So here it is: my NYC guide, and let me tell you - it was fun! Going through all my favourite places in the city has felt like a really fantastic summation of the last two years, and all the places that filled my heart with joy.
What you won't find on this list: tourist traps, Subway sandwiches franchise locations, or reputable bus tours.
What you will find on this list: great cafes, bars, restaurants and favourite hang outs, organized loosely by neighborhood, followed by a short list of my preferred non-annoying NYC tourist sites.
I will update this list if something I forgot about (which is inevitable) pops back into my head, but please leave a comment if you want a specific recommendation. I will not pretend to be an expert on NYC dining, especially not when it comes to the upper east and upper west sides, but if you follow some of these recommendations I can promise you'll get a great taste of the city, its all its weird, amazing dimensions.
So click ahead for the guide!
East Village/ Alphabet City
When I think back to the part of New York that I really call "home", it would be the East Village. The East Village has managed to maintain a tiny bit of its gritty past, while being a hub for food and culture. Come to the East Village to eat, to wander and to drink.
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| Cafe Ost, Alphabet City |
Cafes
- Abraco Espresso- No seats but delicious espresso. Get the Olive Oil cake too. - 9th Street Espresso - Two East Village locations, fantastic espresso, free WiFi
- Ost Cafe - Charming atmosphere, double shot espresso drinks, great tunes and lovely baristas
- Mud Cafe - Best iced coffee, great lunch spot as well
Restaurants
- Prune - Probably my top brunch place in NYC with incredible dishes like huevos rancheros, dutch pancakes and steak and eggs. You will wait, so get there about an hour before you'd actually like to chow down and grab a coffee down the street while you wait.
- Westville East - A good, 'everyone can eat here' spot. Go for their selection of "market sides", their deliciously prepared veg dishes. Also, hot dogs.
- Momofuku Noodle Bar- David Chang's famous ramen spot. The cheapest of the Chang eateries.
- Momofuku Ssam Bar - Fantastic for lunch or dinner (but you won't wait as long at lunch). The duck is fantastic.
- Angelica Kitchen - A delicious vegetarian joint. The Dragon Bowl is super nourishing and massive. Great vegan corn bread.
- Tompkins Square Bagels - Best bagels in the East Village.
- Caracas Arepa Bar - Very reasonably priced Venezuelan arepas. A small place but the wait is never too long.
- Porchetta - Teeny-tiny spot to get unbelievable Italian pork sandwiches. For take-away.
- Cafe Mogador - A favourite spot for dinner or for brunch. At dinner I always get the hummus (the best in the city) and one of the tagines (stewed meat with dried fruit served with couscous)
- Cafe Orlin- Solid brunch spot with a good patio.
- Ippudo- Ramen restaurant brought over from Japan. Pork buns are arguably better than Momofuku and their ramen is fantastic. Insanely long wait, but you can take a card and check in on your wait time
- Mermaid Inn - Great place for seafood lovers! Happy hour here happens every day from 5-7 and includes $1 oysters, discounted snacks and drinks. Definitely make a reservation though.
Sweet Treats/Snacking
- Big Gay Ice Cream Shop - People line up down the block for their crazy soft-serve creations like the "Salty Pimp"
- Butter Lane - My favourite cupcake spot in the city. Uncomplicated, but perfectly executed.
- Momofuku Milk Bar - Exciting and interesting desserts. Must order: birthday cake truffles, candy bar or crack pie, and the compost or corn cookie. People also go nuts for their "cereal milk" flavoured soft serve.
- Liquiteria - For a healthy snack (or meal replacement) Liquiteria makes delicious and nutritious smoothies and juices. Very LA-y vibe.
Shops:
- Cloak and Dagger - Karen Walker sunglasses, and really fantastic small labels.
- Buffalo Exchange - My favourite thrift store in the city. You can really score here (but its all luck, really). I've acquired some great Steven Alan pieces.
- Duo - A mix of NY-based designers and vintage stuff. I always go to their sale section in the back. Some great stuff.
- Mink - Nice little boutique
- Pink Olive - Cute little gift and craft shop
Nightlife
- The Summit Bar - Incredible cocktails for good prices. They infuse their own agave syrups!
- V Bar - Good beer and wine selection, plenty of seating
- Booker and Dax- David Chang (Momofuku) transformed the former Milk Bar space into a sexy cocktail bar where they are doing artisinal drinks made using out-there methods.
- Alphabet City Beer Co.- For beer lovers. Just opened this year, this place is part beer store in the front, part cozy bar (with sexy leather armchairs!) in the back.
- Drop Off Service - The perfect dive bar. Great beer selection on tap, and a really fantastic jukebox
- Beauty Bar - Enjoy a drink in this old beauty salon turned bar. There is a sweet dance room at the back, old chrome domer hair dryers, and a lady giving manicures!
