12 Gloriously Cheesy Dishes That Haunt Our Dreams

Published Jun 21, 2018

Sure, you regularly worship at the altar of dairy with a hot plain slice, but what about a cheese boat? Or spaghetti pie? NYC’s cheese-scape is far too varied—and delicious—not to explore. Read on for some of the city’s most ooey gooey, fantastically cheesy dishes.

Katie Burton

Baked Chicken With Cheese Fondue At Baar Baar

Sure, most Indian spots have a version of chicken tikka on the menu, but how many also blanket it in a layer of gooey, melted Amul cheese? A sprinkling of walnut crumb adds a nice crunchy contrast.

13 E. First St. (at Second Ave.); 212-228-1200 or baarbaarnyc.com

Courtesy of Cheeseboat

Bacon Cheeseboat At Cheeseboat

This Williamsburg restaurant literally needs no introduction: The bulk of its menu consists of Georgian khachapuri (cheese breads), often shaped like—you guessed it—boats. With almost two dozen cheesy varieties to try, it’s difficult to pick a winner, but the bacon version gilds the lily ever so wonderfully.

80 Berry St. (at N. 9th St.), Brooklyn; NY; 929-295-8401 or cheeseboatbk.com

Courtesy of Eli’s Night Shift

Mac And Cheese Balls At Eli’s Night Shift

These golf-ball-sized beauties ooze with a proprietary cheese blend and are served with a chunky tomato sauce that offers a nice umami complement. Why balls? Because sometimes, you don’t have time for a spoon.

189 E. 79th St. (at Third Ave.); 212-879-7160 or elizabar.com/nightshift.aspx

Courtesy of Emmy Squared

Crispy Cheddar Curds At Emmy Squared

The pizza at this beloved spot is rightfully praised, but don’t overlook the rest of the menu. These deep-fried nuggets are stuffed with a sharp cheddar and are especially good dipped in the accompanying “sammy sauce,” made with sambal oelek, a sriracha-like hot sauce.

Locations in the East Village and Williamsburg; 718-360-4535 or emmysquared.com

Detroit Slice At Lions & Tigers & Squares

One of the newest slice joints on the block is also one of the cheesiest. The gargantuan rectangular slice is big enough to feed four, but once you taste the pitch-perfect blend of salty mozzarella and crunchy pepperoni, it’s doubtful you’ll want to share.

268 W. 23rd St. (at Eighth Ave.); lionsandtigersandsquares.com

Courtesy of Loring Place

Baked Ricotta At Loring Place

This Greenwich Village temple to farm-to-table cuisine often changes its menu, but you can almost always find some rendition of its signature cheesy appetizer, baked ricotta. Early summer might bring its best iteration: The salty, springy cheese is topped with ramps, fava beans and pistachio pesto.

21 W. Eighth St. (at Fifth Ave.); 212-388-1831 or loringplacenyc.com

Courtesy of Macchina

Fondue Stromboli At Macchina

It’s hard to imagine improving on the humble stromboli, but this new Italian spot has done it by adding an incredibly addictive fondue inside the bread roll. The sauce—made from mozzarella, provolone, white wine and a sprinkling of grappa—will make you wonder why you ever settled for anything less.

365 Third Ave. (at 26th St.); 646-755-8609 or macchinanyc.com

Courtesy of Melt Shop

Maple Bacon Sandwich At Melt Shop

What’s better than a grilled cheese? A bacon grilled cheese, of course. This popular sandwich is stuffed with New York cheddar, sharp brick cheese spread and maple-glazed bacon and served on crispy country white bread.

Locations in Chelsea, FiDi, Hell’s Kitchen and Midtown West; meltshop.com

Raclette For Two At Murray’s Cheese Bar

Raclette, both a cheese and the name of a Swiss dish, is tempting in any form. At New York’s foremost cheese restaurant, this entrée is served with three Alpine cheeses that you melt yourself at your table and then pour over two types of meat and tangy cornichons.

264 Bleecker St. (at Cornelia St.); 646-476-8882 or murrayscheesebar.com

Serena Wong

Feta Cheese Mousse At Nur

Cheese is just as delightful in sweet dishes as in savory ones. For proof, try the unique feta mousse at this buzzy Flatiron spot. It’s served with fresh watermelon and strawberries, plus basil ice cream, pistachio crumble and watermelon jam.

34 E. 20th St. (at Park Ave. S.); 212-505-3420 or nurnyc.com

Alexander Stein

Lobster Mac And Cheese At Seamore’s

For a decadent take on good old mac and cheese, order up a luxe version at this hip seafood spot. The dish starts with a mix of three cheeses—smoked Gouda, Vermont cheddar, and Parmesan—and is topped with sweet lobster meat and bread crumbs. A spin under the broiler adds a bubbly finish.

Locations in Chelsea, Dumbo and Nolita; seamores.com

The Sota

Spaghetti Pie At The Sosta

Pasta in pie form is the dinner mash-up we didn’t know we needed. This savory pie is made with a blend of house-made mozzarella, ricotta and pecorino, plus caramelized onion and thyme. Bonus: It’s also extremely Instagrammable.

186 Mott St. (at Kenmare St.); 212-988-9028 or thesosta.com