Jewish delis, originating in Eastern European cultures, are disappearing from the American landscape, so now is the time to make sure to get a taste of what New York City's 13 best Jewish delis have to offer.
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This list was carefully fabricated by rankings from users, private tours, reviews of reputable restaurants in the city, and the popular food magazine Tasting Table.
But first, if you're unfamiliar with the concept, prepare yourself to be taken aback and left at a loss for words amid a visit to a traditional Jewish deli in New York - it will be a culinary journey unlike any you've experienced before. Everything from a knish, babka, schmaltz, and bialy, to a pierogi and a hot Reuben sandwich, will stimulate your senses. Come see for yourself the kitchen embodiment of the Israeli "melting pot" culture.
How can it be that all this good stuff has been in the margins until now? Unfortunately, the Israeli kitchen has received a bad rep over the years, so much so that this wonderful Ashkenazi food almost disappeared amid the abundant pool of Middle Eastern culinary culture. But the sad truth is that this situation is not unique to Israel alone. All over the world - even in the most Jewish strongholds of New York - the Jewish deli is disappearing.
The delis started out as street vendors in the Jewish enclaves of New York, selling mainly knishes, bagels, and hot dogs. After the owners of these eateries realized that people also wanted hot food, they slowly turned into small shops and grocery stores selling kosher Eastern European Jewish food. The giant and decadent sandwiches we know today - such as the "monster" sandwich for $60 (pictured later on) - are very far from what these eateries offered at the beginning of their journey. The original Jewish deli sold only preserved and cooked meats, and the stores sold fish and dairy products with strict adherence to the laws of kashrut. Today, although many delis still only serve kosher food, most have adopted modern Jewish-American touches, serving things like meat sandwiches with sliced Swiss cheese.
13. Mile End Delicatessen
Named after the former Jewish neighborhood "Mile End" in Montreal, this deli gives a New York bagel a Canadian twist with its crisp, Montreal-style bagels that are reminiscent of a denser version of the Jerusalem bagel. You can add classic Jewish toppings such as smoked salmon, brisket, or Whitefish Salad, an upgraded version of tuna salad.
If you choose to stay for the weekend - that is, if you can find a place to sit in this dainty little deli with a French-Canadian aroma in the air - you can order some creative dishes that fall somewhere between American, Israeli, and Canadian, such as pigs in a blanket, a "Jew-lius Caesar" salad, matzo ball soup, and even "Schnitzel Poutine" (poutine is a Canadian dish, not a misspelling of the Russian dictator) with za'atar or JewBQ sauce (a sauce that goes well with Jewish BBQ). This deli is considered to be one of the best places for poutine in America, and serves no less than six types of this delicious fries-covered-in-sauce delicacy.
97 Hoyt St, Brooklyn
12. PJ Bernstein
The legendary menu of P.J. Bernstein in the Upper East Side of Manhattan contains everything one possibly could ask for from a Jewish deli. Established in 1965, the restaurant serves Eastern European dishes such as pierogi (dumplings filled with savory ingredients) and blintzes, alongside traditional Jewish dishes like homemade gefilte fish and latkes served with sour cream and applesauce.
A particularly recommended dish here is the "matzah brei", which is a kind of pancake made of matzah that is crumbled and soaked briefly in water before being mixed with eggs and milk and cooked until crispy and flat like a pancake. Those who grew up with the classic version of this dish will find this sweeter Americanized version particularly appealing.
1215 3rd Ave, New York
11. Gottlieb's Restaurant
Gottlieb's Restaurant is located in the southern part of the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, an area with one of the densest populations of Hasidic Jews in New York. Accordingly, it caters to the local audience, but also to all kinds of curious non-Jewish people who want the authentic version of some of the most popular Jewish dishes. The restaurant is a family business that has been inherited for three generations since it was first opened in 1962 by Zoltan Gottlieb, a Hungarian Holocaust survivor.
Coming here is like a journey back in time: Although it's within walking distance of the fancy restaurants of Michael Solomonov in an area that has become a hotspot for urban renewal, at Gottlieb's not much has changed in the last 50 years. They still serve the same Jewish cuisine, with traditional Hungarian dishes such as beef goulash and cherry soup - alongside a few new and surprising additions to the menu, not to mention a pulled duck noodle dish. The menu also includes six different types of noodle kugels, including the Jerusalem classic, sweet potato, and salt-pepper.
352 Roebling St #6240, Brooklyn
10. Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner
For over 55 years, this deli has been serving classic delicacies such as pastrami and brisket sandwiches. For fish lovers, the menu at Serge's includes an entire section dedicated to imported herring and another section for smoked fish platters. But the place is primarily known for being the home of the largest (and probably most expensive) sandwich in New York - "The Monster." For $59.95, you can try to take on this architectural wonder, which is layers of pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, fresh-roasted turkey, salami, lettuce, beefsteak tomatoes, and coleslaw stacked between a square foot of rye bread, and marinated with "Russian dressing."
