City of football and cuisine
When the 2026 World Cup officially kicks off, New York City becomes one of the most vibrant destinations on the planet. The city and neighboring New Jersey host 8 matches, including the final taking place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium (temporarily renamed New York/New Jersey Stadium during the tournament).
Besides the passionate football atmosphere, New York also welcomes tourists with the most diverse cuisine in the world, reflecting the cultural exchange of more than 180 countries and territories.
800 restaurants accompany the World Cup
From June 11 to July 19, more than 800 restaurants throughout the city participate in a special culinary program for the World Cup with many food and drink offers.
Famous addresses not to be missed include:
Minetta Tavern – famous for French steaks and french fries at 113 MacDougal St., New York, NY 10012.
Central Park Boathouse - lakeside restaurant in Central Park at Central Park Boathouse, East 72nd St + Park Drive North, New York, NY, 10021.
Eataly NYC Flatiron – Italian culinary paradise.
Red Rooster Harlem – culinary icon of Harlem.
Besides, there are a series of addresses loved by local people such as:
- Awaze Ethiopian Cuisine, Ribalta, Veselka Lorimer, Gui Steakhouse
Harry Potter fans can also visit Harry Potter New York to enjoy the famous Butterbeer in a magical space at 935 Broadway, New York, NY, 10010.
Discover New York through global flavors
The World Cup is an ideal occasion for tourists to experience the cultural diversity of New York through cuisine.
From Middle Eastern standard Halal dishes, spicy Mexican dishes, authentic Italian pizza to Ethiopian or Eastern European cuisine, the city can almost take diners around the world in just a few streets.
For Muslim tourists, the city also offers many Halal restaurant options and specialized tour guides during the World Cup season.
Cuisine feasts inspired by teams
Throughout the tournament, the James Beard Foundation organizes a series of special culinary events at Pier 57, where chefs representing countries participating in the World Cup compete to prepare dishes.
Each event is a taste confrontation between cultures, from Brazil - Morocco, England - Australia to Colombia - Argentina or Mexico - Korea, bringing unique experiences to tourists who love both football and cuisine.
Ideal bars to watch the World Cup
If you want to immerse yourself in the enthusiastic cheering atmosphere, visitors can go to famous sports bars such as:
The Rutherford, Avenida
In addition to broadcasting live matches, many locations also organize programs based on the World Cup theme.
At Pebble Bar, the football fan community can participate in meetings and watch football together in the luxurious space in Manhattan.
Culinary journey expands to New Jersey
Just a short distance from the center of Manhattan, New Jersey is also an attractive destination for foodies during the World Cup season.
Visitors can explore:
- Little Lima area at Paterson with traditional Peruvian dishes.
- India Square in Jersey City - the largest Indian food center in the region.
Famous Portuguese restaurants in Newark.
- The vibrant Korean Quarter at Fort Lee.
New Jersey iconic dishes are also worth trying:
- White Manna Hamburgers with legendary hamburger slider.
- Fiore's House of Quality is famous for handmade mozzarella cheese.
- Rutt's Hutt and the famous "Ripper" sausage.
Fully experience the World Cup season in New York
From top matches at MetLife stadium to colorful food streets, New York City in the 2026 World Cup season is not only a rendezvous for football lovers but also a paradise for those who explore culture and cuisine.
Whether you are a fan from any country, this city always has a dish, a bar or a street corner with a hometown flavor to welcome you.