- The Wayland - Really weird, interesting cocktails and cozy vibe.
Lower East Side/Chinatown
Since I moved to Alphabet City, the Lower East Side has become even more accessible to me, and I love it. It is a neighborhood dear to my heart, not only because of the traces of the Jewish heritage that remain, but also because it was the first "neighborhood" I really visited when I moved here. When I ate that knish in the park on Houston and admired the diversity of the LES, I felt my first true connection with the city; its past and its present.
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| Meatball Shop, Lower East Side |
- Meatball Shop- Any kind of meat, or veggie- style, these balls are sure to please. My personal favourite is the Meatball Smash with tomato and mozza. Also, make sure to save room for a GIANT ice cream sammy (can be shared by two people).
- Freemans - A bit more of a splurge, and a wander down a sketchy looking back alley, Freemans has that fantastic cottagey vibe, so common in hipster-chic restaurants. The food is homey and hearty and the cocktails are delicious. I recommend the Freemans Cocktail and the Artichoke Dip to start.
- Katz's - A classic. Definitely the best pastrami in the city, hands down (Carnegie Deli is overpriced, their pickles suck, and they charge you to share). Two moderately hungry people can share a sandwich, a side of complimentary pickles and an order of fries. Don't loose your ticket!
- Tasty Hand Pulled Noodle Inc - Pretty authentic hole-in-the-wall Chinatown noodle joint with insanely cheap noodle bowls.
- Clinton Street Baking Company - The waits are insane but for good reason: the pancakes are the best I've ever had. Come on a weekday if you can, as they serve brunch all day, all week.
- Mission Chinese - NY location of the famous San Fran Chinese restaurant. Portions are huge, food is bursting with flavor and incredibly innovative.
- wd~50 - A really special treat of a restaurant ($$), but such a culinary adventure. For the kind of person who thinks of food as art.
Sweet/Snacks
- Doughnut Plant - The doughnut trend started here, and they do it oh so well. You really can't go wrong. Also, their Chai which they brew in a giant pot on the counter is delicious.
- Russ and Daughters - This place needs to be seen to be believed. A blast from the past "appetizer" shop where you can get some really fantastic lox.
- Babycakes - Vegan, gluten free bakery serving up fantastic cookie sandwiches, cupcakes and other treats.
- Yona Shimmel Knishery - Another piece of old Jewish LES, pick up a knish from this classic spot.
- Economy Candy - Jam-packed with more candy than you ever knew existed, its worth a visit.
SoHo/Little Italy
Whenever people want to shop in NYC I always send them to SoHo, and describe the shopping as follows: if you stay on Broadway you get the big chain shops, if you go west of Broadway you get the more high end designers, and if you go east of Broadway you get smaller, more interesting boutiques. So with that in mind, I like to weave in and out, and take it all in. SoHo also contains two of my favourite restaurants, Parm and Torrisi Italian Specialties, where they serve up some of the best Italian American food in the city.
Cafes:
- Colombe - Very good coffee served in beautiful mugs. Another location in NoHo.
- Grey Dog - Solid cup of coffee, lots of sandwiches and other snacks as well. Another location in Greenwich.
Restaurants
- Torrisi Italian Specialties - Italian American cuisine is presented in an elevated way here. $65 (it went up since I ate there) fixed price menu includes 3 antipasti (always including the housemade mozzarella, still warm), a pasta course, a choice of main from two options, and a dessert plate. Not for the picky eaters (because of the lack of choice) but an absolute treat.
- Parm - Torrisi's low-end brother next door sells top-level sandwiches and other bites. I always get the mozzarella sticks (made from the house-made mozzarella), veal or eggplant parm sammy, and the ice cream cake (layered with strawberry, pistachio and chocolate ice cream)
- Hampton Chutney Co. - A place for innovative takes on the Indian dosa (chickpea or rice flour pancake) and sandwiches. A great lunch option in the SoHo during those busy shopping days, and gluten-free friendly.
- Olive's - My moms favourite spot for a takeaway salad or sandwich in SoHo. Lots of great, fresh lunch options.
Shops
- McNally Jackson - Wonderful book shop. Great magazine and gift selection as well.
- Madewell - As a Canadian this chain was a real treat as we don't have it at home. J.Crew's younger sister, perfect for wardrobe staples and jeans.
- Dolce Vita - Great for stylish footwear.
- Supreme - Dude streetwear brand with a cult following. Pricey, but the hats are awesome.
- Uniqlo - American Apparel-style, if it was done right: Uniqlo sells basics in a variety of colours.
- Pinkyotto - A great spot for fun party dresses.
- Kid Robot - For the kid in all of us.
