When it comes to food, New York City is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. From Italian to Chinese, Indian to Mexican, the city has it all. But with so many options, it can be overwhelming to decide where to go for an authentic ethnic dining experience. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to the best ethnic restaurants in New York, serving up delicious and unique flavors that will transport you to another part of the world.
Ethnic Restaurants in New York
Here are some of the best ethnic restaurants in New York that you won’t want to miss:
1. Di Fara Pizza
If you’re looking for authentic Italian pizza, look no further than Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn. This family-owned pizzeria has been serving up some of the best pizza in the city since 1965. The owner, Domenico DeMarco, still makes every pizza by hand and uses only the freshest ingredients. Be prepared to wait in line, but trust us, it’s worth it.
2. Taïm
Taïm is a must-visit for anyone who loves Middle Eastern cuisine. This vegetarian restaurant in the West Village serves up delicious falafel, hummus, and other Mediterranean dishes. The falafel is made fresh to order and is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Be sure to try the harissa, a spicy North African sauce that adds a kick to any dish.
3. Xi’an Famous Foods
If you’re in the mood for Chinese food, head to Xi’an Famous Foods in Flushing, Queens. This restaurant specializes in the cuisine of the Shaanxi province in China, which is known for its bold and spicy flavors. Be sure to try the hand-pulled noodles, which are made fresh to order and are a specialty of the region.
4. Taqueria Diana
Taqueria Diana is a casual Mexican restaurant with locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The menu features classic Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, as well as some unique twists like the elote, a grilled corn on the cob topped with mayo, cheese, and chili powder. Be sure to try the al pastor tacos, which are made with marinated pork and pineapple.
Best Ethnic Restaurants in NY
Here are some more of the best ethnic restaurants in NY:
1. Ugly Baby
Ugly Baby is a Thai restaurant in Brooklyn that serves up some of the spiciest food in the city. The menu features dishes from all over Thailand, including the southern region, which is known for its fiery curries. Be sure to try the khao soi, a northern Thai dish made with egg noodles in a coconut curry broth.
2. Los Tacos No. 1
Los Tacos No. 1 is a popular Mexican restaurant with locations in Chelsea Market and Times Square. The menu features classic Mexican street food like tacos, quesadillas, and tostadas, all made with fresh ingredients and homemade tortillas. Be sure to try the adobada tacos, which are made with marinated pork and topped with pineapple.
3. Levantine
Levantine is a Lebanese restaurant in Williamsburg that serves up delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. The menu features dishes like shawarma, falafel, and hummus, as well as some unique twists like the lamb burger, which is topped with feta cheese and harissa mayo. Be sure to try the kibbeh, a traditional Lebanese dish made with ground beef and bulgur wheat.
Top Ethnic Cuisine NYC
Here are some more of the top ethnic cuisine NYC has to offer:
1. Roberta’s
Roberta’s is a pizza restaurant in Bushwick that has become a New York institution. The menu features classic Neapolitan-style pizza, as well as some unique twists like the Bee Sting, which is topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, soppressata, chili flakes, and honey. Be sure to try the pizza with the house-made mozzarella, which is made fresh daily.
2. Jeepney
Jeepney is a Filipino gastropub in the East Village that serves up delicious Filipino cuisine. The menu features dishes like adobo chicken, pork belly, and sisig, as well as some unique twists like the balut, a fertilized duck egg that is boiled and eaten with salt and vinegar. Be sure to try the halo-halo, a Filipino dessert made with shaved ice, evaporated milk, and various toppings.
3. Shuka
Shuka is a Mediterranean restaurant in Greenwich Village that serves up delicious dishes from all over the region. The menu features dishes like shakshuka, a North African dish made with eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce, as well as some unique twists like the lamb burger, which is topped with feta cheese and harissa mayo. Be sure to try the hummus, which is made fresh daily and is some of the best in the city.
Authentic Ethnic Food New York
Here are some more places to find authentic ethnic food in New York:
1. La Morada
La Morada is a Mexican restaurant in the South Bronx that serves up delicious Oaxacan cuisine. The menu features dishes like mole, tlayudas, and chiles rellenos, as well as some unique twists like the chapulines, which are grasshoppers that are toasted and seasoned with chili and lime. Be sure to try the mole, which is made with over 20 ingredients and is some of the best in the city.
2. Little Alley
Little Alley is a Chinese restaurant in Murray Hill that specializes in Shanghai-style cuisine. The menu features dishes like xiao long bao, pan-fried pork buns, and scallion pancakes, as well as some unique twists like the drunken chicken, which is marinated in Shaoxing wine and served cold. Be sure to try the soup dumplings, which are some of the best in the city.
3. Lucali
Lucali is a pizza restaurant in Carroll Gardens that serves up some of the best pizza in the city. The menu features classic Neapolitan-style pizza, as well as some unique twists like the calzone, which