Like Ethnic Food? Try These Unique Cuisines in NYC

Try these ethnic foods in NYC.

New York is a city known for its food, and for even the most discriminating foodies, the cuisines offered in NYC can’t be beat. And thanks to the diversity of all five boroughs, New Yorkers can easily eat their way around the world. Sure, there’s a growing list of restaurants that offer mainstream cuisines (Italian, Chinese, Mexican, etc.), but with the variety of ethnic food in NYC, you should consider trying these international restaurants serving unique cuisines in New York City.

Kiwi / New Zealand-Style
Where to try: D.U.B. Pies, 211 Prospect Park West

No, kiwis are not a large staple of New Zealand cuisine – despite the New Zealander nickname. Because of New Zealand and Australia’s historical ties to England, seemingly British dishes are just as popular, if not more so, in New Zealand as elsewhere. Case in point? Chefs stuff meat pies with local and seasonal ingredients. You also can’t go wrong with fish and chips, but that’s a dish you can easily find in many American restaurants.

Ethiopian
Where to try: Injera, 11 Abingdon Square

If you usually gravitate towards a “meat and veggies” combo and don’t mind a little bit of spice, you might find yourself ordering Ethiopian on a more frequent basis. The key to this cuisine is injera, a flatbread with a spongy texture and sour taste  that you wrap around or dip into different main and side dishes.  The family-style serving makes this a great choice to share, and since utensils are optional, you and your friends can (literally) dig in. Try it at Injera, a restaurant by the same name.

Norwegian
Where to try: Aquavit, 65 E 55th St

Norway’s national dish may be fårikål, a boiled lamb and cabbage stew, but don’t let the simplicity of this national treasure fool you.  Nordic cuisine is rustic but relies on high-quality raw ingredients inspired by its natural landscape. Seafood, root vegetables, and sweetened breads are typical Nordic table mainstays – and traditional is a large part of Norwegian cuisine. The proof? When given the chance to vote for a new national dish (to replace fårikål), Norwegians voted to keep it the same.

Paraguayan
Where to try: I Love Paraguay, 43-16 Greenpoint Ave, Sunnyside

This cuisine is known for its use of fruit, corn, and yucca, and it’s perfect for sampling in the warm- weather months.  Sweet flavors are popular in Guarani cooking, and beverages such as soft drinks, fruit juices, and specialty drinks like mosto (a sugar cane juice) are just as common.  For our NYC-based pick, we chose the critically-acclaimed restaurant, I Love Paraguay. Not only is it worth the trip to Sunnyside, Queens, but the staff is happy to teach you more about Guarani food, culture, and customs while you eat.

Persian
Where to try: Ravagh Persian Grill {Midtown, Upper East Side, and East Village}

Also occasionally referred to as “Persian cuisine,” Iranian dishes are heavily influenced by other Middle Eastern cooking styles.  When tasting Iranian food for the first time, don’t be surprised if you find similarities to Turkish, Greek, or even Russian cuisine. Persian cutlets (called kotlet) and kebabs are common menu items, with the protein varying based on personal tastes and family recipes, while baba ganoush and hummus are common side items.

Also, Mexican food, and eat in these ethnic restaurants in Hell’s Kitchen. 

Plus, dine around the world in NYC. 

Posted on January 23, 2019

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