Food has become an integral part of why people travel. From top‑rated restaurants to beloved local dishes and celebrated wineries, New York State offers an impressive range of culinary experiences.
Top‑Rated Restaurants
New York City and its surrounding suburbs get much of the spotlight for exceptional dining—and deservedly so. But there are outstanding gastronomic experiences throughout the state.
The Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean‑Georges
The Hudson Valley is renowned for its farm‑to‑table cuisine and is home to a campus of the Culinary Institute of America, underscoring the region’s deep culinary roots.
The Michelin Guide now includes both New York City and parts of the Hudson Valley. Honoured restaurants in the region include The Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean‑Georges and Café Mutton in Hudson.
Ristorante Lambardo
In Buffalo, top dining options include Lombardo, a classic Italian restaurant that celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. Rochester’s Swan Market, a German butcher shop turned restaurant, is a local favourite, while The Roosevelt Room in Troy offers an elegant dining experience.
Fab Food Festivals
The National Buffalo Wing Festival takes place in Buffalo every Labour Day weekend, celebrating the city’s most famous culinary export.
Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally
Binghamton is home to the Spiedie, a marinated meat sandwich served on Italian bread. Every August, the city hosts Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally, a major regional event.
The Hudson Valley’s beloved Garlic Festival features everything from garlic sausage to garlic ice cream.
Regional Specialties
New York State’s regional dishes are a major draw for food‑loving travellers.
Buffalo Wings
Buffalo is famous for its Buffalo wings, now a staple at Super Bowl parties and sporting events. Another local favourite is Beef on Weck—thinly sliced roast beef on a kummelweck roll topped with coarse salt and caraway seeds, served with au jus and horseradish. The city’s diverse neighbourhoods also offer exceptional Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Bangladeshi, Thai, Italian, and Greek cuisine.
Rochester is known for the Garbage Plate, a hearty combination of cheeseburger, hamburger, hot dogs (Zweigle’s is the local brand), Italian sausage, or grilled cheese, served over sides like French fries, baked beans, or macaroni salad, and topped with a spicy meat hot sauce.
Utica is home to Tomato Pie, a thick, focaccia‑style dough topped with seasoned tomato sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan. The region is also known for Chicken Riggies, a creamy, spicy Italian‑American pasta dish.
Frozen custard and ice cream are summer staples across the state. Abbott’s Frozen Custard near Rochester is a long‑time favourite, while Syracuse locals flock to Gannon’s Ice Cream.
Ithaca claims to be the birthplace of the ice cream sundae (1892), and Purity Ice Cream remains a must‑visit.
Gannon’s Ice Cream
Food and Drink Trails
Food and drink trails are booming across New York State.
Catskills Beverage Trail
The Adirondack Coast Wine Trail, Adirondack Craft Beverage Trail, and Adirondack Lakes Cuisine Trail highlight the region’s wineries, breweries, and local producers.
Buffalo offers a self‑guided trail featuring the city’s most iconic foods.
The Capital Craft Beverage Trail showcases craft and farm‑based beverage producers in and around Albany, including wineries, breweries, and distilleries.
Additional options include the Catskills Beverage Trail, the St. Lawrence Wine Trail, and the Long Island Seafood Trail, which highlights fresh fish, shellfish, and local oysters.
Wonderful Wines
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
New York State’s wine regions are among the most celebrated in the U.S.
The Finger Lakes region, known for its long, narrow lakes and charming villages, is especially renowned for Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc.
Top wineries include Keuka Spring Vineyards, Azure Hill Winery, and the historic Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in Hammondsport, where visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Keuka Lake.
Just across the border from Ontario, the Niagara Wine Trail offers ice wines and other cool‑climate varietals.
On Long Island, wineries have earned numerous international awards, while the Hudson Valley’s Brotherhood Winery is recognized as the oldest continuously operating winery in the United States.
From fine dining to casual comfort food, and from world‑class wines to craft beer and spirits, New York State offers something to satisfy every palate.