Move over, Yelp.
The most delicious way to find New York City’s best and hottest food is no longer by going to dusty rankings like Zagat’s. By scrolling through TikTok, a vibrant community of viral food influencers is boosting local businesses across the city as effectively as any other government program.
“Having a menu item go viral can be life-changing,” Rachel Brotman, the person behind the viral account @Carboholic, told the Post. Her videos have helped numerous foodies become famous online. “TikTok can change a sleepy business.”
So, take a tour of the Big Apple’s hottest foodie scene.
1. Fedorov’s Roast Pork, Williamsburg
Featuring juicy cheesesteaks and hearty roast pork sandwiches, Fedoroff’s stands as a Philadelphia food oasis in the middle of Williamsburg. It’s also a hit on TikTok, with 44.5 million video views since its launch in 2016.
Early fans included Greg Remy and Rebecca Lee Westremy, a Brooklyn couple who run the popular TikTok foodie account @DevourPower, which counts nearly 4 million followers.
“We love to feature places that are excessive, decadent and interesting, and Fedorovs is a great example of that,” Remy told the Post.
“[Owners]Dave and Stella Fedoroff were born and raised in South Philadelphia and are true to their roots,” he explains. “You need great food to create great content.”
178 N 10th St., Williamsburg. www.fedoroffs.com
2. Midtown’s famous halal food, Adele’s
If you’ve ever walked down 6th Avenue and wondered about the snaking line for a seemingly ordinary halal cart, there’s a good chance it’s Adele’s. Boasting classic platters on carts, its show-stopping trays have turned Adel’s into an unexpected viral sensation.
“They do one thing and do it really well,” says Clement Leon, known as @insta.noodls. The Toronto-based artist visited Adele’s during a trip to New York and filmed his experience waiting in a rain-soaked line for an hour.
“The combination of tender, juicy cuts of lamb and beef, well-seasoned rice, and delicious sauces. It’s a great combination.” Still, he admits, “Popularity begets popularity. There are lines. When people see it, more and more people want to go.”
1221 6th Avenue; (917) 497-2317, AdelsFamousHalalFood.com
3. Ess-a-Bagel, multiple stores
Moving on to the Big Apple’s most classic snack, TikTok always seems to be craving Essa bagels. The Essa Bagel is a poppy seed sensation that has inspired many food influencers to highlight the quintessential New York delicacy.
Besides the huge amount of schmear, another feature of this store is the long lines every morning. But if you’re interested in the fuss, this store is so popular that there’s even a video on how to hack its annoying lines.
Multiple locations, www.ess-a-bagel.com
4. Pasta de Pasta, East Village
Mangia!
Pasta de Pasta’s East Village location regularly draws hordes of stomach-rumbling gourmets, lured by posts about creamy cheese wheel pasta for just $9.
“Homemade pasta is typically an expensive product that can only be purchased for home cooking or at sit-down restaurants,” Brotman told the Post.
She posted a video documenting her visit to Pasta de Pasta and it quickly went viral. “The concept is fun, simple and efficient.”
192 1st Avenue; (973) 988-3347, pastadepastany.com
5. Ceremonia Bake Shop, Williamsburg
The tiny Ceremonia Bakeshop on Bedford Avenue serves chorizo- and potato-packed burritos that some call the best breakfast burritos in New York.
Operated by a husband-and-wife team, Ceremonia boasts gourmet products that draw on their respective Dominican and Vietnamese traditions.
But it’s the giant burrito that has won the hearts of TikTok, including @cookiesncreameats. “Maybe if LeBron had eaten that, he might have had more rings,” they mused.
743 Driggs Ave., Williamsburg; (347) 384-2212, www.instagram.com/ceremoniabakeshop
6. Fellini Coffee, Soho, West Village, Chelsea
Fellini Coffee locations, named after the iconic Italian writer behind films such as “8 1/2” and “La Strada,” have a large presence on TikTok and are opening in New York. It has turned into the coolest coffee shop.
“It’s incredible how these platforms allow us to connect with the broader community and share what we’re passionate about,” said owner Franco Noriega. He is Franco Noriega, a Peruvian former athlete and model who once ran Baby Brasa in the West Village.
He cites innovative drinks such as tiramisu lattes and proteinocinos as the reason for his success.
“Posts and Stories are a big part of the conversation.”
Multiple locations, www.fellinicoffee.com
7. Linda Street, Williamsburg, West Village
It’s not enough that L’Industrie’s saucy slices have been named some of the world’s best pizzas by the esteemed World 50 Top Pizza. It’s also an obsession with TikTok.
“People come from all over the world to eat pizza,” owner Massimo Lavalier told the Post.
LaVeglia, who is surprised that she doesn’t even have a social media team (“I want to spend money on ingredients”), first noticed an increase after temporarily closing her Williamsburg store for renovations in 2021.
“When we reopened, there was a line out the door,” he recalls. “I thought, this is crazy. We closed the pizzeria when things were going well and now people are crazy about us?”
Still, virality doesn’t mean smooth sailing. “Using our kitchen to feed 1,000 people a day is not that easy.”
Multiple locations, www.lindustriebk.com
8. Ariston Coffee Bar (Union Square)
“It’s absolutely gorgeous in there,” says TikToker Kari Dwiak of Union Square’s plant-filled Ariston Coffee Bar. A picturesque cafe and flower shop, full of flowers and flowing Javanese.
“It’s an impressive experience and a great place to meet friends or have a coffee date,” says Dowiak, who runs eyewear brand Memori as well as a popular influencer account. I say.
When she first posted her video, which received 100,000 likes and more than 600,000 views, Dwiak was the first TikToker to highlight the video before her. I noticed that there are very few.
“I was even more excited to post it because I thought this should get more attention.”
78 Fifth Avenue; (212) 929-4226, Aristonflowers.com
9. This pot, Noho
what is a fork?
“I never thought I’d see the day when New Yorkers would wait in line for hours for a salad bowl,” Carboholic Brotman said in a video for This Bowl, a fast-casual spot in Noho. “But here we are, and honestly, I kind of understand it.”
The group, which has more than 45 stores across Australia as Fish Bowl, recently opened its first store in New York and has achieved viral fame, including being featured in Carboholic.
Fans drool over healthy menus that flaunt fresh produce and high protein.
65 Bleecker Street; thisbowl.com
10. Lil Sweet Treat, West Village
Hey there, sweetie.
It’s only been open for less than a month, but the colorful Swedish confectionery Lil Sweet Treat is already a TikTok favorite.
Perhaps the subsequent online fan base is no surprise. This lip smack shop is run by TikTok foodfluencer Elly Ross, also known as @EllyBellyEats.
Ella Kahan of the account @ChewYorkCity was one of the first to post about the sweet treat, racking up 125,000 likes.
“I think the combination of Swedish candy trendiness, a prime West Village location and a cute brand is the perfect combination,” Kayhan told The Post of the store’s viral trajectory.
184 7th Avenue S.
