New York City’s food scene isn’t just about the newest hotspots – it’s also home to restaurants that have stood the test of time. These legendary eateries have fed New Yorkers through wars, economic ups and downs, and countless city changes. From century-old steakhouses to beloved delis, these restaurants aren’t just places to eat – they’re living pieces of NYC history where locals return again and again.
1. Fraunces Tavern
Standing since 1762, this historic tavern witnessed George Washington bidding farewell to his officers after the Revolutionary War. The colonial-style building now houses both a museum and a restaurant serving hearty American fare.
The dark wood interiors and Revolutionary-era decor transport diners back in time while they enjoy classic dishes and an impressive selection of whiskeys and craft beers. Many regulars claim you can feel the weight of history in its ancient walls.
Located in the Financial District, it remains one of America’s oldest operating restaurants and continues to attract history buffs and food lovers alike seeking a taste of early American dining traditions.
2. Delmonico’s
Opened in 1837, Delmonico’s pioneered the concept of fine dining in America and introduced the public to now-standard restaurant practices like printed menus and tablecloths. Famous for creating culinary classics like Eggs Benedict, Baked Alaska, and the Delmonico steak cut, this Financial District institution set the standard for American steakhouses.
The elegant dining room with its white tablecloths and ornate ceiling continues to welcome power brokers and special occasion diners. Generations of New Yorkers have celebrated important moments within these storied walls.
Though it has changed ownership over the decades, the commitment to excellent service and premium steaks remains unwavering.
3. McSorley’s Old Ale House
Sawdust floors, memorabilia-covered walls, and only two beer choices – light or dark ale – define this East Village institution dating back to 1854. For over a century, the Irish tavern served only men until forced to admit women by a 1970 court order.
The unchanged interior feels like a living museum where artifacts (including wishbones hung by WWI soldiers) remain untouched. Communal tables foster conversation among strangers, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the city.
Famous patrons have included Abraham Lincoln, John Lennon, and countless writers and artists seeking inspiration in its authentic no-frills environment. Every mug of beer comes with a story at this quintessential New York experience.
4. Old Homestead Steakhouse
Operating since 1868 in the Meatpacking District, this steakhouse claims to be NYC’s oldest continuously running restaurant. The iconic cow statue standing guard outside has greeted generations of meat lovers seeking perfectly aged prime beef.
Inside, the wood-paneled dining room maintains its old-world charm while serving massive portions that have barely changed in over 150 years. Famous for their 32-ounce Gotham rib steak and decadent sides, Old Homestead embodies classic New York indulgence.
Countless celebrity photos line the walls, showcasing the restaurant’s status as a destination for both local families celebrating special occasions and visitors seeking an authentic taste of old New York.
5. Keens Steakhouse
Thousands of clay pipes hanging from the ceiling create an unforgettable atmosphere at this Midtown institution established in 1885. Originally a pipe club where patrons stored their personal smoking pipes, Keens has maintained this unique tradition even as smoking inside restaurants became history.
The legendary mutton chop – an enormous lamb chop that barely fits on the plate – remains their signature dish. Dark wood booths and historical memorabilia, including a playbill from the night Lincoln was assassinated, surround diners in living history.
Each dining room tells stories of famous patrons from Teddy Roosevelt to Babe Ruth who enjoyed hearty meals beneath those same pipes that create Keens’ unmistakable ceiling.
6. Peter Luger Steak House
Cash only, no frills, and absolutely no compromises on quality – that’s been the Peter Luger way since 1887. This Williamsburg institution has served the city’s finest dry-aged porterhouse steaks for over a century, earning a loyal following that spans generations of New York families.
German beer hall-style tables, gruff but efficient waiters in bow ties, and a deliberately limited menu focus attention where it belongs: on perfectly prepared USDA Prime beef. The sizzling steak arrives pre-sliced on a tilted plate, allowing the butter-enriched meat juices to pool for dipping.
Despite spawning countless imitators, the original Brooklyn location maintains its status as a pilgrimage site for serious steak lovers from around the world.
7. Katz’s Delicatessen
“Send a salami to your boy in the Army” – this WWII slogan helped make Katz’s a household name, but locals had already been lining up for their hand-carved pastrami since 1888. The bustling Lower East Side institution maintains traditional methods, curing meats for weeks and hand-slicing each order.
The famous scene from “When Harry Met Sally” may bring in tourists, but longtime New Yorkers return for the perfectly piled sandwiches that require two hands and plenty of napkins. Ticket system ordering and communal tables create a chaotic but authentic atmosphere.
Despite neighborhood gentrification, Katz’s preserves a vanishing piece of Jewish culinary heritage that once dominated the Lower East Side but has largely disappeared elsewhere.
8. Barney Greengrass
Known as the “Sturgeon King” since 1908, this Upper West Side Jewish deli specializes in smoked fish that has kept New Yorkers coming back for Sunday brunches across generations. The no-nonsense atmosphere features Formica tables, waiters who’ve worked there for decades, and walls lined with celebrity photos.
