P.J. Clarke’s – Google Maps Listing
11. Nathan’s Famous, Coney Island
Down in Coney Island, Nathan’s Famous is more than just a hot dog stand—it’s a New York institution that’s been dishing out snappy, mustard-slathered goodness since 1916.
The original Surf Avenue location is the stuff of legend, attracting beachgoers, presidents, and food lovers for over a century.
It’s also home to the famous Nathan’s Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, where competitors inhale absurd amounts of franks in record time.
Grab a classic dog, maybe some crinkle-cut fries, and take it all in—the neon signs, the sea air, and the feeling that you’re biting into a piece of pure NYC history.
Nathan’s Famous – Google Maps Listing
12. Keens Steakhouse
Keens Steakhouse is like a time capsule of old New York, with century-old clay pipes on the ceiling and steaks as big as your appetite.
Opened in 1885, this Midtown classic is best known for its mutton chop—a smoky, perfectly charred cut that has been fueling hungry New Yorkers for generations.
The dark wood paneling, white tablecloths, and walls packed with historical memorabilia make every meal here feel like a special occasion.
Keens Steakhouse – Google Maps Listing
13. Fraunces Tavern
If walls could talk, Fraunces Tavern would have the best stories in the city—because it’s where George Washington literally said goodbye to his troops in 1783.
Tucked into a historic brick building in the Financial District, this colonial-era tavern serves up hearty pub fare like shepherd’s pie and pork chops that will make you salivate.
They also have an impressive whiskey list that would make the Founding Fathers proud.
Whether you’re here for the history or the pints, there’s something surreal about eating in the same spot where the revolutionaries once raised their glasses.
Fraunces Tavern – Google Maps Listing
14. Lombardi’s Pizza
Down in Little Italy, Lombardi’s isn’t just a pizza joint—it’s the pizza joint, officially recognized as America’s first pizzeria, slinging coal-fired pies since 1905.
The crust is perfectly charred, the San Marzano tomato sauce is just the right amount of tangy, and the mozzarella melts into gooey perfection.
Order a whole pie (no slices here) and get ready to taste some original New York-style pizza at its very first home.
Lombardi’s Pizza – Google Maps Listing
Related Posts