"Take the challenge" is the slogan written on the menu, and if you want to buy a t-shirt that proves you survived ("I Defeated The Monster"), it'll cost you an additional $10. The deli claims that the sandwich is enough to satisfy two diners or one very hungry person. If you translate that from American to regular terms, this means it's enough to feed an entire family.
Though it's almost impossible not to be stuffed at the end of this meal, it's a shame to dismiss the impressive dessert menu, which includes babka cakes and classic black and white cookies, as well as pudding, pies, tarts, and a baked apple dish.
The place is especially popular amongst tourists looking for a classic New York diner experience with the dazzling Tiffany lamps cascading down from the walls, and plush, upholstered booths. Hence, the decor here has changed very little since the restaurant opened to the public in 1964.
548 3rd Ave
9. Frankel's Delicatessen & Appetizing
The crowd of customers waiting in line for Frankel's in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn is young and especially trendy. Although the deli may not have the prestigious heritage of some of the older businesses on the list, Frankel's has had a phenomenal reputation since its opening in 2016. The Frankel brothers, who grew up in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, dreamed of bringing a contemporary twist to the classic deli, and their vision is immediately reflected upon entering the place - the regular white tiled walls got a modern revamp, the food is exhibited through a glass display case, and glass pendant lights hang from the ceiling.
The food also matches the snazzy decor - for example, Frankel's offers a particularly unorthodox Jewish interpretation of the beloved New Yorker breakfast sandwich: bacon, eggs, and sliced cheese on a challah roll. If you prefer to play it safe and stick to the classics - do not despair, you can go for the "Classic Smoked Fish Bagel" with Nova Scotia lox, cream cheese, tomatoes, onions, and capers. If you want a slight twist, it's worth swapping out the classic bagel for a whole wheat one, even if only for the charcoal-chocolate look that will make it extra photogenic.
631 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn
8. Pastrami Queen
Indeed, made for a queen. Close your eyes and imagine thick slices of salty and fatty pastrami, handmade and piled high on fresh rye bread. This vision is more or less what you will find in one of New Yorkers' top picks when it comes to the city's iconic pastrami sandwich.
The Pastrami Queen moved to its current location in 1998, after 42 years of operation in the Kew Gardens neighborhood in Queens. The insatiable demand of New Yorkers for this classic sandwich led to the opening of a second, larger, and more spacious location across the park in the Upper West Side. And it doesn't end with pastrami - there is also a lot of corned beef, beef tongue, salami, chopped liver, and a whole range of knishes. Disclaimer - this eatery is completely kosher, so don't expect to find a cheeseburger or a Reuben sandwich here.
1125 Lexington Ave # 2
7. Shelsky's Of Brooklyn
If you're in Brooklyn, stop everything right now and get yourself a bagel at Shelsky's. It only opened in 2011, and although it may not have a long and grand history, it makes up for it with quality ingredients and 100% dedication to the art of making bagel sandwiches.
Owner Peter Shelsky is a native New Yorker with an impressive history of working in several prestigious food establishments here. According to him, he opened Shelsky's to "revive an old tradition that has never really died."
His selection of smoked fish includes the familiar types like smoked salmon and smoked whitefish, but also sturgeon and lake trout for fans of the genre. All of these can be enjoyed in freshly baked bagels made in-house by Shelsky himself, which are baked daily at the nearby Park Slope location. Of course, you can also find chopped liver, beef tongue, corned beef, pastrami, and their flagship sandwich - the "chop cheese" - a finger roll made with grilled ground beef, chopped onions, and sliced cheese, served with lettuce, tomatoes, and spices, or what you may call the New York version of the Philly cheesesteak.
141 Court St, Brooklyn
6. David's Brisket House
There's nothing fancy about David's Brisket House in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, and that's particularly the reason that people love it so much. The deli menu offers classics like pastrami, corned beef, turkey, and of course, perfectly tender brisket. The menu also includes typical diner dishes like burgers, turkey sandwiches, and chips, but the standout dish is the "Dynamite Fries," a beautiful pile of thick-cut fried potatoes smothered in brisket gravy and melted cheddar cheese.
David's has a complicated history: originally established as an old-school Jewish deli, it was later bought out by Jamaicans and then by Yemeni Muslims who run the restaurant today, which explains the presence of a spicy soup on the menu. If that's the beauty of NYC, I don't know what is - where else can you find a Jewish deli run by Yemeni Muslims who make brisket sandwiches in a predominantly Afro-American neighborhood?
