12 Best NYC Street Foods To Try in 2025
There’s no denying that NYC street food is the real heartbeat of the city’s culinary scene. While high-end five-star Michelin restaurants and sleek fine dining spots get plenty of attention, the best meals in New York are often served from a cart, a food truck window or inside a tiny, hole-in-the-wall joint only locals know about.
If you're thinking of starting your own NYC street food business, it's not as easy as just setting up shop. According to NYC.gov, food vendors require a license and must follow certain health regulations. However, if you're just looking to enjoy the variety of meals on offer, you've landed in the right place.
From smoky halal platters drenched in sauce to crispy, golden empanadas that disappear in seconds, New York street food is fast, flavorful and absolutely addictive. But with endless vendors on every corner, how do you know what’s worth your time and stomach space? The good news is we’ve rounded up the best NYC street foods you need to try.
Jump to Section
12 Places With the Best New York Street Food
1. GG’s Fish and Chips
Serving up crispy fried seafood and soul food favorites, GG’s Fish & Chips is a must for any NYC street food lover. Known for its golden-brown catfish and famous rasta pasta, this Brooklyn-based food truck brings the flavors of the South to the streets. With a rotating location often spotted downtown, it’s a true foodie bucket list stop for those craving comfort food on the go.
The Vibe
This iconic truck can always be spotted by the night-time New York graphics plastered to it or the long lines extending from it. This NYC street food spot also has a cozy brick-and-mortar location with limited seating at its small bar.
What to Order
Order the honey-glazed salmon for a grilled piece of fish with sweet and savory notes, served with two sides of your choice.
GG’s Fish and Chips | Multiple Locations | $$
2. Tacos El Bronco
Tucked into the heart of Sunset Park, Tacos El Bronco is a Brooklyn staple serving up some of the best NYC street food. This cash-only spot is known for serving some of the best Mexican food in NYC, including legendary tacos loaded with juicy, well-seasoned meats.
The Vibe
The restaurant and truck are both known for staying packed with hungry customers. This NYC street food spot is hard to miss, as each location features exquisite art showcasing the wild spirit of beautiful horses.
What to Order
As you can expect, tacos are the most popular order from the menu, with the fish and chicken varieties being two of the most popular.
Tacos El Bronco | Multiple Locations | $
3. The Kati Roll Company
Founded in 2002, The Kati Roll Company was proud to introduce its signature rolls to the city. What started as one woman’s nostalgia for the street food of Kolkata became a go-to spot for NYC street food lovers. If you're searching for places to eat in NYC, the skewer-grilled meats and spiced paneer wrapped in buttery parathas served here will be hard to beat.
The Vibe
As a top NYC street food spot, it has rustic vibes, highlighted by the wooden seats, hanging bulbs and an open kitchen.
What to Order
Try the Unda Steak Roll for a taste of one of the best NYC foods. It features marinated steak grilled to perfection, wrapped in a soft, egg-layered flatbread.
The Kati Roll Company | Multiple Locations | $
4. Joe’s Steam Rice Roll
A staple of the NYC street food scene, Joe’s Steam Rice Roll specializes in delicate, made-to-order Cantonese rice rolls. This spot is known for its silky cheung fun packed with beef, pork, shrimp and vegetables.
The Vibe
Nestled among other vendors, this NYC street food spot features a small seating area, a menu board and an array of condiments to complement your meal.
What to Order
You can't visit this NYC street food spot without trying Joe’s Signature Rice Roll. It's packed with pork, beef and egg, alongside dried shrimp and fresh vegetables, and wrapped in silky, house-made rice sheets.
Joe’s Steam Rice Roll | 136-21 Roosevelt Ave., Ste. A1-A2, Flushing, NY 11354 | $
5. Makina Café
Blending Ethiopian, Eritrean and Italian flavors, Makina Café adds a unique twist to NYC street food with its signature Habesha dishes. Founded by Eden Egziabher, this food truck has a variety of foods on display for people to create unique combinations from.
The Vibe
This bright yellow NYC street food truck stands out not only because of its color but also because of the long line of people waiting to try its culinary masterpieces.
What to Order
If you're a meat lover, the beef tibs option is the perfect choice when building your own bowl. It features marinated beef sautéed with onions, garlic and jalapeño, topped with rosemary and served over injera or yellow rice.
Makina Café | Multiple Locations | $
6. NY Dosas
Thiru Kumar, known as the Dosa Man, has been serving up NYC street food favorites at NY Dosas since 2001. His all-vegan cart draws crowds for its crispy South Indian dosas, stuffed with spiced potatoes and paired with chutney and lentil soup.
The Vibe
This NYC street food stand is found among the lush greenery of Washington Square Park under a green and white umbrella.
What to Order
Try the Special Pondicherry Dosa, a crispy rice and lentil crêpe filled with vegetables and potatoes, served with chutney and lentil soup.
