Food - Drink
Ranking The 13 Best Jewish Delis In NYC
By FLETCHER HUNTLEY
13. Mile End Delicatessen
Named after a former predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Montreal, Mile End Delicatessen offers Montreal-style bagels topped with smoked salmon, brisket, or whitefish salad.
If you dine at this tiny, sleek eatery, you can order some creative modern takes on traditional Jewish fare like schnitzel nuggets or the "Jewlius Caesar" salad.
Mile End is one of the best places for poutine in America, with six types of the cheesy, gravy-covered mound of goodness that is one of Canada's greatest gifts to the world.
12. PJ Bernstein
Since 1965, PJ Bernstein in Manhattan has had a long menu of Eastern European and Jewish staples from pierogies and blintzes to gefilte fish and latkes with applesauce.
Be sure to try the matzo brei, which is crushed-up unleavened bread, aka matzo, softened in water, mixed with eggs and milk, and either scrambled or fried flat like a pancake.
You can peruse the appetizers and order to-go at the long glass counter or sit at one of the tables in the simple, cozy dining area if you want to dine in.
11. Gottlieb's Restaurant
Located in South Williamsburg, which houses the densest populations of Hasidic Jews in New York, Gottlieb's menu serves delicious, authentic kosher eats in a classic setting.
The menu has mostly stayed the same for 50 years, with some Hungarian dishes like beef goulash and cherry soup, chicken lo-mein, and no less than six types of noodle kugel.
10. Sarge's Delicatessen & Diner
For over 55 years, Murray Hill staple Sarge's Delicatessen & Diner has been serving classics like pastrami and hot brisket sandwiches, as well as herring and smoked fish platters.
The dining room looks straight out of 1964, which is when Sarge's first opened its doors. Tiffany lamps and tufted booths give the deli an authentic old-school diner look.
9. Frankel's Delicatessen
While it might have a different tenure than some of the other delis on the list, Frankel's became an instant classic when it was opened in 2016 by two brothers from New York.
They borrowed their design aesthetic from the traditional Jewish delis, with white tiled walls, refrigerated display cases, and frosted glass lamps hanging from the ceiling.
People line up in Brooklyn for Frankel's bacon, egg, and cheese on their signature challah bread. While not strictly kosher, the food matches the décor: a modern take on a classic.