Empanadas, or stuffed semi-circle hand pies, can be found all over Latin America. Their history is complex and multifaceted– historians believe that the global concept of stuffed dough originated thousands of years ago in Mesopotamia.
In the case of the empanada, it is believed that an early variant from the Middle East would make its way to the Iberian Peninsula by way of the Moors and later to the Americas, thanks to the spread of the Spanish and Portuguese Empires. Once on the other side of the Atlantic, these pastries adapted to the local culinary landscape, resulting in a multitude of different empanada varieties.
Fast forward to the 21st century, and you can find a multiplicity of these unique empanada styles in NYC, thanks to its diverse demographic. What’s more, many spots are embracing the Big Apple’s multicultural tapestry, crafting exciting mashups that highlight the city’s DNA. Check out our guide to these 8 excellent spots to grab empanadas in NYC and start feasting your way throughout the boroughs.
Where to find the best empanadas in NYC
El Gauchito
This beloved Argentinean joint has been dishing out Argentinean favorites for over 40 years, and empanadas are no exception. El Gauchito, which now has multiple locations across Queens, serves up some of the best Argentine-style empanadas you’ll find in the city.
Stuffed with either chicken or beef, you can order them either baked or fried, both of which are excellent. Get them as an appetizer and indulge in some of El Gauchito’s other top-notch barbecue dishes, or take them to go and enjoy them at home.
Pro-Tip: El Gauchito also delivers their empanadas frozen and ready to bake, so you can always be prepared for any empanada emergency.
Bolivian Llama Party
At Bolivian Llama Party in Sunnyside, Queens, chef-founder-brother trio Alex, David, and Patrick Oropeza are serving succulent salteñas at one of the few Bolivian restaurants in NYC. Salteñas, or Bolivian style-empanadas, feature a slightly sweet, golden-hued dough often flavored with achiote and sugar, and an intensely juicy stew-like filling that get their characteristically rich and flavorful texture as the pastry bakes.
Keeping with tradition, these succulent hand-pies are available with chicken or beef, but you’ll also find inventive veggie-based broths with oyster mushroom, quinoa, and squash.
Be sure to try other delicious Bolivian fare like their cheesy cuñapé and hearty silpancho, or their Bolivina-inspired crispy pollo broaster, which is said by many to be one of the best chicken sandwiches in the city.
Titi’s Empanadas
Newcomer Titi’s (Havemeyer St store 4, 160) is making moves on NYC’s empanada scene. Having opened in June of 2024, Brooklynites and non-Brooklynites alike are flocking to this Williamsburg outpost for Venezuelan and “NYC-Inspired” hand pies.
On the menu you’ll find traditional Venezuelan fillings like carne mechada or pabellón available in corn and plantain casings, in addition to inventive, global creations which play on NYC’s cultural diversity, such as Argentinian choripan, or a deep-dish pizza flavor, stuffed inside of a crispy wheat pastry.
Run by the family behind Cachapas y Mas, Titi’s also serves up an excellent selection of cachapas, sandwiches, and Venezuelan baked goods.
Claudy’s Kitchen
Claudy’s Kitchen is serving up some of the best Peruvian food NYC has to offer and we’re not the only ones to notice. In 2021, the family-owned establishment, run by chef Claudia Berroa, was awarded a Michelin Gourmand Bib, a title which recognizes restaurants that offer great food at reasonable prices.
Claudy’s empanadas are light and crisp, filled with traditional preparations like roast chicken and chicharron, or even aji de gallina, and lomo saltado.
For dessert, try their apple cinnamon variety, or try one of their cult-favorite flans, which are not to be missed.
Sophie’s Cuban
Cuban empanadas are characterized by their particularly flaky and crispy dough and Sophie’s are fantastic. You can’t go wrong with any of their 5 varieties, which include meat, chicken, cheese, guava & cheese, and spinach & cheese.
With 11 locations across the city, they’re the perfect side for one of Sophies’ Cuban bowls/plates, which feature classics like ropa vieja, oxtail stew, and arroz moro.
Palenque
Palenque’s Colombian empanadas are crispy, succulent, and 100% gluten-free. These half-moon pastries are made with Palenque’s house-made multi cereal dough, which features ingredients like brown rice, quinoa, flax seeds, sesame, and chia, making it a healthy yet delicious alternative for both gluten-free and non gluten-free empanada lovers alike.
Try exciting flavors like pork belly with sweet plantains, queso fresco with guava paste, braised angus with potatoes, or their veggie-friendly portobello mushroom empanada, all served alongside homemade aji sauce, and chipotle mayo.
Find them at one of their two Brooklyn-based brick & mortar restaurants (Graham and Gaia), or at four pop-ups throughout the city.
Petisco Brazuca
Petisco Brazuca may be best known for their coixinhas (Brazilian chicken croquettes), but their Brazilian-style empanadas, known as pastel de feira, merit a trip in themselves to one of their 7 locations.
These perfectly crispy empanadas are fried to perfection (are are still somehow very light) and come stuffed with beef, chicken, or cheese. Head to one of Smorgasburg’s locations, or try them at one of Petisco’s three brick and mortar locations across the city.
Empanada Mama
Brazilian, Jamaican, Cuban, Greek… Empanada Mama has it all.
Empanada Mama honors NYC’s multifaceted culinary mosaic in the best of ways and offer more than 40 empanada varieties, such as:
- El Jefe: Slow-cooked birria beef, sweet roasted corn & peppers, Oaxaca cheese & cilantro lime rice
- Desayuno Colombiano: Colombian pork sausage, cheddar cheese, eggs, Spanish onion
- Greek Spinach Pie: Spinach and feta cheese
We’re particular fans of their Viagra Corn Empanada, which features a corn dough base stuffed with a succulent seafood stew made with tiger shrimp and fresh crab meat.
Find them across Manhattan, on the Lower East Side, Hell’s Kitchen, East Village, Times Square, and on the Upper East Side.
Interested in discovering more of NYC’s unique culinary culture? Expand your culinary horizons and check out our guide to the 10 Most Unusual Foods That You Should Try.
Vera is a freelance writer/guide who is passionate about food history, culture and immigrant-driven cuisine. Her work has appeared in publications such as Gastro Obscura and Eater. As a proud Argentine-NYer living in Barcelona, she holds a deep love for empanadas, 99 cent pizza, and turrón. Check out her portfolio and Instagram.
