The Best Jewish Food in NYC, According to a Jewish New Yorker

Motek

Being Jewish means always thinking about food—whether it’s for a major or minor holiday, ahead of another Friday (Shabbat) dinner, or you’re simply figuring out where to get your Sunday bagel. There’s always something to talk about, too, when it comes to Jewish food, especially in New York City: “Is that the new viral bagel place? Why do they even bother opening new delis when the old ones are just fine? Their pastrami is so dry, no one can beat Pastrami Queen!” It’s true—as Jews, we kvetch (which is Yiddish for complaining), but it’s always in the greater spirit of lively socialization or uncovering something worth chatting about for hours. And the Jewish food in this city? Totally worth chatting about.

Calling something “Jewish” food is, of course, a loose term. Is it kosher? Are the owners Jewish? Does the food itself have strictly Jewish historical roots? The answer is a tricky one, as Jewish food can mean something different to just about anyone. To me, though, these are the foods that embody the Jewish experience, dating back to the immigrants who came to New York in the 1900s, when businesses like Russ & Daughters got their start, all the way to modern day chefs who only have more recently put down roots, like Chef Eyal Shani of Malka. There’s nothing entirely clear cut about this list, just as is true in Jewish religion: we’re always asking questions and uncovering ambiguities about religious requirements, traditions, and customs.

Hanukkah is approaching, which means there’s no better time to get in the Jewish spirit than now—but Jewish or not, you’re bound to enjoy these bites, from the hearty and traditional like potato latkes, to the new and creative like pistachio and hazelnut sufganiyot.

Motek

928 Broadway, New York, NY 10010

A Miami transplant that just recently settled into a buzzy space, this Mediterranean spot serves all the hits while quietly using 100% glatt kosher meat. “Motek,” meaning “sweetheart” in Hebrew, embodies a youthful, downtown energy, drawing a crowd beneath the giant wall projector that plays classic Israeli films like “Sallah Shabati”. The menu is made for sharing—don’t miss the hanger steak, lamb chops, vibrant dips, and standout sides—and be sure to check out their specials like a lamb shank that falls right off the bone. Simply put, it’s a fantastic meal with an atmosphere that warmly welcomes the city’s Jewish community.

S&P Lunch

174 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

Opened in 1928 by Austrian-Jewish immigrants Charles Schwadron and Ruben Pulver (the original S and P), this Flatiron luncheonette was born out of a humble lunch counter that served garment workers. After closing during the pandemic—when it was operating under the interim name, Eisenberg’s—the lunch spot reopened in 2022 under new owners who brought back the original name and barely touched interiors, effectively preserving its wonderfully lived-in, time-warped charm. Today, S&P draws a crowd for its cult-favorite tuna melt and addicting cottage fries, though regulars will tell you that the very unkosher—but undeniably great—cheeseburger deserves just as much love. Wash it all down with a milkshake or a classic egg cream, and you’ll understand why New Yorkers line up for hours here. It’s walk-in only, so plan your visit accordingly.

Michaeli Bakery

401 E 90th St, New York, NY 10128

Founded by one of the bakers behind the widely-loved Breads Bakery, Michaeli Bakery offers a more low-key atmosphere with pastries and baked goods that are equally as delicious. Unless you’ve visited the shuks (markets) in Israel, you likely have not tried anything as divine as their babka and rugelach: moist, chocolatey, slightly greasy, and dense in the best way possible. You’ll also find seasonal specials year-round with creative flavors like pistachio and hazelnut sufganiyot (Hanukkah jelly-filled donuts).

B & H Dairy

127 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

This Yiddish luncheonette dates back more than 80 years, and its small storefront welcomes diners at their historic counter for bowls of borscht, cheese blintzes, and plenty more; the only thing you will not find here is meat, as this is a strictly kosher dairy restaurant where the two cannot mix. You won’t find garnishes or fancy accompaniments here either—you get what you order, plain and simple, and you’ll leave absolutely satiated. Make sure to try their veggie-filled tuna melt, and share some fried pierogies and challah french toast for the table—or, keep it all to yourself by solo-dining on a brisk New York City morning at the counter.

