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Address: 64 Charles St, New York, NY 10014
495 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Hours: Open daily from roughly 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
www.edithsbk.com
By Lauren Holstein
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Some restaurants earn their reputation through nostalgia. Others stand out by reinventing familiar favorites. Edith's Sandwich Counter manages to do both, blending old-school deli traditions with Jewish flavors and inventive ingredients that make every sandwich feel fresh–and taste delicious.
What began as a pandemic pop-up in the spring of 2020 quickly became one of New York City's biggest food success stories. Founder Elyssa Heller drew inspiration from her great-aunt Edith, who operated a Brooklyn deli in the 1950s. The result was a menu rooted in tradition but far from ordinary. Daily sellouts, neighborhood buzz, and lines stretching around the block soon led to the opening of Edith's first brick-and-mortar location in Williamsburg in 2021. By December 2024, the concept expanded to Manhattan with a second location in the West Village.
Today, Edith's serves breakfast and lunch daily, offering a scratch-made, grilled-to-order menu. Nearly every item comes with an unexpected twist—whether it's a bold condiment, an inventive combination of textures, or an ingredient you wouldn't expect but instantly recognize after the first bite.
The menu spans specialty sandwiches, deli classics, breakfast wraps, bagels with house-made schmears, crispy latkes, fresh pastries, and sides. Customers can choose sandwiches on bagels, pita, or the restaurant's house-made bread, each one thoughtfully selected to complement the fillings.
Among the standouts is the BEC&L, a bacon, egg, cheese, and latke sandwich that has become one of Edith's signature creations. Named one of the sandwiches that define New York City by The New York Times, it transforms a familiar breakfast staple into something more memorable. The Sephardi Breakfast Wrap, recognized by The Infatuation as one of New York City's best breakfast sandwiches, layers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors into a hearty morning meal. And no visit is complete without ordering the famous Iced Café Slushie, a frozen coffee drink that has developed an almost cult following. Despite its rich, creamy appearance, the drink is surprisingly balanced and refreshingly nutty rather than overly sweet. Food & Wine even named it one of the best drinks of the year. Those with a sweet tooth shouldn't leave without grabbing an Amba Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie, another fan favorite that earned recognition from The Infatuation as one of New York City's top chocolate chip cookies.
While both Edith's locations are cozy, they each offer a slightly different experience. The original Williamsburg shop maintains the intimate neighborhood feel that first made it famous. The West Village location, tucked onto the corner of Charles Street, features both indoor and outdoor seating, including the namesake sandwich counter. It's an ideal stop for grabbing lunch before wandering the tree-lined streets of the West Village or settling outside for a leisurely meal and some of the city's best people-watching.
In a city filled with delis and sandwich shops, Edith's has carved out a space that's entirely its own. Familiar flavors meet unexpected combinations, family recipes find new life, and every sandwich delivers something just surprising enough to make it unforgettable.
