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NYC Favorites

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Jul 1st, 2024
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Last updated: July 2024

General tips

A few local recommendations:
  • Check out a farmer's market (Union Square, Williamsburg, and other areas have weekend farmer's markets)
  • Ride a Citibike (you can use your Lyft app to rent one) and bike along the bike paths (Hudson River Park has a long one)
  • Do brunch! New York loves weekend brunch, although restaurants do get busy
And in the summer...
  • Check out a rooftop bar
  • Eat al fresco (open air / on the street) at a restaurant - reservations recommended!
  • Try to do as many outdoor things as you can during the summer, like hang out at Hudson River Park or Washington Square Park outside

Neighborhoods to See

1

West Village

Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
It's nice to walk around the West Village during the day, and it is a neighborhood where lots of people hang out at restaurants and bars at night.
The west village is the setting for many popular TV shows, like Sex and the City and Friends
2

Dumbo

Hidden gem
Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Nice bougey neighborhood that has cobblestone streets and is very pretty. Walk through the area to the water, where you can see downtown Manhattan and a carousel by the river
3

South Street Seaport

Hidden gem
Parking lot
Nice area to just walk around. IPIC theatres is a very nice movie theatre with booth seats and food served at the table.
4

Lower East Side

Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Lots of boutiques, restaurants, and bars in this neighborhood. Check out Ludlow and Orchard streets for boutiques
5

East Village

Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Area frequented by younger New Yorkers. Lots of restaurants - check out St Marks place for a concentrated street full of them
6

Williamsburg

Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Not my favorite neighborhood but it’s popular. Lots of boutiques and restaurants
7

Greenpoint

The area closer to the water (west side) has industrial vibes and feels like the old Williamsburg (before all those gentrifiers came in)
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Things to Do

1

Industry City

Hidden gem
Business park
A complex with lots of art and design stores, and designer studios. This is located in an up and coming neighborhood, so it's out of the way. However, you can spend quite a few hours here. I come here every couple of months to see what has changed
2

The High Line

Park
Sights & Landmarks
A touristy thing to do, but I still think it's worth it to walk along the high line and view New York from above ground. One of the best examples of its kind
3

Smorgasburg

cheap
Food court
They have a couple locations, but this is one of the things people do in the summer - go to Smorgasburg for food trucks. The Williamsburg location has nice river views
4

Hudson Yards

Shopping mall
Retail and entertainment area. Great for a break during sightseeing. Good ending or beginning spot for walking the High Line. The Vessel is still closed until further notice.
5

Tenement Museum

History museum
Museums
Specialty Museums
Book a tour. You can enter and learn about the various tenements of the Lower East Side, and the people that lived there
6

New York Transit Museum

affordable
Hidden gem
One of my favorite museums in NYC - see old trains and learn the history of NYC's subways
7

Neue Galerie New York

expensive
Art museum
See a small but incredible collection of Klimt artworks here in a old mansion
8

Chelsea Market

Market
Shopping
Flea & Street Markets
Indoor marketplace with lots of boutiques and food places. It's touristy, but fun to walk through - used to be an Oreo factory
9

Time Out Market New York

affordable
Restaurant
Food court in Dumbo set in an old factory. Admire the arched windows and exposed beams. Head to the rooftop for views and a place to sit.
10

Roosevelt Island Tramway

Mountain cable car
Tourist information center
Transportation service
Take the tram to Roosevelt Island!
11

Whitney Museum of American Art

Modern art museum
Art museum
Museum
Beautiful contemporary museum next to the river
12

The Stonewall Inn

affordable
Gay bar
Bar
I've never been inside, but it's a national landmark dedicated to the beginning of the gay rights movement
13

Staple Street Skybridge

Interesting architectural landmark in Tribeca
14

Brooklyn Bridge

Bridge
Sights & Landmarks
Landmark
You can walk across this bridge for a piece of history, plus views
15

Pier 11 / Wall St.

