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Beyond the iconic, show-stopping displays—the grizzly bear in the Hall of North American Mammals, the 94-feet long blue whale, the prehistoric Barosaurus skeleton rearing up as if to scare the adjacent Allosaurus skeleton—is an expertly curated, 150-year-old museum that fills visitors of all ages with a curiosity about the universe. Whether you’re interested in the world below our feet or the cultures of faraway lands or the stars light-years beyond our reach, your visit is bound to teach you a few things you never knew. With four floors filled to the brim with artifacts, you could spend a whole day just looking at the taxidermied animals that hail from North America, Asia, Africa, rain forests and the ocean. Or, conversely, spend a day like an anthropologist and study indigenous Americans, Asian cultures, African peoples, Pacific tribes, and, before these rich cultures existed, the evolutionary origins of humans and our near (now extinct) cousins, like neanderthals. Also don't miss the new wing called the Gilder Center, which houses a butterfly vivarium, an insectarium and a 360-degree immersive experience, in an architectural masterpiece.

When I was growing up, a trip to Katz's with my dad wasn't an occasion so different than visiting a grandparent; there was a strange, arcane way we had to observe that was clearly the product of another time. And spending the time was rewarded with a real treat, something that felt comforting and maybe a little overwhelming. Back then, there was liable to be a line, but it was never very long, so it was, without question, worth it. Today, the place hasn't changed, but the feeling has. Waiting on a line that stretches down the block is part of the experience, and at every table you'll see tourists more preoccupied with taking photos of the food than enjoying it. I can't begrudge them that–there's no place like Katz's. But the hype now affects the actual experience one has there, which is a funny thing. It doesn’t make the food any less delicious.Katz's sign reads: Katz's that's all! Because at one time it advertised itself as Katz's kosher deli, except it wasn't actually kosher and there was outcry, so they changed the sign. It's just Katz's, that's all. If you're visiting, it's probably on your list. That makes sense: if you've never eaten at Katz's, you want to. The sandwiches are huge, insanely good, and the place is–and I don't use this word lightly–iconic. Mind that the efficiency you're supposed to observe navigating NYC’s streets goes triple here: know what you want by the time it's your turn, and keep things moving. Keep your ticket. Do not lose your ticket. And...

George Motz’s smashed patties are making all the best new burger lists–and for good reason. We especially love them for a cheap weekend brunch, since a single burger, made with fried onions and gooey American cheese, rings in at just $7.25. (Although it doesn’t come with fries, which are another $4.25.) A hot ham or tuna sandwich is $7, and perhaps most importantly, a Miller High Life is $6. Grab a seat at the bustling counter to watch the burgers get smashed, crack open a beer, and enjoy a Sunday morning for less than 20 bucks.

There’s been much written about how Billy Durney’s Red Hook Tavern draws inspiration from New York institutions. The font used for the restaurant’s name could be mistaken for Minetta Tavern’s from afar, and there are two ales dedicated to McSorley’s. But once we secured a seat (if you manage to score a prime-time reservation, play the lottery), we quickly realized the experience here is its very own thing.After an affable employee leads you down the narrow dining room or to one of the 18 bar seats, your first priority is to order the Dry Aged Red Hook Tavern Burger ($24). This pub-style burger is hefty but manageable. The simple dish—a dry-aged patty cloaked in American cheese and topped with raw white onions, then sandwiched between sesame rolls—is cooked to a perfect temperature. This juicy burger is one of the best we’ve tasted in the city.It’s no surprise that the burger and the menu’s other meat options are also expertly executed. Durney showed off his expertise with proteins at Hometown Bar-B-Que, a popular destination despite its location in difficult-to-get-to Red Hook, that’s known for its ribs, brisket, sausages, pastrami and other barbecue dishes with global touches.Executive chef Allison Plumer interprets the nostalgia that Red Hook Tavern strives for with an unfussy approach that results in plates you’ll want to devour on a cold winter day. The country-ham croquettes ($10), which are filled with white cheddar and sit atop a swath of dijonnaise, can be popped...

The original East Village location was a stone-cold classic. It moved in 2006 and, despite some apprehension, we've found it hasn't missed a beat. 2nd Avenue Deli feels exactly the way a deli should: unpretentious and homey and a little cramped, with a big deli case, locals who look like they've been eating here since Moses was in short pants. You can come here for any kind of meal, whether it’s a casual nosh or a big occasion. Yeah, it’s pretty casual, but people can, will, and do celebrate milestones here. Compared to its closest Anglo-analog, the diner, it feels special. It’s pricey, yes. But unlike a diner, you're engaging a long tradition of cuisine that you'd be hard-pressed to find outside of New York City. The chopped liver is moussey and light, the pastrami is fatty without being gummy, each table still gets fixed with pickles; they come in half and full-sour for your pleasure. There's a second location further uptown on the Upper East Side. And above that one, they've got a cute little cocktail bar called 2nd Floor Bar & Essen. But that’s not what we’re talking about here and if you're trying to go for the real-deli-deal, it doesn't get much realer than this.The place is the quintessential New York deli, with pastrami, kishkas, kasha varnishkes—a grain and pasta salad. They don't toast bread; they don't serve cheese. Don't ask. Outside of that, the world’s your oyster—er, I mean, Matzoh ball.Whenever I go, I get a tongue sandwich with a lot of mustard, pickles, a...