Pastrami Queen

1125 Lexington Ave # 2, New York, NY 10075

Ah, the classic debate: who has the best pastrami sandwich in New York City? Among friends and family, it’s really one of those “if you know, you know” answers: Pastrami Queen, famously home to one of Anthony Bourdain’s favorite pastrami sandwiches. This spot is a no-frills deli serving all the essentials—juicy sandwiches, sour pickles, crispy french fries, and a nourishing matzah ball soup that will cure all of your ailments. A word of advice: stick to the original location on the Upper East Side for the best quality and timeless atmosphere.

Malka

161 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023

Named one of our Best New Restaurants in New York City in 2024, Malka arrived as a transplant from Tel Aviv, and brought along its bold flavors and sababa (“cool”) energy along with it. Chef Eyal Shani has opened multiple Mediterranean spots around the city, but Malka hits the closest to home, with their mouth-watering lamb dishes, hummus, decadent chicken schnitzel, and freshly prepared vegetables—all cornerstones of quintessential Israeli cuisine.

Edith’s Sandwich Counter

495 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

What started as a COVID pop-up has become a beloved spot for modern Jewish-inspired sandwiches and bites in Williamsburg—and just recently, they opened their second location in the West Village. Edith’s is best known for their iced cafe slushie with oat milk and tahini, as well as their Sephardi breakfast wrap with Malawach (a Jewish Yemenite flatbread). For a take on the classic New York City bodega breakfast, their famous latke egg and cheese sandwich will also do the trick. Either way, add on a side of “totkes,” the beautiful offspring of tater tots and latkes.

Russ & Daughters

179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

A strong example of the city’s Jewish roots, Russ & Daughters was started by a Polish immigrant selling schmaltz herring in 1907 on the Lower East Side. It has evolved into a haven with some of the best lox, homemade bagels, and smoked fish dips in the country. (It even made our list of the best bagels in New York City.) There are now several locations across Brooklyn and Manhattan, but we suggest heading to the original “Russ & Daughters Appetizing” storefront on Houston street. Take a number and order a Classic Bagel & Lox Sandwich with The Works—tomato, onion, and capers.

2nd Ave Deli

162 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016

This absolute institution was founded in 1954 by a Holocaust survivor, and deserves a mention on this list not only for its food, but the tangible Jewish atmosphere inside both of its shops: there are photos and memorabilia all over its walls, a logo mimicking biblical Hebrew text, and an overflowing amount of food—notably, their unlimited pickles policy for dine-in customers. Yes, 2nd Ave Deli carries the usual deli suspects, but it’s the details here that make it such a nostalgic spot, like their famous chocolatey egg cream drink to top off your meal, invented by Jewish candyshop owner Louis Auster in the 1800s.

Barney Greengrass

541 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Open since 1908, and in its current location since 1929, this Upper West Side staple serves up Eastern European Jewish classics like latkes and blintzes, alongside their iconic smoked fish and bagels. They were dubbed the “Sturgeon King” in the 1930s, a nickname they still use, and it’s remained a family business to this day. It’s a neighborhood spot in every sense of the word—the diner-meets-deli atmosphere makes it a go-to for weekend brunch for locals and visitors alike, even when the line snakes out the door. Cash-only and charmingly old-school, Barney Greengrass feels like life in another era in the best way possible.

Economy Candy

108 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

Candy may not sit in quite the same category as the other foods on this list, but an institution like this more than earns its place, and many probably don’t even realize that Economy Candy has Jewish roots. Open since 1937, it is the city’s oldest retail candy shop. It’s now a third-generation business that was founded by the Cohen family to offer Lower East Side immigrants a small, affordable treat. Today, its floor-to-ceiling displays overflow with just about every sweet imaginable: nostalgic classics, international finds, and bins of goodies to bag up by the pound. For so many New Yorkers, it’s a cherished spot that continues to be passed down through generations, with families returning alongside their kids and grandkids. And if you can’t make it downtown, their online shop will help you feel some of that joy right at home.

Le Marais

150 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036

As a New York local there are few reasons to go to Times Square, but Le Marais is one of them. The backstory alone is compelling—its owner Jose Meirelles was previously a partner at Les Halles, the French restaurant popular in the 1990s where the one and only Anthony Bourdain was the Executive Chef. Though Meirelles is not Jewish himself, Le Marais is 100% kosher. This steakhouse comes from a chef who knows meat well, and their best deal here is the steak frites—a well-portioned serving of steak, fries, and a crunchy green salad, all for under $40. It’s a great spot to hit before or after a Broadway show, even if you don’t keep kosher.

Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler