Whenever you head overseas, one of the most enjoyable things for many people is the opportunity to sample the local cuisine of the place you are visiting.
That might be slightly more exotic in some places compared to others with the likes of snails, camel, chicken feet, crocodile, kangaroo and snake amongst the many things you might find overseas that you won’t be purchasing in your local supermarket.
Dining in New York is slightly more ‘normal’ than that, but the diverse nature of the city - which is home to people from all corners of the globe - is very much reflected in the kind of food you can expect to sample on a trip to the Big Apple.
However, we’ll try to focus on more traditional New York fare as we pull together our suggestions for dishes you might want to try in the ‘City That Never Sleeps’.
Hot Dogs
Hot Dogs feature highly on the list of things to try in New York, with two very different options available to those visiting the city. For a quick bite to eat on the move, New York is home to a huge number of hot dog stands that can be found on street corners.
However, if you want something a bit more special and are seeking a hot dog that is crispy on the outside and then juicy and succulent inside, then head for one of the many delis or burger joints that specialise in a comfort food that has become something of a New York institution.
Manhattan Clam Chowder
Clam Chowder isn’t a dish that is unique to New York, but the version you’ll get in the city is different to the one you might have sampled elsewhere in the United States.
In New England for example, you can expect your clam chowder to be white in colour thanks to the milk or cream that is included as part of the recipe - which also means it can be quite thick.
In New York however, the Manhattan variety of the dish has one major difference, with no cream included and a tomato base that gives it a vibrant red colour.
Whilst the clams remain the key ingredient (obviously), the Manhattan version might also feature more vegetables than are found in New England.
New York Cheesecake
If you are one of those people who has something of a sweet tooth then there is one New York speciality that you’ll want to sample above anything else - the good old New York Cheesecake.
The New York Cheesecake tends to be quite large, and is ultra-rich and creamy thanks to the fact that it is made with more cream cheese than you would find in the original version.
Additional eggs added to the mixture also help to make the consistency of the topping very smooth and help to enhance the flavour - which will leave you coming back for more.
Pastrami
Introduced to New York in the 1800s but immigrants from Europe, Pastrami has now become one of the most iconic dishes available in the city and something you simply have to try on a visit to the Big Apple.
Traditionally made using beef brisket, pastrami in New York is usually served hand carved on freshly baked bread with mustard, and occasionally with a pickle on the side.
Hunting down a pastrami sandwich in New York won’t be difficult thanks to the plethora of delis that serve them by the bucket load on a daily basis, with some - such as Katz’s - being known around the world.
Dollar Slice
If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat on the move and don’t want to spend a fortune then the dollar slice is a New York special that could almost define the phrase ‘does what it says on the tin’.
Quite simply, the dollar slice is a large slice of pizza - with any topping - priced at $1 or below with some businesses dealing solely in slices for those looking to grab and go.
Of course, those who want to sample a traditional New York style pizza will also have no shortage of options, with the city home to some of the best pizzerias to be found anywhere in the United States.
Bagel
Another quick ‘comfort food’ that is a feature of the food scene in New York is the bagel - with the city home to what many would call the most authentic American version.
Introduced into the city by Jewish immigrants, the New York bagel has a slightly different taste and texture to those found elsewhere in the States, which some say is down to the water in the city - with the bagels being boiled in water before going into the oven.
Lox (a fillet of brined salmon) and cream cheese are traditional toppings whilst your bagel might also be used to create another popular New York speciality - the BEC, featuring a filling of bacon, egg and cheese.
Black & White Cookie
Black & White Cookies are popular across New York, although some would question whether or not the sweet treat is actually a cookie - with the base often being a softer, cake-like offering rather than a traditional biscuit.
The name comes from the fact that the cookies are topped with half white icing and half chocolate and they are a tasty treat alongside a cup of coffee, which is something of a New York speciality in itself.
Knish
Another dish that was introduced to New York by settlers from elsewhere, Knish is a snack that comprises of dough that is either baked or fried with a variety of fillings.
Potatoes, buckwheat and cheese is the traditional option that can be purchased from street vendors and shops across the city, particularly in areas where there is a large Jewish population.
For a truly authentic experience, the Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery in Manhattan has been serving up the dish since the 1890s - meaning you’ll be able to purchase Knishes made by the true experts.