Travelling is undoubtedly a rewarding experience, with the thrill of getting to know new places, broadening the mind and soaking up the culture; but to really appreciate a new city or country, you first have to get to know its food. Finding the right place to eat on holiday can at first be a little tricky, as there’s always that feeling of ‘Is this really the best place to eat, or am I missing out on something memorable just round the corner?’; but just a little bit of research can usually produce some weighty tips.

Virtually all major cities around the world are packed with rich culinary experiences which can make or break a trip, and New York is no exception; but how can a travelling foodie make sure they tick off all the must-try restaurants, bistros and night stops?

New York is the 24-hour city, with every conceivable type of world cuisine available served at more than 20,000 restaurants and cafes, from jerk chicken and sushi to crepes, falafel and Thai. So where best to start? Pizza, of course. Cheap, delicious and iconic to the city, drop by Patzeria Perfect Pizza Inc. in the theatre district for simple Italian thin crust pizzas - though don’t expect to get a seat in this tiny pizzeria, but that’s all part of the experience. For a more formal yet equally Italian-American meal, Trattoria Trecolori can be found on the other side of the block, where traditional and regional favourites all come with a warm, friendly welcome.

Chocolate lovers and those with a sweet tooth should head to the Upper West Side, where the Levain Bakery’s reputation speaks for itself. Friendly, quirky and forward thinking, this bakery is famed for its cookies, which the New York Times called “Possibly the largest, most divine chocolate chip cookies in Manhattan”, though every conceivable type of sweet baked treat is hand-created here. Also, if you are exploring the city on foot, the walk to Times Square from Levain Bakery is full of small, independent eateries which are a great way to savour this laidback neighbourhood.

Again a leftfield choice, but a visit to the corner of 56th & 3rd might just hold a pleasant surprise, as this is the site of a street vendor whose reputation for cheap and delicious food is spreading amongst New Yorkers like wildfire. Look for a cart called Halal Guys for some great, fresh meat and chicken halal gyros dishes, or better still, just look for the line - as the popular cart almost always has a queue day and night.

For more upmarket dining out, try Nougatine, by Central Park. Superb views over the park compliment the fine dining menu. Still a relatively overlooked haunt amongst the city’s trendsetters, the bright, airy restaurant’s speciality is its brunch, served until 3pm each day. For even more local tips, New York hotels are usually happy to offer guests recommendations.

Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.