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Ready to take a bite out of New York? Hope you've come hungry. In a city where creativity is expressed in innumerable ways, the food scene takes center stage, with literally thousands of chances to taste what Gotham is all about. Whether lining up at street stands, gobbling down legendary deli and diner grub, or chasing a coveted reservation at the latest celebrity-chef venue, New Yorkers are a demanding yet appreciative audience.
Every neighborhood offers temptations high, low, and in between, meaning there's truly something for every taste, whim, and budget. No matter how you approach dining out here, it's hard to go wrong. Planning a day of shopping among the glittering flagship boutiques along 5th and Madison Avenues? Stop into one of the Upper East Side's storied restaurants for a repast among the "ladies who lunch." Clubbing in the Meatpacking District? Tuck into a meal at eateries as trendy as their patrons. Craving authentic ethnic? From food trucks to hidden joints, there are almost more choices than there are appetites. Recent years have also seen entire food categories, from ramen to meatballs to mac 'n' cheese, riffed upon and fetishized, and at many restaurants you find an almost religious reverence for seasonal, locally sourced cuisine.
And don't forget—New York is still home to more celebrity chefs than any other city. Your chances of running into your favorite cookbook author, Food Network celeb, or paparazzi-friendly chef are high, adding even more star wattage to a restaurant scene with an already through-the-roof glamour quotient. Newfound economic realities, however, have revived appreciation for value, meaning you can tap into wallet-friendly choices at every level of the food chain. Rest assured, this city does its part to satisfy your appetite. Ready, set, eat.
A welcome addition to the Battery Park City dining scene, Blue Smoke is easily one of NYC's most satisfying barbecue joints. (We'd expect nothing less from famed restaurateur Danny Meyer.) Count on delectable brisket, ribs, fried chicken, and hearty sides to satisfy your carnivorous cravings, and don't miss the tender Alabama white wings, sauced with a blend of mayo and miso for the perfect tangy umami flavor. The dining room is urban-rustic and can get a bit noisy, especially when the neighborhood's after-work crowd files in, but the genial team is sure to keep you happy and full.
Big appetites will be happy with the huge platters of St. Louis–style ribs, Memphis-style ribs, and pulled pork and brisket here, as well as the fried chicken, corn bread, slaw, and barbecue baked beans. Smaller appetites can opt for burgers, sliders, sandwiches, and salads, plus some gluten-free selections. Nearly everything is smoked or homemade at this sprawling, two-story location tucked under the West Side Highway viaduct. There’s a smaller outpost in Brooklyn.
There are enough transplants from Texas and the South bringing their pitmaster experiences to Brooklyn that "Brooklyn style BBQ" has become formidable fare. One of the first purveyors of Brooklyn barbecue is this joint inside a former auto-body repair shop, where a huge wood-and-gas smoker delivers rotating meats, including brisket, pork belly, sausages, ribs, and smoked wings—all sold by the pound. Sides include potato salad, broccoli salad, and baked beans, but other pairings come in the form of one of over 100 American whiskeys and 10 microbrews. Come early, especially on warm afternoons, when carnivores line up to order meat and then vie for a table inside or out on the former repair shop's driveway.
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