Anthony Bourdain may have traveled the globe in search of unforgettable meals, but some of his favorite places to eat were right here in New York City.
The NYC-born chef, author, and travel documentarian spent years championing everything from iconic old-school institutions to no-frills neighborhood gems, helping shape how millions of people think about food and travel.
As fans celebrate what would have been his birthday on June 25, we’re looking back at the NYC restaurants Bourdain loved most—many of which remain local favorites to this day.
Katz’s Delicatessen – LES
If there’s one NYC institution Anthony Bourdain never stopped championing, it was Katz’s Deli. The legendary Lower East Side spot was among his go-to recommendations for anyone looking to experience New York’s iconic deli culture.
In a video with Insider, Bourdain proudly declared, “We have better deli than you,” before directing viewers to Katz’s for a classic pastrami sandwich on rye with sour pickles, a Dr. Brown’s cream soda, and either a toasted bialy or a quality bagel topped with smoked salmon and cream cheese.
Katz’s wasn’t the only Jewish deli staple on Bourdain’s list, either. He frequently praised Russ & Daughters and Pastrami Queen, both of which remain must-visits for locals and tourists alike.
Gray’s Papaya – UWS
Anthony Bourdain may have admitted that New York doesn’t have the world’s best hot dogs—he gave that honor to Chicago—but that didn’t stop him from craving a classic NYC dog whenever he was away from home.
One of his favorite spots was Gray’s Papaya, the beloved hot dog institution known for its no-frills franks and bargain prices. Bourdain once described it as a “cost-effective, nutritious snack,” adding that “when I start missing New York, this is what I miss.”
And if you want to order like Bourdain did, keep it simple: mustard and sauerkraut.
Hop Kee – Chinatown
Hop Kee earned a spot in the Lower East Side episode of Parts Unknown (Season 12, Episode 7), where Bourdain celebrated the old-school Chinatown institution for preserving the kind of dining experience that’s increasingly hard to find.
“Places like Hop Kee still feature the never-ending tea pot, the egg rolls, and certain other classics of that day,” he said.
During his visit, Bourdain and his guests dug into a feast of Cantonese favorites, including Pan-Fried Flounder, Sweet and Pungent Pork, Cantonese-Style Crab, and Cantonese-Style Snails—just a few of the dishes that have kept diners coming back for decades.
Randazzo’s Clam Bar – Sheepshead Bay
Randazzo’s Clam Bar made an appearance on No Reservations (Season 8, Episode 18), where Bourdain dug into broiled salmon and chicken parm at the beloved Sheepshead Bay institution. But if you’re looking to eat like Bourdain, there’s one dish that stands above the rest: the lobster fra diavolo.
He described the over-the-top Italian-American classic as “lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams, and spicy marinara tossed with pasta that doesn’t even remember what al dente means,” served in portions large enough to feed an entire Lower East Side block.
Bourdain’s verdict on Randazzo’s was simple: “If you can’t find it in your heart to enjoy Randazzo’s, you’re a lost soul.”
Barney Greengrass – UWS
Few breakfasts impressed Anthony Bourdain more than the one served at Barney Greengrass. In A Cook’s Tour, he called the Upper West Side institution “the best breakfast in the universe.”
“Whenever I want to treat myself to breakfast in New York, in fact, the best breakfast in the universe, I go to a little place in my neighborhood…the legendary Barney Greengrass, the Sturgeon King,” Bourdain said.
To order like Bourdain, start with the famous sturgeon platter, add a side of Nova eggs, and wash it all down with a regular coffee.
Burger Joint – Midtown
Hidden behind an unmarked curtain inside the former Le Parker Meridien hotel (now Thompson Central Park), Burger Joint quickly became one of NYC’s most iconic burger spots after opening in 2002.
Bourdain was a fan, once calling it one of the city’s “great incongruities” thanks to its no-frills burger stand tucked inside a luxury hotel.
If you’re planning a visit, take Bourdain’s advice: know your order before you reach the counter. He famously warned diners to “get your sh*t together” or risk being sent to the back of the line.
In a city packed with excellent burgers, Burger Joint remains a classic for a reason.
Di Fara – Midwood
Looks like we have something in common with Anthony Bourdain: one of our favorite NYC pizza spots was also one of his favorites.
Opened in Brooklyn in 1965 by Italian immigrant Domenico De Marco, Di Fara Pizza has become a true NYC institution. The legendary pizzeria remains family-owned and operated today, continuing to serve up the old-school slices that made Bourdain a fan.
Marea – Midtown
When Anthony Bourdain craved pasta in NYC, he knew exactly where to go: Marea. The Michelin-starred Central Park South restaurant was one of his top picks for a truly indulgent carb-filled meal.
“I’ll go here for a bowl of pasta, or if I really want to blow it out I’ll go to Marea, but just for the pasta. Not that the fish isn’t magnificent, but I’ll go in and eat three or four different pastas. If I am carb-loading that would be a good choice,” Bourdain said.
So if you’re looking to treat yourself to a Bourdain-approved pasta feast, take his advice and book a table at Marea.
Keens Steakhouse – Midtown
For Anthony Bourdain, few NYC steakhouses represented old-school New York quite like Keens. In an episode of No Reservations, he praised the legendary Midtown institution for its history, atmosphere, and commitment to doing one thing exceptionally well: serving great meat.
“You can’t really do any better or more authentic than Keens, a place that goes right back to the old school all-male world of beefsteak parties, the political power built around beef, bloody aprons, and smoke-filled rooms,” Bourdain said.
And if you’re looking for a steakhouse experience worthy of Bourdain’s approval, take his advice: “At Keens, it’s all about the meat.”
Shake Shack – Multiple Locations
Even Anthony Bourdain, a chef who spent his life chasing unforgettable meals around the world, knew that sometimes you just can’t beat a classic chain burger. One of his favorite comfort-food stops was Shake Shack.
Bourdain once admitted that after returning home from long trips abroad, his first move was often ordering Shake Shack through Seamless: “Chances are, the first thing I’m doing when I get back if I’ve been away for 12 days…I’m calling Seamless to get me some Shake Shack.”
And his order was refreshingly simple: “A double cheeseburger naked, please. No lettuce. No tomato. No nothing. Just cheese and two burgers on a potato bun. I’ll have two of those and I’m happy.”