Posting up on the Coney Island boardwalk with a hot dog, sunning in Central Park with a bowl of chicken and rice, sipping on martinis and getting chatty on a Williamsburg rooftop with epic Manhattan views—that’s New York summers in a nutshell for you.
But seeking out new culinary adventures is just as big—if not more—a part of a summer well spent in the city. Whether that’s waiting in line to taste a viral beef patty, trying an upscale version of an iconic NYC dish, or ending the night on boozy dessert that demands seconds, there are exciting new dishes to order if you know where to find them.
With that, here are five dishes to get you through the end of summer.
Hot dog at Mischa
Few things are more quintessential New York than a hot dog. But the culinary genius that is Alex Stupak (of Empellón fame) has shown yet again that there’s plenty of room for creative interpretations. There’s been a lot of chatter about the hot dog’s $29 price tag, but let’s not forget that New York Times critic Pete Wells called it “glorious.” First, the basics: The massive, eight-inch beef-and-pork sausage arrives sandwiched in a potato bun. Then, up the drama as you wish: Drizzle over or dip into chile crisp, pimento cheese, kimchi, mustard, or relish.
Amaro affogato at Carlotto
With an epic selection that runs into the dozens, Carlotto has an amari list that makes it a standout in the NYC dining scene. But consider going beyond just getting the bittersweet Italian liqueur by ordering the amari affogato. This ultimate nightcap has vanilla ice cream, orange-almond biscotti, candied hazelnuts—and, of course, a generous pour of amari. It’s the kind of dessert a cool New York summer’s night calls for.
The namesake at Superiority Burger
There are veggie burgers, and then there’s Superiority Burger. The restaurant’s reopening in the old Odessa space was one of the most anticipated openings of the year, and NYT critic Pete Wells described the burger as “better now than it was in 2015.” The soft yet crisp patty packs chickpeas and quinoa, and it’s sandwiched between griddled buns with nutty muenster cheese, caramelized tomatoes, and pickles. There are few burgers in the city that rival this gem.
Yellowtail crudo at Bad Roman
Yes, everyone’s talking about the garlicky and buttery babka at new Quality Branded favorite Bad Roman, but eating impeccably fresh crudo is a summer rite of passage in the city. Bad Roman’s version tops fatty strips of yellowtail with chunks of charred grapefruit and crushed pistachio. It helps that the dish is just as Instagrammable as the rest of the menu, too.
Dat Mac Patty at Datz Deli
This viral sensation from Queens may just run home with sandwich-of-the-year honors. Picture this: A flaky Jamaican beef patty that’s split in half, topped with gooey mac and cheese and fall-off-the-bone tender oxtail, and sandwiched between coco bread (kind of like a Hawaiian roll but denser). Datz Deli owner Joshua Dat pours a generous drizzle of the oxtail curry on top for a hefty sweet-and-spicy finish.
—Tanay Warerkar is OpenTable’s New York writer and a content marketing manager.
