Takeout That Holds Up
Delivery spots that arrive intact, reheat well, and still feel like a treat
Growing up with two working parents in New York City, after-school activities and long days shaped the rhythm of our household, and cooking was rarely the main event. Before delivery apps — and long before anyone was debating “slop meals”— we had a thick, overstuffed binder filled with paper takeout menus. It was meticulously organized by cuisine: Chinese in the front (by far the most used), followed by Indian, Thai, pizza, Italian, Japanese, Vietnamese.
The binder was alive. Newcomers were slipped in alongside old standbys, menus added, removed, reshuffled as the neighborhood changed. Any time we passed a restaurant we hadn’t tried yet, we’d stop in and ask for a menu, tucking it neatly into its section under “delivery,” even if we weren’t ordering that night. It was less about convenience and more about curation, an evolving archive of what our neighborhood had to offer.
Over the years, I’ve noticed which places truly know how to do takeout well — the ones that understand that even the smallest of details make a difference in transport. The restaurants that put fries in paper bags instead of plastic, knowing steam is the enemy of crispness. The ones that separate noodles from broth so ramen and pho arrive with chew intact and toppings still distinct. The ones that leave dressings on the side, in containers with enough room to actually shake a salad before serving.
It’s also that point in the winter when resolutions soften, coats live permanently on the back of chairs, and stepping outside feels negotiable. This year’s cold especially has a way of pushing even the best intentions back toward delivery - and therefore having good takeout options becomes less indulgent and more necessary.
Sushi
Sushi 295 Mercer - tiny spot with 6 seats that mainly operates for delivery. Fish is high quality, and hits the spot every time.
Sushi of Gari - My absolute favorite sushi in Manhattan - best known for its omakase, but a true delivery secret weapon. It’s undeniably expensive (~$50-60 for an order - I KNOW…), but the fish is pristine and the flavor combinations (tuna with tofu sauce and chili oil) are unlike anything else in the city.
Iwak - very good neighborhood sushi in Williamsburg that doesn’t break the bank
Sendo - On the more premium side when it comes to both fish and pricing, but the $31 maki set is one of the best quality-for-value orders you can get. They also offer larger, more indulgent sets (pieces + a roll), so you can scale up or down depending on the kind of night you’re having.
Poke - a cash-only UES sushi spot with a tiny delivery radius and zero app presence. You have to call, but it’s worth it for creative, not-overdone rolls like the VIP (spicy truffle salmon, tempura flakes, spicy kani). If you’re within a mile, consider yourself very lucky.
Indian
Bhatti Indian Grill - while I haven’t been able to find a spot that satisfies my Moti Mahal Deluxe itch (RIP </3), Bhatti is pretty close.
Malai Marke - Another solid Indian spot that offers all the classics.
Thai
Soothr - The answer to almost every Thai craving. I rarely stray from the holy trinity: crab fried rice, beef pad see ew, and khao soi.
Little Cheeks - Fish Cheek’s brand new takeout-only spot that offers all their classics + delivery only noodle dishes that aren’t on their in-person menu.
Vietnamese
Two Wheels - modern but unfussy Vietnamese. Standouts include the crispy chicken wings, vermicelli bowls, and summer rolls, most of which are ~$15.
Madame Vo - a Vietnamese staple that holds up surprisingly well for delivery. Worth noting: their larger-format catering options are great when you need to scale.
Chinese
Joe’s Shanghai - my favorite of all time.
Shun Lee - higher-end Chinese in Midtown where the Peking duck is a must. The pancakes arrive neatly packed in a classic rice takeout container, keeping them perfectly dry with no trapped steam and all the toppings ready to assemble.
Pig Heaven - OG Upper East Side Chinese spot
1915 Lanzhou Pulled Noodles - traditional hand-pulled noodles where you can select your noodle type and consistency. Takeout is also a great way to avoid their typical long lines.
The Bao - known for their soup dumplings, but the regional variety and large menu is what makes it a reliable group-order spot.
Spicy Moon - fully vegan Chinese that doesn’t try to imitate the classics too closely. Expect bold, non-traditional dishes that feel playful and a little unexpected.
Pizza & Italian
Prince Street Pizza - definitely not my top NYC pie, but the crispy pepperoni cups and sturdy square pies hold up on delivery (late into the night) and are made for next-day reheats.
L’Industrie - while they don’t offer delivery, consider yourself lucky to live either in the West Village, Williamsburg or soon-to-be Little Italy.
Emmett’s on Grove - despite this feeling like a dine-in establishment, their thin tavern style pizza lends incredibly well to pickup and leftovers.
Lucia Pizza - pizza thursdays at my office have become a real ordeal, and Lucia is the front runner, winning out in the unexpected pies: tomato and garlic & spinach.
Parm - the eggplant and chicken parm platters easily stretch across multiple meals, and there are a few ordering hacks worth knowing like adding a side of spicy fusilli for $8 that eats almost like a full portion, or a large protein-topped salad.
Mediterranean
Lezzet Mediterranean Grill - a quiet Lenox Hill Turkish gem that flies under the radar. Order a combo plate and you’ll have enough for multiple meals, with meats that stay tender and well-seasoned even the next day.
Spice Brothers - fast casual pita spot in the EV where dinner comes close to $12.
Village Taverna - classic neighborhood Greek and easily one of my most frequent takeout orders. The chopped salad with gyro + free side of pita combo stretches into multiple meals, and the dressing only gets better as it sits.
Mexican
Yellow Rose - a standout for both breakfast tacos and dinner items, with thick house flour tortillas that make everything better.
Son Del North - cult-status riceless burritos with thick tortillas that keep all the fillings while in tact in transit like a warm hug.
Healthy-ish
Pio Pio - The juiciest chicken in all five boroughs that comes with their addicting green sauce. Great as leftovers.
ThisBowl - a once a month staple!!!
Marinara - a long-standing New York staple I grew up eating, known for its reliably juicy Peruvian rotisserie chicken and cult-favorite green sauce. Add avocado salad, saffron rice, and beans and you’ll have leftovers built in.
What’s the address of poke on UES! Thanks so much for the great list <3