Located at 205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002, Katz's Delicatessen stands as a monumental pillar of New York City’s culinary history. Since its inception in the late 19th century, this iconic establishment has served as more than just a place to eat; it is a cultural institution that captures the spirit of the Lower East Side. For generations, locals and travelers alike have navigated the bustling streets of Manhattan to find themselves standing before its storied storefront, eager to experience a tradition that has remained remarkably consistent amidst the ever-changing landscape of the city.
The atmosphere inside is one of organized chaos, where the hum of conversation blends with the rhythmic slicing of meats behind the counter. It is a place where history is etched into the wooden tables and the faded photographs lining the walls. Visitors are not merely customers; they are participants in a long-standing narrative that celebrates the art of the traditional delicatessen. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a regular who knows the staff by name, the experience is defined by a sense of belonging and an appreciation for time-honored preparation methods.
What Makes Katz's a New York Icon
A Commitment to Traditional Preparation: The kitchen adheres to meticulous, slow-curing processes that have been passed down through decades. This dedication ensures that every serving maintains a depth of flavor and texture that is increasingly rare in the modern fast-paced food industry.
A Living Museum of History: The walls of the establishment serve as a visual archive of the neighborhood's evolution. From the early days of the immigrant experience to its status as a global landmark, the interior reflects the diverse tapestry of New York City life.
The Quintessential Deli Experience: Beyond the food, the service style and the bustling environment offer an authentic glimpse into the classic New York dining culture. It is a place where the interaction between the carvers and the patrons creates a unique, communal energy that cannot be replicated.
Enduring Cultural Significance: Having been featured in countless films, books, and cultural discussions, the deli has transcended its physical location to become a symbol of the city itself. It represents the resilience and the vibrant character of the Lower East Side.
A Culinary Landmark in the Heart of the City
Navigating the streets of the Lower East Side often leads one to the intersection of Houston and Ludlow, where the familiar signage of Katz's Delicatessen greets those in search of an authentic meal. The establishment remains a testament to the idea that quality and tradition are the most enduring ingredients in any kitchen. By focusing on the fundamentals of craft and community, it has managed to retain its relevance in a city that is constantly reinventing itself.
For those who value the intersection of history and gastronomy, a visit to this location is essential. It provides a rare opportunity to step back in time and enjoy a meal that is prepared with the same care and attention to detail as it was over a century ago. As you leave the bustling corner of 205 E Houston St, you carry with you not just the memory of a meal, but a connection to the enduring legacy of New York City’s most cherished culinary traditions.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Service options
Delivery
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in
Amenities
Restroom
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Menus
Hot Sandwiches
Katz's Pastrami Sandwich$31.95
Katz's Corned Beef Sandwich$30.95
Katz's Turkey Sandwich$30.95
Katz's Brisket Sandwich$30.95
Katz's Reuben Sandwich$33.95
Katz's Combo Sandwich$33.95
Cold Sandwiches
Egg Salad Sandwich$24.95
Tuna Salad Sandwich$24.95
Chicken Salad Sandwich$24.95
1/2 Sandwich Combos
1/2 Sandwich With Matzo Ball Soup$26.95
1/2 Sandwich With House Salad$26.95
1/2 Sandwich With Split Pea Soup$26.95
1/2 Sandwich With Chicken Noodle Soup$26.95
All Day Specials
Hot Open Faced Sandwich Plates$35.45
Dinner Platter$40.45
Grill Favorites
Katz's Cheesesteak$24.95
Burger$19.95
Cheeseburger$20.95
Noshes
Frankfurter$6.95
Knoblewurst Stuckel$12.95
Beverages
Soda$4.25
Bottled Water$4.25
Seltzer Water$4.25
Iced Tea$4.75
Lemonade$4.75
Bagels
Bagel With Cream Cheese Breakfast$6.45
Bagel With Lox & Cream Cheese$19.95
Bagel With Lox Platter Breakfast$22.45
Photos
Reviews Katz's Delicatessen
Konrad Clough
30-05-2026
Went to Katz for the world famous Pastrami on rye and wasn't disappointed. Went at 10am so we didn't have to queue, friendly staff that also gave me a sample of the pastrami before we ordered. Got cheese on top with mustard and a side of … More
Tanner Leavitt
30-05-2026
I've been waiting to come to Katz my whole life. There is a reason they have been open so long and stay open. That pastrami sandwich is so good. And the experience of being there was just as amazing. The line was long but moved fast. The … More
Franchesca Brianna De Guzman
30-05-2026
If you’re visiting Katz's Delicatessen, be prepared for a crowd because the line can get really long. We expected the wait and stood in line for about 30 minutes or more, but it was all part of the experience. … More
R. S.
30-05-2026
We had the pastrami sandwich and the matzo ball soup. The pastrami was hand-cut, juicy, well seasoned, and generously portioned, served on fresh rye bread with traditional mustard. Simple, direct, and full of flavor. … More
rajiv
30-05-2026
One of the most, if not THE most, iconic bites to have in New York.
