Taste the World in NYC

Arepas, Arepa Lady 

The handheld street food of Venezuela has made a local star of Maria Cano, the so-called [Arepa Lady](/restaurants/arepa-lady), who began by doling out the stuffed corn cakes from a cart under the 7 train and now has a small storefront in Jackson Heights.

Gnocchi al “Telefono,” Babbo

Let’s start with a basic tenet: you can’t go wrong using tomatoes, basil and mozzarella together. Add in [Babbo](/restaurants/babbo)’s deft touch with handmade pasta (OK, potato dumplings), and you’ve got a recipe for a timeless Italian treat.

Caspian Kebab, Persepolis

Kebab and rice is a staple of Persian cuisine. At [Persepolis](/restaurants/persepolis), the dynamic duo of chicken and sirloin emerge from separate marinades to be grilled and paired on the same platter.

Flat White, Bluestone Lane

Less milk than a latte, more than a cortado, microfoam instead of plain old steamed milk. Whatever this Australia-born espresso drink uses as its calling card, we tend to just refer to it as “delicious.” Find it [here](/restaurants/bluestone-lane).

Fresh Lumpia, Purple Yam

Down in Ditmas Park, Romy Dorotan turns out [Filipino standbys](/restaurants/purple-yam) like adobo, lechon and fresh lumpia, a take on the spring roll that pops with garlic and peanutty goodness and, let’s face it, looks darn good on the plate.

Sri Lankan Buffet, Lakruwana

Deviled chicken, an assortment of curries—pineapple, egg—and vegetables like green beans, kale and eggplant are all part of this [Staten Island stalwart](/restaurants/lakruwana-staten-island)’s fragrant clay-pot buffet.

Eggplant Napoleon, Tanoreen

Palestinian-American Rawia Bishara runs the show [here](/restaurants/tanoreen), turning out deeply flavored Middle Eastern dishes like this savory veggie-forward layer cake—a study in textural contrast.

Moules Marinière, Le Garage

Mussels steamed in white wine and garlic is a classic French dish; taste [Le Garage](/restaurants/le-garage)’s version  and you’ll have no problem believing the Parisian provenance of this Bushwick restaurant.

Falafel, Mamoun’s

This Middle Eastern sandwich has been a favorite of hungry vegetarians, NYU students, late-night bar crawlers and cost-conscious visitors since Syrian-born Mamoun Chater debuted his [Greenwich Village cubbyhole](/restaurants/mamouns-falafel-restaurant) in 1971.

Jerk Chicken, Miss Lily’s

Renditions of this fiery Caribbean specialty bound in the five boroughs. This [East Village hot spot](/restaurants/miss-lilys-7a) puts out an admirable version, not hiding the Scotch-bonnet-pepper-and-allspice kick of the jerk sauce.

Ichiju Sansai, Okonomi

Sushi and ramen places are a dime a dozen; those serving a proper Japanese breakfast, much less so. [Here](/restaurants/okonomi) you’ll find it served proper: rice, fish, miso soup and a few sides, including a slow-and-low-cooked egg, which ought to make for a harmonious start to a Williamsburg morning.

Mango Chicken Curry, Safari

Somali cuisine takes in influences from all over: East Africa, Italy, the Middle East, South Asia. A few of those meld at Harlem’s [Safari](/restaurants/safari) in this sweet-hot dish, redolent with berbere spice.

Cow’shuka, Timna

Tel Aviv–trained chef Nir Mesika offers a steak take on [shakshuka](/restaurants/timna), the baked-egg-and-tomato Israeli breakfast favorite that’s become a NYC brunch staple in recent years.

Caipirinha, Esperanto

Brazil’s signature cocktail mixes cachaça, cane sugar and lime—refreshing and surprisingly powerful in its effect. Visit this [Alphabet City mainstay](/restaurants/esperanto) for the epitome of the form.

Saltah, Yemen Café

A few Yemeni spots dot the Boerum Hill stretch of Atlantic Avenue, doling out homey dishes like saltah, a meat-based broth that bubbles away in a stone hot pot; it comes with charred flatbread to sop it up. Fill up on comfort food [here](/restaurants/yemen-cafe).

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