Apr 4, 2025

Barney Greengrass New York

Jewish deli

""Barney Greengrass" in New York's Upper West Side is an institution of a Jewish deli rated #1 in the city for years. It's hardly changed since 1926..."

Attention grabbing words signifying ‘Jewish deli’ --- blintzes, bagels, bialys, knishes, meat on rye --- are only a sample of deli ammunition; the arsenal contains lots more and can be found at Barney Greengrass, a traditional sit-down New York Jewish deli. In the New Yorker magazine, Gael Greene wrote "The cuisine at this Upper West Side delicatessen is one of the greatest gifts Jewish culture has brought to mankind since the ten commandments."

That view seems unanimous --- ten years in a row rated #1 deli in New York's Zagat Survey.

In existence since 1908, at its present location on Amsterdam Avenue between 86th and 87th Streets since 1926, it probably remains unchanged since then.

From the arsenal, some menu items:

• Matza Brei served with choice of Preserve or Applesauce, Scrambled or Pancake-style

• Pastrami Salmon

• Challah French Toast.

• Chopped Chicken Liver

• Gefilte Fish with Horseradish

• Smoked sturgeon

• Cheese Blintzes served with choice of Preserve or Sour Cream

• Whitefish

• Nova Scotia salmon (Nova)

• Tongue Omelette

• Lox

• Kippers

• Gravlox

• Sable

• Nova Scotia heads and wings broiled with onions

• Sturgeon scrambled with eggs and onions

The late Anthony Bourdain wrote, “The quintessential New York City breakfast is at Barney Greengrass. Period. Grab a copy of … the New York Post and sit down for some eggs scrambled with browned onions and lox. Be sure to get a basket of toasted bialeys—and maybe a heap of nova and sturgeon. On your way out the door, get some of their chopped liver to go. It’s the best in New York.”

002-building
Art & culture
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

About this spot

Amsterdam Avenue 541

Sable Sandwich:

US$

21

2127244707

Find your way with 301 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

Rainey Park

Western Queens oasis

When you step into "Rainey Park" in New York City, it feels like you have been welcomed into the shared backyard of Astoria residents. Compact & sunny!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Paula

Ryszkiewicz

Apr 11, 2025

Queens Bakehouse

New York Style patisserie

"Queens Bakehouse" in NYC was an instant hit with me. Their inventive twists on classics are what really stole my heart - the croissant loaf, for example.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Paula

Ryszkiewicz

Apr 11, 2025

Utopia

Old-fashioned breakfast

"Utopia" is my neighborhood go-to breakfast joint. It's a real old-school kind of place; I go with my newspaper and am always served well and fast.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 11, 2025

Malachy's Donegal Inn

Pint-sized Irish bar, UWS

"Malachy's Donegal Inn" is an Irish bar in New York city that's a survivor. There's an ingrained (or ingrown) sense of comfort, 'cares abandoned'...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 11, 2025

Central Park Benches

Poignant inscriptions

"Central Park Benches" in NYC (apart from their comfort) are known for their commemorative plaques. One of them is dedicated by the citizens of Liverpool...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 9, 2025

BANKSY locations New York

Contemporary street art

You can find "BANKSY in New York" in the Upper West Side. 'Boy With a Hammer' is the only one of his pieces that hasn't been 'repurposed'...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 9, 2025

Silvana

Live music, café, boutique

"Silvana" is a large cafe, boutique, shawarma and falafel bar in NYC that also offers live music performances on their downstairs stage. Great acts!

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 8, 2025

Mo's Famous Burgers

Hamburger Food Truck

The menu is simple: hamburgers, French fries & toppings. No over-the-top ingredients, no superfluous adjectives, and high-value food at rock-bottom prices.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 7, 2025

Elizabeth Street Garden

Sculpture garden NoLita

"Elizabeth Street Garden" New York: formerly the site of a large, important school house, it was reclaimed in the '90s and turned into a sculpture garden.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 7, 2025

UWS Phone Booth

Last payphone booth

One block away from a 21st century LinkNYC WiFi tower on Broadway sits one of three West End Avenue working telephone 'booths', the last in NYC...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Apr 6, 2025

Anthony & Son

Old-school sandwich shop

After, "Anthony & Son" Panini Shoppe's Italian-style super-sandwiches, no regular New York sandwich will ever taste as good again...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Nick

Papa

Apr 6, 2025

Dutch Kills

Upholding cocktail culture in Queens

"Dutch Kills" in New York isn't hiding it's one of the best bars in the city, but it isn't publicizing the fact, either. No password to enter, however!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Nick

Papa

Apr 6, 2025

Heading to New York?

301 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to New York?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

301 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves New York

Get to know our other Spotters from New York

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
63
Filters