13 Iconic NYC Restaurants Beloved for Generations
New York City’s dining scene tells the story of America through food. From century-old steakhouses to family-run delis, these legendary restaurants have served everyone from presidents to everyday New Yorkers. Each establishment carries decades of memories, recipes passed down through generations, and traditions that make them irreplaceable parts of the city’s soul.
1. Keens Steakhouse
Walking into Keens feels like stepping back into 1885, when this legendary chophouse first opened its doors. The ceiling displays thousands of clay pipes once smoked by famous patrons including Teddy Roosevelt and Babe Ruth.
Their mutton chop remains the signature dish that made Keens famous worldwide. This massive, perfectly cooked cut weighs nearly two pounds and comes with a side of history.
Theater performers still gather here after Broadway shows, continuing a tradition that spans three centuries. The wood-paneled dining rooms echo with conversations from Wall Street titans and tourists alike.
2. Delmonico’s
America’s first fine dining restaurant opened in 1837 and literally invented the concept of luxury dining in the United States. Delmonico’s created dishes that became American classics, including Eggs Benedict and Lobster Newberg.
The restaurant survived the Civil War, both World Wars, and the Great Depression while maintaining its reputation for excellence. Presidents Lincoln and JFK both dined within these historic walls.
Today’s menu still features original recipes alongside modern interpretations. The elegant dining room preserves the grandeur that made Delmonico’s the place where New York’s elite celebrated life’s biggest moments for nearly two centuries.
3. Grand Central Oyster Bar
Hidden beneath Grand Central Terminal’s bustling crowds lies a seafood paradise that has operated continuously since 1913. The vaulted ceiling creates perfect acoustics where whispers carry across the room in mysterious ways.
Fresh oysters arrive daily from both coasts, offering diners dozens of varieties on any given day. The raw bar showcases the ocean’s bounty like an edible museum.
Commuters and tourists alike discover this underground gem, where the clam chowder recipe hasn’t changed in decades. The tile work and architecture transport visitors to an era when train travel represented the height of sophistication and adventure.
4. McSorley’s Old Ale House
Sawdust covers the floors of New York’s oldest continuously operating saloon, which has served just two types of ale since 1854. Abraham Lincoln allegedly drank here before his Cooper Union speech that helped win him the presidency.
The walls display artifacts from over 150 years of history, including handcuffs from the first female police officer and wishbones left by soldiers heading to war.
Women couldn’t enter until 1970, making this a time capsule of old New York masculinity. The simple menu focuses on hearty fare like cheese plates and onion soup, perfect companions to their famous light and dark ales.
5. Katz’s Delicatessen
Since 1888, this Lower East Side institution has been slicing pastrami and serving up the city’s most famous sandwiches. The neon signs and vintage atmosphere make every visit feel like a trip through time.
Their pastrami on rye became legendary after appearing in countless movies and TV shows. The hand-sliced meat piles impossibly high between fresh rye bread with mustard and pickles.
Long lines form daily as locals and tourists wait for their number to be called. The walls display photos of celebrities and regular customers who’ve made Katz’s part of their New York story for generations.
6. Barney Greengrass
The self-proclaimed “Sturgeon King” has been serving the Upper West Side’s finest smoked fish since 1908. This no-frills appetizing shop maintains the authentic Jewish deli experience that once defined New York neighborhoods.
Hand-sliced lox and sturgeon arrive fresh daily, prepared by craftsmen who learned their trade from previous generations. The bagels come from local bakeries, toasted to perfection and topped with cream cheese.
Cramped tables and hurried service add to the authentic atmosphere where regulars have been coming for decades. The weekend brunch crowd includes everyone from Columbia professors to Broadway stars seeking the city’s best smoked salmon.
7. Patsy’s Italian Restaurant
Frank Sinatra’s favorite Italian restaurant has been serving authentic Southern Italian cuisine in East Harlem since 1944. The Rat Pack made this their unofficial headquarters during their New York visits.
