The best American restaurants in New York

Discover American Cuisine in New York

• You can’t leave New York without trying American food. The city has plenty of restaurants serving classic American dishes, the kind you’d find in a traditional American home.
• Burgers are a staple, but the menus go far beyond that. You can also order classic dishes like chicken wings, onion rings, chicken nuggets, and Mac & Cheese. Try a Philly Steak too—a cheese-covered steak sandwich that started in Philadelphia and spread across the country.
• Our selection of American restaurants covers all of New York, from the Financial District to Coney Island, including the Lower East Side, Midtown, and the Theater District. No matter where you are in the city, you’ll find an American restaurant nearby.

The 6 Best American Restaurants in New York

1. Katz's Delicatessen

   Katz’s Delicatessen is a New York institution. Nothing has changed here since the 1950s: bright neon signs, vintage tables, and waiters who move fast and keep their distance. On your plate, you’ll find the famous pastrami sandwich, accompanied by enormous pickles. The flavor is unforgettable. This is a place you should eat at least once in your life. The walls are covered with photos of celebrities who have eaten here. A sign points out the table featured in the film When Harry Met Sally.

   

   Address: 205 East Houston Street.

   Neighborhood: Lower East Side.

   Metro: 2 Av.

2. George's Restaurant

   George’s Restaurant was founded in 1950, three blocks south of the World Trade Center. The restaurant was demolished following the September 11, 2001 attacks due to structural damage. George and his son Billy decided to rebuild, and their restaurant reopened and continues to serve customers today. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering hamburgers, sandwiches, and wraps.

   

   Address: 89 Greenwich Street, at the corner of Rector Street.

   Neighborhood: Financial District.

   Metro: Rector St.

3. Hard Rock Café

   Born in London in 1971, the Hard Rock Café chain quickly spread around the world. New York is home to two Hard Rock locations. The first Hard Rock Café New York opened in 2005 in the heart of Times Square. Tip: to save money, you can reserve your meal in advance directly on the Hard Rock Café New York website. This package includes an entrée, dessert, a beverage, taxes, and tip. The second location is inside Yankee Stadium, home of the New York Yankees baseball team. Visit the Hard Rock Café Yankee Stadium website to reserve a special package there as well.

   

   Address: 1501 Broadway, between 42nd Street and 43rd Street.

   Neighborhood: Theater District.

   Metro: Times Sq-42 St.

4. Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant

   The Grand Central Oyster Bar is an oyster bar located inside Grand Central Terminal itself. It is one of New York’s historic dining destinations: the restaurant was founded in 1913 following the vision of the station’s creator, Cornelius Vanderbilt. Tip: the Grand Central Oyster Bar sits in the Whispering Gallery, the part of the station known for its remarkable acoustics.

   

   Address: 89 East 42nd Street.

   Neighborhood: Midtown.

   Metro: Grand Central.

5. The Marshal

   The Marshal opened in 2013 three blocks from Times Square. The concept is straightforward: create a direct link between farm products and your plate. The chef adapts to the seasons and available ingredients, and the menu changes daily. The narrow dining room is both warm and welcoming. At the back of the building, the kitchen features a wood-fired oven.

   

   Address: 628 10th Avenue, between 44th and 45th Streets.

   Neighborhood: Theater District.

   Metro: 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal.

6. Nathan's

   Nathan’s is the king of hot dogs. This classic American restaurant opened in 1916 along the beach at Coney Island in Brooklyn. You can choose from several varieties: beef hot dogs, hot dogs with onions, hot dogs with sauerkraut, or hot dogs with nuggets. Nathan’s also serves hamburgers and sandwiches. Every year on July 4, Nathan’s hosts its famous hot-dog eating contest. Start training now!

   

   Address: 1310 Surf Avenue in Brooklyn.

   Neighborhood: Coney Island.

   Metro: Coney Island-Stillwell Av.