Ferry terminal
Take the ferry to Brooklyn for a cheap and quick way to see NYC via the water. Buy tickets via the app, or in person

Pop Culture Stops

1

Carrie Bradshaw's House

Historical landmark
Sex and the City: Outdoor shots of Carrie's "Upper West Side" apartment
2

Friends building

Apartment complex
Friends: Outdoor shots of the Friends apartment
3

Magnolia Bakery

affordable
Bakery
Sex and the City: Carrie and Miranda eat here. Try the banana pudding.
4

Central Park Boathouse

expensive
American restaurant
Sex and the City: Where Carrie and Big meet, and Big falls into the lake
5

Jefferson Market Garden

Garden
Nature & Parks
Sex and the City: Where Miranda got married to Steve
6

Studio Cafe

expensive
Cafe
And Just Like That: the ladies have lunch here on one of the first episodes

Places for a meal

1

Jing Fong

affordable
Chinese restaurant
Mainstay for dim sum in NYC
2

Clinton St. Baking Company

affordable
American restaurant
The best pancakes e.v.e.r.
3

Prince Street Pizza

cheap
Pizza restaurant
I like their spicy pepperoni pizza. They're more detroit style (NYC style is thinner), but I like thicker crust
4

L'Artusi

expensive
Italian restaurant
Bar
My favorite Italian restaurant in the city!
5

Little Owl

expensive
Mediterranean restaurant
Supposedly this place is in the building where the "Friends" outdoor shots are filmed. I never watched Friends so IDK, but they have a decent brunch in a very cute restaurant
6

Suki

affordable
Hidden gem
Japanese restaurant
Their Yaki Curry is really good - it's a curry bowl with a thick layer of cheese and truffle oil
7

Katz's Delicatessen

affordable
Deli
This place is on all the New York lists - I'm not familiar with other Jewish delis, but I really liked the sandwich I got here
8

Raku

affordable
Udon noodle restaurant
Japanese restaurant
The best udon noodles. They make their udon in house - really good texture. Impossible trying to get a seat without a reservation these days, but worth it.
9

Yun Nan Flavour Garden

cheap
Hidden gem
The best hidden gem noodle restaurant. Out of the way, but their bridge crossing noodles are top notch
10

The Dolar Shop Hot Pot Manhattan

cheap
Hot pot restaurant
Best hotpot in Manhattan
11

Buvette Gastrotheque

expensive
French restaurant
Iconic brunch spot in the west village. Go on a weekday in the morning for shorter lines
12

Cho Dang Gol

affordable
Korean restaurant
Tofu restaurant
Great Korean food but there’s always a wait :( Order delivery if you want to try this spot out
13

Jongro BBQ

affordable
Korean barbecue restaurant
Solid Korean bbq spot
14

Chalong NYC

affordable
Thai restaurant
My (2nd) favorite thai restaurant. Really delicious
15

Bangkok Supper Club

Thai restaurant
Delicious Thai food - probably my new favorite Thai atm. Reservations are impossible but definitely try to walk in upon opening
16

Che Li Manhattan 浙里

affordable
Chinese restaurant
One of the best Chinese restaurants in NYC right now
17

WEST10WEST

Restaurant
Intimate wine bar with great small plates
18

Jua

very expensive
Korean restaurant
Great Korean tasting menu
19

Sen Saigon

cheap
Vietnamese restaurant
Vegan restaurant
Delicious vegan Viet food
20

Terre

Italian restaurant
Get the 1st pasta on their menu - some of the best pasta in NYC
21

b'artusi

affordable
Italian restaurant
Wine bar
Sister restaurant to L'artusi - Italian small plates and wine bar (the lasagna is v good)
22

L’industrie Pizzeria West Village

Pizza restaurant
Pizzeria with delicious slices. Wait is long at peak hours - go during off-peak (e.g. mid-afternoon on a weekday). Olive oil cake is great.
23

Genesis House

Korean restaurant
Cafe
Restaurant with beautiful views of the river, and a cool sitting area
24

