New York City

New York's food reflects its immigrant history. Nearly every cuisine in the world can be found somewhere in the five boroughs, often in neighborhood clusters where communities have shaped the local dining scene for generations.

Everyday eating is fast and casual: street carts, slices of pizza eaten standing up, bagels for breakfast, delis and diners. At the same time the city has a major fine dining scene, and reservations for popular restaurants are often needed well in advance.

Tipping is customary at sit-down restaurants and bars. Brunch on weekends is a strong local habit, and late-night eating is easy to find in many neighborhoods.

The area was home to the Lenape people before European contact. Dutch settlers founded the trading colony of New Amsterdam on the southern tip of Manhattan in the 1620s. The English took control in 1664 and renamed it New York.

The city served briefly as the U.S. capital in the 1780s and grew rapidly in the 19th century thanks to the Erie Canal, its deep harbor and waves of immigration, many passing through Ellis Island from the 1890s onward. In 1898 the five boroughs were consolidated into a single city.

The 20th century brought skyscrapers, the subway, the Harlem Renaissance and the rise of the city as a global financial and cultural capital. The city faced fiscal crisis in the 1970s and the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, after which lower Manhattan was extensively rebuilt.

New Yorkers are known for walking fast, speaking directly and valuing efficiency. This is usually not rudeness; people will typically help if asked a clear, quick question. On sidewalks and stairs, stay out of the flow of foot traffic when stopping to look at a map or take photos.

On the subway, let passengers exit before boarding, take off your backpack in crowded cars and avoid blocking doors. Tipping is expected for restaurant service, bars, taxis and many personal services.

The city is extremely diverse, with hundreds of languages spoken. Neighborhood identity is strong, and each borough has its own character, so it helps to approach each area with curiosity and respect for the local community.