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2nd Ave Deli
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
2nd Ave Deli
8.6
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Since 1954, 2nd Avenue Deli’s Kips Bay location has delivered classic Jewish deli breakfasts and brunches, from challah French toast to towering pastrami sandwiches. High-volume traffic and decades of regulars make it a benchmark for comfort-heavy, old-New-York morning meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Challah French Toast, Matzoh Ball Soup with rye, Hot Pastrami Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 9.4
What makes it special: Historic kosher deli where challah French toast and pastrami anchor brunch.
Who should go: Diners craving classic New York Jewish deli breakfast staples.
When to visit: Late morning on weekdays to dodge peak weekend crowds.
What to order: Challah French Toast, Matzoh Ball Soup, Hot Pastrami Sandwich.
Insider tip: Order pickles and knishes for the table to share before mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking is very limited and competitive; nearby garages on 2nd and 3rd Avenue typically run $18–$35 depending on duration.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear are perfectly appropriate.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours—conversation is fine but you’ll need to speak up slightly at busy brunch times.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially late morning into early afternoon.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes is typical, with faster turnover earlier in the morning.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple dairy-based and egg-focused breakfasts, blintzes, salads, soups, and potato-centric dishes.
Vegan options: Limited—some vegetable sides and salads work, but the menu leans heavily dairy and meat.
Gluten-free options: Limited—matzoh-based items dominate, but some egg dishes and salads may work with staff guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual daytime date than a romantic one—great food and energy, but not intimate or quiet.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect a wait during weekend brunch and late morning peaks; weekdays are far more forgiving.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—families with young kids are common, and the menu works well for picky eaters and shared plates.
Best For
Better for: Classic New York Jewish deli breakfasts, nostalgic atmosphere, and indulgent comfort-focused brunch plates.
Skip if: You’re looking for a quiet, health-forward, or vegan-focused breakfast experience.
2nd Ave Deli
8.5
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
The Kips Bay outpost of 2nd Avenue Deli serves challah French toast, omelets, and towering deli sandwiches alongside its famous matzoh ball soup. High-volume traffic and a long history in the city make it a benchmark for comfort-heavy, old-New-York brunch in this zip code.
Must-Try Dishes:
Challah French Toast, Matzoh Ball Soup, Hot Pastrami Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Jewish deli institution where challah French toast meets serious pastrami.
Who should go: Diners craving classic New York Jewish deli breakfast staples.
When to visit: Late weekday mornings to avoid peak weekend and holiday lines.
What to order: Challah French toast, matzoh ball soup, hot pastrami on rye.
Insider tip: Order a side of pickles and share; portions and sandwiches are massive.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is extremely limited; nearby garages typically run $25–$40 for brunch hours. Rideshare or public transit is strongly recommended.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable — jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear are perfectly fine.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak brunch hours — conversation is easy but not intimate.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak brunch and holiday weekends.
Weekday lunch: 10–25 minutes late morning; often no wait in early lunch windows.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — eggs, challah French toast, blintzes, potato pancakes, and several vegetable sides.
Vegan options: Limited — mainly soups (when available), salads, and vegetable sides.
Gluten-free options: Limited — matzoh-based dishes and some entrées are naturally low-gluten, but there is no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual first meetup than a romantic one — the energy is lively and comfortable but not intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect a real wait during weekends and holidays. Weekday late mornings offer the best walk-in odds.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — high chairs available, familiar comfort food menu, and a loud-friendly dining room that works well for families with kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Classic Jewish deli brunch with huge portions, historical credibility, and comfort-first plates that few competitors can match.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic brunch or a modern wellness-focused menu — this is indulgent, traditional, and bustling.
2nd Ave Deli
8.7
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Since 1954, 2nd Ave Deli’s Midtown East location has been serving stacked pastrami and corned beef sandwiches on rye alongside matzoh ball soup and classic Jewish deli plates. Locals treat it as the neighborhood’s benchmark for overstuffed deli sandwiches with full table service and a deep menu of old-school standards.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hot Pastrami Sandwich, Hot Corned Beef Sandwich, Half-Sandwich & Matzoh Ball Soup Combo
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Iconic kosher-style deli with towering cured-meat sandwiches and decades of history.
Who should go: Deli lovers craving classic New York pastrami on rye.
When to visit: Midday or early dinner to avoid peak wait times.
What to order: Hot pastrami on rye, hot corned beef, matzoh ball soup.
Insider tip: Split a full sandwich and soup combo; portions are massive and highly shareable.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited and competitive in this part of Murray Hill; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option, especially during lunch rush.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans, sneakers, and business-casual office wear all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — you can easily hold a conversation, but it’s not whisper-quiet during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially after 6pm.
Weekday lunch: 10–25 minutes during peak noon rush, shorter before 11:30am or after 2pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple dairy-based options including knishes, blintzes, egg dishes, and traditional Jewish sides.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable sides and salads, but not a fully vegan-friendly menu.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some soups and plate-style proteins work, but bread-heavy sandwiches dominate the menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, no-pressure first date than a romantic one — the food is outstanding but the vibe is lively and portions are very messy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays, but expect a short wait during peak lunch and weekend dinner hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — families are common, staff are accommodating, and the menu works well for older kids who enjoy sandwiches, soup, and comfort food.
Best For
Better for: Towering, old-school Jewish deli sandwiches with full table service and a deep classics-driven menu.
Skip if: You want a quick grab-and-go deli, lighter fare, or a quiet, romantic dining experience.