The 17 Best Chicken Wings in NYC, Hands Down, No Contest

Whether you’re cheering on the Los Angeles Rams or the Cincinnati Bengals, we can all agree on one thing when it comes to Super Bowl Sunday: Chicken wings are required. And luckily, there’s no shortage of excellent wings in the city. So here are 17 spots to consider for your game day grub, whether you prefer to eat out and watch the game on a big screen or cozy up from the comfort of your living room couch. And when it comes to flavorings, we’ve got ‘em all: classic Buffalo, spicy Korean, extra-extra crispy, BBQ and more. So what are you waiting for? Dive into our pick of the best chicken wings in NYC below.

You might not expect much when you enter Pelicana Chicken’s small store-front, but these Korean-style wings are worth venturing for. All of the wings are made to order, so they come out of the fryer piping hot and delightfully crispy. The signature sauce is a blend of spicy gochujang, soy,, and garlic and it’s straight-up addictive. In addition to wings, this fast-casual chain with nine locations across the boroughs also makes a serious fried chicken sandwich. Currently open for take-out and delivery.

Multiple locations; pelicanausa.com

This East Village Vietnamese eatery is hugely underrated. In fact, it’s hard to find a bad bite on the menu, which is made up of shareable appetizers like fried squid with avocado sauce, delectable stir-fried noodles, and slurpable bowls of pho. But the star of the show at Madame Vo is the chicken wings. They’re crispy, spicy, and coated in a sweet-meets-savory caramelized garlic fish sauce. Currently open for indoor dining and delivery through Caviar.

212 E 10th St.; madamevo.com

Just off the entrance to the FDR all the way up on 91st street, there’s an unexpected spot serving some of the absolute best wings in the five boroughs. If you’re indecisive, you might have a tough time at International Wings Factory, as they offer lots of options. Choose from bone-in or boneless wings, which can be prepared in three styles: regular, extra crispy or extra-extra crispy. Then, of course, you’ll have to select your sauce from a list that includes classic barbecue, black pepper teriyaki, Vietnamese chili mango and more. Orders start at a four-piece snack-size and go all the way up to a 100-piece party tray.

1762 1st Avenue; internationalwingsfactory.com

Yet another excellent option for wings on the Upper East Side, Bar Coastal is a no-frills sports bar most famous for its off-menu offering, “Kerry’s Way.” These super crispy wings are smothered in an irresistible hot and tangy sauce, and they pack just the right amount of heat. Of course, they pair best with a side of sweet potato waffle fries (yup, you heard that right).

1495 1st Ave; barcoastal.com

Dan and John’s is nothing fancy, but it’s a reliable and consistent option for excellent, classic Buffalo wings. With two locations in Manhattan—one in the East Village and one in Murray Hill—this place will satisfy your craving for wings whenever it hits. Boneless wings are also available, and in addition to the list of regularly available sauces like sweet BBQ and garlic Parmesan, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the special sauce of the month. And while you’re at it, grab an order of tater tots. They’re worth it. Dan and John’s is also offering 50-piece Super Bowl wing kits for pick-up on game day. Currently available for dining in, take-out, and delivery.

Two locations in Manhattan; danandjohnswings.com

Ask a Park Slope native where to find the best wings in the neighborhood and they’ll point you toward Bonnie’s. The menu here is loaded with all your favorite pub foods from ribs and onion rings to burgers and chili, but the wings are the highlight. You won’t find any eclectic dipping sauces here: just plain old Buffalo or BBQ chicken wings cooked to perfection and served with celery, carrots and blue cheese dressing. Open for dining-in, take-out, and delivery.

278 5th Ave., Brooklyn; bonniesgrillparkslope.com

This Harlem mainstay knows a thing or two about soul food. Amy Ruth’s isn’t where you go for a healthy meal; rather, it’s a place to indulge in everyone’s favorite comfort foods like decadent mac ‘n’ cheese and juicy fried chicken. Our order here is the “Tommy Tomita,” which is one of Amy Ruth’s famous waffles topped with oh-so-crispy fried chicken wings. Or there’s “The Ludacris,” an order of four jumbo fried chicken wings that’ll leave you wanting more. Eat your wings there or order them for take away.

113 W 116th St. (Harlem); amyruths.com

This no-frills sports bar, an UWS gem, is nothing fancy, but the wings and the atmosphere keep the regulars coming back. The buffalo wings (and Blondie’s boneless tenders) can be ordered plain or smothered in dipping sauce. For those who like things spicy, Blondie’s sauces even come in three extra hot flavors: scorching, sizzling and ouch!, guaranteed to kick things up a notch. Order a single-sized portion of 10 wings or serve them to a crowd with the party platter, which contains 100 pieces. Available for indoor dining and pick-up.

