New York Street Food

Buy tickets now

Sampling New York street food is a great way to eat like a local New Yorker! The service is quick and the food is cheap, good quality and, most importantly I find it delicious. There is also lots of variety: try Mexican tacos, Korean barbecue chicken or Belgian waffles. Is your mouth watering yet?

Eric's Index

1 Getting New York Street Food
2 New York Street Food Tour
3 FAQ

Getting New York Street Food

New York street food is really good, honestly! Over the years, I’ve seen food carts become more professional and the quality increase tremendously. Now they really bring in the crowds, especially in some parts of Manhattan. And a big plus, the food is cheap. Making is an affordable option for when visiting New York on a budget.

Where can you find food carts in New York?

You’ll see a lot of food carts primarily catering for the office workers, grabbing a quick bite on their lunch breaks. Especially in Midtown and the Financial District, there are a wide variety of delicious foods on offer. But also, Central Park and Bryant Park are great places to find a good food cart.

So, whether you’re heading to a Broadway show and want a quick bite, or you just want to explore the different cuisines available, (New York is the melting pot after all!) I highly recommend trying some New York Street Food.

What are must-try street foods?

One of the most famous street foods in New York is, of course, the hot dog. Quick, tasty, and available on nearly every corner. You can always pick your toppings according to your own preference, like sauerkraut and relish, and choose from several sauces.

I always like the typical New York bacon, egg and cheese on a roll for breakfast (real New Yorkers pronounce it as one word: baconeggandcheese). My other favourite street food is gyro: seasoned meat served in a pita with sauce. For the vegetarians there’s falafel, and soft pretzels make for a great snack on the go.

Is New York street food safe?

Are you worried about eating street food in New York? Don’t be! The food carts in New York are licensed and inspected by the health department, are supposed to have a food vendor license, and adhere to strict health regulations. So you can not really go wrong with that.

I’ve never gotten sick from street food in New York, and I’ve had a lot! If you want extra safety, choose a cart with a line of locals, that way you’re sure you’ve picked a good one.

The only thing I avoid when it comes to street food is the vendors selling fruit cups, particularly during summer as they’re often kept in the burning sun. I do get churros from street vendors every now and then though, those I like.

What to expect when it comes to New York street food?

When you grab something to eat at one of the food carts, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, there’s no seating available, so you’ll need to find yourself a bench or simply stroll around while enjoying your meal.

Popular carts often draw crowds, which means you might encounter lines and have to wait a bit, but the food is typically worth the wait. As for payment, most carts accept credit cards these days, though some still operate on a cash-only basis, so it’s wise to come prepared with both options.

New York Street Food Tour

If you don’t feel like exploring the food carts on your own, or you just want to learn more about their history and variety, take the New York Street Food Tour. On this tour, you’ll explore and sample a variety of street food that has become so popular it attracts so many New Yorkers, for lunch or dinner. Together with a local guide, you’ll explore the food of several carts.

Book the New York Street Food Tour here

Eric’s Tip: “I’m a big fan of New York food carts, they serve real quality food within minutes. They can adapt your order, without even blinking. I have my own favourite, a cart that sells the best gyros and because of that, I’ve never really taken the opportunity to explore other options: there’s just too many to choose from! A tour was a great way, even for me, to try different carts. I also spoke with a few of the vendors, it was great to learn about their businesses and incredible work ethic.”

FAQ

A lot of the food carts used to be cash only, but more and more carts accept credit cards these days. But be sure to bring some cash just to be safe.

Street food in general is very popular in New York, both with locals and with tourists. The most popular foods include hot dogs and gyro, which is seasoned meat served in a pita bread, or as part of a rice platter with sauce.

Yes, there are carts with vegetarian dishes on the menu. However, you have a better chance at fully vegetarian carts. Falafel carts or the popular NY Dosas at Washington Square Park for example, as the general food trucks often have no or very limited vegetarian options.