The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off this summer in New York, with Brazil, Morocco, France, Senegal, Norway, Ecuador, Germany, Panama, and England scheduled to play in group stage matches at New York/New Jersey Stadium starting June 13. From full English breakfasts to savory Senegalese spots to Michelin-starred French cuisine, discover where you can get a taste of FIFA and immerse yourself in the culture and flavors of the World Cup nations at restaurants across New York State.
England
Craving a taste of England? Dive into culinary classics like fish and chips, a full English breakfast, Sunday roast, or sticky toffee pudding across the state. Savor elevated English classics and New York City’s finest Scotch eggs at Lord’s or The Churchill Tavern, both offering a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Brunch in opulence with a British Mary cocktail and English breakfast at The Clocktower overlooking Madison Square Park, or enjoy tranquil afternoon tea and pot pie at the Greenwich Village staple Tea and Sympathy.
Beyond NYC: Step back in time at Albany’s historic Olde English Pub, a 1730s brick colonial where you can drink and dine by the cozy fireplace or pull up a bar stool for a pint of Fuller’s. At Moreish in Beacon, English chef Michael Johnson (with a background in Michelin-starred restaurants) showcases refined British fare, including a full English breakfast, Ploughman’s lunch, bubble & squeak, a Sunday sirloin roast, and a special afternoon tea service.
Morocco
Credit: @cafemogadornyc on instagram
Spice up your life with Moroccan cuisine, known for its flavorful stews, soups, and the country’s national dish, couscous. In Queens, Dar Lbahja is known for their chicken and olive tagine, zaalouk (smoky mashed eggplant with herbs and spices), and harira, a hearty soup of chickpeas, lentils, and meat. Over in Brooklyn and the East Village, the beloved Cafe Mogador serves expertly braised tagines, house-made bread, and an award-winning brunch, in a relaxed, comfortable setting with an enclosed, plant-filled patio.
Beyond NYC: Travel to Tara Kitchen, led by an award-winning chef with locations in New York City’s Tribeca and up in the Capital-Saratoga region in Troy and Schenectady, to enjoy a variety of tagines, meat, fish, and vegetable couscous dishes, lamb kabobs, and minced chicken patties. Each space glows with ornate lanterns and jewel-toned decor, captivating the senses as much as the palette.
Germany
Raise your stein and Prost to great German grub, found all over the state. In the city, Queens’ Zum Stammtisch has been proudly dishing out giant pretzels, wurstplatte, sauerbraten, jägerschnitzel, and käsespätzle since 1972. The pub’s lively, well-loved atmosphere is reminiscent of southern Germany, with a spirited bar where football (soccer) is as celebrated as the food, and banners from German clubs hang overhead. Grab a boot of beer and be transported straight to the Oktoberfest tents of Munich, right in midtown, at Bierhaus NYC, a lively spot for beers, bites, merriment, and live entertainment. Another nearby option is Reichenbach Hall, where classic beer hall vibes are accompanied by a sea of large German steins, long wooden tables, and beloved German dishes. It’s the perfect spot to catch a soccer match.
Beyond NYC: In the Hudson Valley, Mountain Brauhaus has been a hub of the German-American community since 1948, delighting guests with authentic cuisine and beverages in a lively Bavarian-style beer hall. Also in the region, Fränzel Modern German Restaurant delivers a modern take on German cuisine, serving up schnitzel, a “wurst kase scenario” charcuterie board, and curated selection of German beers. Adding to the appeal, the venue regularly hosts lively soccer watch parties. Cozy up in the Catskills over a wurst platter at Jagerberg Beer Hall, an Alpine-themed spot serving Bavarian cooking and beers. Out in Buffalo, Hofbräuhaus pours locally brewed beers made according to strict German purity laws, using only barley, yeast, hops, and Munich water. In the Finger Lakes, Rheinblick serves up savory dishes like kartoffelpuffer and käsespätzle and sweet desserts like apfelstrudel and schwarzwälder kirschtorte, all in a boisterous setting, complete with servers in old-world garb.
France
From rustic countryside inns to Michelin-starred brasseries, French cuisine thrives across New York State. Nowhere is French dining more refined than at Manhattan’s three-Michelin-star Le Bernardin, also ranked No. 3 on The New York Times NYC 100 Best Restaurants list. Led by Eric Ripert, Le Bernardin is renowned for its masterful approach to classic French seafood. The restaurant blends technique with elegance and an acute focus on the finest, freshest ingredients. Indulge in an eight-course Chef’s Tasting Menu, featuring dishes including salmon with caviar and grilled Harimasa. Meanwhile, La Grande Boucherie (also in midtown) transports you to Paris, boasting a grand brasserie atmosphere inspired by Art Nouveau design. An opulent bar, mood-lit dining room, and heated and covered outdoor terrace allows for dynamic dining. Transport your tastebuds with signature dishes such as filet mignon au poivre and coq au vin.
