Lower East Side Guide: The Best Things to Eat on the LES

The Lower East Side is the spiritual home of New York deli culture. Katz's and Russ & Daughters are within two blocks of each other — that is not a coincidence. This neighborhood built its identity on smoked fish, cured meats, pickles, and knishes. Come hungry. Come early on weekends.

#1Jewish Deli

Katz's Delicatessen

205 E Houston St

OrderPastrami on rye, hand-carved, mustard only~$25

Open since 1888. The most famous deli sandwich in the world. The pastrami is cured for weeks, smoked, and steamed to order.

TipTip your carver $2–3 before they slice. Ask for a taste. You will get a more generous hand.

#2Appetizing Shop

Russ & Daughters

179 E Houston St

OrderEverything bagel, Nova lox, scallion cream cheese, capers~$22

An appetizing shop — fish and dairy, no meat — open since 1914. The Nova lox is the standard all other smoked salmon is judged against.

TipWeekday mornings before 10am. Weekend lines run 45 minutes.

#3Knish Bakery

Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery

137 E Houston St

OrderPotato knish, chocolate egg cream~$8

Open since 1910. The knish — baked dough filled with potato — is one of the most underrated NYC food experiences. Yonah Schimmel does it right.

TipOrder the egg cream while you wait. Drink it immediately — it separates fast.

#4New York Slice

Scarr's Pizza

35 Orchard St

OrderPlain slice or pepperoni~$5

Scarr Pimentel mills his own flour for a classic New York slice that tastes cleaner and more complex than the standard version.

TipGo at odd hours — 3pm or late night — to avoid the crowd.