A Walkable Kosher Food Crawl Through Manhattan, 4 Spots South of Penn Station
New York City is one of the best places in the world for walking & kosher dining… and lately, the kosher scene in Manhattan south of Penn Station has exploded with exciting new additions. If you’re craving an urban culinary adventure on a nice day out, this is your perfect excuse to get your steps in and taste your way through four new kosher restaurants, all opened in the last few months.
This self-guided food crawl is fully walkable and takes you through some of the city’s most iconic and interesting neighborhoods: from Midtown to Chelsea, the West Village to the Lower East Side. The journey is roughly 3.8 miles long, with plenty of stops to refuel along the way. The first two restaurants are dairy, followed by two meat eateries, giving you the best of both kosher worlds.
Whether you’re a local New Yorker, a tourist, or just kosher-curious, this crawl delivers flavorful food, beautiful sights, and a full stomach by the end of the day, just bring comfortable sneakers.
🏁 Start: Penn Station (32nd Street & 7th Ave)
Kick off your food journey at one of the busiest transit hubs in the world — Penn Station. Whether you’re arriving from another borough or rolling in off of the LIRR, NJ Transit, or Amtrak, you’re only a short walk from your first stop.
🥙 First Stop: Taboonia
📍 832 6th Ave (at W 29th St), New York, NY 10001
- Kosher certification: IKC (International Kosher Council)
🚶♂️ Distance from Penn Station: ~0.5 miles / 10-minute walk
Taboonia brings a fresh and authentic take on Israeli Druze vegetarian cuisine. This intimate spot offers handmade saj bread grilled to order, oversized flaky bourekas with savory fillings, and platters filled with shakshuka, labneh, and house-made dips. For kosher diners, it’s a breath of fresh air — delivering Middle Eastern flavors rarely seen in NYC’s kosher scene.
The owners of Taboonia bring their Druze heritage to life through food, and the experience feels both homemade and refined. It’s also one of the few kosher vegetarian places in Manhattan that doesn’t feel like a salad bar — this is comfort food with character.
Interesting nearby stop:
🌸 Stroll through the Flower District on 28th Street or head to Herald Square for a quick look at the iconic Macy’s flagship store and some fast fashion shopping before your next bite.
🍕 Second Stop: Ama La Vita
📍 121 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011
- Kosher certification: OK Kosher, Cholov Yisroel
🚶♂️ Walk from Taboonia: ~0.6 miles / 13-minute walk
From savory Middle Eastern bites, make your way south into Chelsea to Ama La Vita, a charming Italian kosher café and pizzeria. This Cholov Yisroel spot specializes in artisanal dairy dishes — from Neapolitan-style pizzas and housemade pastas to vibrant salads, cheese boards, and baked goods. Whether you go for the creamy fettuccine or a classic Margherita pie, you’re in for a satisfying experience.
The vibe here is modern and warm — ideal for a pause in the crawl. It’s also a great place to grab a strong espresso or a fresh pastry if you’re saving room for what’s to come.
Interesting nearby stop:
🖼️ Explore Chelsea Market or take a short detour to the High Line — an elevated urban park with art installations, greenery, and great skyline views.
🔥 Third Stop: OMG Shawarma
📍 131 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014
- Kosher certification: IKC (International Kosher Council), Glatt Kosher
🚶♂️ Walk from Ama La Vita: ~1.1 miles / 23-minute walk
Now that you’ve transitioned from dairy, it’s time for something hearty. Welcome to OMG Shawarma, where Israeli street food is done right. Located in the West Village, this Glatt kosher spot offers juicy shawarma shaved fresh onto your plate or stuffed into laffa, along with falafel, sabich, and schnitzel combos. Salatim options include hummus, eggplant, cabbage slaw, and amba — all homemade.
The branding is playful but the food is serious. It’s ideal for grabbing a quick, filling meal while people-watching outside or catching a break in the park nearby. It’s also open late, making it a great late-day or evening stop.
Interesting nearby stop:
🎶 Chill at Washington Square Park or take a walk to Bleecker Street to window shop or browse independent bookstores and Jewish-interest art spaces.
🥩 Final Stop: PitaBar
📍 11 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002
- Kosher certification: OK Kosher, Glatt Kosher
🚶♂️ Walk from OMG Shawarma: ~1.6 miles / 30-minute walk
Your final stop lands you in the Lower East Side at PitaBar, a small-but-mighty Glatt kosher grill. The menu leans Mediterranean, with sizzling hot ribeye steak, shawarma, schnitzel, and Jerusalem mixed grill. Each is served either in pita or on a platter with rice and fries — all packed with bold seasoning and rich flavor.
Despite its compact size, PitaBar has built a loyal following fast — and it’s easy to see why. The food is fast, fresh, and surprisingly filling for a place that feels almost like a downtown speakeasy for kosher carnivores.
Interesting nearby stop:
🛍️ Explore Essex Market, visit the Tenement Museum for Jewish immigrant history, or check out the remaining Judaica and kosher wine shops along Grand and Orchard Streets.
🥒 Optional Add-On: Explore the Lower East Side Further
If you’re not quite ready to wrap up your day, stick around the Lower East Side — a neighborhood rich with Jewish history and still home to iconic kosher institutions and attractions.
Walk just a few blocks east from PitaBar to The Pickle Guys on Grand Street, where barrels of old-school, vinegar-brined pickles sit right on the sidewalk. This legendary spot still uses traditional methods and offers a variety of pickled treats — from full sours to pickled pineapple and mango. It’s a nostalgic, tangy way to end your crawl.
Additional Jewish-interest stops in the area include:
- The Tenement Museum – A deeply engaging look at the lives of Jewish and other immigrant families who lived in cramped tenement apartments in the early 20th century. Great guided tours available.
- The Museum at Eldridge Street – Housed in a beautifully restored 1887 synagogue, this museum offers insight into the religious and cultural life of early Jewish immigrants to New York.
- Economy Candy – A beloved, old-school candy shop that’s been around since 1937. While not fully kosher, they carry a large selection of kosher-certified sweets clearly labeled throughout the store.
The Lower East Side is not only a great place to eat — it’s a living museum of Jewish immigrant life in America. Between bites, you’ll find layers of history embedded in nearly every building and street corner.
Final Thoughts + Route Map
This kosher crawl is walkable, delicious, and full of local character. You’ll cover around 3.8 miles from Penn Station to the Lower East Side, with the option to extend your day exploring even more Jewish heritage and culture downtown.
All four restaurants featured here are newly opened and represent a vibrant new chapter in Manhattan’s kosher food scene. Download our kosher restaurant directory & mapping app KosherNearMe to find other kosher places along the route.
Bring your appetite, wear comfortable shoes, and plan to stay awhile — there’s plenty to discover beyond the food.
