Manhattan's 10 Best Food Trucks: The Ultimate 2026 Guide

Cuisine: Tijuana-style Mexican Birria

The brothers José and Jesús Moreno transformed from humble Jackson Heights vendors into a citywide phenomenon. Their bright red birria tacos—beef braised in a rich chile consommé—earned a coveted two-star review from New York Times critic Pete Wells and the 2019 Vendy People's Choice Award.

Contact & Social:

• Website: birrialandia.com
• Instagram: @birria_landia (95,000+ followers)

Manhattan Locations:

• Amsterdam Avenue & West 70th Street (Upper West Side)
• East Houston Street & Bowery (Lower East Side)
• Additional locations in Williamsburg, Bronx, Flushing, and original Jackson Heights spot

Reviews & Ratings:

• Google: 4.7 stars (2,476+ reviews)
• Yelp: 4.5+ stars with praise for "flavor explosion" birria and consommé

Signature Dishes:

• Birria Tacos ($3.50-5 each) — crispy red tortillas with braised beef
• Mulitas — quesadilla-style with melted cheese
• Consommé — rich broth with chopped beef, onion, cilantro, lime
• Quesatacos and Tostadas

Price Range: $ (Budget-friendly, $15-20 for a filling meal)

What Sets Them Apart: José trained at Del Posto and Parm before launching the truck. They use premium cuts—brisket, shank, and top round—braised until fork-tender. Featured in Food Insider and described as having "changed the taco landscape."

Catering: Available through website contact form

Cuisine: American Halal / Middle Eastern

No list of NYC food trucks is complete without the legendary white-and-yellow cart that defined American halal cuisine. Founded in 1990 by Egyptian immigrants, their original cart at 53rd & 6th has served millions and inspired a 100+ location global franchise.

Contact & Social:

• Website: thehalalguys.com
• Instagram: @thehalalguys
• Twitter: @TheHalalGuys

Manhattan Locations:

• Original cart: West 53rd Street & 6th Avenue (Midtown) — operates 10am-4am daily (5am weekends)
• Brick-and-mortar: 307 East 14th Street

Reviews & Ratings:

• Google: 4.3 stars (13,789+ reviews)
• Yelp: 4.0-4.5 stars (1,000+ reviews)
• TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars (620+ reviews)
• #1 Most Yelped eatery in NYC, #3 in the entire USA

Signature Dishes:

• Chicken over Rice Platter — the bestseller
• Combo Platter — gyro, chicken, and falafel
• Lamb/Beef Gyro Platter
• Famous White Sauce (creamy mayo-yogurt blend)
• Hot Sauce — dangerously spicy

Price Range: $ (Platters $12-13, exceptional value)

What Sets Them Apart: The cart's origin story—three Egyptian immigrants pivoting from hot dogs to halal—became food truck legend. Their white sauce recipe remains closely guarded. 2005 Vendy Awards finalist and recipient of the 2014 Multicultural Award.

Catering: Yes — comprehensive catering packages for corporate events, weddings, and private parties through their website

Cuisine: Belgian Waffles / Desserts

Belgian expat Thomas DeGeest launched the first "gourmet food truck" in 2007, introducing New Yorkers to authentic Liège waffles and speculoos spread. The truck has since become an institution, with multiple carts and trucks across Manhattan.

Contact & Social:

• Website: wafels.com
• Instagram: @wafelsanddinges (25,000+ followers)
• Phone: (917) 589-5302

Manhattan Locations (Fleet of Named Trucks & Carts):

• Bryant Park (42nd & 6th Avenue)
• Herald Square near Macy's
• Times Square step seats
• Columbus Circle (open until midnight)
• Union Square West & 14th Street ("Bierbeek" cart)
• 60th & 5th Avenue ("Vedette" cart)
• City Hall Park/Brooklyn Bridge ("Pagadder" cart)

Reviews & Ratings:

• Google: 4.4 stars (1,151+ reviews)
• TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars (661+ reviews)

Signature Dishes:

• Liège Wafel — soft, chewy with caramelized pearl sugar
• Brussels Wafel — light and crispy
• "De Throwdown" Wafel — the recipe that beat Bobby Flay
• Speculoos spread toppings
• Belgian chocolate fudge waffles
• Ice cream wafel sandwiches

Price Range: $ (Moderate, waffles $8-14 with toppings)

What Sets Them Apart:

• Vendy Award Winner 2009 (Best Mobile Vendor)
• Beat Bobby Flay on Food Network (2010)
• "Best Dessert Truck in America" — The Daily Meal (2013)
• Celebrity fans include Tina Fey, Katie Holmes, Jack Nicholson, and Martha Stewart

Catering: Yes — weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, corporate events, movie sets

Cuisine: South Indian / 100% Vegan

Thiru Kumar, known affectionately as "The Dosa Man," has operated his cart at Washington Square Park since 2001. His thin, crispy dosas earned a 2007 Vendy Award and listings in travel guidebooks across 42 countries.

