United States of America

The ultimate Zohran Mamdani NYC itinerary

New York City is a delicious melting pot (literally) with more than 160 languages, a population of snack-obsessed locals, and enough street food smells to have your mouth watering for days.

From Jackson Heights’ kebab-scented sidewalks to Astoria’s secret speakeasies and Long Island City’s rooftop bars, this city doesn’t do subtle. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it’ll feed you ‘til you can’t stomach another mouthful. So, loosen that belt and grab a MetroCard - we’re eating, drinking, and talking our way through five days of Zohran Mamdani’s favourite NYC haunts. Pro tip: Bring your appetite.

Day 1: Queens arrival & biryani baptism

I land in New York, bag dragging behind me and head straight for the borough where Mamdani’s tastebuds run wild: Queens. My first stop is Kabab King in Jackson Heights - one of his top choices because, biryani.

Rice layered like a spicy lasagne, steam rising, flavours sneaking up behind you. I plunge in, hands acceptable (per his protocol), plunging spoon & fingers into the mix. Then I roam Jackson Heights, taking in colourful murals and halal carts while listening to people chatter in a dozen tongues.

The evening’s agenda is to grab a drink at a local dive (ask for the house pour), people-watch from a stoop, digest the biryani and the city’s noise.

Day 2: Astoria & Thai raw-beef salads

Morning: wander the steps of Astoria, coffee in hand, the soundtrack of cafés and street vendors.

Lunch: at Pye Boat Noodle in Astoria (per Mamdani’s list). He raves about the koy nua (Thai raw-beef salad) which means I too shall plunge into slices of beef, chili, lime, overjoyed by the shock of flavour.

The afternoon’s mission is to find a hidden gem. Maybe a tiny neighbourhood bookshop, or a botanica tucked behind a barbershop. Catch sunset by the waterfront at Astoria Park and watch Manhattan sparkles across the river like a distant star.

Dinner: explore a Greek taverna (Astoria has choices) for simplicity: olive oil, grilled fish, no fuss. Then maybe a craft beer bar where the jukebox doesn’t play chart pop.

Day 3: Long Island City & Mediterranean wraps

Mid-morning: hop on the subway (feel the rumble, smell the earnestness) into Long Island City (LIC).

Today, I want to emulate Mamdani’s third go-to spot - Zyara. Lamb adana laffa wrap, hummus, mint lemonade. It’s simple, street-food rough-charm meets Mediterranean flavour.

Afternoon: LIC has become another hidden-in-plain-sight zone. Rooftop views, industrial-chic cafes, and less tourist-saturated than Manhattan. I explore an art gallery or two, then take a waterfront stroll with Manhattan glimmering across the East River.

For dinner I plunge into Queens nightlife where I wanna find a cocktail lounge down a half-lit corridor or a speakeasy behind a bookstore and sip something smoky while I reflect on how food is culture and identity (yes, I’m channeling Mamdani’s vibe).

Day 4: Manhattan reset & sneaky museum stop

Okay, I cheat and stray into Manhattan (because you’re in NYC, you have to). But I keep it off-beat: breakfast tacos in the East Village, follow the smell of coffee and doughnuts.

Late morning: visit a lesser-known museum. Maybe the Tenement Museum or something quirky in Lower Manhattan and for lunch, discover a tiny immigrant-run diner or a Caribbean spot in Harlem (because Queens wasn’t the only borough with rich food).

Afternoon: wander through unknown streets - alphabet blocks, local corner stores, street art, the weird things that don’t appear in every guidebook.

Evening: head back into Queens for dinner. Find a Colombian-Peruvian fusion spot in Jackson Heights, maybe. Keep it grounded, keep it real: neighbourhood tables, big flavours, local chatter.

And if you’re after a nightcap, perhaps a Jamaican rum bar with reggae, laughter, and no dress code.

Day 5: Brunch, boroughs & big-city finale

Brunch time: slide into Brooklyn (Williamsburg or Bushwick) for a patio brunch. Think avocado, eggs, kale (sob) but with a local twist and coffee so strong that you’re instantly awake.

Around midday, I returned to Queens for a farmer’s market/street-food fair. I really wanted to taste something weird. Maybe a dumpling-sandwich hybrid? Something fermented? Or pickled? Boom, check it off the list.

The afternoon bought a meander through the boroughs one last time. I even indulged and caught a ferry ride back to Manhattan, skyline glinting, the wind funny in my hair.

For dinner, I opted to go big but keep in character. If you’re keen too, choose a restaurant that is stylish but not slick, perhaps a Brooklyn brownstone converted eatery, or a Manhattan rooftop with city-noise as soundtrack. Toast with a local craft beer or a natural wine. Then head to a rooftop bar for the skyline one-last time.

Late night: sit on a bench by the river, listen to the hum of the city, reflect that you ate like the mayor’s tastebuds: diversely, unapologetically, across boroughs. And yes, you got lost in the best possible way.