NYC CITY GUIDE

Upper East Side (UES)

Coffee Shops

  • Ralph’s Coffee – chic designer café.
    Must try: Cappuccino.
  • Birch Coffee – cozy library vibe.
    Must try: Cold brew.
  • Maman – French café with pastries.
    Must try: Lavender hot chocolate.
  • Bluestone Lane – Aussie-style café.
    Must try: Flat white.

Breakfast & Brunch

  • Saint Ambroeus – refined Italian café.
    Must try: Prosciutto & mozzarella croissant.
  • Bluestone Lane – healthy brunch plates.
    Must try: Avocado smash with poached egg.
  • Two Little Red Hens – bakery café.
    Must try: Red velvet cupcake & coffee.
  • The East Pole – modern seasonal brunch.
    Must try: Ricotta pancakes.

Lunch

  • J.G. Melon – NYC burger institution.
    Must try: Cheeseburger & cottage fries.
  • Via Quadronno – panini experts.
    Must try: Prosciutto panini.
  • Sushi of Gari – creative sushi.
    Must try: Salmon with sautéed tomato.
  • Café Sabarsky – Viennese café.
    Must try: Apple strudel.

Dinner

  • Uva – rustic Italian spot.
    Must try: Truffle tagliatelle.
  • Flex Mussels – inventive mussel pots.
    Must try: Thai curry mussels.
  • Daniel – Michelin-starred French.
    Must try: Seasonal tasting menu.
  • Kaia Wine Bar – South African plates.
    Must try: Boerewors sausage.

Desserts

  • Lady M – mille crêpes.
    Must try: Green tea mille crêpe.
  • Orwashers Bakery – old-school NYC.
    Must try: Jelly doughnut.
  • Two Little Red Hens – cake haven.
    Must try: Brooklyn blackout cake.
  • Anita Gelato – creamy gelato.
    Must try: Pistachio gelato.

Bars / Cocktails

  • The Penrose – gastropub.
    Must try: Penrose Mule.
  • Bemelmans Bar – iconic, live jazz.
    Must try: Dry martini.
  • Seamstress – oysters + drinks.
    Must try: Old Fashioned.
  • The Jeffrey – beer & cocktails.
    Must try: Seasonal cocktail.

Upper West Side (UWS)

Coffee Shops

  • Joe Coffee Company – NYC staple.
    Must try: Latte.
  • Box Kite Coffee – specialty beans.
    Must try: Pour-over.
  • Birch Coffee – cozy vibe.
    Must try: Nitro cold brew.
  • Irving Farm Coffee Roasters – local roaster.
    Must try: Drip coffee with pastry.

Breakfast & Brunch

  • Jacob’s Pickles – Southern comfort.
    Must try: Fried chicken biscuit.
  • Good Enough to Eat – UWS classic.
    Must try: Buttermilk pancakes.
  • Barney Greengrass – Jewish deli.
    Must try: Nova lox & bagel.
  • Daily Provisions – quick, gourmet.
    Must try: Bacon, egg & cheese.

Lunch

  • Barney Greengrass – iconic deli.
    Must try: Sturgeon on rye.
  • Maison Pickle – sandwiches.
    Must try: French dip sandwich.
  • Levain Bakery – giant cookies.
    Must try: Chocolate chip walnut cookie.
  • Cafe Luxembourg – Parisian-inspired.
    Must try: Moules frites.

Dinner

  • RedFarm – inventive dim sum.
    Must try: Katz’s pastrami egg roll.
  • Carmine’s – Italian family-style.
    Must try: Chicken parm.
  • Nice Matin – French-Med brasserie.
    Must try: Duck à l’orange.
  • Lincoln Ristorante – upscale Italian.
    Must try: Housemade pasta.

Desserts

  • Levain Bakery – famous cookies.
    Must try: Chocolate peanut butter cookie.
  • Magnolia Bakery – world-famous.
    Must try: Banana pudding.
  • Mille-Feuille Bakery – French pastries.
    Must try: Croissant.
  • Insomnia Cookies – late-night bites.
    Must try: Double chocolate chunk cookie.

