// New York City // Lower East Side, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Hudson Yards //
an iconic NYC jewish institution
Few places in New York are quite as New York as Russ & Daughters. In the intense real estate market of Lower Manhattan, places and people come and go, but some special establishments have been constants through decades of change. First opened in 1914, Russ & Daughters has been through two world wars, the Great Depression, all the way through 9/11 and a global pandemic. Now under the 4th generation of family ownership, the iconic Jewish deli continues to serve up some of the best lox in the city from it’s century-old Houston location, as well as a sit down cafe a couple blocks down, a hub in Brooklyn Navy Yard, and even a counter in Hudson Yards.
The original location is a historical landmark in its own right. It feels like a step back in time, a dive into the city’s rich Jewish heritage that has over the decades become a celebrated part of American and New York culture. The old world charm stands the test of time with the consistent quality of goods. From the thin hand-sliced smoked salmon, to the plethora of other smoked fish products and caviar, to the popular bagel sandwiches and nostalgic sweets, it has everything you’d ever want. It’s no wonder Russ and Daughters remains a cherished local gem and famed tourist destination.
Address | Shop (to go only): 179 E Houston St, New York |
Website | https://www.russanddaughters.com/ |
Yelp | https://www.yelp.com/biz/russ-and-daughters-new-york |
@russanddaughters | |
Hours | 8am – 4pm every day; cafe hours are 8:30 -2:30pm every day |
Price | $$$ – not the cheapest you can find in the city, but it’s high quality |
Aesthetic | classic, old-world charm that is warm and inviting |
Go here for: any smoked fish needs, a classic bagel and lox, an indulgent breakfast or lunch
Order this: classic bagel and lox sandwich, or their super heebster sandwich with whitefish
Amount of time to spend: about an hour for a sit down meal at the cafe, otherwise 15-20 minutes depending on the wait for takeaway
When to come: earlier in the morning is probably the best
Getting here: the cafe is a couple minutes walk from the Delancey Essex station (FM, JZ), while the original shop is closer to the 2nd Ave F station. Hudson Yards is at the end of the 7. Brooklyn Navy Yard is not particularly accessible by subway, about a 15 min walk from the G train at Clinton Washington or a 20 min walk from the F train at York (your best bet is probably to bike or bus)
Other things to note:
Last visited: March 2023
Last updated: April 2023