Easy New York Themed Party Food Ideas

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These New York themed party foods are super fun for a romantic night in at home or for a fun theme for a book club party!

A variety of New York themed party foods are on the kitchen counter including a container of sugared nuts, black and white cookies, fresh strawberries.

Valentine's Day with kids can be a little tricky. How do you balance a romantic evening with your sweetie but enjoy the night with the kids, too? I think I've found the perfect answer.

If a date night out at a fancy restaurant isn't in the cards, how does a trip to New York City sound instead??

Ok, so plane tickets may not be in the budget, either. Instead, I think you should totally skip the cliche heart-shaped everything and prepare a simple taste of New York City that you and your family can enjoy right at home!

I think New York is one of the most romantic cities in the world. It's the perfect theme for a Valentine's Day dinner. You could share it with the kids or save it for when they're in bed.

Or, channel your inner Sarah Jessica Parker and schedule a fun Galentine's Night with your best girlfriends. Cosmos included!

There are so many fun things you could do with a New York party theme. The original inspiration for this menu came from our latest book club party.

The book of the month was a book set in New York City and the main character nibbled on many of the items listed on this menu.

Or if you're planning something for the kids, how about picking up a few of these fun children's books about New York City?

No matter what your special occasion is, I hope that you have a ton of fun with this party menu!

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Easy New York-Themed Party Food

I had so much fun brainstorming the New York foods for our party menu.

I tried to remember the things that Tim and I enjoyed most from our visits to the Big Apple and I took heavy inspiration from the pages of our book club book.

Here are the easy New York recipes that made the cut:

Sweet and Spicy Candied Nuts

Inspired by the street cart nuts you find on every corner in New York, these candied nuts are totally addictive. I dare you to eat just one.

They only take 5 minutes of prep time and are the absolute easiest thing on the entire menu!

Candied Nuts
These sweet and slightly spicy candied nuts taste like they just came off a street cart in New York City but only take 5 minutes of prep.
4.17 from 6 votes
GET THE RECIPE
A dish of candied nuts has a red heart decoration. The nuts are coated in a thick sugar crust.

Soft Homemade Pretzels

Another street cart delicacy, twisty soft pretzels are easily found in the city.

My kids absolutely loved helping to make these and the whole recipe only took about an hour and a half (including clean-up!) This recipe is an absolute winner.

Soft Baked Pretzels
This easy soft baked pretzel recipe for kids is a fun weekend baking activity to enjoy together. Dunk the warm pretzels in cheese dip or honey mustard for your next football party or for a fun snack any time of year.
4.72 from 7 votes
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A pie plate holds a pile of baked fluffy pretzels with chunks of kosher salt sprinkled over the top.

Classic Black and White Cookies

I thought for sure these gorgeous cookies would be nearly impossible to make at home. I was totally wrong! I discovered a few great tricks for beginner bakers to make the stunning classic New York black and white cookie right at home. We will absolutely be making these again!

Black and White Cookies
This classic New York cookie is actually really easy to make at home with a few simple tricks.
5 from 2 votes
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A serving platter filled with black and white cookies.

Fresh Strawberries

The same bright red color as the classic I Heart New York logo, fresh strawberries are just a super-easy thing to fill out the party menu. Pop a big bowl of them into the display for color and sweetness.

I used my favorite Nora Fleming serving pieces with the red heart mini for flair.

Cosmopolitan Cocktails

Adults only, obviously.

This classic cocktail is the perfect solution for book club or for sharing with your sweetie for Valentine's Day.

Classic Cosmopolitan
Make a classic Cosmopolitan drink without ever leaving the comfort of your own home! This classy cocktail is known and loved by many.
GET THE RECIPE
Classic Cosmopolitan

Fun Ideas for Hosting a New York Party

Now that you've got the food all set, it's time to set the mood!

Here are some great ways to make the evening special:

1. Watch a Movie Set in New York

My personal choice would absolutely be the Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan classic, Sleepless in Seattle but one of these movies to watch before a trip to NYC would be perfect.

2. Turn up the tunes

Music is the key to any party. Whether you crank up Old Blue Eyes himself and listen to some classic Frank Sinatra or create a playlist of your favorite Broadway melodies, you'll swear you're in Times Square in no time. 

3. Set the dress code

I always laugh when I hear New Yorkers say that they can spot tourists simply by the fact that they are the ones wearing anything but the color black. Considering my closet looks like a rainbow, I'm obviously the most toursity of tourists.

Have everyone at your party come dressed all in black. Audrey Hepburn pearls totally allowed, obviously.

More Romantic Party Themes

Plan some themed party snacks and pair them with the perfect movie for a fun Valentine's Day night in:

Pretzels, candied nuts, and black and white cookies are all on display for a New York party theme.
A display of party foods from New York includes candied nuts, pretzels, and black and white cookies.

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