Best Sandwiches in NYC: The Delis and Sub Shops Worth the Trip

New York is a sandwich city. The pastrami on rye is practically a civic symbol, and the Italian sub is a religion in certain neighborhoods. To find the best sandwiches in NYC, we cross-referenced the spots critics and locals name most against verified Google ratings and review counts, and—as with our other NYC guides—the data holds a surprise: the world-famous landmark isn’t the highest-rated. Here’s where the numbers point.

The Finding: The Famous One Isn’t The Best-Rated

• Katz’s Delicatessen — 205 E Houston St, Lower East Side. Google: 4.5 (53,896 reviews). $$

Katz’s is the most-reviewed sandwich spot in New York City by an enormous margin—nearly 54,000 reviews, a scale that reflects its status as a genuine New York landmark since 1888. The hand-carved pastrami on rye is an institution, and the room is a living museum.

But 4.5, while very good, is not the top score in this guide—two lesser-known Brooklyn delis rate higher. And the reviews explain the gap: alongside the raves, a consistent minority describe the pastrami as underwhelming relative to the hype and the price, and everyone mentions the wait. Katz’s is a must-do New York experience. Whether it’s the best sandwich in the city is, per the data, a different question.

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The Highest-Rated: Old-School Italian Delis

• Faicco’s Italian Specialties — 260 Bleecker St, West Village. Google: 4.8 (1,024 reviews). $$

The highest rating in this guide belongs to a West Village Italian deli that’s been quietly perfecting the same formula for generations. Reviewers are near-unanimous: the Italian sub and the chicken cutlet sandwich draw raves, built on fresh bread, fresh mozzarella, and quality meats. Portions are enormous—multiple reviewers note one sandwich easily feeds two. No seating, but Washington Square Park is a few blocks away. Closed Mondays, cash-friendly.

• Defonte’s Sandwich Shop — 379 Columbia St, Red Hook, Brooklyn. Google: 4.7 (1,959 reviews). $$

A Brooklyn institution since 1922, and the purist’s pick. The sandwiches are “unapologetically stuffed”—the Nicky Special, the roast beef, the roast pork all draw devotion. Reviewers repeatedly call a half-sandwich a full meal for two, and $20 for that size “an NYC steal.” Cash only, closed Sundays. This is old-school Brooklyn done right.

The Reliable Modern Pick

• Court Street Grocers — 485 Court St, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Google: 4.5 (647 reviews). $$

The contemporary sandwich shop that takes ingredients seriously without the old-school-deli theater. The Turkey Delight (turkey, Swiss, coleslaw, comeback sauce) and the vegetarian options draw specific, repeated praise—one vegetarian reviewer said they’ve “ruined me for all other sandwich shops.” The recurring criticisms are price (sandwiches run toward $20) and, in a few recent reviews, smaller portions than regulars remember. Still a strong, consistent option.

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The High-End Italian Sub

• Alidoro — 18 E 39th St, Midtown (plus other locations). Google: 4.4 (497 reviews). $$

The upscale Italian-sub specialist, with a sleek room that one reviewer mistook for a cocktail bar. The prosciutto-and-mozzarella builds and the customizable combinations draw praise, and fans rate it above the Instagram-famous All’Antico Vinaio. The knocks in the data are consistent and worth knowing: portions can be lean on the meat for the price ($20–25 a sandwich), and the toppings aren’t generous. A quality sandwich, priced like one.

What The Ratings Tell You

The landmark and the best sandwich aren’t the same place. Katz’s (4.5) is the essential New York experience; Faicco’s (4.8) and Defonte’s (4.7) are where the ratings say the best sandwiches actually are. Do Katz’s once for the history—go to the Brooklyn delis for the sandwich you’ll remember.

Old-school beats upscale on value. The traditional delis (Faicco’s, Defonte’s) rate higher and give you more food per dollar than the polished Midtown option. Fame and price don’t track quality here any better than they did in our best pizza, bagels, or brunch data rankings in NYC.

Check the days and cash situation. Faicco’s is closed Mondays, Defonte’s closed Sundays, and several of these lean cash-friendly. Plan before you cross a borough.

The Bottom Line

New York’s best sandwiches, by the numbers, are in the old Italian delis—Faicco’s in the West Village and Defonte’s in Red Hook—not the world-famous pastrami landmark, as good as that landmark is. Katz’s earns its fame as an experience; the neighborhood delis earn the higher ratings on the sandwich itself. Follow the data and you’ll eat better and pay less.

FAQs About Best Sandwiches in NYC

Q: Is Katz’s Delicatessen The Highest-rated Sandwich Spot In NYC?

A: No. While Katz’s is the most famous and by far the most reviewed spot in the city (4.5 rating with nearly 54,000 reviews), old-school neighborhood delis rank higher on overall ratings—specifically Faicco’s in the West Village (4.8) and Defonte’s in Brooklyn (4.7).

Q: Which Deli Offers The Best Value And Portion Sizes?

A: Faicco’s Italian Specialties and Defonte’s Sandwich Shop offer the best value for your money. Both serve massive sandwiches—with reviewers noting that a single sub or half-one easily feeds two people—making their ~$20 price tag an NYC bargain compared to upscale Midtown options.

Q: Are There Any Good Options For Vegetarians At These Top-rated Spots?

A: Yes! Court Street Grocers in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, is highlighted specifically for its vegetarian menu options, which receive repeated praise alongside modern picks like their Turkey Delight.

Q: What Logistics or Payment Details Should I Know Before Visiting These Delis?

A: Planning ahead is key because several classic delis have limited hours or cash preferences:

• Faicco’s: Closed on Mondays; cash-friendly.

• Defonte’s: Closed on Sundays; cash-only.

• Seating: Places like Faicco’s have no indoor seating, so plan to take your food to a nearby park.

Sources and Methodology

• Google Places ratings, review counts, addresses, and hours, verified July 2026
• Venue selection from critic and local coverage of NYC sandwich shops
• Where diner reviews diverge from a spot’s fame (notably Katz’s), we’ve reported it

Note: A guide synthesizing aggregated ratings and published coverage, not firsthand visits. Ratings and hours change; confirm before travelling.