The Best of New York · Eat · Iconic and old New York
The best delis in New York City
Updated September 2026. 8 places.
The best delis in NYC, from Katz’s pastrami to the bodega chopped cheese. The ones that have been here forever, and what to actually order at each.
New York delis are a different thing than what you’re thinking of. Forget the suburban deli counter with the numbered tickets and the turkey wraps. A real New York deli is a loud, slightly chaotic institution where someone is hand-slicing pastrami that’s been curing for 30 days, the matzo ball soup has been simmering since before you were born, and the sandwiches are so tall they’re structurally questionable.
Best delis in New York City, 2026
- Barney GreengrassRestaurant · Upper West SideThe scrambled eggs with Nova ($24) are legendary.
- Katz's DelicatessenDeli · Lower East SideAnd yes, the pastrami sandwich ($28) is worth the hype.
- Russ and DaughtersMarket · Lower East SideEither way, you’re eating some of the best smoked fish in the world.
- 2nd Ave DeliDeli · Upper East SideThe matzo ball soup ($10 cup / $16 bowl) is the best in the city.
- Liebman'sRestaurant · Riverdale, the BronxThe pastrami ($22) is hand-carved and legitimately excellent.
- Mile End DeliDeli · Boerum Hill, BrooklynThe smoked meat sandwich ($19) on rye with mustard is excellent and a little less overwhelming than the New York deli portions.
- Sarge's DeliDeli · Murray HillBut at 3 AM when you need a pastrami sandwich, Sarge’s is there for you, and that counts for something.
- The Bodega Deli CounterOther · CitywideIs a chopped cheese fine dining? No. Is it a cultural institution as important as anything on this list? Absolutely.
On the map
Where they are
7 neighborhoods, Lower East Side and Upper West Side most of all.
Lower East Side
Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Citywide
Murray Hill
Riverdale, the Bronx
Upper East Side
Upper West Side
Barney Greengrass
Restaurant · Upper West Side · 541 Amsterdam Avenue (at 86th Street)
The scrambled eggs with Nova ($24) are legendary.
Katz's Delicatessen
Deli · Lower East Side · 205 East Houston Street
And yes, the pastrami sandwich ($28) is worth the hype.
Russ and Daughters
Market · Lower East Side · 179 East Houston Street
Either way, you’re eating some of the best smoked fish in the world.
2nd Ave Deli
Deli · Upper East Side · 1442 First Avenue (at 75th Street)
The matzo ball soup ($10 cup / $16 bowl) is the best in the city.
Liebman's
Restaurant · Riverdale, the Bronx · 552 West 235th Street
The pastrami ($22) is hand-carved and legitimately excellent.
Mile End Deli
Deli · Boerum Hill, Brooklyn · 97A Hoyt Street
The smoked meat sandwich ($19) on rye with mustard is excellent and a little less overwhelming than the New York deli portions.
Sarge's Deli
Deli · Murray Hill · 548 Third Avenue (between 36th and 37th)
But at 3 AM when you need a pastrami sandwich, Sarge’s is there for you, and that counts for something.
The Bodega Deli Counter
Other · Citywide
Is a chopped cheese fine dining? No. Is it a cultural institution as important as anything on this list? Absolutely.
The Best of New York 2026
The seal
If you're on this list, this is yours.
Every place on this list is welcome to display the Best of New York 2026 seal. It's the same seal for every place on every Best list, it's free, and it can't be bought.
Sharing it is optional. There's no need to post about it, link back or tag anyone. If you do link, the code below points to the guide this list comes from, so readers see the recommendation in context.
The files
Download PNGDownload SVGDownload the larger PNG
PNG: 1800 by 1800 pixels with transparent corners, for email and social. The larger PNG: 3600 by 3600 pixels. SVG: the vector, sharp at any size.
Is one of these yours? Get the seal for your place Request a window decal
The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: Best Delis in NYC, From Old School Counters to the New Wave.