Although most of our lunches will be at one or another of the museums we'll be visiting we'd like to have one meal at a deli. Recommendations would be welcomed; we're staying in the upper west side, if that makes a difference.

I don't pretend to know the best deli in NYC. I'm sure there are many.

Since you're on the upper west side, I wanted to recommend the Fairway Market for a place to grab snacks and food: http://www.fairwaymarket.com/store/u...-manhattan-ny/

We stayed at the Beacon, across the street, and the Fairway Market was handy for excellent takeout salads and sandwiches and pastry. There's a cafe upstairs, which we heard is good, but we didn't try it.

Enjoy the UWS.

Zabar's is also a huge gourmet shop - for deli, bakery or cooked items including fantastic lox - but this is take-out only, not an eat-in deli.

If you mean a traditional NYC deli (as in When Harry met Sally for a monstrous pastrami on rye, etc) many people reco Katz's down on the lower east side. Have not found as good on upper west side.

Check out Barney Greengrass in the UWS, or (much) farther downtown (Murry Hill) Sarge's on Third Ave. But of course "which deli?" is a combat sport in NYC.

Certainly the 2nd Avenue Deli is among the very top contenders. http://www.2ndavedeli.com/deli-locations/midtown-east/

I've heard Pastrami Queen in the Upper East Side is very good, but have not sampled their fare.

Katz's or 2nd Ave. the one on UES might be closer to you than one in Murray Hill

(at 1442 First Avenue (corner of 75th Street)

We had a great lunch at 2nd Avenue Deli.

Lee Ann

2nd Ave Deli and Katz's are the best. Katz's has been on TV and is mentioned in many guide books and has become unpleasantly crowded. Sarge's is not in their category.

The cafe food at Fairways is just adequate.

Barney Greengrass is known for more their smoked fish specialties than their meats.

Agree in full with above post.

For a neighborhood deli - open 24 hours - just celebrated its 50th anniversary - I highly recco Sarge's on 3rd b'twn 36&37th.
Not a 'hot' tourist spot - yet selling the same type of fare as 2nd Ave. and Katz's - I had a sandwich there last week - yum-o! The twin double with corned beef and pastrami piled high. Washed it down with a Dr. Brown's cream soda. Came with a side of potato salad, cole slaw and pickles.
Total, before tip $20.00.
Give it a shot - you will not be fighting tourists.....
Lumpy

Another nod for 2nd Ave Deli. I didn't care for Katz's so much the only time I went there, but I'll have to give it another try, as I seem to be the only one who feels that way.

The last time we went to Katz's the pastrami was overdone and not that juicy.

The side dishes at 2nd Avenue are far superior to Katz's.

The press has been raving about Mile End, a Jewish Montreal style deli. I have not met a human, however, who has been there. Anybody been there?

Hi! Here are the top 5 best deli listed by NYMag - Artie's Delicatessen, Carnegie Deli, Katz’s, 2nd Avenue Deli and Carve Unique Sandwiches. But Carve Unique Sandwiches is favorite! love their carved-to-order rotisserie meats (especially Virginia ham and turkey)!

The things that I thought put Katz's down on the list were that the sandwiches seemed a little thin (though I was later instructed that tipping the sandwich maker while you're waiting at the counter fixes that), and the desserts were unappealing.

Isn't it Montreal that claims to have better bagels than NY? Now they're opening a deli, what nerve!

I have tried the bagels at Black Seed, owned by Mile End. Excellent. They close around 4pm.

I have never tipped slicers at Katz and can never finish a sandwich..they seem so fat to me. That place is a classic and I hope they never close, even though I go once or twice a year now, at most.

I do not think Virginia ham is the type of food we are discussing.

We will try Black Seed, the Montreal version of a bagel is usually smaller and sweeter.

OK, I will definitely go back to Katz's & give it another shot. Tried to go to the Black Seed in Nolita last time I was in NY, but the line was a little long & we didn't have too much time. Ess-a-bagel was always my favorite, love their egg & muenster on pumpernickel, but I heard that they changed hands and it's not quite the same?

Check the museum cafe reviews. The food at the Natural History museum was horrendous last time I ate there (and it is the last time I will).

IMDonhere - what's wrong with Sarge'z Good, hefty sandwich, nice sides and a complete menu w/o the high tourist pricing.
Have you been there since they reopened after the fire?
Suggest you give it a try.
Lumpy