Bars / Cocktails

  • The Dead Poet – literary cocktails.
    Must try: The Fitzgerald.
  • E’s Bar – chill neighborhood spot.
    Must try: Draft beer + wings.
  • Nobody Told Me – modern cocktail lounge.
    Must try: Mezcal Negroni.
  • Tiki Chick – tiki bar.
    Must try: Piña colada slushie.

Midtown

Coffee Shops

  • Culture Espresso – indie coffee.
    Must try: Iced latte + chocolate chip cookie.
  • Blue Bottle Coffee – sleek & consistent.
    Must try: New Orleans-style iced coffee.
  • Devoción – Colombian beans.
    Must try: Cascara cold brew.
  • Little Collins – Aussie coffee shop.
    Must try: Magic (double ristretto flat white).

Breakfast & Brunch

  • Norma’s – extravagant brunch.
    Must try: $1,000 lobster frittata (or classic pancakes).
  • Friedman’s – hearty + gluten-free friendly.
    Must try: Fried chicken & waffles.
  • Ess-a-Bagel – NYC classic.
    Must try: Everything bagel with scallion cream cheese.
  • Pershing Square Café – across Grand Central.
    Must try: Eggs Benedict.

Lunch

  • Xi’an Famous Foods – bold noodles.
    Must try: Spicy lamb hand-ripped noodles.
  • Sakagura – Japanese izakaya.
    Must try: Soba noodles + sake.
  • Halal Guys – famous cart.
    Must try: Chicken & gyro over rice with white sauce.
  • Urbanspace Vanderbilt – food hall.
    Must try: Roberta’s pizza.

Dinner

  • Le Bernardin – French seafood.
    Must try: Tuna carpaccio.
  • Zuma – sleek Japanese grill.
    Must try: Robata skewers.
  • Keens Steakhouse – legendary steakhouse.
    Must try: Mutton chop.
  • Gabriel Kreuther – Alsatian fine dining.
    Must try: Sturgeon & sauerkraut tart.

Desserts

  • Magnolia Bakery – sweet classic.
    Must try: Banana pudding.
  • Lady M – Mille crêpes.
    Must try: Signature mille crêpe cake.
  • Bibble & Sip – whimsical cream puffs.
    Must try: Matcha cream puff.
  • Angelina Paris – imported French tearoom.
    Must try: Hot chocolate l’Africain.

Bars / Cocktails

  • The Rum House – classic cocktail spot.
    Must try: Dark & Stormy.
  • Dear Irving on Hudson – rooftop.
    Must try: Espresso martini.
  • Valerie – elegant cocktail lounge. (Where we had our 2nd date)
    Must try: Smoked Manhattan.
  • King Cole Bar – at the St. Regis.
    Must try: Original Bloody Mary.

West Village

Coffee Shops

  • Stumptown Coffee – West Village gem.
    Must try: Cold brew.
  • Partners Coffee – Brooklyn roaster outpost.
    Must try: Flat white.
  • Bluestone Lane Collective Café – Aussie vibes.
    Must try: Magic coffee.
  • Café Cluny – quaint brunch/coffee spot.
    Must try: Cappuccino with scone.

Breakfast & Brunch

  • Buvette – cozy French bistro.
    Must try: Waffles with berries.
  • Jack’s Wife Freda – Mediterranean brunch.
    Must try: Green shakshuka.
  • The Butcher’s Daughter – plant-based café.
    Must try: Acai bowl.
  • Banter – Aussie café.
    Must try: Ricotta hotcakes.

Lunch

  • Taim – falafel bowls.
    Must try: Green falafel pita.
  • L’Artusi – pasta perfection.
    Must try: Ricotta gnocchi.
  • Murray’s Cheese Bar – cheesy indulgence.
    Must try: Mac & cheese flight.
  • Café Cluny – casual Parisian plates.
    Must try: Steak tartare.

Dinner

  • Don Angie – modern Italian.
    Must try: Lasagna rolls.
  • I Sodi – Tuscan fare.
    Must try: Cacio e pepe.
  • Via Carota – rustic Italian. (try going during the week in the afternoon, usually a short wait)
    Must try: Carote (carrot salad).
  • Minetta Tavern – historic.
    Must try: Black label burger.

