Aug 4, 2025

Barney Greengrass New York

Jewish deli

""Barney Greengrass" in New York's Upper West Side is an institution of a Jewish deli rated #1 in the city for years. It's hardly changed since 1926..."

Attention grabbing words signifying ‘Jewish deli’ --- blintzes, bagels, bialys, knishes, meat on rye --- are only a sample of deli ammunition; the arsenal contains lots more and can be found at Barney Greengrass, a traditional sit-down New York Jewish deli. In the New Yorker magazine, Gael Greene wrote "The cuisine at this Upper West Side delicatessen is one of the greatest gifts Jewish culture has brought to mankind since the ten commandments."

That view seems unanimous --- ten years in a row rated #1 deli in New York's Zagat Survey.

In existence since 1908, at its present location on Amsterdam Avenue between 86th and 87th Streets since 1926, it probably remains unchanged since then.

From the arsenal, some menu items:

• Matza Brei served with choice of Preserve or Applesauce, Scrambled or Pancake-style

• Pastrami Salmon

• Challah French Toast.

• Chopped Chicken Liver

• Gefilte Fish with Horseradish

• Smoked sturgeon

• Cheese Blintzes served with choice of Preserve or Sour Cream

• Whitefish

• Nova Scotia salmon (Nova)

• Tongue Omelette

• Lox

• Kippers

• Gravlox

• Sable

• Nova Scotia heads and wings broiled with onions

• Sturgeon scrambled with eggs and onions

The late Anthony Bourdain wrote, “The quintessential New York City breakfast is at Barney Greengrass. Period. Grab a copy of … the New York Post and sit down for some eggs scrambled with browned onions and lox. Be sure to get a basket of toasted bialeys—and maybe a heap of nova and sturgeon. On your way out the door, get some of their chopped liver to go. It’s the best in New York.”

002-building
Art & culture
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

About this spot

Amsterdam Avenue 541

Sable Sandwich:

US$

21

2127244707

Find your way with 304 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

La Casa Bella

Bay Ridge Italian

The White Clam Sauce linguine is classic. So much is served that what can’t be eaten on the spot can be taken home and easily reheated the next day,

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 26, 2025

American Legion Post 398

Hot Harlem night

At the "American Legion Post 398" in New York City I get to hear jazz played the old fashioned way, Harlem in the '30s, '40s and '50s...

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 26, 2025

"A Great Day in Harlem" Site

Historic jazz site

"A Great Day in Harlem" is an important photo of 58 jazz greats taken in 1958 in NYC. The building on 126th Street where it was taken is still there...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 26, 2025

Hudson River Greenway

Hudson River bike route

The 13-mile Hudson River Greenway in NYC, which begins at the George Washington Bridge, is the most heavily used bike trail in the USA...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 24, 2025

New Plaza Cinema

Art house cinema

"New Plaza Cinema" in NYC has one mission: to show independent, foreign and classic films. It is run by a grassroots group; how long will it survive?

002-building
Art & culture
008-ticket
Cinema
019-lemonade-1
Theaters

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 23, 2025

Manny's Bistro

French bistro, UWS

"Manny's Bistro" is a French bistro in my neighborhood in New York. Susan & I prefer to sit at the bar, which makes us belong & contribute to the scene...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 23, 2025

Elevated Acre

Quiet, hidden elevated park in FiDi

"The Elevated Acre" is in the middle of the Financial District in NYC, but you would never see it when passing by - this park is hidden above street level!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Christian

Neely

Aug 21, 2025

John's Pizza / Times Square

Pizza Tabernacle

John's Pizza is situated inside a former tabernacle with a domed stain glass ceiling about 50 feet above, and ‘sliced’ into 8 sections, just like a pizza.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 20, 2025

'Fearless Girl'

Wall Street History

On Broad Street stands a bronze sculpture named Fearless Girl which exudes bravery, pride and strength but not, according to the artist, 'defiance'...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 20, 2025

The Hungry and Healthy Marketplace

Comedy / Deli

The space functions day to day as a bright and modern-looking upscale deli and on certain evenings, it doubles as a performance space for stand-up comics.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks
019-lemonade-1
Theaters

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 20, 2025

Manhattan Community Boathouse

Free kayaking

It’s all free, on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll get a life jacket, a paddle, a 'kayak', and a locker, for a session of approximately 20 minutes.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 20, 2025

Amsterdam Billiards

Pool table all-stars

"Amsterdam Billiards" in New York has a nice bar, nice service and soft couches. It's a well-known place to play (and watch!) billiards, darts, foosball...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Aug 20, 2025

Heading to New York?

304 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

304 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves New York

Get to know our other Spotters from New York

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
63
Made with the 💚 of 499 Spotters.
Filters