New York Street Food

New York street food is a great way to eat the way local New Yorkers do: well! The food vendors serve quickly, and the food is cheap, of good quality and most importantly, I find it delicious. There are lots of options to choose from such as Mexican tacos, Korean barbecue chicken and 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 honestly very good. I’ve seen food carts become more professional and the quality has increased tremendously. Now they really bring in the crowds, especially some parts of Manhattan. And a big plus, the food is cheap. Making it 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 in 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 if you’re heading to a Broadway show and want a quick bite, or just want to explore some of the different types of cuisines available (New York is called the melting pot after all!) then I highly recommend going to a food cart.

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.

New York Street Food - Food on the go New York Street Food - Cart

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 want to explore the food carts on your own or want to know more about their history and variety, then 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 Food Carts Tour here

Eric’s Tip: “I’m a big fan of New York food carts as they really serve quality food within minutes. They can adapt your order any way without blinking. I have my favourite food cart, it’s a place that sells the best gyros, and because of that, I’ve never really taken the opportunity to explore all of the different options and cuisines. That’s because there is just too much to choose from! This tour was a great way, even for me, to try different food carts. I talked to a few of the street vendors and it was great to learn about their businesses and incredible work ethic.”

New York Street Food - Halal Guys

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.