Was initially concerned that it wouldn’t live up to the legend but when we … More
Liberty Avila
30-05-2026
This place is a New York institution, can’t miss this every NY trip. That pastrami is just too hard to resist. … More
Dor Rubin
30-05-2026
Great pastrami.
If you order a whole sandwich, keep in mind it can easily serve two people.
I had the combo of a half pastrami sandwich with matza ball soup, and it was … More
Kathleen Reimer
30-05-2026
Come hungry and patience. This place was crazy. We hot there about 11:30 and waited about 15 minutes to get in the door to stand in the next line. By the time we left, the line was down the entire block. Standing in the cutter line took … More
Ana Andrade
30-05-2026
We waited about and hour since we got there to the moment we got a table and the food. The food was amazing!! It was worth every penny. We ordered the classic Katz pastrami which it there signature sandwich. We also ordered the Reuben, some … More
Anatolia
30-05-2026
It is famous for their pastrami sandwiches but I think it is too much meat and the bread was not the perfect choice. Pickles were good.
My suggestion is take one sandwich and extra fries for two person, … More
Matt Moeini
30-05-2026
I tried the pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, and honestly, I think this is why I don’t usually get excited about viral food spots. The sandwiches were pretty mediocre. The meat didn’t have much flavor, the sandwich was served super cold, and the texture was too tough to really enjoy.
The bread, though, was excellent, probably the best part of the whole thing. The russian sauce is sweet relish nothing special. I felt that the restaurant was overrated and that’s why I didn’t enjoy that much.
It’s not something I’d go back for, and if you haven’t tried it yet, you’re not really missing much. That said, the historical vibe of the restaurant was cool. But it has a crazy line to wait to go in and then wait for available cutter. I wouldn’t personally recommend it, but if you’re curious about viral places, it might still be worth checking out just for the experience.
Order type
Dine in
Food: 3
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 3
Reservation
Not sure
Noise level
Loud, but you can still talk
Wait time
30-60 min
Kaitlyn Brinster
30-05-2026
If you’re ever in NYC, Katz’s Delicatessen is an absolute must. The famous pastrami on rye lives up to every bit of its reputation. The walls are lined with signed photos of musicians, actors, and cultural icons who have passed through over … More
Mzazi
30-05-2026
Be aware this restaurant is EXTREMELY busy !! , with a long queue, but I can see why
Well worth queuing for (you won’t regret it!) … More
Jimmy Wastape
30-05-2026
Katz’s Delicatessen is an absolute New York institution, and visiting it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. This place is truly one of a kind. Forget what you know about regular delis; the entire experience is an old-school, … More
tomer
30-05-2026
While everyone comes for the famous pastrami, do not sleep on the New York Brisket here, it is a masterclass in deli tradition!
Unlike the smoky, crusty BBQ brisket you find in Texas, Katz’s serves a quintessential New York braised brisket that is incredibly tender, moist, and flavorful. It’s slow-roasted to perfection, sitting in its own rich juices until it practically melts on the tongue. I ordered mine on rye with a bit of gravy and a side of their iconic pickles, and it was pure comfort food.
The portions are massive (easily enough for two), and the hand-carved slices are thick and juicy. Yes, there’s usually a line and the ticket system is old-school, but for a true taste of NYC history, this brisket is 100% worth it. A must-visit for any meat lover!
Order type
Dine in
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Not sure
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Yael Michon
30-05-2026
Katz’s Delicatessen is absolutely worth the hype. The pastrami is legendary perfectly seasoned, tender, and piled high on fresh rye bread. The atmosphere is classic New York deli energy, bustling but fun, and the staff is efficient and friendly. Every bite lives up to the reputation, and it’s exactly the kind of iconic experience you want when visiting NYC. Don’t skip it it’s a must-try for locals and tourists alike.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Wait time
30-60 min
Alexandre delhay
30-05-2026
Katz’s Delicatessen is not just a restaurant — it’s a piece of New York history. From the moment you walk in, you feel the authentic, old-school atmosphere that has made this place legendary for over a century.
