NYC Foodie Bucket List (Best Places to Eat in New York)

New York City is a favorite destination of ours, and one that we try to visit as often as we can. There are many reasons we love spending time here, not the least of which is the food. When we are traveling, trying local places to eat is a must, and there are so many options here. With every visit we add a few new spots to our list of the best places to eat in New York. If you are looking for some new places to add to your NYC foodie bucket list, I’m sharing all our favorites here in one place to help make your trip planning a breeze.

NYC Foodie Bucket List: Bakery

Breads Bakery – 18 E 16th St, New York, NY 10003

This New York bakery is known for small batch handmade breads and pastries, and more specifically their chocolate babka. Some say it is the best chocolate babka in NYC, maybe even America. What to order: Chocolate Babka, Palmiers, Butter Pecan Cookies, Spinach Bureka, Breakfast Sandwich

Front exterior of Fabrique Bakery in New York City, a must try on any NYC foodie bucket list.
A hot latte in a green mug, sitting on a matching green saucer on a small round table at Fabrique Bakery in New York City. There is a cardamom bun on a white plate in the background, as well as a clear glass vase with pink carnations.
A cardamom bun seen from above, sitting on a white plate that has light and dark pink roses around the edges. The plate is sitting on a table inside Fabrique Bakery in New York City, along with a hot latte in a green mug.

Fabrique Bakery – 348 W 14th St, New York, NY 10014

If you have read about my favorite coffee shops in New York City, you already know this bakery is a favorite. Fabrique is one of those places that is an absolute must whenever we are in town. We have been to three different locations in NYC and London, and it never gets old. Founded in Stockholm, Sweden in 2008, their concept of fresh, natural ingredients and traditional methods is where they shine. Locations include Sweden, London, and NYC. What to order: Cardamom Bun, Cinnamon Bun

A hand holding a two chip chocolate chip cookie from Levain Bakery in New York City, a must try on your NYC foodie bucket list.

Levain Bakery – 167 W 74th St, New York, NY 10024

Potentially New York City’s most famous cookie comes from Levain Bakery. Their massive chocolate chip walnut cookie is perfectly crispy on the outside, and gooey on the inside. Just the way I like it! Every cookie, loaf, scone and muffin is handmade daily using only the best ingredients. What to order: Two Chip Chocolate Chip Cookie

NYC Foodie Bucket List: Italian

A hand holding a Chicken Cutlet with Pesto Hero from Faicco's Italian Specialties in New York City, a must try on your NYC foodie bucket list.

Faicco’s Italian Specialties – 260 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

This family owned Italian deli has been serving up their insanely good sandwiches since 1900. These sandwiches were made for sharing too, they are as massive as they are delicious. What to order: Fresh Mozzarella Hero, Chicken Cutlet with Pesto Hero

NYC Foodie Bucket List: Mexican

Los Tacos No. 1 inside Chelsea Market in New York City, a must try on any NYC foodie bucket list.
A carne asada taco on a corn tortilla from Los Tacos No. 1, inside Chelsea Market in New York City.

Los Tacos No. 1 – 75 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

If you are craving authentic Mexican flavors while in New York City, you need look no further than Los Tacos No. 1. The menu is short, the ingredients fresh and simple. Trust me, your taste-buds will thank you. What to order: Carne Asada Taco on a corn tortilla

NYC Foodie Bucket List: Pizza

Scarr’s Pizza – 35 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002

Pizza shops in New York City are a dime a dozen, and it can be hard to know which one to try. Scarr’s Pizza should be on your must try list! They are known for New York style slices and milling their own grains. It must be said that the line to get pizza here can be quite long, so be prepared to wait. When we visited we were there about an hour from the time we got in line to the time they handed us our pizza. What to order: Cheese Slice and Garlic Knots

Unregular Pizza – 135 4th Avenue New York, NY, 10003

What started as a creative outlet during lockdown morphed into a bartering business, and finally became a permanent brick and mortar pizza shop. Their Roman-style pizza is rectangular in shape and cut into squares instead of slices. What to order: Bufala Chicken, Veggie Festa, Cacio E Pepe

NYC Foodie Bucket List: Vietnamese

A young woman sitting inside Joju in New York City, in front of a bright green wall that says "Oh darling darling stand banh mi".
A hand holding two halves of a Beef Bulgogi Banh Mi from Joju in New York City, a must try on your NYC foodie bucket list.

JoJu – 555 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10017

These handmade modern Vietnamese banh mis are inspired by the international flavors of New York City. And they are perhaps one of the best sandwiches I have had in my life! Other offerings include rice bowls, salads, fries, spring rolls and summer rolls. What to order: Beef Bulgogi Banh Mi, Ginger Seitan Bites Banh Mi

NYC Foodie Bucket List: Dessert

Front exterior of Alimama Tea in New York City.
A hand holding a takeaway cup of iced White Peach Sencha Tea from Alimama Tea in New York City.

Alimama Tea – 89A Bayard St, New York, NY 10013

Alimama Tea surprised me in the best way. I wasn’t expecting to instantly love it as much as I did. I could not get enough of their delicious cold brewed tea and mochi donuts. What to order: Brûlée Mochi Donut, Brown Sugar Boba Cream Puff, White Peach Sencha Tea with Aiyu, Royal Milk Tea with Mini Boba

Milky Puff from Spot Dessert Bar in New York City.

Spot Dessert Bar – 13 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003

Billed as western style dessert with eastern flavor influence, the desserts at Spot Dessert Bar are as delicious as they are Instagrammable. We stopped in to share a dessert and loved every bite. What to order: Milky Puff

Want more New York City recommendations? Check out these New York coffee shops, my two day NYC itinerary, and my favorite things to do in New York in December!

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