Deli restaurants in North America
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Berkeley Bowl
A Berkeley institution since 1977, the Berkeley Bowl got its name from its original location in a former bowling alley. Its narrow aisles offer the absolute best and worst of Berkeley: produce, deli goods, wines and organic dry goods of the very highest quality threaten to topple off the shelves, while incredibly cranky and arrogant shoppers try to navigate oversize carts through the gridlock.
The self-centered rudeness amidst piles of celery and bulk granola bins can be exasperating and at times downright laughable. (Yoga, so popular in Berkeley, doesn't seem to put people in a positive mindset for the Bowl.) Get a picnic lunch here (weekdays, well ahead of the dinner ru…
reviewed
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B
Katz’s Deli
Though visitors won’t find many remnants of the classic, old-world-Jewish Lower East Side dining scene, there are a few stellar holdouts, among them the famous Katz’s Deli, where Meg Ryan faked her famous orgasm in the 1989 Hollywood flick When Harry Met Sally, and where, if you love classic deli grub like pastrami and salami on rye, it just might have the same effect on you.
reviewed
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Bread & Cie
This clattery, chattery cafeteria-sized bakery-deli makes the best bread around (with flavors like lemon sage ciabatta, anise and fig, and carmelized onion), and carries a limited assortment of gourmet sandwiches. Plus, it's got the best idea I've heard in a while: customized panini. It's an excellent spot to eavesdrop on locals, especially in the mornings. And it's 'cie' pronounced 'sea'.
reviewed
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Schwartz’s
Known far and wide, this old-time Hebrew deli is widely considered to serve the best smoked meat in Montréal whether it’s brisket, duck, chicken or turkey, all piled high on sourdough rye bread. The Romanian-style meat is cured on the premises and aged without chemicals. You can order it fat, medium (recommended) or lean. Expect long lines.
reviewed
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E
Diamond Head Market & Grill
Fast-food for an upscale neighborhood, this takeaway counter and deli market feeds families who don't want to heat up the kitchen as well as career bachelors with healthy versions of plate lunches. The salmon plate gets an approving nod from others in line and there are picnic tables beside the parking lot for immediate consumption. In the market, you can stock up on salads and picnic supplies.
reviewed
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F
Mother’s
Despite what you may hear, Mother’s isn’t the best po’boy around, but it did invent the debris po’boy (‘debris’ being the bits of roast beef that fall into the gravy and get all soft and lovely) and serves the justifiably famous Ferdi Special, loaded up with ham, roast beef and debris. Breakfast is brilliantly done and served in ponderously enormous portions.
reviewed
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Carol’s Main Street Café
If you are self-catering, a great place for picnic fixings is Carol’s Main Street Café – those in the know come for turkey specials on Monday and Friday, tacos on Wednesday and hamburgers on Thursday. Or you can explore delectables from an amazing variety of gourmet hot and salad dishes sold by the pound.
reviewed
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Waters Cafe
Here's a rarity: well-prepared, good value food at a museum cafe! Homemade soups and baguette sandwiches are some of the offerings at the elegant Waters Cafe, nestled in a courtyard overlooking the sculpture garden of the San Diego Museum of Art.
reviewed
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Il Vecchio Deli
Save your money, skip the trip to Florence and enjoy this aromatically spot-on deli where locals take as many deep breaths as possible while enjoying excellent sandwiches and other treats. Note: it's about the size of a ball of fresh mozzarella.
reviewed
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Down to Earth Natural Foods
Honolulu's largest natural-foods supermarket has a small sandwich and salad café with lots of vegetarian options. The grocery section has a decent selection of local and organic produce including Hawaii's tasty papaya and apple bananas.
reviewed
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Ratto's
If you want to eat outside on a sunny day, grab a sandwich from Ratto's, a vintage Oakland grocery (since 1897) with a deli counter that attracts a devoted lunch crowd.
reviewed
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Auntie Crae's
Come to this specialty food store for a cuppa joe, groceries, chowder or a sandwich. Relax with your goodies in the adjoining Fishhook Neyle's Common Room.
reviewed
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M
Bette's Oceanview Diner
The diner food is fresh and well-prepared at this hugely popular spot. Table waits can be long, but you can opt to take out from the adjacent deli counter.
reviewed
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Jewish Mother
Get your nosh on here with packed deli sandwiches, 'penicillin soup' (chicken and matzo ball) and monster-sized pie. Excellent live music staged nightly.