The pastrami sandwich is simply iconic. The meat is hand-carved right in front of you, incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Served on fresh rye bread with just the right amount of mustard, it’s easily one of the best sandwiches you’ll ever taste. The portions are generous — you definitely won’t leave hungry.
The atmosphere is lively, energetic, and uniquely New York. The walls are covered with photos and memories from decades past, adding to the charm and authenticity of the experience. It’s busy, it’s loud, and that’s exactly what makes it special.
The staff is efficient and experienced, keeping things moving even when the place is packed. Despite the crowds, the service remains organized and professional.
If you want to experience real, classic New York deli culture, Katz’s Delicatessen is an absolute must. Legendary food, historic atmosphere, and unforgettable flavors. Highly recommended
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Pastrami or Corned Beef, Up, Ball Soup, Turkey, With Pastrami, And Pickles, Salami, Roast Beef, Cheesecake, Pea Soup, Noodle Soup, Hotdogs, Dr Pepper, Grilled Cheese, Split Pea Soup and Sandwich, Smoked Sausage, Mini Black and White Cookie, Delicious, Pickles on the Side of Fries
Wait time
10-30 min
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Menu is all vegetarian
Vegetarian options
good
Dietary restrictions
yes
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free parking lot, Paid parking lot, Free street parking, Paid street parking, Valet, Free parking garage, Paid parking garage, Parking is unavailable
Parking
yes
Kid-friendliness
yes
Wheelchair accessibility
yes
Ken F
30-05-2026
The food was fine and about what you would expect from a decent delicatessen. They're fairly consistent with their level of quality and portion sizes as well. If your goal was to get a great pastrami sandwich, you're probably better off just going somewhere else (and it would be a lot cheaper, too). But this is a NY staple and is a great place to visit once (and I mean just once).
Their prices reflect their mainstream popularity so just keep that in mind. Their portion sizes are also huge so that offsets it somewhat. Just something to keep in mind.
Lines can get long but you can avoid that by going earlier or later. You could also order pickup if you don't want to stand inside for long.
I mentioned earlier that if your goal was to get a great pastrami sandwich, you could go elsewhere. I'm not going to list any places since that would be inappropriate on someone else's business page, but you could find them through google. Alternatively, if your goal was just to go to any random delicatessen, you could walk down the street.
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 3
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Group size
2 people
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Parking space
Difficult to find parking
Parking options
Paid street parking, Paid parking garage
Parking
Better to park elsewhere and walk over or take the subway over.
Camila Aldana Crudo
30-05-2026
Katz’s Delicatessen is definitely an NYC classic and a must-visit at least once. The atmosphere is super authentic and chaotic in a fun way — it really feels like a piece of New York history.
The food is very good, especially the pastrami sandwich. The meat is tender, flavorful, and the portions are huge (easily enough to share). You can tell the quality is there and that they know what they’re doing.
That said, it’s extremely crowded and the system can feel a bit stressful and confusing, especially if it’s your first time. Sometimes it’s not very clear where you’re supposed to pay or if you can add more items to your order, which makes the experience a little overwhelming.
Prices are also quite high for what you get, even though it’s iconic.
Overall, it’s a great experience and worth trying for the vibe and the food, but probably not a place I’d go to regularly. Still, a solid 4 stars for the quality and the legendary NYC feel.
Food: 5
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Bob Great
30-05-2026
Just left Katz’s Delicatessen and it absolutely lived up to the hype.
There was a huge lineup when we got there, but it moved fast. We were inside in about 10 minutes. We lined up at cutter #7 and that took another 15 minutes or so. Even with the crowd, they were running a super smooth operation. You can tell they’ve been doing this for a long time.
We ordered the pastrami on club with cheese, corned beef on rye, a potato latke, and fries. The sandwiches came with pickles, both half sour and full sour, which were great.
The pastrami was out of this world. Easily the best I’ve had. Tender, juicy, packed with flavor. The latke was also excellent, crispy on the outside and soft inside.
The corned beef just wasn’t for me, but that’s personal preference. I do wish I had tried the brisket instead.
Overall, a classic NYC experience and definitely worth the visit.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Loud, but you can still talk
Group size
3-4 people
Reviews Katz's Delicatessen