For most Singaporeans, travelling overseas also means finding having an opportunity to search for good food. This is no less for us even in a foreign land thousands of miles away.
1. Smorgasburg
This Brooklyn Flea market happens every weekend during the Summer season (April - November) and is the best food market happening in NYC.
On Saturday, it will be at Williamsburg. On Sundays, it will be located at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Some of the food stalls have long queue. As tourists, we didn't want to miss out any good food. Hence, we queue for the pork burger that has the longest queue and our choice was proven right. It is truly yummy!
Smorgasburg Flea Market
Saturdays: Williamsburg - East River State Park (90 Kent Ave at N. 7 St.)
Sundays: Brooklyn Bridge Park - Pier 5, 304 Furman Street
11am - 6pm
Rain or Shine Event
2. Chelsea Market
One of the "Must Go" place. It is very crowded on weekends, so try to go on a weekday if possible.
There are many different stalls and outlets, but here is our favourite.
a) Lobster Place
We went back Chelsea Market, mainly because of Lobster Place. Over here, you can order freshly steamed lobster. The price varies according to the size of the lobster.
The lobster roll is just as delicious.
Mon-Fri: 9:30am-9pm
Sat: 9:30am-9pm
Sun: 10am-8pm
b) Los Tacos
It was an unassuming place and we wouldn't have tried it if not for the constant crowd. We tried only one initially, and couldn't resist getting the 2nd and 3rd one. There's beef, pork and chicken to choose from.
Be quick to make your choices as the staff do not have much patience. There's no seats, basically just bar counters for you to grab a bite.
I must say, this is by far, the best tacos I've ever tasted. Definitely a "MUST TRY"!
Chelsea Market
75 9th Avenue (Between 15th and 16 Streets),
New York, NY 10011
Mon-Sat: 7am - 9pm
Sun: 8am-8pm
3. Ellen's Stardust Diner
There are plenty of diners in NYC, but this is probably the only one that has waitresses and servers singing and dancing.
While the food is just passable, the entertainment from the dancing and singing score high points. We were told that some of them used to sing at the broadway. I wonder what they are doing here if that's true. One of the criteria to work there must be to be able to sing and dance. All the waiters and waitresses takes turn in performing for the guests.
Don't forget to tip the performers. Nothing is for free.
1650 Broadway (51st Street)
New York, NY 10019
Sun-Thur 7am-12am
Fri-Sat: 7am-1am
4. Shake Shack
This legendary burger did no further elaboration. One has not been to NYC if he has not eaten Shake Shack burger.
While I am not a burger person, but I must say that the Shrooms burger is really juicy and yummy.
The shack stack burger is the best but it's just a tard too big for me.
There seems to be a constant queue for Shake Shack burger. The staff would keep kids entertained as they queue. We ate twice and realised that different outlets do differ in taste. The one at Grand Terminal seems to have the burgers over-cooked.
There are a lot of food trucks in NYC. But this particular one has probably the longest queue line. We chance upon it while doing the open-top bus tour.
The queue was pretty long, it takes us about 20 minutes during the dinner time.
According to them, there are copycats and this one below claims to be the authentic one.They are also located at different locations during different time of the day. So, do check out the right locations as below.
While I won't say that this is a"must eat", but it is definitely worth the try if you are around the vicinity.
6. Katz' Delicatessen
Talk about Pastrami sandwich and none beats Katz Deli. The layers of pastrami is fresh and juicy.
We took the train just to search for this pastrami sandwich. While it is worth the journey, the location is in a venue that I won't recommend to go in the evening or night.
Katz' Delicatessen
205 East Houston Street (corner of Ludlow St) New York City, 10002
Operating Hours
Mon - Wed: 8:00am - 10:45 pm
Thur: 8:00am-2:45am
Sun: Open until 10:45pm
Thur: 8:00am-2:45am
Fri: 8:00am - Open all night
Sat: Open all daySun: Open until 10:45pm
7. Magnolia Bakery
This fame Magnolia Bakery is where the Sex in the City is filmed and popular for the cupcakes and banana pudding.
As sweet as the cupcakes, the shop is sweetly decorated in pastal colours. Even without tasting the cakes, you can feel how "sweet" the desserts are.
While there was no queue when we were there, business has been brisk and there is a constant flow of customers, mostly females.
1240 Avenue of the Americas at 49th Street
New York, NY
Store Hours: M-Th: 7am-10pm
F: 7am-12am / Sat: 8am-12am / Sun: 8am-10pm
