Where can I find bagels, dumplings, and great food in NYC?

Russ & Daughters for the best lox!  Not cheap but worth it.  Katz's Delicatessen is another must try deli.  In chinatown, it's always fun to have dim sum at one of the big banquets.  Golden Unicorn is one that is very popular.  If you have the time, take the train out to Flushing and stumble upon a food mall!  Always interesting and unique finds.  

We always do well at any Danny Meyer restaurant (the modern if you are going to MOMA), Same goes for anyplace by Momofuku . My favorite margaritas are at Barrio Chino.  ABC Kitchen is fun in Union Sq. Empellón Cocina in East Village has nice margs and tapas.  

Artichoke Pizza isn't the traditional NYC slice but delicious (several locations but if you're out in E Village late night you won't be alone in line) -- i always get the vodka sauce pizza!  Or Pommes Frites in E village is fun.  Favorite food truck would be the Byriani Cart over on 6th ave near Rockefeller.  Get the chicken kati rolls! yum! The Halal Guyshalal guys for chicken and rice is another popular spot. 

Some cute seafood spots I like include Mary's Fish Camp or the The Mermaid Inn both in the village I believe.  Don't know much about Hell's Kitchen, except that there is Ippudo Westside. Enjoy!

Ess-A-Bagel puts all other bagels to shame. Just thinking about it makes me want one. 

For bagels and lox, Russ & Daughters. Their store is on E. Houston and their cafe (definitely try to stop by if you can!) is on Orchard St. 

Murray's Bagels is also decent and has several locations throughout downtown. 

Soup dumplings at Joe's Shanghai in Chinatown are famous, but there are tons of places throughout Lower East Side/Chinatown that are purely just dumpling places. They are hole in the wall, over the counter places, but you can find them throughout. Dumpling Man in the E. Village is also good. 

For good, authentic dim sum try Ping's Seafood. Nom Wah Tea Parlor is a popular spot. I am also partial to Shanghai Cafe Deluxe.

Hell's Kitchen has tons of good, cheap Thai food. Try Wondee Siam or Wondee Siam II (they are right across the street from each other). 

Best bagels are from Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Co . There a few in Astoria and in the city on 8th and 23rd. So good! If you're into pizza, I suggest Don Antonio on 8th and 50th. Their mantanera starita pie is my favorite.

Joe's Shanghai for soup dumplings. Best I've ever had.

Black Seed Bagels has incredible bagels...like a Montreal and a New York bagel got married.

Check out Prosperity Dumpling, small little counter with a couple of tables, inexpensive and delicious.

If you go to Russ & Daughters, you have to try the Super Heebster too! It's whitefish spread with wasabi row.  To get you in the mood, you should watch the documentary The Sturgeon Queens about Russ and Daughters.

When you arrive, I would grab a Time Out New York magazine.  They have bands listed, museums, restaurants. Events are listed by date, so you can look at your day and find something interesting.

Check out Chelsea Market too.  Great way to spend a couple of hours, lots of food stalls under one roof.

If you wanna taste Best Fried Dumplings and looking for a place in NYC then you should visit the Chinatown New York where you will find many dumpling shops that offer best quality for its customers.

Hello Allie,

If you want excellent italian food, very reasonably priced, especially for the super-fresh and creative quality, try Ristorante Il Melograno in Hell's Kitchen (which is now called a less-offensive-to-those-with-money Clinton ).  And they have great and cheap wines by the glass too.

Beware, however: the deserts are deadly!

Enjoy

EssaBagel and Bluestone Lane Coffee (in an office building - take escalators down) are worth the visits.

If you want to go off the Baedecker - and who really wants to hit the tourist traps - consider Queens.  Here are two good articles that highlight under the radar finds in Flushing (http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/10/where-to-eat-chinese-best-restaurants-flushing-queens-chinatown-nyc.html) and Jackson Heights (New York) (https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=zGLi67bfKW7I.klTutQcd9XvI&hl=en)