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    Home » Travel

    Published: Jul 21, 2022 by Dana Shrager · This post may contain affiliate links

    Best Jewish Food in the Lower East Side, New York City

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    The Lower East Side in New York City is a Jewish foodie heaven with the best lox, pastrami, knishes, pickles, and babka in the United States. This neighborhood keeps the food traditions alive that Jewish immigrants brought to NYC over 100 years ago.

    At it's peak in the early 1900's, the Lower East Side had about 90 Jewish food shops and restaurants within just nine blocks. Although the area was overcrowded and poor, its residents strove to continue their culture, especially the Eastern European food. Since then, the area has been home to other waves of immigrants and is no longer an active Jewish neighborhood. Nevertheless, traces of Jewish life remain, especially the iconic Jewish food that is still going strong today.

    Crowded streets of Lower East Side NYC with tenements and pushcarts circa 1905.
    Crowded Orchard Street in Lower East Side circa 1905 with tenement buildings and pushcarts selling goods.

    What follows is a self-guided Jewish food walking tour. You'll learn where to go and what to order. Let the deliciousness begin.

    Table Of Contents
    1. Houston Street: Jewish food crawl, part 1
    2. Russ & Daughters Appetizers
    3. Katz's Deli
    4. Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery
    5. Tenement Museum
    6. Grand Street: Jewish food crawl, part 2
    7. The Pickle Guys
    8. Kossar's Bagels & Bialys
    9. Doughnut Plant
    10. The Most fun in New York City

    Houston Street: Jewish food crawl, part 1

    Walking from shop to shop and sampling the food is one of the best things to do in the Lower East Side of NYC. Start your Jewish food crawl on Houston Street. Within four short blocks, you can experience the best food that NYC has to offer at Russ & Daughters, Katz's Deli, and Yonah Schimmel's Knish Bakery.

    Remember to arrive well before lunch time as they all get long lines with people waiting out the door. Starting at 10 AM is not too early, but note that Yonah Schimmel doesn't open until 11 AM. Check current hours so you can plan accordingly.

    If you want to get your food to-go and then eat outside, there are parks across the street from Yonah Schimmel and behind Kossar's Bialys is Seaward Park.

    Russ & Daughters Appetizers

    Russ & Daughters Appetizers sign in New York City.

    Russ & Daughters is a Jewish appetizing shop which means that they sell foods that you put on a bagel. This is the ultimate place for bagel lovers with an endless number of topping options. They set the bar high with around 11 varieties of smoked and cured salmon and 9 options for cream cheese such as vegetable, caviar, and vegan. Then there's sturgeon, sable, trout, and more. Go ahead and select your favorite varieties of bagel, cream cheese, and fish to build your ultimate sandwich. For non-fish options, they have egg salad, chopped liver, and cream cheese. You'd be hard pressed to find a better one-stop shop.

    Different varieties of salmon in case at Russ & Daughters NYC.
    Salmon selection
    Various cream cheese flavors in case at Russ & Daughters NYC.
    Cream cheese selection

    Since you order from the counter, you get to watch the counter person work their magic. I was thrilled to watch their expertise as they hand sliced the lox extra thin. Every sandwich is made to order. There's no seating at the Houston Street location, so it's all to-go. For the ultimate experience, get a variety of bagel toppers and enjoy them all weekend long. (Note to self: get an AirBnb apartment next time, so I can load up on R&D treats and eat for days.) The good news is the Russ & Daughters Cafe nearby on Orchard Street will re-open later in 2022, and it has tables for dining.

    The same family has operated Russ & Daughters for four generations starting in 1904 as a pushcart and then moving to a storefront in 1914. The shop is very popular, so try to go on a weekday, arrive early, and have patience. They have their own (confusing) number system for determining whose turn it is to order. You get a number when you arrive and wait outside. Then you need to listen for a range of numbers to be called. If your number falls within that range, then it's time to move inside. Next, you wait a short while next to the counter until it's your turn to step up to the plate. The wait is well worth it when you take your first bite of food. 

