New York City delis are more than just places to grab a sandwich — they are living pieces of history stacked between two slices of rye bread. For over a century, these neighborhood spots have been feeding locals, tourists, and everyone in between with bold flavors and old-world recipes.
From hand-carved pastrami to velvety smoked fish, these delis have earned their legendary status one bite at a time. Whether you are a lifelong New Yorker or just visiting, these 15 timeless spots are absolutely worth the trip.
1. Katz’s Delicatessen
Since 1888, Katz’s Delicatessen has been the gold standard of New York deli culture. The pastrami here is cured for up to a month before it ever hits your plate — a slow, careful process that produces meat so tender it practically melts.
Located on the Lower East Side, this legendary spot even had a famous cameo in the movie “When Harry Met Sally.” You can now order nationwide shipping, but nothing beats eating it right there at a classic deli table.
2. 2nd Ave Deli
Founded in 1954 by Holocaust survivor Abe Lebewohl, the 2nd Ave Deli carries its history with quiet pride and enormous sandwiches. The pillowy rye bread, tangy mustard, and mountainous pastrami piles are a tribute to everything a true Jewish deli should be.
Even after relocating from its original Second Avenue home in 2006, the soul of this place never moved an inch. Pastrami deviled eggs and Nova Lox sandwiches keep loyal fans coming back for more.
3. Pastrami Queen
Royalty has a flavor, and at Pastrami Queen it tastes like thick-cut, smoky, perfectly seasoned pastrami on rye with a generous swipe of spicy brown mustard. Originally from Queens, this Upper East Side gem has been earning its crown since 1956.
There are no gimmicks here — just exceptional meat and the kind of honest simplicity that keeps a fiercely loyal crowd returning. One bite explains everything the name promises.
4. Barney Greengrass
“The Sturgeon King” is not just a nickname — it is a hard-earned title. Barney Greengrass has been serving the Upper West Side since 1908, specializing in beautifully smoked fish like sturgeon, Nova Scotia salmon, and buttery sable.
Over a century of operation means this place has seen it all and changed very little on purpose. Homemade chicken liver and overstuffed pastrami sandwiches round out a menu that feels like a warm hug from another era.
5. Russ & Daughters Cafe
Few places in New York carry as much cultural weight as Russ & Daughters, open since 1914 and still run by the fourth generation of the founding family. Their bagels piled with hand-sliced lox and velvety cream cheese are the stuff of legend.
Fun fact: this was one of the first American businesses to include “and Daughters” in its official name. The caramelized chocolate babka French toast alone is worth a visit to the Lower East Side.
6. Liebman’s Kosher Delicatessen
Out in Riverdale, the Bronx, Liebman’s has been holding it down as one of the last true Jewish delis in the borough since 1953. The corned beef and pastrami sandwiches here are stacked with a generosity that feels almost rebellious by today’s standards.
Steaming matzo ball soup warms you from the inside out, and the house-made knishes are nothing short of comforting. Their Reuben, piled high with corned beef and sauerkraut, is a neighborhood favorite for very good reason.
7. Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner
Craving a massive pastrami sandwich at 3 a.m.? Sarge’s in Murray Hill is one of the only Jewish delis in New York City open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Since 1964, it has built a reputation on homemade food and portions that border on legendary.
The “Monster Sandwich” lives up to every letter of its name. Matzo ball soup, brisket of beef, and in-house smoked meats round out a menu that never sleeps — just like the city itself.
8. David’s Brisket House
David’s Brisket House in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, is one of New York’s most fascinating culinary stories. Originally opened in 1981 as a Jewish deli, ownership changed in 2008 and is now run under halal traditions by a Yemenite Muslim owner — yet the old-school recipes remain.
Roast brisket on a roll with gravy is the star of the show, and the classic pastrami and corned beef keep longtime fans loyal. Proof that great food transcends every boundary imaginable.
9. Carnegie Deli
For decades, Carnegie Deli was the first name that came to mind when anyone mentioned New York deli sandwiches. The portions were enormous, the pastrami was outstanding, and the atmosphere was wonderfully loud and unapologetically New York.
After the original 7th Avenue location closed in 2016, Carnegie made a comeback at Madison Square Garden and through partner restaurants across the country. The name still carries serious weight, and the pastrami still delivers on its big promises.
10. Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen
Since 1972, Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen in Bayside, Queens, has been a reliable destination for hearty Eastern European comfort food done right. Hot pastrami, chopped liver, knishes, and overstuffed sandwiches are all made with the kind of care that keeps regulars loyal for life.
Ben’s even cures its own corned beef in-house, which tells you everything about their commitment to quality. Every year they host an annual matzo-ball-eating contest, blending old-school tradition with a little friendly competition.
11. Mill Basin Kosher Delicatessen
Tucked into the Mill Basin neighborhood of Brooklyn since 1973, this kosher deli has never needed a dramatic reinvention because it simply got things right from the start. Cured meats, smoked fish platters, and homemade soups fill a menu built on consistency and craft.
The showstopper is their triple-decker pastrami, corned beef, and tongue sandwich — a bold, unapologetic creation that dares you to finish it. Old-school charm oozes from every booth and counter stool in the place.
12. Ess-a-Bagel
Ask any New Yorker about the perfect bagel and the name Ess-a-Bagel is bound to come up quickly. These bagels are the real deal — chewy, dense, and gloriously oversized in the way only a true New York bagel can be.
They are a cornerstone of the city’s deli culture, served plain or loaded with cream cheese, lox, or any combination your heart desires. Simplicity done to perfection is the philosophy here, and it works every single time.
13. S&P Lunch (formerly Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop)
Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop opened its doors in 1929, making it one of the oldest lunch counters in Manhattan. After closing in 2021, it was lovingly revived in 2022 as S&P Lunch, keeping the beloved menu and vintage soda-fountain atmosphere largely intact.
Egg creams, tuna melts, turkey clubs, and house-made pastrami are the heart of what this Flatiron institution does best. Walking in feels like stepping back in time — in the most satisfying way possible.
14. Fine & Schapiro
Open since 1927, Fine & Schapiro is a name that carries nearly a century of kosher deli excellence. The menu reads like a love letter to traditional Jewish cooking — gourmet sandwiches, sumptuous complete dinners, and flavors that have remained remarkably consistent across generations.
Loyal diners will tell you the quality has never wavered, which is the highest compliment any long-running restaurant can receive. More than 70 years of serving New Yorkers with unsurpassed flavor says everything worth saying.
15. Gottlieb’s
Nestled in the Satmar Chassidic neighborhood of Southside Williamsburg, Gottlieb’s is a deli that time has treated very kindly. The wood-paneled walls and 1960s aesthetic give this Brooklyn spot a character that no modern redesign could manufacture.
Sandwiches arrive stacked with pastrami, corned beef, tongue, turkey breast, salami, and roast beef — a full roster of classic deli proteins done with old-world confidence. It is the kind of place that reminds you why these traditions are absolutely worth preserving.