New York gained another burger joint in the spring of 2025, but this one came with some serious cred. The name was Deux Luxe, a sister restaurant to Café Deux in Harrison, NY (also run by the sister act Carrie and Charlotte Denoyer). The littlest sibling builds on what gave the original Westchester restaurant its fame: a double Wagyu burger that won Westchester Magazine's title of Best Wagyu Burger in Westchester. And we are here to say the credentials check out. The famed burger is a simple operation: two Wagyu patties, glued together by melty cheddar and a garlic aioli that spills out when you bite. Gourmet burgers continue, as the Au Poivre burger, oozing with blue cheese and jammy caramelized onions, comes with a peppercorn dip. Meanwhile, the Big Deux reads like a Big Mac, but way better, spilling out with pickles, cheddar, and a secret swirl of Deux special sauce. But variety is the spice of life here, as swapping out beef for hearty portobello mushrooms can be found in the Shroom burger and there are gluten-free and vegan options. It all goes down in a compact but cutesy counter-like space with affirmations posted on the wall and an old-school sticker ATM out front that should be utilized before you take your spoils to the streets.

Barney Greengrass opened in 1908. Think about that math for a moment as you step inside and realize that probably nothing has changed in the intervening years. As iconic as the place is, it's a tad shabby. That's not to say it's dirty—it's not. But compared to some of its contemporaries, the place does show the wear of time and the stubbornness of its adherence to the "if it ain't broke" philosophy. But by the same token, there's a real and palpable charm to the room. And when you’re inside, there's a specific feel that goes beyond the superficial. "All that glitters" and all of that. If you're here and have no interest in smoked fish, you're going to be paying a whole bunch of money for eggs. That would be a real waste. Show up ready for sturgeon, sable, nova, lox, whitefish-all of that stuff that murders your breath but feeds your soul. Make no mistake: you'll get your eggs cooked perfectly, but don't get them without that smoked-fish addition. You’ll forget allll about bacon. Lox, eggs, and onions are a classic, and you can’t go wrong. But you could also go the sandwich route, sturgeon or sable on rye with lettuce, onion, tomato, and mayo. Old-timers who've earned preferential treatment rub elbows with stroller-pushing Nouveau Yorkers. It gets crowded. If you're smart, you'll send an advance party to scout a table. Or you can show up during the week, when it's easy to just sit and have a meal. It’s cash only, and they’re closed Mondays, and there are no reservations, so...

Bánh Anh Em sells about 2,000 bánh mì sandwiches a week, often selling out before the doors close for the night. It isn't too surprising there's such a fervor here, as chef Nhu Ton is a master of the craft. At her third restaurant in the city, chef Ton takes a very hands-on approach, blending a mix of ground pork, chicken liver, crispy onions and dashes of fish sauce to make an unctuous spread of pate. She also bakes trays of glossy, crackly loaves right before the doors open at 6pm (but not before the lines form; that can start as early as five). It all ladders up to a formidable formation of bánh mìs, including the go-to O.G. Bánh Mì with layers of cold cuts flecked with fat, lightly vinegared carrots and herbs that bring crunch and a crown of pork floss that melts into a sugared sweetness. But it isn't all just sandwiches here, as Bánh Anh Em excels with noodle soups and gelatinous rice sheets on silver tiered trays, carefully wrapped to hold the likes of shrimp and pork jowls. Yes, waiting is part of the game here, as reservations are not a thing. But those who wait are sure to have the sweetest reward. 

We really like eating around the city, and we're guessing you do, too. So lucky for all of us, we've packed all our favorite restaurants under one roof at the Time Out Market New York. The DUMBO location in Empire Stores has fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, pizza from Fornino, delicious bagels from Ess-a-bagel and more amazing eateries—all cherry-picked by us. Chow down over two floors with views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.  RECOMMENDED: The best things do in NYC

If you thought getting a table at Per Se was tough, try getting into Rao’s. On second thought, don’t. Rao’s (pronounced “RAY-ohs”) is really a private club without the dues. To eat here, you’ll need a personal invite from one of the heavy hitters who “owns” a table. These CEOs, actors, politicians, news personalities and neighborhood old-timers established a long-standing arrangement with the late, legendary owner Frankie “No” Pellegrino, and that's what ensures a seat at one of the ten tables at the Italian-American icon. In fact, reading this review is probably the closest you’ll get to Rao’s.