New York, New York

Founded in 1927 by Domenico Parisi, the first to introduce Italian cappuccino to America, Caffe Reggio is the oldest and most historic café in New York. You can still see the original machine after you enter from the bright green facade. Pastries like sfogliatelle and cannoli can be coupled with your cup of coffee, while you enjoy the paintings that decorate the walls, one of them made by an artist of the school of Caravaggio.

2nd Ave Deli is a classic New York institution serving traditional Jewish comfort food with no shortcuts. Try the matzo ball soup that locals swear by, grab a corned beef or pastrami sandwich, and finish with a slice of rugelach or a black-and-white cookie. It’s the kind of place where the portions are generous and the flavors taste like they’ve been perfected over generations.

Nathan’s Famous has been a Coney Island landmark since 1916, when Nathan Handwerker started serving his signature beef hot dogs for a nickel. Stop by the original stand for a classic dog with mustard and fries, and you’ll get a taste of the old-school New York that generations have lined up for. The menu’s grown to include burgers, chicken, and shakes, but it’s the hot dogs, and the bit of seaside nostalgia that comes with them, that make it worth the trip.

Sadelle’s in SoHo is where hand‑rolled bagels, smoked fish and brunch crowds meet a bakery‑meets‑dining‑room setup. The smoked Scottish salmon and “Everything 2.0” bagel (fennel and caraway seeds joined the usual everything mix) come highly recommended.

Little Owl is like the name suggests: compact, yet romantic and cozy, serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes like gravy meatball sliders and spiced sugar beignets. You might recognize the building from the famous TV show "Friends," which makes it a popular photo stop too.

Shake Shack started as a small hot dog cart in Madison Square Park and still draws crowds for its burgers, crinkle-cut fries, and frozen custard. The lines can be long, but they move fast, and eating a ShackBurger in the park feels like a true New York rite of passage. There are locations all over the city now, but the original one still has that something special.

The Grey Dog is a relaxed neighborhood café and restaurant with several spots around the city, including one in Chelsea. It is a family-run restaurant, started by two brothers who have built a loyal local following around their healthy and tasty dining options and the cool, cozy, laid-back decor.

Abraço Espresso is a small East Village counter-serve café known for strong espresso and pastries made from fresh, local ingredients. The olive oil cake is a favorite, and the rest of the pastry menu is just as carefully curated. The café is tiny and can get crowded, especially in the morning, so plan for a short wait if you’re stopping by for breakfast or a midday snack.

Little Italy still holds pockets of old‑school Italian flavor, even as Chinatown has expanded into much of the neighborhood. Mulberry and Mott Streets have several cafés where you can grab a smooth espresso, a fresh cannoli, and take a short break while soaking in the street’s Italian character.

You haven’t been to New York if you haven’t had a bagel, and one of the best places to get one is Murray’s Bagels in Greenwich Village. They’re hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, and made fresh daily. Go for one with cream cheese and smoked salmon — simple, classic, and exactly what a New York morning should taste like.