Food festivals in New York City worth planning a trip around, by month.
Food festivals in New York City worth planning a trip around, by month.
NYCWFF runs five days of chef tastings, wine seminars and the Burger Bash at the Seaport in New York City. Lee Brian Schrager has produced the festival since 2008.
Focus: Wine, cocktails, chef-led tastings
Tip: The Burger Bash is the marquee event and tickets sell out 60 days ahead. Hotel block fills early.
The Feast of San Gennaro has filled Mulberry Street with Italian American street food in New York City since 1926. Sausage and peppers, zeppole, cannoli, a religious procession.
Focus: Italian American street food
Tip: The Saturday-night zeppole eating contest is the public draw. Skip the weekend evenings if you hate crowds; weekday afternoons are open.
Smorgasburg runs every Saturday April through October on the Williamsburg waterfront in New York City. 100 vendors, ramen burgers, lobster rolls, East River views.
Focus: Pop-up street food
Tip: Arrive at 11:00 for clean queues; vendors sell out by 16:00. The market closes at 18:00. Free entry, food cash-and-card.
Queens Night Market in Flushing Meadows runs Saturday nights April through October in New York City. 100 vendors, plates capped at $6, all five-borough cuisines.
Focus: Global street food
Tip: Take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point. Bring $40 cash for four people. The $6 cap is enforced; premium plates run $10.
The Ninth Avenue International Food Festival has filled Hell's Kitchen with street vendors and restaurant stalls in New York City since 1974. 15 blocks, two days, free entry.
Focus: Hell's Kitchen multi-ethnic
Tip: Saturday is the busier day; Sunday is the calmer walk. Restaurants set up stalls outside their storefronts on this stretch.
Taste of Times Square has run as a Times Square Alliance event in New York City since 1994. Around 30 Times Square restaurants put up tasting stalls; tastes capped at $10 each, paid with a registered wristband.
Focus: Hell's Kitchen restaurants
Tip: Pre-purchase a wristband to save on tastings. The event runs from 5pm to 9pm; arrive by 5:30pm for the best stall selection.
Burger Bash is the headline night of NYCWFF every October at the Seaport in New York City. Pat LaFrieda Meats presents; 30 chefs each build a burger and the public votes for the night's winner.
Focus: Burgers
Tip: Tickets ($295) include unlimited burgers and drinks. The line for last year's winner runs 30 minutes; circulate to lesser-known chefs.
Peak food season in New York City is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. New York City rewards trust.