reviewed
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d' Bronx
d' Bronx is a classic deli with 50 whopping hot and cold sandwiches to choose from, though the shining star is the crispy pizza.
reviewed
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Kootenay Co-op
Part community centre, part market, the Kootenay Co-op has local produce and foodstuffs and good prepared foods in its bakery.
reviewed
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Darwin's Deli & Cafe
A classic deli with good sandwiches, internet access and a few tables outside.
reviewed
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Cooks Fresh Market
- Denver, USA
- Restaurants › Deli
Far and away the best deli Downtown, the attention to quality is obvious in their take-away salads and sandwiches, selection of cheeses and expert pastries. Some gourmet cooking staples and bulk selection complete the picture, making an ideal stop for supplies if you‘re picnicking in the park or heading out of town.
Though mostly for take out, there are a few tables to eat inside and a small sidewalk patio. The partner team running the place, Ed and Kristi Janos, are some of Denver's most highly credentialed chefs.
reviewed
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R
Cold Comforts Café
Sure, Cold Comforts does begrudgingly cater to unadventurous souls with smoked turkey, and ham and cheese, but the magic in their nearly 50 choices are the ones that push boring deli definitions to the limit. With one called ‘Who Is Che Guevara?’ (a hot turkey pastrami, feta, tomato and spinach delight on ciabatta) or the amazing ‘Torta de Kosher Salchicha, ’ (strips of kosher dogs, lettuce, tomato, mozzarella and chipotle sauce), they’re easily Wicker Park’s most creative deli.
reviewed
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Rascal House
- Miami, USA
- Restaurants › Deli
A parking lot attendant meets you in a golf cart to whisk you to the front door. Inside, Wolfie Cohen's nostalgic 1954 Miami eatery has sassy service, classic swivel stools at the counter and Naugahyde booths. Relish the roast brisket, latkes, blintzes, beet borscht and Lake Erie whitefish salad. The grilled salmon and Reuben sandwiches are also reliable.
Every single thing is homemade and it's all available for take-out. But you're coming for the atmosphere, right?
reviewed
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Manny’s Deli
Chicago’s politicos and seen-it-all senior citizens get in the cafeteria-style line at Manny’s for the towering pastrami and corned-beef sandwiches, matzo ball soup, potato pancakes and other deli staples. Know what you want before you join the fast-moving queue. The newspaper clippings on the wall provide a dose of city history – or you could just eavesdrop on the table next to you to hear deals being brokered that’ll be tomorrow’s front-page story.
reviewed
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Olive + Gourmando
Named after the owners’ two cats, this bakery/café is legendary in town for its sandwiches and baked goods. Excellent choices include the smoked trout with herbed cream cheese and the Cuban (ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese and house-made chipotle mayo). You’ll also find good coffee, tempting desserts and fresh loaves for takeout (including olive and rosemary bread). Try to avoid the busy weekday lunch rush (11:30am to 1:30pm).
reviewed
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Terroni
Queen West ( [tel] 416-504-0320; 720 Queen St W; streetcar 501) Terroni is a traditional southern Italian grocer and deli. Off-duty Toronto chefs shamble through the doors for wood oven–fired pizzas, wines by the glass and fresh panini, all approaching perfection. Walls are lined with jars of pasta, olives and preserved peppers. Fresh cut flowers sit on the counter, and razzmatazz big-band jazz keeps the mood ‘up.’
reviewed
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Punalu'u Bakeshop
This, the island's best-known sweet bread bakery, is Na'alehu's major tourist attraction, and it's a mandatory tour-bus stop. Its sweet bread comes plain or in the brightly colored flavors of guava, liliko'i or taro. Snack on a pastry or malasada, or grab a salad or sandwich to go from the deli (steer clear of the mediocre plate lunches). A small lawn bordered by flower beds out back is prime for picnicking.
reviewed
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White Mountain Cider Co
If you are packing a picnic for your day hike, stop at this country store. Besides cider, you’ll find gourmet coffee, cider doughnuts, apple pie and a whole range of specialty New England products. Next door is a more formal restaurant that’s open for dinner (mains from $18 to $28), serving expertly prepared cuisine (pan-seared sea-scallops, butternut risotto, roasted haddock) in an elegant 1890s farmhouse.
reviewed
