Our 7 Favorite Twists on Classic Comfort Foods in New York City

Looking for unique pizzas, burgers, fried chicken and more in New York City?
We all have our favorite comfort foods. Maybe it is fresh pizza, juicy burgers or creamy ice cream. Sometimes though you are craving something a little different but familiar at the same time. With that in mind, here are our seven favorite fun foodie twists on classic comfort foods in New York City.
The White Slice from Best Pizza
P.C.: yelp, Matthew L.
There are very few things more iconic in New York City than a fresh slice of pizza. One of our all-time favorite pizzas is the white slice from Best Pizza (33 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn). This pizza has ricotta cheese and caramelized onions on a sesame seed crust. It has a nutty flavor that you won’t find elsewhere. Best Pizza is a can’t miss lunch spot and worth a trip to Williamsburg.
Crispy Sushi Style Rice Patties with Spicy Tuna from Bessou
Bessou (25 11th Ave) in the Market 57 food hall adds a crunchy twist to the spicy tuna roll with its sushi style rice patties. It is wildly addictive, and you can taste this and other fun, flavorful dishes from minority and women-owned businesses on our Market 57 Chelsea Food Tour. Best of all, if you use the code BOGO24 before 3/1/25, you can get a buy one, get one deal for our Market 57 or Tasty Global Bites tours.
Bulgogi Meatloaf from Memphis Seoul
P.C.: Memphis Seoul
Memphis Seoul (569 Lincoln Pl, Brooklyn) offers Korean twists to classic Southern dishes. They are probably best known for their bulgogi meatloaf. We love beef bulgogi and we love meatloaf so when you put them together, it is a savory flavor bomb with every bite. We are surprised that the fusion of Korean and Southern foods isn’t more popular.
Indian Fried Chicken from Rowdy Rooster
P.C.: yelp, Jason P.
The Indian inspired fried chicken strips and sandwiches are the star of the show at Rowdy Rooster (149 1st Ave & 140 W 32nd St). Their chicken is always super crispy and super juicy and it comes with mint chutney for even more flavor. Their chicken can bring the heat too if you opt for the spicy option. Pair the chicken with some malsala fries and you have a hearty family meal.
The Lamb Burger from Cervo’s
P.C.: yelp, Henry T.
Craving a juicy burger? New York City is packed with top notch burger joints in every neighborhood, but you can find our pick for the most unique burger in New York City at Cervo’s (43 Canal St). It is a lamb burger topped with chicories, aioli and marinated anchovies. It sounds strange but it is absolutely delicious. You can also find this crazy concoction at their sister restaurant, Hart’s (506 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn) too.
The Breakfast Sandwich from Mabu Cafe
P.C.: yelp, Nan S.
Mabu Cafe (18 Doyers St) in Chinatown combines two comfort foods, the pineapple bun and the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. Pineapple buns are sweet buns common in Chinese bakeries. They don’t contain pineapple but instead look like pineapples. BECs are of course a NYC breakfast staple. Mabu Cafe takes those fluffy pineapple buns and adds spam, pork cutlet, egg, tomato and cheese. The results are a towering, yummy breakfast sandwich sure to power you throughout the day.
Black Sesame Ice Cream from Soft Swerve
Finally, there is nothing more comforting than some cool ice cream especially on a hot summer day. Soft Swerve (85B Bayard St & Other Locations) offers fun Asian flavors like ube, almond cookie and Hong Kong milk tea but our favorite by far is black sesame. Plus, they have fun toppings like mochi and fruity pebbles and specialty cones like the red cinnamon waffle cone so the combinations are endless!