Family recipes passed down through three generations create dishes that transport diners straight to Naples. The veal parmigiana and linguine with clam sauce remain exactly as they were when Ol’ Blue Eyes was a regular.
Red checkered tablecloths and dim lighting create an intimate atmosphere where conversations flow as smoothly as the wine. Celebrity photos line the walls, but locals know the real stars are the recipes that have remained unchanged for decades.
8. Russ & Daughters
Four generations of the Russ family have operated this Lower East Side appetizing shop since 1914, making it America’s oldest business run by four consecutive generations of the same family.
Their smoked salmon comes from the same suppliers used a century ago, hand-sliced to order with precision that comes from decades of practice. The herring, caviar, and other delicacies represent the finest quality available.
Narrow aisles packed with specialty foods create a treasure hunt atmosphere where discovering new items becomes part of the experience. The knowledgeable staff guides customers through selections that have satisfied discerning New Yorkers for over a century.
9. Nom Wah Tea Parlor
America’s oldest dim sum restaurant opened in 1920 when Chinatown was still a small, tight-knit community. The original tile floors and tin ceiling transport visitors to an era when Chinese immigrants first shared their culinary traditions with New York.
Hand-folded dumplings arrive steaming hot, prepared using techniques passed down through generations of Chinese cooks. The pork buns and shrimp har gow represent authentic Cantonese cooking at its finest.
Red vinyl booths and fluorescent lighting maintain the authentic neighborhood feel that made this place special long before food tourism existed. Families still gather here for weekend dim sum, continuing traditions that span multiple generations.
10. Old Homestead Steakhouse
The neon cow sign has welcomed meat lovers to the Meatpacking District since 1868, making this America’s oldest steakhouse. The restaurant survived neighborhood changes from industrial slaughterhouses to trendy nightlife destination.
Prime aged beef arrives daily, dry-aged on premises to develop the complex flavors that made their steaks legendary. The porterhouse and ribeye represent traditional American steakhouse cooking at its absolute peak.
White tablecloths and professional service create an atmosphere where business deals and celebrations have taken place for over 150 years. The wine list features bottles that complement the perfectly prepared beef, creating meals that justify special occasions and memorable evenings.
11. Fraunces Tavern
George Washington bid farewell to his officers in this very building in 1783, making it America’s most historically significant restaurant. The structure dates to 1719 and has witnessed more American history than any other dining establishment.
Colonial-era recipes appear alongside modern American fare, served in rooms where the founding fathers once gathered. The atmosphere feels like dining inside a living history book.
Museum exhibits upstairs display artifacts from the Revolutionary War era, while the restaurant below continues serving meals in rooms where American independence was celebrated. Tourists and history buffs make pilgrimages here to dine where democracy was born, creating connections to the nation’s founding story.
12. Rao’s
Getting a table at this tiny East Harlem restaurant requires knowing someone who knows someone, as all tables are permanently reserved by the same families and businesses for decades.
Just ten tables fill the intimate space where the jukebox plays Frank Sinatra and the walls display photos of regular customers spanning multiple generations. The Southern Italian menu never changes because perfection doesn’t need improvement.
Celebrities and mobsters alike have made this their second home, attracted by the exclusivity and authentic neighborhood atmosphere. The marinara sauce recipe remains a closely guarded family secret that has made Rao’s products available nationwide, though nothing compares to dining in the original location.
13. Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery
Since 1910, this Lower East Side bakery has been hand-rolling knishes using the same recipe brought from Eastern Europe. The potato-filled pastries represent comfort food that sustained immigrant families through difficult times.
Sweet and savory varieties fill the display case, from traditional potato and kasha to modern flavors like spinach and cheese. Each knish gets baked fresh daily using techniques that haven’t changed in over a century.
The narrow storefront maintains its authentic immigrant neighborhood character, where customers still debate the merits of different fillings. Regulars include everyone from construction workers seeking hearty lunch options to food tourists discovering this unique New York specialty for the first time.
