The 5 Best Jewish Delis in NYC

Introduction

When you think of New York City food, your mind goes straight to a mountain of hand-carved pastrami stacked between two slices of rye. While the pastrami sandwich is an edible icon, the sheer number of options on every corner makes it a challenge to find the best Jewish delis in NYC actually worth your time and money—and even harder to separate the tourist traps from the true institutions. While the five boroughs are full of hidden gems, you don’t have to travel far to find the “holy grail” of pastrami and matzo ball soup.

If you’re looking for the best Jewish delis in Manhattan, you’ve come to the right place. From the neon-lit history of the Lower East Side to the upscale counters of the Upper East Side, I’ve narrowed down the absolute must-visit spots. Whether you’re a local or just visiting for the weekend, here are the best Jewish delis in NYC that still do it the old-school way.

Quick Guide: NYC’s Iconic Jewish Delis

Restaurant	Neighborhood and Address	Vibe & Best Known For	Essential “Pro-Tip”
Sarge’s	Murray Hill 548 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016	Old-school diner feel. Famous for “The Monster” sandwich.	Open 24/7. It’s the only major Jewish deli in the city that never closes. Great for a late-night pastrami fix after a Broadway show.
2nd Ave Deli	Midtown 162 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016	Polished, strictly Kosher, and deeply traditional.	It’s no longer on 2nd Ave. They also give you a complimentary “shot” of chocolate egg cream at the end of the meal!
Pastrami Queen	Upper East Side 1125 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10075	Small, local favorite. Anthony Bourdain’s top pick.	Get it to go. The Lexington Ave spot is tiny with limited seating. Take your sandwich to Central Park (just 3 blocks away) for the perfect NYC lunch.
Mr. Broadway	Garment District 209 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018	Modern, strictly Kosher, massive variety.	Check the “secret” menu. Beyond the deli staples, they have a full Glatt Kosher Chinese menu and a Sushi bar. Perfect for groups where one person doesn’t want a sandwich.
Katz’s	Lower East Side 205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002	Legendary, chaotic, and historic. Iconic pastrami.	Don’t lose your ticket! You’re handed a small ticket at the door; if you lose it, they charge a $50+ fee. It’s also largely cash-only at the counters.
Honorable Mention: Russ and Daughters	Lower East Side 179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002	Best Appetizers and Smoked Fish	Take a number as soon as you walk in—it’s a ritual here. If the line is too long, walk around the corner to the Russ & Daughters Cafe on Orchard Street for a sit-down experience with the same world-class fish.

*Note: 2nd Ave Deli and Pastrami Queen have multiple locations; these are their primary/flagship storefronts.

A Note on “Kosher” vs. “Kosher-Style”

• 2nd Ave Deli & Mr. Broadway: These are strictly Kosher. You won’t find cheese or cream for your coffee here, and they are closed on Saturdays (Jewish Sabbath).
• Katz’s, Sarge’s, & Pastrami Queen: These are “Kosher-style.” They serve traditional Jewish recipes, but they aren’t strictly observant (you can get a cheeseburger or a Reuben with Swiss cheese here).

Meat Check: What Are You Ordering?

Walking into an NYC deli can be overwhelming if you don’t know your brisket from your belly. Here is the quick cheat sheet to the “Big Four” of the deli world:

Pastrami (The King of NYC)

• The Cut: Usually the navel (the fatty belly of the cow).
• The Process: It’s brined, rubbed with a thick layer of black pepper and coriander, then smoked and steamed.
• Flavor Profile: Peppery, smoky, and melt-in-your-mouth tender.
• Best for: Someone who wants the most flavorful, “NYC iconic” experience.

Corned Beef (The Leaner Cousin)

• The Cut: Typically, the brisket (the chest).
• The Process: Like pastrami, it is brined, but it is boiled or simmered instead of smoked. It has no spice rub on the outside.
• Flavor Profile: Pure, salty beef flavor. It’s cleaner and often leaner than pastrami.
• Best for: Those who find pastrami too “spicy” or smoky. It’s also the base of a classic Reuben.

Brisket (The Comfort Food)

• The Cut: Same as corned beef, but with a totally different prep.
• The Process: It’s pot-roasted—braised slowly in its own juices and vegetables for hours until it falls apart.
• Flavor Profile: Think “Sunday dinner at Grandma’s.” It’s rich, savory, and usually served with gravy.
• Best for: A cold winter day when you want a warm, comforting platter rather than a sandwich.

Tongue (For the Brave)

• The Cut: Exactly what it sounds like.
• The Process: Pickled and simmered until it reaches a velvety, buttery texture.
• Flavor Profile: Extremely mild and incredibly soft. If you close your eyes, you’d think it was the most tender roast beef you’ve ever had.
• Best for: The adventurous eater who wants to brag that they ate like a “real” old-school New Yorker.

Pro Tip: “Lean” vs. “Juicy”

When you order at the counter, the slicer might ask how you want it:

• Lean: Less fat, but can be a little dry.
• Juicy (or Fatty): This is where the flavor is. In NYC, asking for “juicy” is the secret handshake of people who know their deli meat.

