Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters stirred over ice and strained into a chilled coupe with a brandied cherry. The drink that gave the borough its name in the late 1800s; canonical NYC bar order.
The Manhattan emerged at New York bars in the 1870s and 1880s, with a Manhattan Club origin story long attached to a Lady Randolph Churchill banquet (the 'Winston's mother' tale that was debunked when historians showed Lady Churchill was in England that month). The classic 2:1 rye-to-sweet-vermouth ratio with Angostura crystallised by the 1900s and the cocktail was codified in Jerry Thomas's later bartender manuals. Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle, Death & Co and Attaboy run defensible classical versions; the brandied cherry (not maraschino) is the modern bartender's standard.
2 editor picks for Manhattan in New York City, ranked by editorial score. All New York City signature dishes · Manhattan across every city.
Katz's on East Houston has cured, smoked and hand-sliced pastrami in New York City since 1888. The corner-of-the-counter sandwich is the deli's whole point.
OrderHand-cut pastrami on rye, mustard, half-sour pickle.
TipTip the slicer a dollar when you get your ticket; a thick fatty slice samples your way and the sandwich comes built right.
Chef Junghyun Park's 14-seat counter in NoMad runs the most ambitious Korean tasting menu in New York City. Two Michelin stars, ten courses, $385 set price.
OrderThe full tasting; ordering anything off it misses the point.
TipReservations open 60 days in advance on Tock at midnight; set an alarm. Wine pairing or non-alcoholic both excellent.
Manhattan makes more sense with someone from New York City explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Day trip · 4h 30m
Discover Brooklyn’s most vibrant neighborhoods on a comfortable, climate‑controlled coach, complete with curated tastings from beloved local eateries
Guided tour · 3 hours
Discover the history of Lower Manhattan from New Amsterdam to Wall Street and the World Trade Center. Explore iconic landmarks and hidden stories with a licensed NYC g...
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Explore Lower Manhattan with local experts on a Wall Street Walking Tour, uncovering NYSE, Charging Bull, Trinity Church, Federal Hall, and the hidden gems of the Fina...
