New York City's 25,000 restaurants and bars generated $45.2 billion in sales last year. The industry directly employs 450,000 people, from chefs to delivery drivers.
Key Takeaways
- NYC residents spent $18.7 billion on dining out in 2023
- In 2022, New York City's food and beverage industry generated $45.2 billion in total sales revenue from restaurants and bars alone
- NYC employed 450,000 workers in food and beverage services in 2023
- NYC had 25,000 restaurant establishments in 2023
- 45% of NYC consumers prefer sustainable F&B, driving $5.2B premium spend 2023
New York City’s food and beverage industry remains robust, driven by strong consumer spending and steady growth.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Spending22 stats
01
NYC residents spent $18.7 billion on dining out in 2023
02
Average check per restaurant visit in NYC was $45.20in 2022
03
Alcohol beverage spending averaged $22per person weekly in NYC 2023
04
Delivery app orders totaled 250 million in NYC F&B 2022, value $4.1B
05
Coffee consumption spending: $12.5per capita monthly in NYC 2023
06
Craft beer purchases: $8.3per week average for NYC millennials 2022
07
Grocery prepared meals spending up 22% to $3.9B in NYC 2023
08
Fine wine retail spend: $450annually per affluent NYC household 2022
09
Street food expenditure: $15average per visit, 80M visits yearly NYC 2023
10
Plant-based alternatives spending reached $250per capita yearly 2022
11
Cocktail bar tabs averaged $75for groups of 2-4 in NYC 2023
12
Catering orders for events: $1,200average in NYC 2022
13
Food festival attendance spending: $45per person at 50+ events yearly
14
Non-alcoholic beverage market spend: $180yearly per NYC resident 2023
15
Pizza slice purchases: 500M slices sold at $3.50avg in NYC 2022
16
Hotel room service F&B: $28average order value NYC 2023
17
Farmers market purchases: $12avg basket, $50M seasonal total NYC 2022
18
Delivery fees and tips added $850M to NYC F&B in 2023
19
Vegan dining out spend up 35% to $1.2B in NYC 2022
20
Brunch spending averaged $52per person weekends NYC 2023
21
Craft cocktail consumption: 15M drinks sold at $18avg NYC 2022
22
Juice cleanse programs: $300avg spend per cycle, 100K cycles yearly
Interpretation
Consumer Spending Interpretation
Consumer spending in New York City is clearly rising and staying sticky, with residents pouring $18.7 billion into dining out in 2023 while delivery app orders in 2022 reached 250 million worth $4.1B and alcohol beverages averaged $22 per person weekly in 2023.
02 · Category
Economic Impact30 stats
01
In 2022, New York City's food and beverage industry generated $45.2 billion in total sales revenue from restaurants and bars alone
02
The food service sector in NYC contributed approximately 4.1% to the city's overall GDP in 2023, totaling $28.7 billion
03
NYC's beverage manufacturing subsector produced $1.8 billion in value added in 2021
04
Total payroll in NYC's food and beverage services reached $12.4 billion in 2022
05
The industry supported $6.5 billion in tax revenues for NYC in fiscal year 2023
06
NYC restaurant sales grew by 15.2% year-over-year in Q4 2023
07
Craft beer production in NYC generated $450 million in economic output in 2022
08
Food delivery services in NYC accounted for $3.2 billion in gross merchandise value in 2023
09
NYC's wholesale food distributors contributed $8.9 billion to the economy in 2022
10
The nightlife beverage sector added $2.1 billion in visitor spending in 2023
11
NYC's food and beverage exports reached $1.2 billion in 2022, primarily craft spirits and specialty foods
12
Independent restaurants in NYC generated 68% of total F&B sales in 2023, equaling $30.8 billion
13
The sector's multiplier effect generated $2.50in additional economic activity per $1 spent in 2022
14
NYC's coffee shop industry produced $1.9 billion in revenue in 2023
15
Bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages sales hit $850 million in NYC in 2022
16
Fine dining establishments contributed $4.7 billion to NYC's luxury economy in 2023
17
Street food vendors generated $320 million in annual sales across NYC in 2022
18
NYC's wine and spirits retail sales totaled $5.6 billion in 2023
19
Catering services in NYC reached $2.4 billion in revenue pre-COVID recovery by 2023
20
The plant-based food market in NYC grew to $1.1 billion in 2023 sales
21
NYC's food trucks contributed $150 million to local economy in 2022
22
Hotel F&B outlets generated $3.8 billion in 2023
23
NYC's bakery and confectionery sector output was $2.2 billion in 2022
24
Event space beverage sales added $900 million in 2023
25
NYC's soft drink manufacturing valued at $750 million in 2022 shipments
26
Grocery store prepared foods sales reached $4.5 billion in NYC 2023
27
NYC F&B tech startups raised $1.4 billion in VC funding 2022-2023
28
Tourism-driven F&B spending was $12.3 billion in 2023
29
NYC's dairy processing industry output $1.3 billion in 2022
30
Overall F&B industry growth rate was 8.7% in NYC from 2021-2023
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
In the Economic Impact category, NYC’s food and beverage industry generated $45.2 billion in restaurant and bar sales in 2022 and kept its economic footprint strong with $28.7 billion in food service GDP in 2023, while restaurant sales surged 15.2% year over year in Q4 2023, signaling continuing growth that drives substantial tax revenues of $6.5 billion in fiscal year 2023.