    Wrapped babka breads on counter at Russ & Daughters NYC.
    Fresh chocolate or cinnamon babka loaves

    In addition, I was happy to discover that their chocolate babka (similar to a coffee cake) is very fresh and delicious. I checked, and they said that the babka was baked that day. It was the best babka that I've ever eaten. The cake part was soft and fluffy, and the chocolate was dark and good quality, but not overwhelming. It's available by the slice or as a whole loaf. I learned that they have their own bakery in Brooklyn where they also bake bagels, rugelach, black & white cookies, and other Jewish treats.

    Katz's Deli

    Katz's Deli NYC exterior sign.

    Katz's Deli is conveniently a block down and on Houston as well. Arguably the best Jewish deli in NYC, Katz's has been operating since 1888. But it needs no introduction. Remember the scene in the movie "When Harry Meets Sally" when a woman blurts out to the waiter, "I'll have what she (Meg Ryan) is having." Well, the woman must have been talking about the pastrami sandwich, which is, by all standards, an orgasmic experience. Don't bother ordering anything else. This is the ultimate pastrami sandwich, and the single best thing that they sell. For a drink, take my father-in-law's advice and get a Dr. Brown's cream soda.

    Katz's Deli sign saying "Where Harry Met Sally...Hope You Have What She Had, Enjoy!"
    This is where actress Meg Ryan sat when filming the movie "When Harry Met Sally."

    Katz's also has its own idiosyncratic system for ordering food too. Upon entry, you are given a paper ticket which needs to be presented to each of the different stations (meat carving, side dishes, drinks, etc.) where your selection is marked on your ticket. DO NOT lose that ticket as it needs to be presented upon exit to the cashier to settle up your bill. Lose that ticket and you will face the consequences.....whatever that means, and I didn't want to find out. In any case, based on the size (and projected strength) of the security guard next to the cashier, I strongly suggest you hang onto your ticket with your life. 

    Pastami sandwich on rye bread with mustard.
    Katz's juicy and overflowing pastrami sandwich with mustard on seedless rye bread.

    Now...back to the pastrami. When you order your sandwich, stick to the traditional rye bread and mustard. The person at the cutting station will usually give you a generous sample to try while he is preparing your sandwich. And, boy is it heaven. Lean, hot, moist, and with just the right amount of garlic and peppercorn flavor. The pastrami literally melts in your mouth. Trust me, your tastebuds will be dancing. And, make sure to tip the person at the cutting station BEFORE he finishes your order. The result will be a sandwich that is probably the equivalent of 2 to 3 sandwiches from anywhere else. The sandwich is easily shareable. But, be prepared to pay for it too. My order, which came with several different pickles and was a mile high, cost just over $23.00, including tax. That's a lot! But, it's worth it. 

    Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery

    Two people standing in front of Yonah Schimmel's Knishery on Houston Street.

    Yonah Schimmel is also nearby on Houston Street. They started as a pushcart and then opened as a storefront in 1910, making them the oldest family owned and operated Knishery in America, according to their website. They are kosher too.

    Tray of many knishes.
    Schimmel's knishes, always round and baked, never fried.

    I saw the owner arrive to start preparing the food and could see that they were making everything fresh that morning. They are known for their knishes filled with mashed potato or kasha (buckwheat). By definition knishes are a snack made of thin dough stuffed with various fillings and then baked, but Yonah's knishes are large and filling enough for a meal. They also have many other tasty versions such as sweet potato, cabbage, and soft cheese with fruit.

    In addition, while you're there, order an egg cream drink to get the full old-fashioned Jewish experience. It's a carbonated drink that's just a touch sweet, a little chocolatey, and made to order with milk, seltzer, and Fox's U-Bet chocolate syrup. There is no egg or cream in the drink despite its name, and no definitive backstory as to how this misnomer came to be. All I can't tell you is that an egg cream tastes like nostalgia, of a bygone era. This drink was extremely popular in the 1900's and was commonly made at soda fountain counters, especially in NYC.

    Tenement Museum

    While on the Lower East Side, be sure to go to the Tenement Museum on Orchard Street to learn about the history of the neighborhood. It's very moving and memorable. Make a reservation in advance because it's a guide-led, immersive experience that is offered on specific days and times.

    Tenement Museum hand sign.

