This Weekend’s Must-Eat Food Pop-ups & Drops in NYC

Written By 8it Team

Let’s be real…keeping track of all NYC’s food pop-ups and limited-edition dish drops has been nearly impossible. Over the last few decades, pop-ups have been on the rise in NYC and 8it has become the go-to source for tracking all of them and helping these entrepreneurial chefs get discovered. From chef residencies to sidewalk pop-ups, we've sifted through the culinary chaos on Instagram to bring you a handpicked selection of NYC's finest pop-ups and limited-edition drops that you should dig into this week. Consider this your backstage pass to the hottest pop-ups & limited-edition eats in NYC! Dive into our weekly curated list of upcoming food adventures before they disappear 🧨💥

The NBA Playoffs are here, and if you’ve been anywhere near a bar, bodega, or literally any sidewalk in NYC, you already know: Knicks fever is real. The city is electric and chefs are dishing that orange & blue energy all weekend long. Whether you’re running a full-court press on all five of these pop-ups & drops or just posting up for one highlight-reel bite, these dishes are certified starters. No jersey required, just bring your appetite.

Diplàn & Co.
Baba on Withers // 47 Withers St, BK // Sun 4.27

📸 @diplanandco

Chef Lefthy blends the flavors of New York, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico in her pop-up concept, Diplàn & Co — and this Sunday, she’s bringing serious depth to the lineup at Baba on Withers. From Bacalao Salad and Crispy Pig Ear Chicharrón to a Tripleta Bureka and Fried E’spaghetti, the small bites are built to score. Mains like Fried Rib Tips, Pescao Frito, and Rabo y Chivo Encendio bring the heat, and if you’re playing through to dessert, don’t sleep on the Morir Soñando Tart with torched marshmallow.

Pastrami Hummus by Katz x 12 Chairs
All 12 Chairs Cafe Locations // Mon 4.28 - Mon 5.12

📸 @12chairscafe

Everyone knows Katz’s. Their legendary slow smoked, hand-cut pastrami is a NYC icon. 12 Chairs Cafe, a bit younger but nonetheless top tier, transporting you to Tel Aviv with every bite. The two are coming together for a crossover worthy of a highlight reel: a bowl of 12 Chairs’ creamy hummus, topped with tahini, jalapeño lemon hot sauce, and a generous pile of Katz’s signature pastrami, served with hot, fluffy pita. It’s the kind of collab that reminds you why New York stays winning. Available at all 12 Chairs Cafe locations through early May.

Gotcha Focaccia x Pecking House
Pecking House, Chinatown location // 83 Henry St, NYC // Fri 4.25

📸 @eatgotcha

Gotcha Focaccia and Pecking House are coming together like Brunson and Hart on a fast break - in sync, unstoppable, and built to score. Chef Eric Huang’s famous Szechuan fried chicken, soy sauce pickles, sliced tomatoes, kewpie mayo, and pork floss are stacked between a custom hot honey sesame focaccia from Gotcha, made in collaboration with Brave Sauce Co. It’s only available today at Pecking House’s Chinatown location. Don’t airball this layup. PS. if you had your 8it app notifications turned on, you got something special on us - if you missed it, make sure you turn them on for the next time!

Persian Pistachio & Rosewater Cookie
7th Street Burger // 110 MacDougal St, NYC // Sat 4.26-Sun 4.27

📸 @thecookieconnect

The Cookie Connect and 7th Street Burger are teaming up this weekend to shower NYC with 250 free Persian cookies a day. Buy any burger and get a Cookie Connect cookie on the house — because what’s better than a smash burger and cookie combo? The lineup includes a Cookies ‘N’ Cream cookie stuffed with a whole Oreo, a Fruity Pebbles cookie that hits the nostalgia button hard, and the real MVP (and the one I’m most excited about cause I can’t pass up anything pistachio): a Persian Pistachio & Rosewater cookie, crafted exclusively by the 7th Street and Cookie Connect teams.

Maristi Creative
Heaven & Earth // 290 Nassau Ave, BK // Sat 4.26

📸 @maristicreative

2025 8it Awards Most Inspiring Pop-Up nominee Maristi Creative is back with the 4th edition of the Third Culture Dinner Party. This weekend’s menu includes dishes like pinxo de remolacha “carpaccio,” harissa stewed chickpeas with whipped tahini cream, Turkish flatbread with za’atar olive oil, and a chai cardamom tiramisu to close it out. A glass of natural wine and vibes included (yes, you can have both!!). And in the spirit of playing for the team, Maristi is also hosting a food drive for One Love Community Fridge — so bring a veggie or a spice and share the love.

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8it Team
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