4
Crown Heights, Brooklyn
A highly regarded Glatt kosher butcher and deli serving Crown Heights. Highly regarded for its traditional, hand-carved, heavily spiced pastrami and deeply authentic neighborhood atmosphere.
2.0
avg rank 1 list
NYC Pastrami, Ranked
There is no shortage of lists ranking pastrami sandwiches in New York City. The problem is that every list has its own agenda: a top pick on one is buried at the bottom of another. So instead of adding one more opinion, we pulled 30 ranked lists from food blogs, newsletters, and local guides published between 2024 and 2026, and let the aggregate do the talking.
Last updated: May 28, 2026
How this works: For each list, we recorded where every restaurant placed: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on. We then calculated each restaurant's average rank across all the lists it appeared in. Lower average rank is better. A place that tops two lists beats a place that consistently sits at #5 on seven lists. No points for just showing up. Only mainstream publications were excluded (NYT, Eater, Grubstreet, Infatuation, Thrillist, and similar). 30 sources total; 23 restaurants ranked.
1
Bath Beach, Brooklyn
Tied #1
Won Best of Brooklyn pastrami in both 2024 and 2025. Almost entirely unknown outside the borough's local food circles, which is part of why the average rank looks so clean: the lists that mention it put it first.
1.0
avg rank 2 lists
1
Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn
Tied #1
Opened 2023. Halal-certified. Won the Brooklyn Metropolis moving blog ranking outright and drew a 4/4 from the PeterKto food blog, edging Katz's 3/4 in a head-to-head. A commenter on Robert Sietsema's Substack called it the best in the boroughs after five decades of eating.
1.0
avg rank 2 lists
3
Lower East Side, Manhattan
Appeared on 14 lists, more than any other restaurant, and held the top position on most of them. The average rank of 1.3 confirms it is not just the most famous; it is genuinely the consensus best. The main complaints are the price ($28.95), the lines, and the tourist density. None of that changes what is in the sandwich.
1.3
avg rank 14 lists
5
Red Hook, Brooklyn
Fri-Sun only
Texas BBQ-style hot-smoked pastrami, available Friday through Sunday. John Tanner's BBQ blog argued it surpasses Katz's on raw flavor. For anyone who prefers the smoked brisket end of the spectrum over the steamed deli style, this is the pick.
2.8
avg rank 4 lists
6
Murray Hill / Upper East Side
Consistently in the top three across seven separate lists. Hand-carved, thickly sliced, and made with brisket-cut pastrami. Critics frequently note the broth as a hidden strength. The UES location is more manageable than the Murray Hill branch on weekends.
3.1
avg rank 7 lists
7
UES / UWS / Moynihan Train Hall
Anthony Bourdain's publicly stated favorite. Machine-sliced rather than hand-carved, which increases surface area and concentrates flavor. Appeared on 11 lists, second only to Katz's, and consistently landed in the top three. The Moynihan Hall location has made it more accessible than it used to be.
3.4
avg rank 11 lists
8
Downtown Brooklyn
Tied #8
Better known for cheesecake, which may be why the pastrami tends to get overlooked. Appeared on four lists at an average position of 3.5.
3.5
avg rank 4 lists
8
Sunnyside, Queens
Tied #8
The only Queens entry in the top ten. Appeared on two lists at an average rank of 3.5. Largely unknown outside the neighborhood.
3.5
avg rank 2 lists
10
Riverdale, Bronx
The only Bronx entry. Kosher, lean-cut pastrami with a 70-year history. Appeared on six lists and consistently described as the best-value option in the dataset. The trip to Riverdale keeps the tourist count low.
3.7
avg rank 6 lists
11
Murray Hill, Manhattan
Open 24 hours, which explains some of its following among people who did not plan ahead. Appeared on five lists at an average rank just under four. Reliable rather than exceptional.
3.8
avg rank 5 lists
12
Times Square, Manhattan
A modern, high-volume theater district deli. Known for generous portions, classic rye bread, and hot-carved cured meats that appeal to Broadway crowds.
4.0
avg rank 1 list
12
Midtown, Manhattan
A historic kosher establishment in Midtown. Famously referenced in pop culture, serving traditional, lean pastrami cuts and classic Jewish comfort foods.
4.0
avg rank 1 list
12
Upper West Side, Manhattan
Known primarily as a historic Upper West Side smoked fish purveyor. Their pastrami-cured salmon represents an exceptional cross-over, appearing on pastrami rankings for its rich spice rub.
4.0
avg rank 1 list
15
Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Montreal-style smoked meat rather than New York-style pastrami. A different sandwich, technically. Appeared on three lists at an average rank of 4.3.
4.3
avg rank 3 lists
16
Flatiron, Manhattan
Est. 1928, rebranded. Robert Sietsema called it third in the city and the best value in the dataset at $18. Appeared on three lists at an average rank of 4.7.
4.7
avg rank 3 lists
17
Times Square, Manhattan
A classic multi-story Midtown deli. A reliable, central spot for a traditional, hot-carved pastrami sandwich on rye in the heart of Times Square.
5.0
avg rank 1 list
18
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Appeared on seven lists, the same count as 2nd Avenue Deli, but the average rank is 5.3 versus 3.1. Frequently praised for its pastrami Reuben specifically. The sandwich is well-regarded; it just tends to sit in the middle of the lists rather than at the top.
5.3
avg rank 7 lists
19
Bed-Stuy / Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Halal-certified with 70 years of history in Brooklyn. Appeared on seven lists, the most of any restaurant outside Katz's and Pastrami Queen. The average rank of 5.9 reflects wide recognition but consistent lower placement, a presence rather than a destination.
5.9
avg rank 7 lists
20
Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
A highly regarded Brooklyn barbecue spot in Flatbush. Features Texas-style, post-oak smoked pastrami with a deep, pepper-forward bark.
6.0
avg rank 1 list
20
Midwood, Brooklyn
An old-school kosher deli in Midwood. Highly regarded by locals for its traditional, thick-cut pastrami, knishes, and massive double-decker sandwiches.
6.0
avg rank 1 list
22
Manhattan
A reliable Manhattan staple. Known for consistent, fast-casual sandwich execution with hot-carved pastrami that serves as a dependable midtown lunch option.
7.0
avg rank 1 list
22
Red Hook, Brooklyn
A legendary Red Hook institution operating since 1922. While famous for their massive Italian hero combinations, their hot-carved pastrami with Swiss and mustard is a sleeper favorite.
7.0
avg rank 1 list
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Sources: 30 ranked lists from food blogs, Substack newsletters, local guides, and community award sites published 2024-2026. Mainstream publications excluded. Reddit was inaccessible to our crawler and is not represented. Full methodology and source list available in the research files.