I’ve lived in NYC for 7+ years, so nowhere near a true New Yorker but I’ve done a lot of exploring! Below are my suggestions:
Top Things to do in NYC:
1. Comedy Cellar (make reservations now! I’ve been like 20 times already)
2. Eat all the famous food (see below) and explore a food hall (Smorgasburg, Chelsea Market, Dekalb Market, Essex Market)
3. Rooftop bar (Personally think it’s better than paying for a view at Top of the Rock or Empire – see list below)
4. Sleep No More @ Mckittrick (cool/trippy interactive play)
5. Picnic at Central Park (Sheep’s Meadow)
6. Rooftop at the MET. This used to be donation based, but now only free for NY residents. I’m sure you can find a way in!
7. Walk the Brooklyn Promenade and see the view from DUMBO
8. Explore Seaport
Here’s a more comprehensive list of restaurants: (check out my yelp collection for more details)
Dinner Spots:
– Shuka (Mediterranean)
– Laut (Thai/Malaysian)
– Semma (South Indian Michelin Star. Get the Dindigul Biryani)
– Fiaschetteria Pistoia (fresh handmade pasta – get the cacio e pepe)
– Bar Pitti (Italian)
– Tamarind (get the malai naan!)
– Baar Baar and Goa (Indian Fusion)
– Ippudo (best ramen – they have both pork and miso based broth)
– ABC Kitchen $$$
– Gramercy Tavern $$$$
– Meme (Mediterranean)
– Thai Villa
– Five Senses (also a good late night option. Get the Kimchi fried rice)
– Emmy’s (detroit style pizza)
– Cafe Paulette (DT Brooklyn – Jazz nights)
– Sugarfish (put your name down early)
– Alta
– Rubirosa (neopolitan style pizza – get the tie dye)
– Ulivo
– Alice
– Palma (cute italian spot)
– Sola Pasta Bar
– Han Dynasty (fried green beans, Dan dan noodles and the dry chili chicken)
– Joy Love Club (also good Szechuan food)
Quick options/ Take out:
– L’Industrie
– Zazzy’s pizza
– Mamoun’s
– Rafiqui’s or Adel’s (better than Halal Guys)
– Joe’s Pizza
– Crif Dogs
– Marinara’s artichoke slice
– Baker’s St Pizza (think this is gone)
– Kati Roll
– Artichoke’s Pizza (try everything except the artichoke slice)
– Bleeker Street Pizza
– Los Tacos no.1 (get the Adobada quesadilla)
– Taqueria Ramirez
Brunch/Breakfast:
1. Cafe Mogador
2. Jack’s Wife Frieda
3. Clinton Street Bakery (get the blueberry pancakes. go early or put your name down and walk around)
4. Cookshop (one of my favs)
5. Ruby’s
6. Olea (DT Brooklyn)
7. Walter’s (DT Brooklyn)
8. Miss Ada (DT Brooklyn)
9. Randolph Beer (Think this might have closed)
10. Buvette (French)
11. Randolph Beer (Boozy)
12. Ess e Bagel
13. Russ & Daughters (Bagel & lox)
14. Dominque ansel’s workshop
Desserts:
1. Rice to Riches (I don’t even like rice pudding but this place is awesome)
2. Milk Bar Flagship store (Try the strawberry shortcake, bday cake slices or truffles)
3. Dominique Ansel’s Workshop (get EVERYTHING. breakfast sandwich is very good)
4. Levain cookies (for the double chocolate) and Funny Face for the chocolate chip
5. Bread’s Bakery (Chocolate Rugelach and Babka)
6. Lady M Bakery
7. Prince Tea House (Brown sugar crepe cake)
8. Harbs (strawberry shortcake)
9. Catch (chocolate smash cake)
10. Seven gram’s chocolate cookie
11. Mia’s Bakery DT Brooklyn
12. Veniero’s
13. il Laboratorio del Gelato
14. Sweet Rehab (fancy dessert spot)
15. Blue Stripes Cacao Shop
16. Venchi (the pistachio chocolate truffle is sooo good)
Coffee Shops:
1. House of Small Wonder – Williamsburg (cute shop surrounding a tree! EDIT: temporarily closed)
2. Seven Grams (multiple locations – get the chocolate chip cookie)
3. Birch (multiple locations)
4. Kolkata Chai Co
5. Chai Spot
6. Devocion (multiple locations)
7. Felix (insta spot)
8. Ole Steen
9. % Arabica
Rooftop Bars:
1. LeBain @ The Standard – awesome rooftop for the summer months. Get a pitcher and get there early!
2. Hoxton Hotel (Williamsburg)
3. Westlight @ William Vale (great view of Manhattan from Williamsburg)
4. The Heights @ Arlo Nomad
5. 230 Fifth
6. Harriet’s Rooftop
7. Broken shaker @ Freehold hotel
8. Press Lounge – a date spot with an awesome view. drinks are super pricey
9. Ready Rooftop
10. Pod93
11. Mr. Purple
12. Rooftop Reds
13. Che Zou
14. Gallow Greens @ McKittrick Hotel
Speakeasies/Cocktails:
1. Please don’t tell (hard to get a rez though)
2. Raine’s Law Room
3. The Garret
4. Beauty & Essex
5. Dear Irving
6. Kyu (cocktails & Desserts)
7. Jungle Bird
8. Dante
9. Excuse my French
Going out bars / Nightlife Other:
1. Wilfie & Nell
2. The Spaniard
3. Oscar Wilde
4. Brass Monkey
5. Mother’s Ruin
6. Common Ground
7. The Jane
8. PHD rooftop
9. Public rooftop
10. Somewhere Nowhere
11. Catch rooftop
