Some might argue that nowhere in the world does food and drink quite like New York. From piled-high pastrami sandwiches to the best cream cheese bagels, a fully loaded brunch and of course a strong cup of quality coffee. Home to so many diners, bars and restaurants, eating your way through the Big Apple is no easy task. So maybe take it a bite at a time at one of the many festivals in New York with a culinary theme. With the city’s calendar brimming with foodie events, you can be sure you’ll never go hungry.
Whether you’re a local, passing through or on your city break, here’s our recommended list of food themed festivals in New York we think you should visit:
NYC Street Fairs
If a day of great food, vintage shopping and live music sounds good to you, head to one of the NYC street fairs taking over the area. Popping up over the summer months, the city’s best restaurants come together to offer something truly sensational for you to try. There’s Smorgasburg, the Brooklyn food flea market with over 75 food vendors during the weekends of April through November come rain or shine. Hester Street Fair, the lower east side hot spot that lines up new dishes each week and themed events to keep you entertained. And PopUp New York Street Fairs that offer creations from up-and-coming restaurants, trendy designer fare and performances from local musicians – they give back to local non-profits so getting involved in this NYC street fair is technically doing a good deed…
New York Coffee Festival
The coffee scene in New York has exploded in recent years, with a freshly roasted cup available on just about every street corner. Whether it’s a pre-work caffeine hit, a social gathering, or an afternoon pick-me-up, New Yorkers are queuing for the stuff. So it’s no surprise that the New York Coffee Festival makes it on our list of festivals in New York you must visit. Celebrating community and culture, for a few days in October you can taste your way through hundreds of coffee samples, get involved in workshops, meet the state’s top baristas and watch interactive demos. Then there’s the tasty street food stalls, coffee cocktails, live music and even coffee inspired art to enjoy. Whether you’re new to the bean, a coffee geek or someone in the industry, the New York Coffee Festival has something for all levels of caffeine lovers.
Find the nearest Big Bus Stop to the New York Coffee Festival
NYC Food and Wine Festival
11 years and still going strong the NYC Food and Wine Festival has some impressive stats. 4 days, 80 events, 500 chefs, 50,000+ revellers... need we say more about why you should visit this festival in New York? A star-studded event showcasing the talents of the world’s most loved chefs, wine and spirit producers. All while mingling with America’s most beloved television cooks and culinary personalities. The largest of its kind in the city, the NYC Food and Wine Festival also supports the fight to end hunger with Food Bank For New York City and No Kid Hungry. From Team Izzie’s cheesesteaks and Lady M’s cakes to Ted Allen’s Chopped and Carolyn Bane’s Pies 'n' Thighs. The aim is to educate palates and to entertain attendees; the only requirement is that you come hungry.
So there you have our top three recommended food themed festivals in New York. A city with a packed events calendar all year round, there really is no bad time to visit. And when you’ve had a snack while you browse vintage at an NYC Street Fair, polished off a cup or three at the New York Coffee Festival and checked out the talent at the NYC Food and Wine Festival, you can sit back and digest on a Big Bus tour for a day or two of sightseeing. For more ideas on how to fill the rest of your time in the city that never sleeps (probably due to the caffeine intake), check out our New York in 2 Days itinerary.