How to Order Like a Local (And Not Get Yelled At)

New York deli counters operate on a “speed and precision” model. If you’re standing at the front of the line at Katz’s or Sarge’s and you haven’t decided what you want, you’ll feel the heat. Follow these unwritten rules to keep the vibes high:

• Know Your Bread: Unless you have a dietary restriction, the answer is always Rye. If you ask for a pastrami sandwich on a wrap or white bread, the counterman might actually sigh out loud.
• The Mustard Rule: Authentic delis use spicy brown mustard. Mayo is generally considered a “no-go” for hot meats like pastrami and corned beef. If you must have it, be prepared for a judgmental look.
• Keep the Ticket (The Katz’s Rule): At Katz’s, everyone gets a ticket upon entry. Do not lose it. Even if you didn’t buy anything, you must hand that ticket back to the exit guard. If you lose it, they charge a “lost ticket fee” that can exceed $50.
• Lean vs. Juicy: When ordering pastrami, you can specify your preference.
• Tip the Cutter: At the counter-service spots, it’s customary to slide a $1 or $2 bill into the tip jar before they finish carving your meat. You’ll often find your sandwich gets a little extra “love” (and meat) if you do.
• The Pickle Protocol: Most places will bring a plate of pickles to the table (half-sour and full-sour). These are complementary, but don’t be greedy—they’re meant to be a palate cleanser between bites of heavy meat.

Must-Order Foods

Sarge’s Delicatessen

• The Legend: “The Monster.” If you’re with a group, this massive sandwich features corned beef, pastrami, roast beef, turkey, salami, and more.
• The Sleeper Hit: Matzo Brei. Since they’re open 24/7, their breakfast items are elite. This is a comforting dish of scrambled eggs and softened matzo.
• The Side: Homemade Onion Rings. They are famous for being some of the largest and crunchiest in the city.

To see their full menu, visit their official website.

2nd Ave Deli

• The Legend: The Instant Heart Attack. A sandwich that replaces the bread with two large potato latkes. It’s exactly as decadent as it sounds.
• The Traditionalist Pick: Chopped Liver. Widely considered the best in NYC—creamy, rich, and served with plenty of rye bread.
• The “L’chaim”: Man-O-Manischewitz. If you’re at the 33rd St location, go upstairs to the “2nd Floor” bar for a Manischewitz-based cocktail.

To see their full menu, visit their official website.

Pastrami Queen

• The Legend: The Queen’s Pastrami. It was Anthony Bourdain’s favorite for a reason! The meat is hand-cut and slightly thicker than average.
• The Side: Jumbo Knish. They are famous for their oversized, square potato knishes that are golden and crispy on the outside.
• The Modern Pick: Pastrami Egg Rolls. A fun, crispy fusion appetizer that locals love to snack on while waiting for their mains.

To see their full menu, visit their official website.

Mr. Broadway

• The Legend: The Broadway Club. A massive triple-decker with corned beef, pastrami, and brisket on toasted brioche.
• The Sleeper Hit: Sesame Chicken. Because Mr. Broadway is Glatt Kosher, they have a full “Kosher Chinese” menu. It’s a very specific NYC subculture experience you won’t find at Katz’s.
• The Modern Pick: Chirami Sandwich. A panini-pressed combo of breaded chicken cutlet and grilled pastrami with guacamole.

To see their full menu, visit their official website. Additionally, because it’s located right in the heart of the Garment District, Mr. Broadway is the perfect stop if you’re staying near the theater district! If you’re looking for more ways to save while staying in the area, check out my guide to the best cheap eats in Times Square for budget-friendly meals between Broadway shows.

Katz’s

• The Legend: Pastrami on Rye. Don’t overthink it. Order it with mustard (never mayo).
• The Side: Matzo Ball Soup. Theirs is the gold standard—a “floater” matzo ball that is light and airy.
• The Drink: Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray Soda. It sounds weird, but the herbal celery flavor cuts through the fatty pastrami perfectly.
• Insider Tips: Ask your cutter for a “fatty” or “juicy” cut of pastrami for the best flavor. Also, when you’re at the counter, your cutter will usually slide a few slices of warm meat onto a plate for you to try while they build your sandwich. It is customary to drop a dollar or two in their tip cup right then!

To see their full menu, visit their official website.

Insider Tip for Ordering Food

For most of these places (especially Katz’s and Sarge’s), splitting one sandwich and one side (like latkes or a knish) between two people is the best move. It keeps the cost around $20 per person and prevents a total food coma!

Pastrami Sandwich Price Comparison

Deli	Pastrami Sandwich Price	Vibe	Value for Money
Sarge’s	$27.95	Cozy/Classic Diner	High. Huge portions and you get to sit in a booth with actual service.
2nd Ave Deli	$28.95	Polished/Traditional	High. Includes a complimentary mini egg cream and excellent table service.
Pastrami Queen	$29.95	Casual/Neighborhood	High. You’re paying for quality—it’s less about the “show” and all about the meat.
Mr. Broadway	$22.95	Modern/Busy	Best Value. The most affordable on the list, especially for Midtown Manhattan.
Katz’s	$28.95–Juicy $31.95–Lean	High-energy/Historic	Moderate. It’s very expensive, but the portion is essentially two meals.