Platters of hand-sliced nova, sturgeon, and whitefish salad paired with fresh bagels and cream cheese create the quintessential New York breakfast experience. The restaurant feels frozen in time – from the vintage storefront to the cash-only policy that stubbornly resists modernization.
Featured in countless films and TV shows, Barney Greengrass represents an authentic piece of old New York that continues to thrive despite the city’s constant evolution.
9. Nom Wah Tea Parlor
Tucked away on a curved street in Chinatown, Nom Wah has been serving dim sum since 1920, making it NYC’s oldest dim sum parlor. The vintage storefront with its faded yellow sign looks virtually unchanged from decades past, preserving a slice of old Chinatown.
Unlike modern dim sum restaurants with rolling carts, Nom Wah uses a traditional check-off menu system. Their house specialties include “The Original” egg roll (nothing like the typical version), perfectly crisp pan-fried dumplings, and pillowy steamed buns.
Family-owned for generations and recently revitalized by younger family members, Nom Wah balances honoring tradition while ensuring this historic establishment remains relevant to new generations of dim sum lovers.
10. Grand Central Oyster Bar
Hidden beneath Grand Central Terminal’s magnificent vaulted ceilings, this seafood institution has served commuters and visitors since the terminal opened in 1913. The stunning Guastavino tile arches create a cathedral-like atmosphere for enjoying the day’s freshest catches.
The iconic horseshoe-shaped counters offer prime spots to watch shuckers prepare dozens of oyster varieties from both coasts. Beyond oysters, their creamy New England clam chowder and cherrystone clam stew have remained menu staples for decades.
After nearly closing permanently during the pandemic, loyal New Yorkers rallied to save this beloved institution. Now it continues its century-long tradition as both a working restaurant and a magnificent architectural treasure hidden in plain sight.
11. Russ & Daughters
Four generations of the Russ family have been slicing smoked salmon paper-thin since 1914, creating a Lower East Side institution known for “appetizing” – the traditional Jewish fish and dairy foods that complement bagels. Unlike a typical deli serving meat, this specialty shop focuses exclusively on smoked fish, caviar, and dairy spreads.
The narrow store with its white-coated counter staff meticulously hand-slices each order while customers wait beneath hanging dried salamis and jars of herring. Their house-made cream cheese and legendary smoked salmon have become the gold standard for New York bagel toppings.
While they’ve expanded with a nearby cafe, the original Houston Street shop maintains its timeless appeal and continues to draw lines of patient customers every weekend.
12. Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery
Since 1910, this tiny Lower East Side bakery has specialized in just one thing: authentic Jewish knishes. These hefty potato-filled pastries represent a direct link to the neighborhood’s immigrant past, when Eastern European Jews brought their comfort foods to America’s shores.
The no-frills storefront with its vintage sign and simple counter service feels like stepping back in time. Beyond the classic potato version, varieties include kasha (buckwheat), sweet potato, and spinach – all made by hand using the original family recipe passed down through generations.
While countless food trends have come and gone, Yonah Schimmel’s has stubbornly maintained its singular focus, serving these humble yet satisfying pastries exactly as they were made over a century ago.
13. Rao’s
Perhaps NYC’s most exclusive restaurant, this tiny 10-table Italian-American spot in East Harlem has operated since 1896 but remains virtually impossible to get into. That’s because every table is “owned” by regulars who control their reservations permanently – essentially creating a private club disguised as a public restaurant.
Those lucky enough to score an invitation experience old-school red sauce classics like their famous meatballs and lemon chicken in a room decorated with Christmas lights year-round. Celebrities, politicians, and mob figures have all coveted access to this intimate establishment.
While their sauce line is now available nationwide in grocery stores, experiencing a meal in the original restaurant remains one of New York’s most elusive dining achievements.
14. Patsy’s Italian Restaurant
Frank Sinatra’s favorite Italian restaurant has been serving classic Neapolitan cuisine in its Theater District location since 1944. Founded by Pasquale “Patsy” Scognamillo, the restaurant remains in family hands with third-generation chef Sal Scognamillo still preparing dishes using his grandfather’s original recipes.
Sinatra’s preferred table (always reserved just in case he showed up) has become a shrine of sorts, while photos of countless celebrities line the walls. Their veal dishes and homemade pastas maintain the authentic Italian-American flavors that have largely disappeared elsewhere.
Despite its celebrity connections, Patsy’s prices remain surprisingly reasonable, making this slice of old New York accessible to ordinary diners seeking a taste of classic red-sauce Italian in an increasingly rare authentic setting.
15. Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse
Before its pandemic closure (with promises to eventually reopen elsewhere), this basement-level Lower East Side institution delivered an experience like no other – part Jewish steakhouse, part raucous family celebration. For decades, the formula remained unchanged: enormous portions of garlic-laden Jewish comfort food served family-style while live music encouraged dancing between tables.
The signature dish was skirt steak with a whole bottle of schmaltz (chicken fat) served in a syrup dispenser for liberal application. Vodka bottles frozen in blocks of ice accompanied every meal, regardless of whether you ordered alcohol.
More than just a restaurant, Sammy’s represented a living connection to Eastern European Jewish culture that once dominated the neighborhood but has largely vanished from modern Manhattan.
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