Wenwen

Taiwanese restaurant
Pretty good spot for Taiwanese dishes, although I thought everything was just a tad too salty
25

Uzuki

Japanese restaurant
Gluten-free restaurant
Soba noodle shop
Cool spot for Japanese soba. The interior is very industrial
26

All'Antico Vinaio

affordable
Italian restaurant
Chain spot, but delicious Italian sandwiches
27

Breakfast by Salt's Cure

Pancake restaurant
Their pancakes are good - thin, syrupy pancakes. Long wait, so go on a weekday if possible.
28

Milu

cheap
Chinese restaurant
Fast casual restaurant great for lunch. The duck is good - although sometimes I find they gave really dry pieces of duck. Their soft serve is good too.

Coffee & Snacks

1

Merriweather Coffee + Kitchen

affordable
Coffee shop
This is my go-to coffee shop where they have a nice outdoor area
2

Harbs SoHo

affordable
Cafe
If you're shopping in Soho, this is a great place for a snack (cake) and tea
3

Grace Street Coffee & Desserts

affordable
Dessert restaurant
Super popular place for Asian desserts in Koreatown
4

Coffee Project New York | East Village

affordable
Coffee shop
A mainstay of New York's craft coffee culture. They have a couple locations
5

Cha-An

affordable
Tea house
I've been coming here since 2014 - a low-key Japanese dessert shop on the 2nd floor in the St Marks area
6

Patisserie Fouet

cheap
Pastry shop
Known for their soufflé dessert. The food items are just okay. Sesame latte is interesting.
7

La Colombe Coffee Roasters

affordable
Coffee shop
Espresso bar
Chain coffee spot with solid coffee - try their draft lattes
8

Molly's Cupcakes

cheap
Cupcake shop
Bakery
Some of the best cupcakes in NYC. Get the filled ones
9

Lysée

Dessert shop
(pronounced 'lee-say') Korean-French fusion desserts. Get a reservation for the full experience
10

St. George Coffee

Cafe
Oatmilk only cafe with yummy sandwiches
11

Café Kitsuné West Village

Coffee shop
Cafe
Wine bar
Vibey place for a coffee - not the best coffee I've had, but the space is nice and they have outdoor seats
12

Win Son Bakery

affordable
Bakery
Very popular bakery for Taiwanese snacks
13

Devoción

affordable
Coffee shop
Cafe
Beautiful skylit Williamsburg cafe
14

Kettl Tea

Tea house
Bakery
Zen cafe with matcha tastings. The Hojicha is very good
15

Gelateria Gentile - West Village

affordable
Ice cream shop
Chain spot - good gelato
16

ELOREA

Perfume store
Perfumery with a cafe in the back. Interesting coffee flavors
17

Canal Street Market

cheap
Market
Food court on Canal Street - Joe's Steam Roll is pretty good for a snack
18

Levain Bakery – Original Location, 74th St, NYC

affordable
Bakery
Famous cookies. Try the original chocolate chip
19

Spot Dessert Bar

affordable
Dessert restaurant
The original Asian dessert bar in St Marks. Try the lava cake, or the toast
20

Grand Salon at Baccarat Hotel

very expensive
Lounge
It's been a while since I've gone, but they had my favorite high tea in NYC

Music Venues

1

Elsewhere

Live music venue
Live music bar
Smaller music venue than the Brooklyn Mirage - try to check out their daytime rooftop shows which are very laid back
2

Public Records

Arts organization
Cafe
Outdoor: very vibey outdoor space with plants and music
Indoor: small and intimate club venue
3

Mister Sunday

Dance pavillion
Laid back venue with food trucks and outdoor dancing. Kinda out of the way, but it's a nice place to hang out
4

Superior Ingredients

Lounge
Where the old Output used to be. Indoor outdoor music space
5

SILO

Dance club
Bar
Newer music venue in Brooklyn with low key vibes
6

BASEMENT NY

cheap
Night club
If you like Berlin techno, this is where to go
7

The Stranger

Night club
Newer club in Manhattan with interesting performances in a large space
8