Sweets/Snacks
- Chobani Soho - Greek yogurt with delicious fresh toppings!
Union Square/Flatiron District
Union Square and the Flatiron district have a lot of the big chain stores, but there are some real gems here. Union Square hosts the most amazing farmers market, the Greenmarket, four times a week, and surrounding the square are some really special places to eat, and explore.
Restaurants
- ABC Kitchen - A bit of a splurge, but probably my top restaurant in New York City. Make a reservation exactly 30 days in advance, if you can. Gorgeous atmosphere, incredible farm-to-table cuisine that is both simple and mind-blowingly good. Bonus: once sat next to Natalie Portman here.
- Eataly (Verdure) - Mario Batali's grocery store/restaurant mega-plex houses one of my parents favourite restaurants, Verdure, Batali's vegetarian restaurant. At Verdure vegetables truly sing, and you can totally forget the absence of meat.
- Shake Shack (Madison Square Park) - Probably my favourite burger in the city, and this location is so wonderful on a nice day, as you can eat at lit up tables in the park. Get a Shack Burger and a Chocolate Shake.
- Num Pang - The most amazing Cambodian sandwiches. I dream of these sandwiches...
- Dos Toros - Best burritos! And god knows I love a burrito.
Shops
- Fish's Eddy - The most amazing/cheap/fun dishware store I've ever been to.
- ABC Carpet and Home - The only thing I've ever bought here is a teeny tiny jewelry box (probably the only thing I could afford) but boy is it fun to wander around this amazing furniture and home store.
- The Strand - The legendary and much beloved bookstore is worth a visit. Go to the top floor to scope out rare, valuable, and autographed books.
- Lion Brand Yarn - For the knitting enthusiast, the Lion Brand shop is the perfect place to get (really) cheap yarn and wool and other knitting and crocheting supplies.
Greenwich Village, West Village, Chelsea, Tribeca
I'm sorry to tell people, but the Greenwich Village of the 1960s is long gone. The closest approximation to what was can be found in parts of the East Village, and Brooklyn. But the west still is immensely charming, and one can enjoy an afternoon getting lost in the windy streets of the West Village. Chelsea, meanwhile, boasts the Highline and the Chelsea Market, both must-dos on my NYC list.
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| Doughnut Plant, Chelsea |
- Murray's Bagels - Probably my top bagel joint in the city, Murray's has two locations (one in Greenwich, one in Chelsea). Delicious cream cheese, and great lox if you wanna make the splurge.
- NY Dosa Truck - The cheapest, best lunch you can get around Washington Square park, and the Dosa Man himself is so warm and friendly. I usually get the Special Pondicherry and a samosa to snack on later.
- Mamoun Falafel - If dosa guy isn't there, go to Mamoun's to get a cheap and very tasty falafel.
- Babbo - My dad's favourite NYC restaurant is a classic, and for good reason: the service is impeccable, the food is flawless and the atmosphere is pure New York class. Definitely need a reservation for this one, and its also more a splurge, but is consistently worth it.
- Otto - Batali's pizza joint is a perfect place for a fantastic cheap pizza or pasta (all pastas are $10). They take reservations and are thus good for groups.
- Locanda Verde - Fantastic Italian food in a super bustling, place-to-be atmosphere. The homemade pasta is amazing as are the desserts. Reservations are a good call here, in advance.
- Bubby's Pie Company - Go for the all day, every day brunch and get the pancakes, they are some of the best I've ever had. A bit pricey, but definitely worth it if you love pancakes.
Snacks/Sweets
- Chelsea Market - This place is just filled with sweets and treats, from Jacques Torres chocolate, to Amy's Bakery to Crepes. A lovely place to wander through.
- Doughnut Plant - Brother location of LES one. This one is in the Chelsea hotel!
- People's Pops - Artisinal popsicles sold (seasonally) on the High Line. Delicious and refreshing and usually made with unusual flavour combos (also a location in East Village)
- Murray's Cheese Shop - Probably the most amazing cheese shop in North America.
Midtown, Upper East and Upper West Side
I hate to be a pretentious jerk, but I am a downtown New Yorker, through and through. I don't find there are nearly enough interesting restaurants in the midtown and uptown area, and tend to associate that area with work (I worked at two different organizations in the midtown/uptown area), theater and art galleries, and tourists. I always say: go uptown to do the sightseeing, but come back downtown to eat and experience real NYC nightlife. That being said, there are a few of great uptown places I have enjoyed a lot, and included.
Restaurants
- Candle Cafe - The more low-scale sister to Candle 79, Candle Cafe deals in exceptional vegan cuisine. Try the mezze platter and the bbq tempeh and sweet potato sammy!
- Ma Peche - The midtown Momofuku location which is currently undergoing a menu transformation of sorts. When I ate there the food was mostly seafood and absolutely delicious. Reservations accepted.
