World Cup 2026 New York: Best Restaurants
Fan-approved restaurants in New York / New Jersey, from street food to Michelin stars
Where to Eat in New York / New Jersey
The five boroughs plus North Jersey give you more dining-by-cuisine than anywhere in the world. Manhattan: Katz's pastrami in the Lower East Side, the Russ & Daughters appetising counter, an old-school slice at Joe's in the Village. Brooklyn: pizza at Lucali, Korean fried chicken on Bedford Avenue, the bagel pilgrimage to Tompkins Square Bagels. Queens: Flushing for the densest Chinese food in America, Astoria for Greek and Egyptian. The Bronx: Arthur Avenue for old-school Italian. Staten Island: Joe & Pat's pizza and Sri Lankan around Victory Boulevard. Across the river in New Jersey, Jersey City and Hoboken handle the Italian-American classics and the late-night diners, and there is a serious Indian and Pakistani strip on Newark Avenue in Jersey City. For match-day, the train to MetLife runs from Penn Station; eat in town and get on the train.
3 restaurants in New York / New Jersey
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Finding a decent meal before kickoff at MetLife Stadium takes some planning. The stadium sits in the Meadowlands complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which means you won't find a dense neighborhood of cafes right outside the gates. Most fans grab food in Manhattan or Hoboken before taking the NJ Transit train directly to the Meadowlands station. If you want the true World Cup 2026 New York: best restaurants experience, you need to look at the transit hubs.
I always tell fans to eat near Penn Station or in Greenwich Village before making the trek across the river. You can grab a $3.50 slice at Joe's Pizza, which stays open until 4 AM, or sit down for tacos at Los Tacos No. 1 in Chelsea Market. If you have a massive budget and want a classic steak, Peter Luger in Williamsburg is legendary, though it requires a subway ride to get back to the NJ Transit lines.
Here is what you need to know about match day dining:
- Eat in Manhattan or Hoboken before taking the train to MetLife Stadium.
- Expect to pay $15 to $30 for a casual meal, plus a 20% tip for sit-down service.
- Tailgating is huge at MetLife; grab takeout and drinks to enjoy in the parking lots.
- Halal carts are everywhere in Midtown if you need a quick bite before the train.
- Bring cash for smaller street vendors, though most places take cards now.
Book your reservations early. With 104 matches happening across the tournament, the top spots will fill up weeks in advance. Plan your transit route, pick a spot near the train, and enjoy the pre-game energy.
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