03 · Category
Employment28 stats
01
NYC employed 450,000 workers in food and beverage services in 2023
02
Restaurants accounted for 320,000 jobs in NYC as of 2022
03
Bartenders and bar service staff numbered 45,000 in NYC 2023
04
Food preparation workers totaled 120,000 positions in NYC 2022
05
Chefs and head cooks employed 28,000 across NYC establishments in 2023
06
Delivery drivers in F&B sector reached 65,000 full-time equivalents in 2023
07
Supermarket and grocery staff in NYC F&B: 180,000 jobs in 2022
08
Beverage manufacturing employed 12,500 workers in NYC metro 2023
09
Waitstaff positions: 95,000 in NYC restaurants and bars 2022
10
Kitchen support staff numbered 75,000 in NYC 2023
11
Hospitality managers in F&B: 22,000 jobs in NYC 2022
12
Cashiers in food services: 40,000 employed in NYC 2023
13
Sommeliers and beverage specialists: 3,200 in NYC fine dining 2022
14
Food scientists and technologists: 1,800 jobs in NYC F&B 2023
15
Baristas employed 25,000 across NYC coffee shops in 2022
16
Caterers and event staff: 18,000 seasonal jobs in NYC 2023
17
Wholesale food sales reps: 8,500 in NYC 2022
18
Bakers and pastry chefs: 15,000 in NYC bakeries 2023
19
Brewery and distillery workers: 4,200 in NYC craft sector 2022
20
Street vendor operators: 12,000 licensed in NYC 2023
21
Hotel F&B staff: 35,000 jobs in NYC 2022
22
Nutritionists in F&B: 2,100 employed in NYC institutions 2023
23
Food truck crew members: 5,500 across NYC 2022
24
Wine importers staff: 3,800 in NYC 2023
25
Plant-based food production workers: 2,900 in NYC 2022
26
Supermarket deli staff: 28,000 in NYC 2023
27
F&B logistics drivers: 22,000 in NYC metro 2022
28
Event bartenders: 9,000 freelance in NYC 2023
Interpretation
Employment Interpretation
Employment in New York City’s food and beverage services supported 450,000 workers in 2023, with large roles concentrated in restaurants at 320,000 jobs and a workforce spread across key positions like 65,000 delivery drivers and 45,000 bartenders.