- Norma's - Legendary brunchspot in Le Meridien hotel. Pricey, but portions are massive. Definitely a nice place for a brunch with some lady friends. A place to be seen. Reservations are a good idea!
Sweets
- La Duree - The famous Parisian macaron spot imports the macarons fresh for Paris daily! A special sweet treat.
- Dylan's Candy Bar - Candy heaven, for adults and kids.
Harlem
I had a large group of friends who lived in Harlem, so I got to know a few great spots in the area. If you're a soul food fan, Harlem is a must-visit.
- Amy Ruth's - If you want a great spot that the locals prefer for soul food, go here. Fried chicken and waffles with a side of mac and cheese and you can't go wrong.
- Red Rooster - This is the very chic side of Harlem. Marcus Samuelsson's swanky restaurant is his innovative takes on soul food, which he infuses with his own culinary influences (Africa, Swedish). Reservations accepted (but you best get on that EARLY) or walk in (but expect an hour + wait).
- Dinosaur BBQ - Widely considered the best BBQ in NYC, its definitely a fun place to go with a bunch of (very hungry) friends. Nothing like a pulled pork sammy and an Arnold Palmer.
Brooklyn
I'm going to go out there and say it: I love Brooklyn. I think some of the most interesting cultural things are happening in this borough (which is actually bigger than Manhattan). I especially love Williamsburg for the food and shopping, but there are gems in almost every part of Brooklyn. I am absolutely not the Brooklyn expert, but here are some places I've really loved.
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| Brooklyn Flea, Williamsburg |
- El Beit - Great back patio, nice food, Free- WIFI.
- Blue Bottle Coffee - People go crazy for this stuff, which is available all around Brooklyn and in their cafe in Williamsburg.
Restaurants
- Diner - Charming atmosphere, where the list of specials is as long as the menu. Had a fantastic brunch here but I hear its great for all meals.
- Pies N' Thighs - This place might be one of my top places in New York because of one thing: biscuits. Come for brunch or breakfast (served every day) and get the basic breakfast with a biscuit, eggs and a side. Leave with one of their amazing doughnuts in your bag for later.
- Five Leaves - Joe and I stumbled upon this place one day in Williamsburg and we love their brunch, especially on the patio. Truffle fries!
- Vinegar Hill - In the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, this place is a real romantic gem. Definitely a nice place for a romantic dinner and some fantastically executed food. Rustic-chic ambiance.
- Enid's - Great brunch, especially the Huevos Rancheros.
- Roberta's - Probably the most hipster-y place I've ever eaten. The staff are pretty snooty but the pizza is amazing and its so frickin cozy with its wood burning oven and sweet patios.
Shops
- Brooklyn Flea Market - a must-do on any Brooklyn weekend visit. Lovely wares for purchase and delicious food to eat. People really love Smorgasburg, the food-specific market, but I actually find it to be food-overload. I prefer the regular flea, which is about food and pretty things.
- Shoe Market- Amazing shoe brand selection from all my favourite brands.
- Bird - This store ain't cheap but its so much fun to browse. Mens and Womens garms, Warby Parker glasses, and lots of cute accessories and knick-knacks.
- In God We Trust - Lovely mens and ladies store. Especially love their cheap sunnies and jewellery.
- Catbird - Joe loves to make fun of the name of this store (its almost like a hipster joke!). But they sell adorable jewelry and gifts.
Nightlife
- Barcade - Craft beers meet vintage arcade games. What more could you ask for??
- Brooklyn Bowl - A place to be experienced. Blue Ribbon restaurants provides the food, and a lot of bands play here / DJs spin. And of course there is bowling.
- Nighthawk Cinema - I just love this place. Its a series of small movie theaters showing a range of films, where you can order amazing food AND alcoholic beverages that are served to you in your seat. Joe and I saw "Drive" here while eating In n' Out style burgers, fancy parmesan popcorn and beers.
- Union Pool - If you want the true Williamsburg hipster bar experience, and believe that includes a taco truck parked on the patio, go here, or to The Woods
Some favourite tourist sites
Museums
- MoMA
- The Whitney
- The Met Museum
- The Guggenheim
Sites
- Union Square Greenmarket
- Brooklyn Flea
- The High Line
- Central Park
- Washington Square Park
- Rockefeller Plaza
- Chelsea Market
- View of Manhattan from DuMBO
For the arts
- Jazz at Lincoln Center
- Carnegie Hall
- The Met Opera
- American Ballet Theater
- The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)
Great resources
For food..
- Eater NY
- Immaculate Infatuation
- Grub Street
For entertainment/general NYC things..
- Gothamist
- Bowery Presents (music promoter)
- The Village Voice
- Time Out
- New York Magazine
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