Eat · Cheap eats · 2026
The best food carts in New York.
Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 14 places.
In New York City street food is a part of the daily routine for millions of locals. It’s what keeps the city running, and with such great variety street food vendors have also become a point of attraction for tourists.
In a city full of $5 tacos, Tacos El Bronco is a bargain at $3 a pop. However don’t assume the low price tag means a dip in quality; the veal head, tongue and tripe are all cooked to a tender, juicy consistency.
- Adel’s Famous Halal FoodOther · Midtown ManhattanEven then I never debated taking it off the list, it’s just that good.
- Billy’s Hot Dog CartOther · Upper West Side, ManhattanBilly’s customer service is among the best you’ll find anywhere in Manhattan, and the hot dogs are tasty and fairly priced.
- Birria-LandiaOther · Jackson Heights, QueensIt seems like just yesterday that birria took the internet by storm, now the tender meat dish is found at most Mexican food carts in New York City.
- Canaima Food TruckOther · Williamsburg, BrooklynNot the flashiest spot on the list, but maybe the most memorable.
- Cheong Fun CartOther · Chinatown, ManhattanChinatown is home to countless tempting street food options, but Cheong Fun Cart manages to stand head and shoulder above the rest.
- Gray’s PapayaOther · Upper West Side, ManhattanGray’s Papaya has is not only one of the best street foods in New York City, it’s one of the best cheap eats.
- Home Made Cooking CafeOther · Brighton Beach, BrooklynThe piroshkis are top-notch and inexpensive (last time I was there they cost $2!).
- Jamrock JerkOther · Midtown ManhattanJamrock Jerk is the first food truck to (legally) have grills and smokers, so you already know the flavors are going to be off the charts.
- Mom’s MomoOther · Jackson Heights, QueensMomos are a type of steamed dumpling that originated in Tibet.
- NY DosasOther · Greenwich Village, ManhattanFew food carts in New York City are as famous as NY Dosas.
- Tacos El BroncoOther · Sunset Park, BrooklynIn a city full of $5 tacos, Tacos El Bronco is a bargain at $3 a pop.
- The Halal GuysOther · Midtown ManhattanThe Halal Guys has been bringing New Yorkers together since 1990.
- Tony Dragon’s GrilleOther · Upper East Side, ManhattanBy using free range chicken, USDA choice steak, and wild caught salmon Tony Dragon’s Grille makes plates that are fresh and flavorful.
- Uncle Gussy’sOther · East Midtown, ManhattanAnyone who’s worked or lived in East Midtown will likely be familiar with Uncle Gussy’s, one of the oldest food trucks in New York City.
Adel’s Famous Halal Food
Other · Midtown Manhattan · 1221 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020
Even then I never debated taking it off the list, it’s just that good.
Billy’s Hot Dog Cart
Other · Upper West Side, Manhattan · 327 Central Park West #63, New York, NY 10025
Billy’s customer service is among the best you’ll find anywhere in Manhattan, and the hot dogs are tasty and fairly priced.
Birria-Landia
Other · Jackson Heights, Queens · 77-99 Roosevelt Ave, Queens | 491 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn | Bowery & E Houston St, New York, NY
It seems like just yesterday that birria took the internet by storm, now the tender meat dish is found at most Mexican food carts in New York City.
Canaima Food Truck
Other · Williamsburg, Brooklyn · 258 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Not the flashiest spot on the list, but maybe the most memorable.
Cheong Fun Cart
Other · Chinatown, Manhattan · 159 Hester St, New York, NY 10013
Chinatown is home to countless tempting street food options, but Cheong Fun Cart manages to stand head and shoulder above the rest.
Gray’s Papaya
Other · Upper West Side, Manhattan · 2090 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
Gray’s Papaya has is not only one of the best street foods in New York City, it’s one of the best cheap eats.
Home Made Cooking Cafe
Other · Brighton Beach, Brooklyn · 504 Brighton Beach Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235
The piroshkis are top-notch and inexpensive (last time I was there they cost $2!).
Jamrock Jerk
Other · Midtown Manhattan
Jamrock Jerk is the first food truck to (legally) have grills and smokers, so you already know the flavors are going to be off the charts.
Mom’s Momo
Other · Jackson Heights, Queens · 72-30 Broadway, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Momos are a type of steamed dumpling that originated in Tibet.
NY Dosas
Other · Greenwich Village, Manhattan · 50 Washington Square S, New York, NY 10012
Few food carts in New York City are as famous as NY Dosas.
Tacos El Bronco
Other · Sunset Park, Brooklyn · 860 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232 (food truck) & 4324 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232 (restaurant)
In a city full of $5 tacos, Tacos El Bronco is a bargain at $3 a pop.
The Halal Guys
Other · Midtown Manhattan
The Halal Guys has been bringing New Yorkers together since 1990.
Tony Dragon’s Grille
Other · Upper East Side, Manhattan · Madison Ave &, E 62nd St, New York, NY 10065
By using free range chicken, USDA choice steak, and wild caught salmon Tony Dragon’s Grille makes plates that are fresh and flavorful.
Uncle Gussy’s
Other · East Midtown, Manhattan · 345 Park Ave, New York, NY 10154
Anyone who’s worked or lived in East Midtown will likely be familiar with Uncle Gussy’s, one of the oldest food trucks in New York City.
Best food carts in New York, 2026
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Every place on this list can show it. It links back here, so a reader sees the whole list and how it was made. No fee.
The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 14 Best Food Carts in New York City (NYC Street Food Guide).