Born and raised here. Made a list of restaurants to try for cousins visiting pre covid. I think they all are still open. This is not in a particular order just places I think are staples of the NY restaurant scene. I’ve tried maybe 70 percent of this list and have found 0 places I don’t like. They’re spread out the city covering every borough not just Manhattan.

Di Farras pizza

Patsys Pizza - original one in Harlem

Papaya King

Empanada mama

Lexington Candy Shop

Mamas empanadas

Roll n roaster

Cheese grill

Halal Guys

New park pizza- near JFK airport

Fette sau- bbq

Two hands corn dogs

Katz Deli Sonnyboy- Australian

Little Poland -pierogis

Taco veloz

John’s on Bleecker

Cheeky Sandwiches

Sal Kris and Charlie’s deli-sandwiches

Red Rooster-soul food

Sylvia’s- soul food

Omar’s Mediterranean-Egyptian

Nathan’s original -Coney Island

Pikine-nigerian

Veeray de dhaba- Indian

FOB-Philippines

Mission sandwich social

El Mariachi- Mexican Roosevelt ave

Hometown bbq

Moes dough’s- donuts

Antepli Baklava- Turkish delights

Cafe Himalaya- Tibetan food

Raku it’s Japanese

Madame Vo- Vietnamese food

Crif dogs

Fisherman’s cove- jerk

Burger Joint Thompson Hotel

Eddie’s sweet shop

Istanbul Bay

Peter Lugers Steakhouse

Old Homestead Steakhouse

Kanoyama- sushi

Ferrara Italian bakery

Tasty Dumpling

Blue Sky Deli- Chopped Cheese

Charles fried chicken

John’s Deli- Gravesend Brooklyn

Adele Famous-Halal

Pastrami Queen

Russ and Daughters- Bagels

Mister dips-burgers

JG Melon burgers-Manhattan

Pies and thighs

Kokomo- Caribbean

Clinton st baking- pancakes

La brasserie- Anthony bourdain restaurant

Leibmans deli- pastrami

Voila Afrique- East African