212 W 79th St,; facebook.com/Blondies-Sports-NYC

On the surface, it might seem like booze is the focus at Bar Goto. But look deeper, and you’ll find some incredible bites at this bar-meets-izakaya. The menu is small but mighty, featuring small Japanese-inspired plates, like the miso chicken wings that come lathered in a thick, spicy layer of miso and topped with chives, and sesame seeds. Pro tip: Add a cocktail onto your order. The Far East Sider, made with sake, tequila, elderflower, yuzu and shiso is the perfect complement to the umami-packed wings. Open for dine-in only.

245 Eldridge St; bargoto.com

Don’t let the name fool you: there’s more than seafood at this Harlem-based eatery that specializes in Caribbean fare. In fact, the smoked wings happen to be one of the best things on the menu. They’re charred, tossed in a sticky, slightly sweet glaze, and then drizzled with garlic crema and sesame seeds. Oh, and take a mental note: During the warmer months, Lolo’s seafood Shack has one of our favorite back patios, perfect for sipping a boozy mango slushy in the summer sun. Grab a seat and dine-in or order your wings for delivery or pickup.

303 W 116th St.; lolosseafoodshack.com

Wings might not be the first thing you’d expect to order at this snug, African street food eatery on Carmine Street. But hidden among dishes like Nigerian Suya and jollof rice you’ll find the Calypso Wings, a plentiful order of grilled, jerk wings garnished with tangy pineapple salsa. Wash them down with a refreshing berber mint tea or ginger lemongrass juice. Berber Street Food is open for dining in or delivery via Caviar.

35 Carmine St.; berberstreetfood.com

Jeju Noodle Bar is an upscale Korean ramen restaurant with a Michelin star that you probably wouldn’t immediately associate with fried chicken. But among the menu made up of savory, rich ramyun noodle soups, Jeju’s fried chicken wings deserve your attention. Consider these the Channel of chicken wings, if you will. Jeju knocks it out of the park with these dry-rubbed wings that manage to fit seamlessly into the upscale dining theme. Like magic, they’re battered and crispy on the outside but perfectly juicy on the inside.

679 Greenwich St,; jejunoodlebar.com

For the best wings Astoria has to offer (in our opinion), head to Blackbird’s. This neighborhood spot is a local favorite for its above-average bar food (think: homemade jalapeño poppers, burgers and more). But it’s the wings that deserve a place in every order. Despite being smothered in Buffalo sauce they maintain their crispness, and they come in five flavors: honey BBQ, mild, medium, hot or—for those daring enough—nuclear. On Thursdays, Blackbirds offers a special menu of wings tossed in a handful of creative sauces like maple chipotle, sweet chili sauce, Caribbean jerk rub and peanut butter sesame with jelly dipping sauce. They’re open for indoor dining seven days a week.

41-19 30th Ave., Queens; blackbirdsbar.com

There’s a good chance you’ve never had wings like the ones you’ll find at this Battery Park barbecue joint by Danny Meyer. On the menu you’ll find classic chipotle chicken wings and then the more unique Alabama white wings, a regional specialty you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else in NYC. These jumbo fried chicken wings are served with a mayo-based white barbecue sauce, which gets a hint of tanginess and a kick of spice from white vinegar, lemon juice, horseradish and cayenne. These days, you can order Blue Smoke’s wings for take-out with a pre-bottled Oaxaca Old Fashioned or Boulevardier to wash ‘em down. They’re open for indoor dining, take-out, delivery, and even nationwide shipping.

255 Vessey St.; bluesmoke.com

This counter-serve eatery in Bushwick isn’t much bigger than a studio apartment, but it’s a local favorite for its laid-back, funky atmosphere and affordable, tasty Vietnamese food. Little Mo’s “Mo Wangs,” are a must order: glazed in caramelized garlic fish sauce, they’re just the right balance of sweet and salty. While you’re at it, go ahead and solidify your order with a banh mi sandwich or a bowl of savory pho. Little Mo is now open for dine-in service and delivery.

1158 Myrtle Ave., Brooklyn; littlemobk.nyc

It should come as no surprise that one of the best barbecue joints in the city also cooks up some stellar wings. Rather than wing pieces, these babies are served whole, Vietnamese style and topped with toasted sesame seeds, scallions and cilantro ranch for dipping. Both locations are open for dine-in, takeout, and delivery, with the Red Hook spot in particular offering plenty of indoor and outdoor options. While you’re there, you might as well tack on an order of the slow-cooked, pulled pork.

Locations in Industry City and Red Hook; hometownbbq.com