Contact & Social:

• Website: nydosas.com
• Instagram: @nydosas (45,000 followers)
• Email: Thiru@nydosas.com

Manhattan Location:

• Washington Square Park South (50 Washington Square South), Greenwich Village
• Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-3pm (or until sold out — often by 2-3pm)

Reviews & Ratings:

• Yelp: 4.5 stars (586+ reviews)
• TripAdvisor: 4.8 stars (40+ reviews)
• The Infatuation: 8/10 ("Truly Excellent")

Signature Dishes:

• Special Pondicherry Dosa — signature, stuffed with spiced potatoes and vegetables ($9)
• Masala Dosa ($9)
• Rava Dosa — semolina-based, crispy
• Uthappam — thick savory pancakes
• Samosas ($3)
• Jaffna Lunch — small herbed pancakes

Price Range: $ (All items under $9 — remarkable value for Manhattan)

What Sets Them Apart: Every dish is 100% vegan, gluten-free, and wheat-free. Sri Lankan immigrant Thiru is famous for his warm personality—he takes selfies with customers and has fan clubs in Japan. Featured in Eater, NY Mag, and Vice/Munchies.

Catering: No formal catering — single cart operation

Cuisine: Palestinian / Middle Eastern

Fares "Freddy" Zeideia brought his mother's Palestinian recipes from Ramallah to Queens over 22 years ago. His distinctive oblong falafel—crispy outside, moist inside—won the 2010 Vendy Cup (Best Street Food in NYC) and People's Choice Award.

Contact & Social:

• Website: kingoffalafelnyc.com
• Instagram: @kingoffalafel (24,000 followers)
• TikTok: @kingoffalafelnyc

Manhattan Locations:

• Cart at 53rd Street & Park Avenue (Midtown)
• Additional trucks rotate through Manhattan
• Restaurant: 30-15 Broadway, Astoria (base of operations)

Reviews & Ratings:

• Google: 4.2 stars (1,924+ reviews)
• TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars (57+ reviews)

Signature Dishes:

• Oblong Falafel — unique egg-shaped, chickpea-only recipe
• Chicken Shawarma
• Lamb/Beef Shawarma
• "Shawafel" Combo
• Kebabs
• Fresh-baked pita

Price Range: $ (Platters $10-14)

What Sets Them Apart: Freddy gives free falafel samples to everyone waiting in line. He's known for playing Middle Eastern music and occasionally belly dancing at the trucks. Featured on multiple viral TikTok videos.

Catering: Yes — available through restaurant location

Cuisine: Traditional Greek

The Katsiris family has been feeding New Yorkers since 1971 when Uncle Gussy first set up on 51st & Park Avenue. Today, their truck—NYC's first Greek food truck—serves restaurant-quality Greek food from family recipes.

Contact & Social:

• Website: unclegussys.com
• Instagram: @unclegussys (16,000+ followers)
• Online Ordering: unclegussys.getbento.com

Manhattan Locations:

• Regular spot: 345 Park Avenue (Midtown East)
• Mobile "Paros" truck rotates through Midtown
• Check social media for daily locations

Reviews & Ratings:

• Google: 4.7 stars (530+ reviews)
• TripAdvisor: 5.0 stars (62 reviews)

Signature Dishes:

• Chicken Breast Platter — grilled to perfection
• Gyro Platter (beef & lamb)
• Hercules Plate — with crispy fries and hot sauce
• Homemade Tzatziki — family recipe
• Kolokithokeftedes — zucchini balls
• Weekly specials from family matriarch Katerina

Price Range: $ (Platters $15-20)

What Sets Them Apart: All ingredients imported from Greece. Featured on Food Network, Netflix, and The New York Times. Weekly specials include family secrets like keftedes, spanakopita, and kokkinisto passed down generations.

Catering: Yes — corporate events, birthdays, bar mitzvahs, family gatherings

Cuisine: California-Mexican (Cal-Mex)

The Vendley brothers brought Baja California flavors from their hometown of Calexico to NYC streets, and their chipotle "crack sauce" developed a cult following that earned them a Vendy Award and multiple restaurant locations.

Contact & Social:

• Website: calexico.com
• Twitter: @CalexicoNYC

Manhattan Locations:

• SoHo Cart: Prince & Wooster Streets (original location)
• Flatiron: 1030 Broadway
• Brooklyn Bridge Park: Pier 1
• Plus brick-and-mortar restaurants in Greenpoint and elsewhere

Reviews & Ratings:

• Consistently rated 4+ stars across platforms
• Cult following for their signature sauce

Signature Dishes:

• Carne Asada Tacos — char-grilled steak
• Chipotle Pulled Pork Burrito
• "Gringo" Ground Beef Tacos
• Pollo Asado / Pollo Verde
• Rolled Quesadillas
• Famous "Crack Sauce" — addictive chipotle crema

Price Range: $ (Burritos $12-16, tacos $4-5 each)

What Sets Them Apart: Hand-pressed flour tortillas made daily. The "crack sauce" has inspired online debates and copycat recipes. Family-run business that grew from a tiny SoHo cart to a restaurant empire while maintaining street food roots.