NY Dosas | 50 Washington Sq. S., New York, NY 10014 | $
7. Dog Day Afternoon
Located in Windsor Terrace, Dog Day Afternoon brings a taste of Chicago to NYC street food with its iconic hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. While you won’t find the best NYC burger here, you'll definitely get a delicious taste of what the Windy City has to offer in other tasty treats.
The Vibe
This NYC street food restaurant features old Pac-Man arcade games, '70s red-and-white checkered walls, neon signs and comic books.
What to Order
Try the hot Italian beef if you're in the mood for a loaded meat-based sandwich — the juicy roast beef in savory au jus, topped with hot and sweet peppers, will have you thinking about ordering a second one.
Dog Day Afternoon | 266 Prospect Park W., Brooklyn, NY 11215 | $
8. DF Nigeria Food Truck
Winner of top honors at the 2017 Vendy Awards, DF Nigeria Food Truck serves delectable meals with bold flavors. This NYC street food truck, located near the Nigerian Consulate, offers authentic West African dishes for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores.
The Vibe
Don't miss this vibrant white and green tropical food truck with a big menu board and neon sign, always drawing long lines.
What to Order
Try the egusi soup for a rich, nutty melon seed stew packed with bold spices and tender meat, served with your choice of fufu.
DF Nigeria Food Truck | Multiple Locations | $$
9. Katz's Delicatessen
A New York City landmark since 1888, Katz’s Delicatessen is one of the oldest eateries in the NYC street food scene. Known for its famous pastrami and iconic deli sandwiches, Katz’s remains a symbol of the city’s culinary history. Even after 100 years in business, this family-run deli continues to draw both locals and tourists.
The Vibe
Inside, you'll find a packed house with over a dozen lines and a menu board where hungry customers order cafeteria-style. A second location can be found inside the bustling Dekalb Market Hall, one of the best food halls in NYC.
What to Order
Order the Katz’s Pastrami Sandwich, piled high with hand-carved, slow-smoked pastrami on rye.
Katz's Delicatessen | Multiple Locations | $$
10. Los Tacos No.1
In the heart of Chelsea Market, Los Tacos No. 1 brings the vibrant flavors of Tijuana to NYC street food, serving up family recipes and fresh ingredients. The adobada quesadillas and crispy tacos make it a top spot for authentic Mexican flavors.
The Vibe
Expect a typical NYC street food atmosphere as this popular spot. It buzzes with a long line and an open kitchen where you can choose your choice of meat served with fresh tortillas.
What to Order
Try the carne asada tacos with fresh guacamole for a deliciously satisfying bite.
Los Tacos No.1 | Multiple Locations | $$
11. L’Industrie Pizzeria
With two locations in the city, L’Industrie Pizzeria combines classic NYC street food with authentic Italian influences. Known for its perfectly crisp, airy crusts and fresh, high-quality ingredients, this local favorite serves some of the best pizza slices in New York.
The Vibe
While it's a cozy hole-in-the-wall joint, it's always buzzing with hungry visitors. The open kitchen serves up pizza right in front of you to really give you that NYC street food feel.
What to Order
Try the L’industrie Pizza, topped with prosciutto di Parma and creamy burrata. A slice of delectable olive oil cake is the perfect way to end your meal on a sweet note.
L’Industrie Pizzeria | Multiple Locations | $$
12. Tian Fu Cuisine
Nestled in a basement under a grocery store, Tian Fu Cuisine offers old Sichuan flavors that define the essence of NYC street food. Known for some of the best Chinese food in NYC, this cozy spot is a local favorite for its spicy dishes.
The Vibe
This NYC street food restaurant features an oriental-style design with bold reds, Asian-inspired light fixtures and large menu boards.
What to Order
Any of the hot pots offer a mdeley of delicious meats and vegetables for a flavorsome meal that can feed more than one.
Tian Fu Cuisine | 13620 Roosevelt Ave., Ste. 24, Flushing, NY 11354 | $$
Other Foodie Experiences in NYC
NYC street food isn’t just about grabbing a quick bite on the go. You can take your love for bold flavors to the next level with hands-on cooking classes in NYC, where professional chefs teach you the skills, techniques and insider secrets needed to create restaurant-quality dishes in your own kitchen.
If you'd rather leave the cooking to the pros but still want to explore the city’s best flavors, food tours in NYC are a must. Led by expert guides, these tours take you on a journey through the best eateries in town, from legendary pizzerias to hole-in-the-wall dumpling shops. You’ll discover hidden gems and maybe even find the best New York street food joint along the way.
With so many incredible options, diving into NYC street food can feel overwhelming. One minute, you’re craving a classic hot dog, and the next, you’re eyeing a sizzling lamb over rice.
Luckily, you now have a solid starting point to explore the best flavors the city has to offer. Whether you stick to the classics or hunt down hidden gems, finding the most popular New York street food is an adventure worth embarking on.
For even more ways to explore NYC and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Join the conversation.