Honorable Mention: Russ & Daughters (The “Appetizing” Icon)

While this list focuses on the best Jewish delis in NYC for pastrami and brisket, I couldn’t write about New York food history without mentioning Russ & Daughters.

It’s important to note: Russ & Daughters isn’t technically a “deli”—it’s an appetizing shop. While a deli deals in “hot meats,” an appetizing shop is where you go for everything that goes on a bagel. If you’re looking for the city’s best lox, sablefish, or herring, this is the gold standard.

• What to order: The “Classic” (Gaspe Nova smoked salmon, cream cheese, and onions on a bagel).
• The Experience: Their original shop on East Houston Street (near Katz’s!) still uses a ticket system and feels like a step back in time. For a more relaxed experience, head to the Russ & Daughters Cafe around the corner for a sit-down brunch that is widely considered the best in the city.

Pro Tip: Russ and Daughter’s and Katz’s are only one block away from each other—grab your fish at Russ and your meat at Katz’s for the ultimate Lower East Side picnic!

The Elephant in the Room: Is Katz’s “Overrated”?

If you spend five minutes on a New York food forum, you’ll see the same debate: Is Katz’s just an overpriced tourist trap? Let’s be real—at $28.95 for a sandwich (and over $30 if you order it lean), it’s a massive splurge. Between the long lines snaking down Houston Street and the flashes of a thousand tourist cameras, it’s easy to feel like you’re in a theme park.

However, it’s important to put that price in perspective: even at local favorites like Pastrami Queen on the Upper East Side, you’ll be shelling out $29.95 for their legendary sandwich. The reality is that for hand-carved, slow-cured pastrami, $30 has become the New York standard. Katz’s might be a “tourist trap,” but it’s the rare one that actually delivers on the food—just like the city’s other heavy hitters.

In my opinion, it’s not meant be your “everyday” lunch spot, but it is absolutely worth the occasional purchase for three reasons:

1. The Craft: Their pastrami is cured for up to 30 days. Most delis use a “fast-cure” method that takes 36 hours. You can taste the difference in the deep, smoky bark and the melt-in-your-mouth fat.
2. The Portion: One sandwich at Katz’s is essentially two meals. Most locals save half for the next day or split a sandwich and a side of fries between two people, which brings the “per person” price back down to reality.
3. The Atmosphere: There is a specific energy in that room—the shouting cutters, the neon lights, the “Send a Salami to Your Boy in the Army” signs—that hasn’t changed since 1888. You’re paying for a piece of living New York history.

The Verdict: Go during a weekday afternoon (or head to their Brooklyn location I mention below) to skip the worst of the crowds. It’s a bucket-list experience that, despite the hype and the price tag, still tastes like the best version of New York.

The “No-Wait” Hacks for Katz’s

• The DeKalb Market Secret: Katz’s has a second location in the DeKalb Market Hall in Brooklyn. It serves the same pastrami, but there is rarely a line, and this location also accepts credit/debit. If you’re already planning to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, go here instead.
  • This location is in the basement of the City Point Mall (which is within DeKalb Market Hall). It’s a bit of a “heathen food orgy” (as locals call it) because you can grab a Katz’s pastrami sandwich and then walk ten feet to get a craft beer or a pierogi from another vendor. It’s the ultimate NYC food crawl without leaving the building.
• The “Semi-Off” Hour: If you must go to the original on Houston Street, go on a weekday between 3:00pm and 5:00pm or after 9:00pm. Avoid Friday–Sunday lunch hours like the plague—that’s when the line wraps around the block.
• Order Online for Pickup: You can order your sandwich on their website, walk past the entire line, grab your bag at the dedicated pickup counter, and go eat it in nearby Tompkins Square Park. You get the food without the 45-minute headache.
• Table Service is Often Faster: Most people crowd the “Counter Service” lines. If you walk all the way to the back right, there is a waiter service area. Even if there is a short wait for a table, you get to sit down while someone else deals with the cutters.

Conclusions: Are They Worth It?

At the end of the day, New York dining is about more than just food—it’s about history you can taste. Whether you’re braving the chaos of the Lower East Side for a legendary sandwich or enjoying a quiet booth in Midtown, the best Jewish delis in NYC represent a culinary tradition that hasn’t changed in over a century. While the prices have certainly climbed, the craftsmanship, the history, and that first bite of perfectly steamed pastrami make it an essential New York experience.

If you’re planning your trip and want to balance out these big deli splurges with some budget-friendly finds, be sure to check out my guide to the best cheap eats in Times Square. It’s the perfect way to save a few bucks so you can justify that extra-large pastrami on rye later!

What’s your take? Is Katz’s still the king, or have you found a new favorite? Let me know in the comments below!