House of Yes

Event venue
Bar
Never been here, but well-recommended LGBTQ+ spot with acrobatic performances
9

Brooklyn Storehouse

Event venue
Used to be the "Brooklyn Navy Yard" - warehouse-like music venue that is now booking artists who used to be at the Brooklyn Mirage
10

The Brooklyn Mirage

Event venue
Live music venue
Cool spot but the vibes have been ruined by the bros. Go if you really want to see a big name act.
11

Knockdown Center

Art center
Event venue
Music venue next to Basement. They have some smaller acts come through. They have a nice outdoor area for chilling

Bars

I rarely, if ever, visit bars. Here are a few that have come up during my time in NYC, but take everything with a huge chunk of salt
1

Little Branch

expensive
Cocktail bar
Bar
Speakeasy with Jazz performances on weekdays
2

Panorama Room

Cocktail bar
Lounge
Beautiful rooftop lounge with indoor outdoor space
3

Watermark

affordable
Restaurant
Waterfront space with outdoor seats
4

Grand Banks

expensive
Oyster bar restaurant
Oyster bar on a boat, on the river
5

ART SoHo (Arlo Roof Top)

Bar
Lounge
Relaxed rooftop bar

Shopping

1

Goods For The Study

Stationery store
The best stationery store in New York, with several locations
2

Bleecker St

Notable street
Lots of stores and boutiques on this street
3

SoHo

Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
All the designers. Make sure to go to the side streets (I.e. not Broadway) to get the full experience and find some hidden gems!
4

Lower East Side

Sights & Landmarks
Neighborhoods
Lots of boutique and vintage shopping here. Check out Ludlow and the streets around there
5

Pamela Barsky Boutique and Studio

Store
Interesting tote designs
6

P&T Knitwear Bookstore, Coffee, & Podcast Studio

Book store
Coffee shop
Great bookstore with cool interior
7

L’Appartement Sézane

Women's clothing store
Bag shop
Like the Reformation of France
8

McNally Jackson Books SoHo

Book store
Mainstay bookstore in NYC - local vibes
9

Mogutable

Home goods store
Gift shop
Cute home goods boutique
10

Tula House

Garden center
Home goods store
Plant nursery
Beautiful plant shop in Greenpoint
11

PARTEA NYC - Union Square

cheap
Restaurant
Claw machines, boba, and Taiwanese snacks. Great popcorn chicken. Kind of shopping, kind of eating.

Parks

1

Rockefeller Park

Park
Nature & Parks
Very peaceful place for a afternoon / sunset hang. Large park where you can picnic
2

Hudson River Park

State park
Park
This park runs all the way along the west side of New York - great place to take a walk next to the river, or ride a citibike
3

Washington Square Park

Park
Sights & Landmarks
I like this park a lot because it's always filled with people, even at 3AM. The side streets in the park are shady at night so stick to the main streets
4

Central Park

Park
Sights & Landmarks
New York’s iconic park in the middle of the city! The more north you go, the fewer people you'll see. Sheep's Meadow is where everyone goes to picnic, and phone reception may be weak.
5

Domino Park

Park
Nature & Parks
Waterfront park in Williamsburg. Used to have a Domino sugar factory.

Day Trips Worth Doing

1

Storm King Art Center

Art center
Museums
One of a kind sculpture park
2

Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate

Historical landmark
Nature & Parks
The most impressive estate I’ve seen in America. Definitely do a tour
3

Dia Beacon

Art museum
Shopping
Famous museum with tons of modern art
Upstate towns: if you have a car, can visit nearby towns of Cold Spring, Beacon, Tarrytown and do a hike for the day

Spas

1

King Spa & Sauna | Korean Spa Sauna Body Scrub in Palisades Park, NJ

Spa
Spas & Wellness
Korean spa with saunas and communal baths
2

Joanna Vargas Skin Care

Day spa
Facial spa
Facials
3

M&M studio nyc

Nail salon
Eyelash salon
Hair extension technician
The best nail salon
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