There are tons of insta-worthy foods in New York, but not everything tastes as good as it looks. If you’re gonna pay famous NYC prices for food, you want it to be worth your while. These are the places that will satisfy both your camera lens and your taste buds.
1. Levain Bakery
Photo by Emma Glubiak
This is the place where I take everyone who visits NYC for the first time. Their huge, gooey cookies are indescribably good, photos don’t even do them justice. You will probably have to wait on a pretty long line before ordering, but it is so worth it. Take your warm, fresh cookies to Central Park with a glass of cold milk for the a famous NYC experience.
2. Tacombi
Photo courtesy of @tacombi on Instagram
It seems like every Taco Tuesday someone is Instagram-ing a photo of Tacombi tacos. With four locations around the city, cheap tacos and delicious cocktails, what’s not to love? The tacos are made on homemade tortillas with fresh ingredients and they are small enough that you can order a few different kinds. Don’t forget to try their incredible guac and fresh pressed juices as well.
3. Oatmeals
Photo by Allie Short
Oatmeals is the spot to find some flair to your boring morning oatmeal. You can choose from a variety of sweet and savory bowls or build your own by picking from a variety of toppings like fresh fruit, bacon and chocolate.
If you aren’t in NYC, make an Insta-worthy bowl of oatmeal at home.
4. The Smith
Photo by Emma Glubiak
This Smith is the kind of place that’s great for every occasion. Dinner with your parents? A night out with your friends? The Smith has got you covered. Their food is always spot on, and some of their most Insta-worthy dishes include their paella (only available on Saturdays), their mac and cheese and their famous s’mores in a jar.
5. Shake Shack
Photo by Emma Glubiak
You can’t go wrong with Shake Shack. There’s a reason there’s always a long line at Shake Shack: they make great burgers. And it doesn’t hurt to hack the Shake Shack menu like a pro.
6. Smorgasburg
Photo by Emna Glubiak
Smorgasburg is a Brooklyn food fair that occurs every Saturday and Sunday in the summer. They boast tons of amazing vendors from Ramen Burger to Mofon-Go to Wowfulls. If you’ve got a craving for a certain food, you’re sure to find it at Smorgasburg. If the variety of vendors didn’t convince you, here are a few more reasons why you need to check out Smorgasburg.
#SpoonTip: Go to Smorgasburg on Sunday when it’s in Prospect Park as opposed to Saturday in Williamsburg. Although it’s more of a hike from Manhattan, Prospect Park offers much more space to roam around or to enjoy your treats on a shady bench in the park.
7. Roberta’s
Photo by Emma Glubiak
Roberta’s serves up some of the best pizza in the city in their unassuming Bushwick restaurant that is packed pretty much 24/7. Spoon NYU featured their “Beesting Pizza” on our list of the 50 Best Foods in NYC, but you truly can’t go wrong with any pizza you order.
8. Dough Doughnuts
Photo courtesy of @doughdoughnuts on Instagram
Of the many doughnut shops in NYC, Dough Doughnuts takes takes top prize in my book. Their flavors are unique but aren’t too crazy. You can’t go wrong with the cheesecake flavor or the salted chocolate caramel. Or you could order the doughnut that closest matches your personality, find out what doughnut you are by taking this quiz.
Some places have food that will get you a ton of likes but leave your belly unsatisfied. If you head to any of these places your Instagram followers and your stomach will thank you.