Katz's Delicatessen

This place has changed over the years. It's now a tourist spot instead of being just a great place to eat. The lines were long to get in but moved pretty quickly. There's 8 cutting lines once you get in, and some good advice is to let them know how to slice your meat and / or cheese. I recommend thin or extra thin. The next challenge is to find a table. I recommend having someone from your group find a table while the rest order food or beverages. Also, there's another line to wait for table service, and if I ever go back, I will definitely choose that. I prefer it back in the old days when I used to go there over 35 years ago. It was just like in the movie, When Harry Met Sally. There were no lines and all table service.

Had an amazing experience and a fantastic sandwich!!! The pastrami was super delicious and everything I ever dreamed of. Definitely going to be a wait so expect to spend some time here but very worth it. The place is bigger than I imagined so there’s definitely seating available. Remember to bring cash as well because they do not accept credit cards!

Best pastrami sandwich I've ever had. The soup was very good as well. It's nice to see all the pictures of celebrities that have come to check this place out. This place is definitely worth the hype.

Katz’s is an institution for a reason. Absolutely the best pastrami sandwich that has ever existed.

You can’t go wrong with a place like this. It’s been around for ages and is still always busy, featured in movies and just an absolutely iconic place. The decor is iconic, and there’s even a sign over the famous table from When Harry Met Sally.

I haven’t been in years and when I went back for a pastrami on rye with mustard, it was like being transported back in time. The sandwich is absolutely stuffed with hot, fresh, melt in your mouth pastrami. It’s so flavorful and thick cut, but super tender and soft.

It’s expensive, but it’s absolutely worth it for such a fantastic taste of classic NYC. Do yourself a favor and go immediate

Katz's is an absolute classic in NYC! The pastrami is legendary, as are the usual queue to get in and the speed of the servers. Sandwiches come with pickles and are a good size (don't forget to try a little piece of meat), blintzes are huge and heavenly. This place gets packed at lunchtime so I recommend patience and above all - know what you are ordering before arriving at the counter!

Walk in, get a ticket. Use the ticket to get sandwich and drink from each station. Find a table. Enjoy the delicious meal. When done, bring the ticket to the innermost station to pay by card, or the front door to pay by cash. The last step could be improved. Try the vanilla egg cream. The corned beef sandwich is NOT recommended.

Thought it would be just a tourist trap but the food is genuinely delicious. Really friendly staff too who are extremely helpful

A little pricey but the pastrami is so goof and comes with pickles too. The paying system is really easy and efficient - just use a ticket and pay on the way out for everything that you have

Great place to grab a Reuben, classic style. Went on a Saturday around 5 pm and had around a 20 minute wait. There are multiple counters open and the flow is fast so even if you wait you will be able to find a table. The portions are large, I recommend 1 sandwich for 2 people. Quite the experience

Everything about this place is nostalgic and great. Highly recommend the pastrami sandwich, the meat was braised tender and had lots of flavor. Even though you may wait a while to get in, this is a must-see if you are in Manhattan. The service is great, it will not disappoint. 10/10 will visit again.

Before coming I thought everything people said about the place couldn't be true and it might all be just the hype. However, one bite into my pastrami sandwich and it all changed, this was one of the best meats I've ever tasted. Good seasoning, sides were great, everything was just perfect. The service is fast, it has to because the clientele is huge.
Make sure you don't lose the ticket(s) they give you when you come in or else you'll have to pay for that.
This is a stop for people who enjoy good food.

An iconic place, and institution by itself. Expect some wait time and crowd. The place is very popular and extremely busy. If you want to get some authentic Jewish food, east European delicacy- look no further, this is the place. The interior is an old school diner type- and definitely will take you back in time. You can try any cream soda ( different flavors), beer, lemonade, coffee, or anything. You have to eat the famous pastrami sandwich here. It’s humongous. It’s difficult to finish alone. The soft, melt in mouth pastrami is the best one that I have eaten so far. Also you will get matzo ball soup, latke, knish, etc various Jewish delicacies. I was almost in a food coma after eating here. They accept credit cards however, cash only check out lines are also there.

This place is a MUST visit if you’re in the area. While the line outside may seem long and daunting, it honestly moves pretty quickly. We ordered a half pastrami and half brisket sandwich for two people and it filled us up! The meat was tender and so insanely delicious and the bread had a soft, buttery taste. Easily the best sandwich I’ve ever had in my life. I would highly recommend the brisket over the pastrami (but I’m not a huge pastrami person anyways).

The pastrami, though very pricey, was delicious! Even better than it looks. I got the reuben (add pastrami $1) which came with house pickles and we also got the fries which were also incredible. Really disorganized, confusing "lines" but at the counter they give each patron a sample of the meat while you wait for your sandwich/order. Excellent hard workers and quality deli meats. Was able to get a table which was pure luck. Free tap water fountains is a plus too. Great famous spot so glad we went!

I mean there's a reason why this place is known all over the world. It's so delicious and worth braving the lines and chaos. The sandwiches are perfect and very generous. I wish I lived closer so I could get the Reuben all the time. It's so fun to stare at the photos covering the walls with all the people who have visited over the many, many years!

Wow!! First of all, tip your meat carver for free samples. Second of all, ask for your meat "juicy"... this is the fattier melt in your GD mouth meat. Lastly, if it seems pricey, remember that one sandwich feeds two people.

Absolutely delicious, it's a NYC must. The walls are covered with photos of celebrities. I brought a head shot and signed it and everything... but they pretended they didn't even know me! Much respect.

There is a reason this place has stood the test of time in NYC, an absolute staple and must do if visiting here. Both the pastrami and brisket are phenomenal, nice touch to offer a tasting sample whilst ordering. Make sure you are hungry when you get here as the portion sizes are seriously huge!! Expensive but well worth it.

Katz's Delicatessen, known to be an iconic spot in New York City, has incredible sandwich options. The pastrami sandwich combines perfectly seasoned, smoked pastrami with fresh rye bread. Accompanied by two selections of pickles which make the flavors pop more. The restaurant has classic decor and a bustling ambiance. The welcoming staff and timeless appeal make it an outstanding restaurant, inviting all who enter to savor the authentic flavors of this culinary institution.

I was actually so nervous to eat here because I’ve never had pastrami before & looked it looked funny😂

I was SO pleasantly surprised. My boyfriend & I split a sandwich layered with brisket & pastrami and mayo & mustard (the man making the sandwich says he likes it this way). Wow it was amazing!! The man was very helpful & even gave us some extra meat to try while we waited for the sandwich. It was definitely pricey but we were good just splitting one sandwich. There was also plenty of seating available.

I would definitely come back again - so good!

Went on 1/19/2024

This was one of the best meals we had in NYC. The lines were long but it didn’t matter, it was a great experience. Hold on to the ticket they give you, that’s how your meals are tracked. The cutters were great and they are super friendly. We ordered the pastrami sandwich, turkey sandwich, and a soup. The pastrami sandwich was amazing and is a must!!! Definitely make a stop here if visiting NYC.

A bustling diner with (from an outsider to the city) a very New York fast-paced feel. People will rush you and intimidate you if you’re not used to the local speed, but don’t be afraid to take the social blows. You order at one of the many cutter stations. We got the corned beef Reuben and pastrami sandwiches. I much preferred the corned beef, but both were exceptional. Be warned that these are massive sandwiches. The cutter will give you some sample trimmings of the meat, which is always a little fun. You can tip them and enjoy your meal. Pay with the red ticket that they issue you when you enter at the counter.