Food and drink in New York

In New York City, brunch is more a way of life than a meal. Best when long and leisurely, and accompanied by bottomless pitches of Bloody Marys or Mimosas, breakfast or brunch with friends is the best way to begin the day like a local. A word of warning: some of the most coveted spots see long queues on the weekend, so be an early bird (or opt for a casual bagel-and-lox breakfast instead).

Americans prize good Mexican food, and savvy New Yorkers know there’s more to the cuisine than build-your-own-burrito bars. Instead, follow foodies to street food carts slinging moreish tacos, homey taquerias in the outer boroughs, stylish downtown cantinas, and other authentic spots (you’ll recognise them by their lack of kitschy sombreros).

These days, there’s no escaping craft beer – and that’s a good thing. The rise in local microbreweries means more (and better) beer for all. No New York beer crawl worth its salt would skip local legends Brooklyn Brewery, while newer breweries like Other Half are welcoming the latest generation of suds-swillers. And then there are the legions of bottle shops, beer bars, and growler fill stations to further tempt visiting hop-heads.