Beyond NYC: In Lake George, Bistro LeRoux showcases seasonally sourced, French-inspired dishes served in art-filled rooms with views into the open kitchen. The Finger Lakes boasts Bon Ami in Canandaigua, where classics like escargot, steak frites, and cassoulet are paired with a carefully curated wine list. In Central New York, the Horned Dorset Inn offers traditional French fare alongside gracious Victorian accommodations. Brasserie Le Bouchon in Cold Spring captures the spirit of a charming French bistro and is beloved for its mussels, prepared five ways.
Senegal
For a taste of Senegal, head to “Le Petit Sénégal,” (Little Senegal) in Harlem, the city’s flourishing West African hub along West 116th Street between Lenox and Frederick Douglass Boulevards. At Africa Kine, dig into Senegal’s national dish, thieboudienne, a flavorful one-pot meal of fish and seasoned rice cooked in tomato sauce with vegetables like cassava, carrots, okra, cabbage, and eggplant. Filling stomachs and hearts since 1994, this humble spot has earned praise from locals, visitors from across the globe, and the New York Times. For more Senegalese staples, including yassa, dibi, maafe, and fataya, stop into standouts like Ponty Bistro, Pikine, or Le Baobab Gouygui.
Ecuador
Queens is the most culturally diverse county in the United States, and neighborhoods like Corona and Jackson Heights are the heart of New York City’s Ecuadorian community. The flavors of Ecuador come to life through bold blends of spices including achiote, cumin, coriander, parsley, and garlic. Popular dishes feature ingredients like fried plantains, fresh tuna, tripe, and pickled onions, which make up citrusy ceviches, hearty stews, and beloved dishes like bolón de verde, encebollado, guatita, and seco de chivo. Experience Ecuador at Rincón Melania, a casual spot filled with vibrant colors, walls decorated by woven rugs, and some of the city’s best ceviche. Leticias offers authentic Ecuadorian cuisine alongside friendly service in an aesthetically-appealing modern venue. For a trendy all-day and late-night dining destination, head to Barzola, perfect for sitting at the bar and savoring craft cocktails alongside Ecuadorian classics like encebollado de pescado, muchines, and chaulafan. Meanwhile, La Hueca Epa offers a lengthy list of Ecuadorian eats in a compact but cozy dining room.
Panama
Head to Brooklyn to experience the borough’s vibrant Panamanian community, where Central American roots have settled and shaped the flavors of Flatbush and Crown Heights. Panama’s culture and cuisine represents a fusion of Latino, West Indian, and African influences. Stop into Pana’s Kitchen, where you can indulge in Panamanian comfort foods like plantains, yuca frita, empanadas, and arroz con pollo. Over at El Jeffe, a Mexican-Panamanian fast-casual fusion spot, everything is made from scratch, from the tortillas to the sangria. Owned and operated by a Panamanian-born, Brooklyn-raised woman, the popular taco spot serves delicious dishes like jerk pork tacos and chicken bowls over black beans and coconut rice.
Norway
Boasting one of the world’s longest coastlines, Norway is famed for its fresh seafood, especially salmon, and national dishes like Fårikål (mutton and cabbage stew) and Brunost (brown cheese). A taste of Norway can be found in the small Catskills hamlet of Round Top at Julia’s Local, where Norwegian chef Henning Nordanger (who once cooked for the King of Norway aboard his royal yacht) honors his heritage through Scandinavian techniques like curing, pickling, and fermenting. Enjoy a Catskills classic fresh-water trout or fresh Faroe Island salmon, and dive into an à la carte menu that changes daily, highlighting seasonal offerings harvested from the restaurant’s one-acre garden.
Brazil
Feast on the flavors of Brazil at some of New York City’s standout Brazilian restaurants and steakhouses. Dig into Feijoada Completa, Brazil’s national dish, a hearty stew of black beans slow-cooked with smoked and salted meats, at Casa in Tribeca, which has been serving Brazilian home cooking since 1998. Berimbau, with locations near Bryant Park and in the West Village, highlights Brazil’s diverse cuisine at brunch and dinner in a beachy, tropical-themed modern venue. Indulge in their baked-to-order pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread) and grab a cachaça cocktail from the curbside bar at the West Village location. For a ravenous rodízio experience, Churrascaria Plataforma in Hell’s Kitchen offers a seemingly endless parade of expertly grilled meats carved tableside. The “Gourmet Island” adds to the feast, featuring fresh salads, vegetables, seafood, and hot dishes.
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