533 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn
5. Ben's Kosher Delicatessen
The branch in the center of Manhattan is closed for the time being, planning a new opening in the near future. Until then, you will have to travel to the edge of Queens at 211-37 26th Avenue, Bayside, or to the original branch in Long Island.
Ben's Kosher Delicatessen is not just a deli, it's an all-around experience. With three locations in Long Island, one in Queens, one in the center of Manhattan (currently under renovation ahead of a merger with another kosher Jewish deli, Mr. Broadway), and one in Boca Raton, Florida, Ben's has taken the tradition of New York Jewish delis far beyond the city limits.
This is a family business - his father opened a deli on 72nd Street in the early 1970s, where he worked until he was able to open his own deli in Long Island, and the rest is history. The menu here is as long as a Tolstoy novel and contains almost every Jewish delicacy that ever existed, but there are a few items that you really can't miss - like the gefilte fish and the hot pastrami sandwich that made the deli a household name.
4. 2nd Ave Deli
Named after its iconic former location in the heart of the "Jewish Broadway" known for its concentration of Yiddish theaters and cultural institutions, 2nd Ave Deli is no less than a cultural landmark. When the founder, Abe Lebewohl, arrived in New York, he didn't know a word of English. After working in several Jewish delis throughout the city, he eventually opened the deli that became a success overnight, thanks to its abundant menu of traditional and tasty Jewish food.
Abe's nephews opened the restaurant in its current location on 33rd Street after the original deli closed in 2006, but they made sure to preserve the old-school charm that made 2nd Ave Deli one of the most authentic and delicious Jewish delis in New York.
Come here in the morning or afternoon and you'll certainly notice the old regulars sitting at their usual tables, flipping through the New York Times, solving Sudoku puzzles, and sipping on syrup and chocolate liqueur as if there's no tomorrow. The dishes that once satisfied the hunger of Eastern European poor - such as calve feet jelly (P'tcha) and matzo meal-stuffed Kishka, Schmaltz and beef - are now quite pricey (at $22 and $16), but you can also stick to classics like matzo ball soup and a pastrami sandwich.
162 East 33rd Street / 1442 First Avenue
3. Barney Greengrass
Jews in Germany began to flock to the Lower East Side neighborhood of Manhattan in the early 20th century, and Barney Greengrass, which opened in 1908, was there to provide them with everything they needed. Chef Anthony Bourdain once said that the restaurant served "the best breakfast in the world," and we can't entirely disagree.
The founder of Barney Greengrass, known as the "Sturgeon King," sells high-quality cuts of fish, and although the sturgeon is indeed delicious, there are many other successful options here, such as lox, smoked whitefish, Scottish Nova salmon, and chopped herring. Carnivores can also expect a sensational feast, and choose from all the beloved Jewish dishes that will rush to the table: pastrami, corned beef, beef tongue, excellent chicken liver, and more. And if you've already invested (time and quite a bit of money) and made it to breakfast, don't miss the egg, sturgeon, and smoked salmon sandwich.
541 Amsterdam Ave
2. Russ and Daughters
The Lower East Side of Manhattan was the center of Jewish life in New York at the beginning of the 20th century, when Joel Russ opened his excellent deli that became the most famous in the neighborhood. While it was common for family-run businesses at the time to add "and sons" to the end of the business name, Joel Russ had only daughters, and thus Russ & Daughters made history as the first business in the U.S. to add "and daughters" to its name.
But the reason it came in second on our list is of course not because of its name. Although popularity does not always indicate quality, the long line you will find outside the place on most mornings is a testament to the four-generation family dedication that invested everything in managing one of the tastiest institutions in New York, which today has become an integral part of its urban fabric. City residents have been addicted to its bagels, smoked fish, and other Jewish delicacies for decades, and the deli's coffee shop, which opened in 2014 just a few blocks away, serves sit-down meals for diners who want a more formal experience.
179 E Houston St/127 Orchard St/141 Flushing Ave Building 77, Brooklyn
1. Katz's Deli
This is truly a no-brainer. Katz's has and always will be a cornerstone of Jewish culture in New York, long before the famous scene in "When Harry Met Sally." Despite the team's notorious rudeness and the exorbitant price of their sandwiches ($26.95, almost 100 shekels!), the recurring claim here is that it's worth every penny because no one makes pastrami like Katz's.
As for the short-tempered service - it's understandable considering the amount of meat that comes out of the kitchen every day. Almost every afternoon, the street corner that Katz's has turned into a home since 1917 is filled with hungry people who come to taste the best meat that the Big Apple has to offer. Katz's corned beef and pastrami are smoked for up to a month before being served to customers, and this lengthy process ensures that the meat retains maximum flavor.
205 E Houston St
First published: 20:43, 05.05.23