A week ago corn was just something you had at a barbecue, now it’s the song you can’t get out of your head.
Unless you live under a rock, you’re familiar with the “It’s Corn!” audio dominating our TikTok feeds.
Corn has taken on a life of its own, to the point where people are actually seeking out corn dishes.
See Also: The 15 Best Gluten-Free Restaurants In NYC
Step aside cauliflower, there’s a new trendy vegetable in town.
In light of this resurgence, we’ve rounded up the ten best corn dishes in NYC.
Keep reading for more.
Cafe Habana: Grilled CornView this post on Instagram
17 Prince St, Manhattan/Website
It’s borderline illegal to go to Cafe Habana and not order the grilled corn. So much so, that locals and tourists alike wait in line for hours for this prized possession (and some delicious tacos and tequila). Made with mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime, this dish puts all other Mexican corn to shame. The moment you bite into this culinary masterpiece, it’s a party in your mouth more elite than a Michael Rubin extravaganza.
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240 Central Park S, Manhattan/Website
Name a better combination than carbs and corn, we’ll wait. This delightful corn-filled ravioli is served with black truffles, chanterelle, and topped with Parmigiano, creating a dish that is equally as unique as it is scrumptious. The homemade pasta is wonderful on its own, but it’s the sweetness of the corn paired with the oakiness of the truffle that takes this dish to the next level. We could literally have this pasta for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and not get sick of it.
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Multiple Locations/Website
Serving quality Italian food all over New York City, Quality Eats makes a mean Creme Brûlée. And the best part is, it’s made with everybody’s newfound obsession: corn. Prepared with heavy cream, egg yolks, and corn, this delectable dessert is the epitome of velvety, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth lusciousness. To top it off, the caramelized crust adds a captivating crunch we didn’t know we needed.
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35 E 21st St, Manhattan/Website
Foodies rave about this Michelin-Star Mexican restaurant, and rightfully so. After indulging in Cosme’s Insta-famous Corn Husk Meringue, we are absolutely sold. The star of this highly sought-after dish is obviously corn, and we’ll literally cry if it’s ever replaced with an understudy. Made with corn mousse, burnt vanilla ice cream, a crisply-based corn meringue, and a sprinkling of corn husk, this awe-inspiring dish is truly one of a kind.
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86 Allen St, Manhattan/Website
Whether you’re vegetarian, obnoxiously healthy, or just genuinely love your vegetables, Dirt Candy is guaranteed to satisfy all your cravings. As meat lovers ourselves, we still leave this stylish plant-based eatery feeling full and happy. Replacing your traditional bread and butter starter, Dirt Candy serves a silky corn mousse (the butter) beautifully smothered on top of a yeasted corn “bread.” And let’s not forget about the salty seaweed caviar making the dish all the more boujee.
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109 Avenue A, Manhattan/Website
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably had Mexican corn at least once in your life. You may have had too many Casamigos to remember, but that seems like a you problem. But have you ever had Jamaican-style corn? Miss Lily’s famed Jerk Corn is coated with highly addictive jerk mayo (no literally, we lick this off our plates) and topped with toasted coconut to add a burst of zestiness. Despite its viral popularity, this dish is far from overrated.
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Multiple Locations/Website
A spinoff of the popular food truck, this no-frills Mexican joint is reinventing the wheel in quiet, but ever-so noticeable, ways. Speaking of, did somebody say corn ribs? We think we’ve died and gone to food heaven. Taking the traditional street corn presentation and flipping it on its head, Mexicue’s Street Corn “Ribs” are made with creamy chipotle, cotija cheese, and chili powder, and then cut into slabs of “meat.” Never did we think we would enjoy vegetables more than pork, but there’s a first time for everything.
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30 W 26th St, Manhattan/Website
Most people go to barbecue for the messy, melt-in-your-mouth meats, but we’re obviously in it for the sides. We don’t discriminate when it comes to carbs, but Hill Country BBQ’s cornbread just hits different. Baked fresh daily, this magical cornbread is made with just the right amount of pork rinds and served with homemade ancho chili butter. The fieriness of the chili butter offsets the sweetness of the cornbread, creating an explosion of flavors on your tongue.
Photography by: Courtesy Getty Images
