You Haven’t Tried True New York Comfort Food Until You’ve Been Here

New York truly is the city of a thousand cuisines, with the diaspora of just about every country and culture on the planet having an outpost and a signature restaurant somewhere in the five boroughs. So if you're looking for the best comfort food in New York, the only question is — what kind? For me, there's only one thing I want when I've just arrived in the city, and I'm exhausted, ravenous, and in need of something familiar and comforting. I'm heading straight for an old-school deli.

While my favorite traditional deli, where they pile the sandwiches high with smoked meat, has to be the 2nd Avenue Deli, there's another kind of traditional deli that's harder to find these days. This is what used to be known as an "Appetizing Shop." Instead of meat, it specializes in smoked fish and usually offers cream cheese, bread, bagels, pickles, or whatever else you need for a proper spread. The most famous one of these is definitely Russ & Daughters, which is a national brand today, but for us old-school lox lovers, we're headed straight to Barney Greengrass, which has been holding court on Amsterdam Avenue for almost a century.

Why This Restaurant Serves the Best Comfort Food in New York

Barney Greengrass holds a place in New York City history, first opening on 113th Street in 1908. It moved to its current spot on Amsterdam Avenue in 1929, and things really haven't changed much since. The place is still doggedly old-school, serving up smoked fish and sides in a no-frills atmosphere for old-schoolers and new fans alike.

As soon as you enter, you'll be struck by how small and busy the place is. People still belly up to the counter and order, and there are seats for those who want to order a meal here rather than fish by weight. You'll be tempted by the delicious-looking old-school Jewish breads and desserts on offer, but don't lose focus — the fish is the star attraction!

What Makes This Old-School Restaurant So Special

Although the menu at Barney Greengrass has definitely been updated since the early days, many things remain the same. You can still find a wider variety of smoked fish here than anywhere else in the city. In addition to the iconic salmon options, you can find kippers, rainbow trout, and their signature sturgeon. My personal favorite is the strongly flavored pastrami salmon.

If you're eating in, the attention to detail is unparalleled. All platters come with an assortment of pickles, including the famous cucumber spears, as well as pickled tomatoes and olives — a real taste of early 20th-century deli culture.

The Must-Try Dishes You Can't Miss at Barney Greengrass

Barney Greengrass does have a full-day menu, which includes some meat deli sandwiches, but breakfast is the most popular time for dining in. If there's one classic New York comfort food that this place does perfectly, it's the traditional bagels and lox. The fish here is among the best, and they pile it high on a crispy, perfectly-baked bagel.

For a richer morning treat, try one of the Barney's Specialties menu selections. They'll take your choice of smoked fish and scramble it with eggs and onions. It's intense, salty, and incredibly flavorful — the kind of dish you can only find at a place that still keeps things old-school.

Have you dined at this old-school appetizing shop serving the best comfort food in New York? If not, tell a friend about this article so that you can visit and sample as many of the classic specialties as you want! You can see all the details on the menu and shipping on the Barney Greengrass website. This restaurant makes for a perfect breakfast or lunch spot - but if you're looking for a heartier dinner, head downtown and pay a visit to Keens Steakhouse, home of the iconic mutton chop. And if you're staying in the state for a few days, make sure to check out some of the best restaurants in New York State.