New York, according to locals

People recommend Katz's for its classic pastrami sandwich, and many urge visitors to go there.

Los Tacos No. 1 has several New York branches; this is the original, in Chelsea Market.

Keens is a favorite steakhouse for many, and several single out the mutton chop.

Joe's Pizza has several New York branches; this is the one on 14th Street by Union Square.

Diners recommend Defonte's in Red Hook for sandwiches.

Joe's recommendations span its New York outlets, including Fulton Street.

L'Industrie earns strong recommendations across its New York locations, including West Village.

Mama's Too is recommended across its New York outlets, including West Village.

John's of Bleecker Street draws strong recommendations for whole pies rather than individual slices.

L&B Spumoni Gardens has a strong following for its thick Sicilian square.

Rudy's draws strong recommendations for an inexpensive dive-bar visit, with free hot dogs a recurring reason to go.

Burp Castle's whisper-level conversation and monastery theme are its distinctive draw, and several patrons praise the beer selection.

Recommended across its New York locations, Raines Law Room comes up repeatedly for dates and cocktails.

Dante is recommended across its New York locations for cocktails and happy-hour value.

Jimmy's Corner is repeatedly recommended as an unfussy Midtown dive near Times Square, especially for inexpensive drinks.

La Cabra is repeatedly recommended across its New York cafes for lighter-roast coffee and pastries.

Veniero's is a repeatedly recommended East Village Italian bakery and cafe, particularly for cheesecake, cannoli and other sweets.

Culture Espresso draws strong recommendations across its Midtown locations, especially for chocolate chip cookies.

Breads Bakery draws recommendations across its New York outlets, including Union Square.

Abraço is a frequent East Village recommendation for coffee, with several visitors also praising its olive oil cake.

Semma's gunpowder dosa is the recurring draw in recommendations for this South Indian restaurant.

Angel Indian Restaurant in Jackson Heights is a Punjabi spot that draws strong recommendations, with one commenter calling it the best North Indian food in the city and another naming it for biryani.

Indian Accent draws recommendations for an upscale, modern interpretation of Indian cooking rather than a traditional meal.

Hyderabadi Zaiqa is recommended across its Manhattan locations, including Hell's Kitchen.

Kanyakumari draws repeated recommendations for coastal South Indian cooking near Union Square.

Sushi W is recommended across its Upper West and Upper East Side locations, with the Upper West Side outlet shown here.

Shinn is recommended across its East and West locations, with the frequently named East Village counter shown here.

Thirteen Water draws repeated recommendations for good-value omakase in the East Village.

Sushi Noz draws strong high-end omakase recommendations for both the original Upper East Side counter and Noz 17, though the meals and experiences differ between locations.

Sushi by M's recommendations span its New York outlets, with the East Village location shown here.

Minetta Tavern has two distinct camps: diners who prize the Black Label's dry-aged flavor and those who prefer the regular Minetta burger, often for its juiciness and value.

Hamburger America draws substantial praise for its fried onion burger and classic smash burgers, particularly from diners who like a simple, onion-forward build.

These recommendations span 7th Street Burger's New York outlets, with the original East Village location specifically praised for consistency.

Red Hook Tavern's dry-aged burger earns repeated favorite-in-the-city nominations, with praise for the beef flavor and seared patty.

J.G. Melon draws fans looking for a straightforward classic burger, an old-school room and a burger-and-martini meal.

Keens earns repeated steak recommendations, with diners praising the cooking and old-school atmosphere; prime rib also has enthusiastic supporters.

Wolfgang's is recommended across its New York outlets, with Park Avenue repeatedly named.

St. Anselm stands out for value as well as steak quality, with repeated enthusiasm for the hanger steak.

Delmonico's combines strong ribeye recommendations with an old-school atmosphere that diners value for a special dinner.

Strip House receives recommendations across its New York outlets, with East 12th Street repeatedly singled out.

The Met is the museum people recommend most, and many name it their top museum in New York; one found it far more impressive than MoMA.

Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn is a big favorite for quiet walks among historic tombs, and several point to the skyline views from Battle Hill.

Central Park gets plenty of love, with several people describing its views and beauty, from the reservoir to buildings reflected in the water.

The New York Botanical Garden is a favorite Bronx stop, often paired with the Bronx Zoo next door.

The Cloisters comes up again and again, and many call it underrated or overlooked.