    The museum is in a former tenement building where Jewish, German, Italian, and other immigrant families lived during the 1860's until the 1930's when the building was condemned. In addition, the museum has a second apartment building and walking tours that cover the time periods up to the 1980's. Your guide re-enacts the journey of actual people who lived in the building. It's interesting to learn about the plight of different families and to see the artifacts and living conditions of the time period.

    I had a hard time picking which specific tour I wanted to see because they all sounded so interesting. Ultimately, I picked an apartment tour with a convenient time, and my whole family was enthralled with the tour. I highly recommend this museum for a unforgettable experience.

    Now back to the food.

    Grand Street: Jewish food crawl, part 2

    Going to the above three establishments on Houston Street is more than enough amazing food for a satisfying food crawl, but we wanted to go for the ultimate experience. So, we headed over to Grand Street to check out three more places which are close together in a row. It's about an 11 minute walk from Houston over to Grand Street. The Tenement Museum is about halfway between the 2 sets of food shops.

    The Pickle Guys

    Pickle Guys storefront in NYC.

    The Pickle Guys are not just about the pickles, although those are very tasty indeed. They also have every imaginable vegetable pickled and displayed in barrels, including olives, peppers, and onions. They even have pickled pineapple and mangoes. Their pickled foods are made the old-fashioned way without preservatives and are kosher. If pickled foods are your jam, then this place is not to be missed. In addition, if you're looking for homemade horseradish around Passover time, then stop by here for authentic, fresh horseradish; it's a seasonal specialty.

    Barrels of various pickled vegetables.
    Barrels of pickles and other pickled vegetables at The Pickle Guys.

    Kossar's Bagels & Bialys

    Kossar's Bialys building exterior.

     Kossar's is a few doors down, and they've been making bialys since 1936. They are the oldest remaining bialy bakery in the US. Bialys are a cousin to bagels, but they're softer like an English muffin, and they have onions and poppy seeds in the center. The bialys are made on site in brick ovens. Sometimes you can catch them in action and watch through a window while they make the bialys in the back.

    Kossar's glass case filled with baskets of bialys.
    The traditional bialy flavor is onion and poppy seed, but Kossar's has different flavors like garlic and sesame.

    Kossar's also sells bagels, bulka rolls (soft wheat rolls), and pletzels (onion boards) in addition to some Jewish sweets. You can get cream cheese and sandwiches there too. Kossar's is doing their part to keep these traditional Jewish baked goods alive for all of us to enjoy.

    Doughnut Plant

    Doughnut Plant NYC building exterior.

    Doughnut Plant is couple doors down from The Pickle Guys and Kossar's on Grand Street. So, even though they are not a Jewish food, don't miss an opportunity to try their legendary and creative doughnuts. They're even kosher.

    Two doughnuts from Doughnut Plant NYC next to bag.

    The doughnuts are extra fresh and made without preservatives. Both the cake and raised are excellent, and now they have sourdough which is made with wild yeast and isn't sour. Their less common flavors like blueberry or peanut butter & jelly are excellent as are their traditional flavors like vanilla and chocolate. Choose your favorite or try a new combination; you can't go wrong.

    The Most fun in New York City

    A Jewish food crawl in the Lower East side makes for an unforgettable day. The food tour is great for a group or is a fun thing to do alone in New York City. The memories of these beloved Jewish dishes linger long after the adventure. 

    If you crave these Jewish foods and you're not in NYC, all six of these companies offer nationwide delivery. Check out their websites or Goldbelly for details, and let the feast begin.

    What are your favorite Jewish dishes to order at these establishments? Share in the comments.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kim says

      August 07, 2022 at 10:31 am

      B&h dairy-2nd ave-st. Marks an 7th st.
      Ole ole school dairy♥️♥️♥️

      Reply
      • Dana Shrager says

        September 03, 2022 at 8:03 pm

        Such beloved classics!

        Reply
    2. Pfb says

      August 07, 2022 at 10:11 am

      How did you miss Moishe’s on Grand Street?! The BEST chocolate babka you will ever have!

      Reply
      • Dana Shrager says

        September 03, 2022 at 8:04 pm

        Thank you for the recommendation. I promise to try it next time.