Catering: Yes — through restaurant locations

Cuisine: Italian Deli Sandwiches

Adam DiSilvestro, a born-and-bred New Yorker, created an "Italian deli on wheels" featuring premium meats from DiPalo's, Little Italy's legendary cheese shop. The truck appeared on Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race" (Season 6).

Contact & Social:

• Website: disosnyc.com
• Instagram: @disosnyc

Manhattan Locations:

• Rotates through Midtown daily
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:30am-2:30pm
• Check website/social media for daily schedule

Reviews & Ratings:

• Highly praised by Time Out NYC, NY Daily News, Metro
• Known as one of the best Italian sandwiches in the city

Signature Dishes:

• "The Godfather" — classic Italian combo
• "Don Vitone" — prosciutto, soppressata, fresh mozz, peppers, olive tapenade
• "Big Pauly" — featured signature
• "Vinnie The Butcher"
• "Nicky Guns" — vegetarian with broccoli rabe, eggplant, fresh mozz
• Chicken Cutlet Parmigiano Hero

Price Range: $ (Sandwiches $12-18, full and half sizes available)

What Sets Them Apart: All meats and cheeses sourced from DiPalo's, established 1925. Mobster-themed sandwich names pay homage to Italian-American culture. Featured on Food Network's competition show.

Catering: Yes — Italian sandwich catering for corporate events and parties

Cuisine: Colombian / South American

Maria Piedad Cano fled Medellín during the Pablo Escobar era and began selling cheese-stuffed arepas from a late-night cart on Roosevelt Avenue in the 1980s. She won the Final Vendy Cup (2019) — the last ever Vendy Awards — cementing her legacy.

Contact & Social:

• Website: thearepalady.com
• Instagram: @arepalady (30,000 followers)
• Twitter: @arepalady

Manhattan Service:

• Primarily serves Queens (Jackson Heights: 77-17 37th Avenue; Astoria)
• Available for Manhattan events and catering
• Check social media for pop-up Manhattan appearances

Reviews & Ratings:

• Featured in The New York Times Hungry City column
• Listed among "50 Best Things to Eat in NYC"

Signature Dishes:

• Arepa de Choclo — sweet corn arepa with cheese
• Arepa Rellena — stuffed with queso
• Chorizo Arepa
• Various cheese-filled arepas with perfectly crispy exterior and melty interior

Price Range: $ (Arepas $5-10)

What Sets Them Apart: Maria's story—former Colombian lawyer/judge who built a street food empire—has been featured in Eater and Culinary Backstreets. Now run by son Alejandro Osorio. The 2019 Vendy Cup (All-Star Award) was a lifetime achievement recognition.

Catering: Yes — through restaurant locations and by request

Cuisine: NYC Chopped Cheese / Bodega Classics

NYC's first and only specialty chopped cheese truck takes the Bronx-born bodega staple and elevates it to artisanal street food. This rising star captures quintessential New York bodega culture on wheels.

Contact & Social:

• Website: bodegatruck.com
• Instagram: @bodega.truck

Manhattan Locations:

• Rotates through various Manhattan neighborhoods
• Check Instagram for daily location updates

Reviews & Ratings:

• Featured on Time Out NY's "Best Food Trucks" list
• Featured by Secret NYC

Signature Dishes:

• Classic Chopped Cheese — the Bronx original
• "The El Dominicano" — Chop Chimi with fried cheese, fried salami, cabbage
• Bodega Fries — fries topped with chopped cheese
• Various creative chopped cheese variations

Price Range: $ (Sandwiches $10-15)

What Sets Them Apart: While chopped cheese has become a viral NYC staple, Bodega Truck was first to dedicate an entire mobile operation to it. Their Dominican-influenced creations honor NYC's diverse bodega heritage while innovating on the classic.

Catering: Available through website inquiry

Finding your favorite truck requires some planning. Here's how to stay updated:

• Twitter/X: Most trucks post daily locations — follow @waffletruck, @souvlakitruck, @unclegussys
• Roaming Hunger (roaminghunger.com): Real-time map with 473+ NYC trucks, plus catering booking
• New York Street Food (newyorkstreetfood.com): Aggregates "Mobile Munchies" Twitter feeds
• Snabb App: NYC's first dedicated food truck app with ordering features
• Instagram: Daily location updates from individual trucks

Best Manhattan food truck clusters:

• Midtown 6th Avenue corridor (46th-53rd Streets) — highest concentration
• Hanover Square, Financial District — excellent lunch variety
• Hudson & King/Varick area — Hudson Square hub
• Hudson Yards — "most slept-on" location with diverse options

All trucks except NY Dosas offer catering services. For corporate events, weddings, or private parties, Roaming Hunger (roaminghunger.com) serves as a central booking platform with a 100% money-back guarantee. Average Manhattan food truck catering costs approximately $1,600 per event.

Most trucks can also be booked directly through their websites. Uncle Gussy's, Wafels & Dinges, and Souvlaki GR maintain dedicated catering pages with menu packages for events of all sizes.