Diners favor Grand Central Oyster Bar for its raw oysters, oyster pan roast and historic room.

Mariscos El Submarino draws recommendations across its New York outlets, including Jackson Heights.

Fish Cheeks draws recommendations across its New York outlets, including the explicitly named NoHo restaurant.

Diners recommend Abuqir in Astoria for Egyptian-style whole fish, scallops and grilled shrimp.

Many diners recommend Dame, and several point to its fish and chips, while two diners praise the oysters and two more praise the tuna.

Opinion is divided, though more people recommend Ess-a-Bagel than warn against it.

Many people who weigh in recommend it, and many single out the fish: diners praise the smoked salmon and lox, and a few also like the spreads, such as the horseradish cream cheese.

Many diners recommend Golden Diner, and many praise the pancakes, a couple describing them as fluffy and a few liking the berry compote.

Most people recommend Utopia Bagels, and several call it a favorite, with one diner describing the bagels as nearly perfect.

Most diners recommend Bagel Pub, and two say its bagels are fresh, with one ranking them among Brooklyn's best.

Most people who name Tonchin recommend it, and many call it a favorite or go-to, with its tonkotsu and tsukemen coming up often and several praising the spicy tan tan bowl. Recommended across its New York locations; commenters name the Midtown shop on West 36th Street (this listing) and the Williamsburg shop about equally. One diner calls the Midtown dining room well lit and good for a birthday, and a few say it needs a booking. Opinions are split: some are lukewarm or did not like it, one finds the tsukemen broth muted, and a few rank Tabetomo and Okiboru above it.

Most people who weigh in recommend Ivan Ramen, and many praise the chicken paitan ramen, with several singling out the shio, one of them saying it is the only bowl worth ordering there.

Most people who name Okiboru recommend it, and many single out the tsukemen (dipping noodles); many call it among the best in the city, and one says it is the only place there matching good shops in Japan. Several describe a rich, seafood-forward broth, and a few mention the tontori ramen. This listing is the Lower East Side shop. It is often compared with Tabetomo: some prefer Okiboru and others prefer Tabetomo. Caveats: a couple find it pricey, one found it decent but unremarkable, and one says it did not replace a ramen shop they miss.

Most people who name Ramen Ishida recommend it, and many call it a favorite or top pick, often for the shoyu ramen.

Most people who name Ichiran recommend it, several for the tonkotsu ramen and the solo booths.

Visitors repeatedly favour the Met for the breadth of its art and historical collections.

Dinosaurs, the suspended whale, fossils, gems and the planetarium are recurring visitor highlights.

Visitors recommend the Transit Museum for exploring historic subway cars and seeing how New York's transport developed.

Commenters favour this museum for its close focus on New York history and its specific, often interactive exhibitions.

The Cloisters appeals to visitors for medieval art, tapestries and the experience of walking through its architecture and courtyards.

Most people who weigh in recommend Caffè Panna, and many name it simply as their ice cream pick.

Most people recommend the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, and many point to its unusual, often Asian-style flavours that are hard to find elsewhere.

Most people who weigh in recommend Il Laboratorio del Gelato, and many say its flavours are wide-ranging and rotate often, with sorbets and unusual gelatos among them.

Sundaes and Cones is recommended by many people.

Most people recommend Malai, and several name flavours such as masala chai, cardamom, saffron and pistachio.

Most commenters recommend Central Park. Several suggest exploring it on foot rather than by pedicab or bike, and spots people name include Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, the Ramble and Strawberry Fields. Several commenters point to Sheep Meadow, one saying it arguably has the best grass in the city. One recommends the north end (North Woods, Great Hill, Conservatory Garden), where fewer tourists go, and another calls the Conservatory Garden the park's best-kept secret. One visitor praises the quiet, nature-like feel of some of its paths and hills. Crowds vary: one commenter says it draws huge spring weekend crowds but can feel empty on very hot summer days, and another was surprised to find it deserted in mid-August. Two commenters are unhappy with dog behavior, and a couple call it overrated.

Most commenters recommend Prospect Park, and several say they prefer it to Central Park.

Many visitors recommend Riverside Park, a waterfront park on Manhattan's West Side.

Many people recommend Inwood Hill Park, and two describe it as the last remaining patch of original forest in Manhattan.

Most commenters recommend Fort Tryon Park.