        Reply
    3. Mindy Nirenstein says

      August 07, 2022 at 12:21 am

      Fantastic article. I grew up in NYC actually in Fresh Meadows, and I am bringing my best friend and her 12 year old granddaughter who is like my daughter in November. My friend and I have gone often but this will be the little girls first trip. She's asked me since she was 4 if I would take her to NY one day.. And the day has come. Our favorite thing to eat in the city is deli. I could eat it everyday. Perhaps one meal in little Italy. Love this article. Also want to go back to the Jewish museum. Their in dinner Broadway shows, a horse and buggy ride, museums and there u have the best vacation. Thank u for this current information. Fantastic.

      Reply
      • Dana Shrager says

        September 03, 2022 at 8:06 pm

        It sounds like your trip is going to be so special. I love your itinerary.

        Reply
    4. Linda says

      August 06, 2022 at 6:17 pm

      Great trip. Cel-Ray soda is the best with that meal

      Reply
      • Dana Shrager says

        September 03, 2022 at 8:07 pm

        Cel-Ray is also an excellent choice.

        Reply
    5. Barb says

      August 06, 2022 at 3:12 pm

      Great "crawl" I disagree with you on your beverage choice at Katz's. CEL-RAY is the way to go! 🙂

      Reply
      • Linda Popick says

        August 06, 2022 at 5:51 pm

        I wish Dr Browns still made diet cel ray 🙁

        Reply
      • Dana Shrager says

        September 03, 2022 at 8:08 pm

        Cel-Ray does pair nicely with pastrami. I'll try that next time!

        Reply
    6. schmom says

      August 06, 2022 at 2:02 pm

      great article! i’ve been to most of these places- but not recently. my son lived above Russ&daufhters when he went to NYU. they used to scoff at the limos sent to pick up lox orders! and i want to visit tenement museum, too.

      Reply
      • Dana Shrager says

        September 03, 2022 at 8:09 pm

        Thank you! It's my dream to stay near Russ and Daughters and sample everything there over time. There are so many fantastic options that it's hard to pick for just one meal.

        Reply
    7. MARLA PADVERS says

      August 06, 2022 at 12:45 pm

      Thank you SOOO much!!! You took me back home. I grew up in NYC and going to the lower east side of Manhattan from the Bronx where I lived was such an adventure. Besides the wonderful foods, there were outside vendors from mostly eastern Europe selling all types of things. The Jewish theater was there as well. My family would go there very often when I was young and we'd get there early in the morning and stay all day. The atmosphere was VERY different at that time. (That's where Jackie Mason grew up.) There were only Jewish people there.
      I'm so glad that you had a good time there and if you ever go back to NY, feel free to ask me for some tips.

      Reply
      • Dana Shrager says

        September 03, 2022 at 8:11 pm

        That's so sweet, thank you. I would love to be able to go back in time to see this area at its height. Thank you for sharing your memories.

        Reply
    8. lynn H Friedman says

      August 06, 2022 at 12:15 pm

      This sounds great! I still miss Ratners and their onion rolls. Do you have bakeries to recommend?

      Reply
      • Rick R says

        August 06, 2022 at 3:37 pm

        Michaeli Bakery is Israeli. Excellent and a few blocks away.

        Reply
      • Sharon Lippman says

        August 06, 2022 at 4:09 pm

        We miss Ratner’s as well,

        Reply
        • Richard T. says

          August 07, 2022 at 5:34 pm

          Oh MY! Ratner's was ALWAYS on the list when I was a kid and we would go from Philly to NYC for whatever reason! I remember those blintzes!!! that was a loooong time ago! Sure would enjoy some right now!

      • Dana Shrager says

        September 03, 2022 at 8:16 pm

        The best Jewish baked goods I had on this trip were from Russ and Daughters. The best babka ever. They bake their own stuff in Brooklyn. I think Moishe's is the only Jewish bakery left near the Lower East Side.

        Reply
    9. Laura says

      July 22, 2022 at 4:49 pm

      Just what I needed for an upcoming trip! Great info, Dana. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Dana says

        July 22, 2022 at 8:31 pm

        Laura, I'm so happy to hear that. Hope you have a delicious trip.

        Reply

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