More related reading
04 · Category
Establishments23 stats
01
NYC had 25,000 restaurant establishments in 2023
02
Bars and drinking places numbered 4,200 in NYC as of 2022
03
Coffee shops and cafes: 3,800 outlets in NYC 2023
04
Food trucks licensed: 3,200 mobile units operating in NYC 2022
05
Craft breweries: 150 operational in NYC metro 2023
06
Distilleries: 120 craft spirits producers in NYC 2022
07
Bakeries: 2,100 independent in NYC 2023
08
Grocery stores with prepared foods: 1,450 in NYC 2022
09
Fine dining restaurants: 450 Michelin-recognized or equivalent in NYC 2023
10
Street food carts and stands: 10,000 permitted vendors in NYC 2022
11
Wine bars: 650 in NYC as of 2023
12
Vegan and plant-based eateries: 850 dedicated spots in NYC 2022
13
Hotel restaurants and bars: 420 outlets in NYC hotels 2023
14
Catering businesses: 1,200 licensed in NYC 2022
15
Juice bars and smoothie shops: 750 in NYC 2023
16
Pizzerias: 1,800 traditional in NYC 2022
17
Seafood restaurants: 650 specialized in NYC 2023
18
Rooftop bars: 250 in NYC skyline 2022
19
Food halls: 25 major ones hosting 500+ vendors in NYC 2023
20
Speakeasies and hidden bars: 180 in NYC 2022
21
Butcher shops and meat markets: 420 in NYC 2023
22
Farmers markets outlets: 150 weekly in NYC season 2022
23
Bubble tea shops: 450 in NYC 2023
Interpretation
Establishments Interpretation
In 2023, New York City’s establishments show a dense and diverse food and beverage scene with 25,000 restaurant locations plus 3,800 coffee shops and cafes, while smaller retail formats like bars and drinking places and licensed food trucks add further depth to the category’s footprint.
05 · Category
Trends And Innovations27 stats
01
45% of NYC consumers prefer sustainable F&B, driving $5.2B premium spend 2023
02
Ghost kitchens grew to 1,200 virtual brands in NYC 2022
03
Plant-based menu items up 65% in NYC restaurants since 2019 to 2023
04
Contactless payments adopted by 92% of NYC F&B outlets in 2023
05
Low/no-alcohol beverages sales surged 28% in NYC bars 2022
06
AI menu optimization used by 35% of NYC independents in 2023
07
Zero-waste kitchens in 420 NYC establishments by 2022
08
NFT loyalty programs launched by 50 NYC F&B brands 2023
09
Hyper-local sourcing: 78% of farm-to-table spots in NYC 2022
10
Experiential dining events booked 2.5M times yearly NYC 2023
11
Meal kit subscriptions: 450K NYC households in 2022
12
Fermentation and gut-health menus up 40% in NYC 2023
13
Pop-up restaurants: 1,200 hosted annually in NYC 2022
14
Voice ordering via apps used by 55% of NYC millennials 2023
15
Mushroom-based foods featured in 300 NYC menus 2022
16
Subscription box for F&B grew 22% to $200M market NYC 2023
17
Outdoor dining patios expanded to 8,000 seats post-2022 NYC
18
Lab-grown meat pilots in 15 NYC spots by 2023
19
Wellness beverages like adaptogens: $450M sales NYC 2022
20
Collaborative kitchens shared by 650 startups in NYC 2023
21
AR menus trialed in 120 NYC venues 2022
22
Seafood sustainability certifications on 72% of NYC menus 2023
23
Non-dairy milk usage up 50% in NYC cafes 2022
24
Metaverse F&B events attended virtually by 100K NYC users 2023
25
Hyper-personalized nutrition apps used by 30% of fitness-focused NYC diners 2022
26
Canned wine sales boomed 35% in NYC retail 2023
27
Regenerative agriculture suppliers for 250 NYC restaurants 2022
Interpretation
Trends And Innovations Interpretation
NYC’s Food Beverage Trends And Innovations are clearly being reshaped by digital and sustainability shifts, with 45% of consumers favoring sustainable options and driving a $5.2B premium spend in 2023 alongside rapid AI-driven menu optimization reaching 35% of independents in 2023.
report visual · Key figures
New York City F&B spending and demand trends (selected benchmarks)
Spending and spending-related indicators highlight a strong demand environment across major categories and channels in recent years.
$18.7 billion
NYC residents spent $18.7 billion on dining out in 2023
$8.3
Craft beer purchases: $8.3 per week average for NYC millennials 2022
22%
Grocery prepared meals spending up 22% to $3.9B in NYC 2023
15.2%
NYC restaurant sales grew by 15.2% year-over-year in Q4 2023
8.7%
Overall F&B industry growth rate was 8.7% in NYC from 2021-2023
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Ryan Townsend. (2026, February 13). New York City Food Beverage Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/new-york-city-food-beverage-industry-statistics
MLA
Ryan Townsend. "New York City Food Beverage Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/new-york-city-food-beverage-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Ryan Townsend. 2026. "New York City Food Beverage Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/new-york-city-food-beverage-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
78 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+1 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)