MarcosWorldNYC in New York, NY: 1 Spot

Researched by Varedelo

Planning notes for New York

Must-try foods in New York

• Smoked Sturgeon
  Smoked SturgeonA quintessential Upper West Side experience since 1908, 'The Sturgeon King' serves laser-precision sliced smoked fish. No local would miss the Nova Scotia salmon and sturgeon scrambled with eggs or served on a classic bagel.
• Short Rib Pastrami Suya
  Short Rib Pastrami SuyaRanked among the city's best in 2026, this Lincoln Center hotspot blends Afro-Caribbean flavors with New York deli nostalgia. The melt-in-your-mouth short rib pastrami with suya spice is the neighborhood's most coveted reservation-only dish.
• Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie
  Chocolate Chip Walnut CookieThe 6-ounce, mountain-like cookie that launched a thousand imitations. Locals know to visit the Amsterdam Avenue location to avoid the heaviest tourist lines for these gooey, underbaked masterpieces.
• Hot Dog
  Hot DogAn iconic 72nd Street landmark since 1973. The snap-casing frankfurter paired with a frothy papaya drink remains the definitive 'cheap eat' that bridges the gap between the neighborhood's students and its wealthy elite.
• Egg Cream Iced Coffee
  Egg Cream Iced CoffeeA triumphant return for this 70-year-old icon. Their signature drink combines the nostalgia of a Brooklyn egg cream with a modern caffeine kick, served alongside classic comfort food like patty melts in a retro-chic setting.
• Nova Bagel
  Nova BagelMore than just a grocery store, Zabar's is a cultural institution. Ordering a 'bagel with a schmear' and hand-sliced Nova at the café counter is a weekend rite of passage for every resident above 70th Street.

Trip guide

• When to go
  When to goThe best time to visit the Upper West Side is during the shoulder seasons of May to June and September to October, when mild temperatures in the 60s and 70s°F make it ideal for walking through Central Park or Riverside Park. While the holiday season in late November and December is peak for tourism due to festive lights and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (which starts in the neighborhood).
• Getting around
  Getting around New York

  • MTA Subway (1, 2, 3 and A, B, C lines) The 1, 2, and 3 trains run along Broadway, while the A, B, and C trains run along Central Park West. Local trains (1, B, C) stop every few blocks, while express trains (2, 3.
  • MTA Bus System (Local and Select Bus Service) North-south travel is served by routes like the M5, M7, M10, and M11, while cross-town Select Bus Service (SBS) routes like the M79-SBS and M86-SBS provide efficient transfers across Central Park to the Upper East Side.
  • Citi Bike and Cycling The neighborhood features numerous Citi Bike docking stations for short-term rentals. Cyclists can utilize protected bike lanes on Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues or enjoy the scenic.
• Local tips
  Local tips

  • Use the 1, 2, and 3 subway lines for Broadway access or the B and C lines along Central Park West, but remember that the B and C do not stop at 79th or 86th Streets on weekends.
  • Walk on the right side of the sidewalk and avoid stopping abruptly to take photos, as this is a busy residential neighborhood where locals are often commuting.
  • Expect to tip between 18% and 22% at sit-down restaurants, and always check if smaller local cafes are cash-only before ordering.
• What’s new
  What’s new in New York

  • Hinds Hall by Ayat: A highly anticipated Palestinian soul food restaurant that recently opened near Columbia University.
  • Lucia Pizza UWS: The famous Brooklyn-born pizzeria is opening its first Upper West Side location at 159 Columbus Avenue.
• NYC Tourism + Conventions↗
  NYC Tourism + ConventionsThe official destination marketing organization and visitor guide for the five boroughs of New York City.