Desserts

  • Molly’s Cupcakes – playful sweets.
    Must try: Creme brûlée cupcake.
  • Pasticceria Rocco – Italian desserts.
    Must try: Cannoli.
  • Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery – James Beard winner.
    Must try: Brown butter brioche doughnut.
  • Big Gay Ice Cream – quirky soft serve.
    Must try: Salty Pimp cone.

Bars / Cocktails

  • Dante – world’s best Negroni bar.
    Must try: Negroni sessions menu.
  • Employees Only – speakeasy classic. (My personal fave bar)
    Must try: Amelia cocktail.
  • Katana Kitten – Japanese-American.
    Must try: Hinoki Martini.
  • The Garret – hidden above a burger joint.
    Must try: Mezcal Paloma.

East Village

Coffee Shops

  • Abraco – cult espresso bar.
    Must try: Olive oil cake + cortado.
  • Everyman Espresso – reliable.
    Must try: Latte.
  • Ninth Street Espresso – simple & strong.
    Must try: Cold brew.
  • Coffee Project NY – experimental lattes.
    Must try: Deconstructed latte flight.

Breakfast & Brunch

  • Clinton St. Baking Company – famous pancakes.
    Must try: Blueberry pancakes.
  • Prune – creative brunch.
    Must try: Dutch-style pancake.
  • Veselka – Ukrainian comfort food.
    Must try: Pierogi brunch plate.
  • Mudspot – classic East Village café.
    Must try: Huevos rancheros.

Lunch

  • Mimi Cheng’s Dumplings – handmade.
    Must try: Chicken & zucchini dumplings.
  • Veselka – 24/7 diner.
    Must try: Borscht & pierogi combo.
  • Hanoi House – Vietnamese.
    Must try: Beef pho.
  • S’Mac – mac & cheese heaven.
    Must try: Buffalo chicken mac.

Dinner

  • Momofuku Noodle Bar – ramen pioneer.
    Must try: Pork buns + spicy miso ramen.
  • Kiki’s – rustic Greek.
    Must try: Grilled octopus.
  • Hanjan – Korean comfort food.
    Must try: Bossam (pork wraps).
  • Huertas – Spanish tapas.
    Must try: Pintxos tasting.

Desserts

  • Spot Dessert Bar – Asian-inspired sweets.
    Must try: Matcha lava cake.
  • Veniero’s Pasticceria – classic Italian bakery.
    Must try: Tiramisu.
  • Davey’s Ice Cream – fun flavors.
    Must try: Strong coffee ice cream.
  • Butter Lane – gourmet cupcakes.
    Must try: Vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting.

Bars / Cocktails

  • Amor y Amargo – bitters-focused.
    Must try: Sharp Shooter cocktail.
  • PDT – hidden speakeasy.
    Must try: Benton’s Old Fashioned.
  • Death & Company – cocktail legend.
    Must try: Oaxaca Old Fashioned.
  • Pouring Ribbons – creative seasonal menus.
    Must try: Dealer’s choice cocktail.

SoHo

Coffee Shops

  • La Colombe – trendy staple.
    Must try: Draft latte.
  • Ground Support Café – artsy vibe.
    Must try: Iced Americano.
  • Everyman Espresso – SoHo outpost.
    Must try: Cappuccino.
  • Saturdays NYC – surf shop café.
    Must try: Flat white.

Breakfast & Brunch

  • Sadelle’s – smoked fish towers.
    Must try: Everything bagel platter.
  • 12 Chairs Café – Israeli brunch.
    Must try: Shakshuka.
  • Balthazar – bustling French bistro.
    Must try: Eggs Benedict.
  • Ruby’s Café – Aussie-style.
    Must try: Bronte burger.

Lunch

  • Jack’s Wife Freda – Mediterranean comfort.
    Must try: Chicken kebab skewers.
  • Shuka – colorful Mediterranean plates.
    Must try: Mezze platter.
  • The Dutch – modern American.
    Must try: Fried chicken sandwich.
  • Fanelli Café – old-school SoHo tavern.
    Must try: Burger & beer.

Dinner

  • Raoul’s – French bistro.
    Must try: Steak au poivre.
  • Shuka – vibrant dinner spot.
    Must try: Harissa chicken.
  • Lure Fishbar – seafood.
    Must try: Lobster roll.
  • Altro Paradiso – Italian chic.
    Must try: Bucatini cacio e pepe.

Desserts

  • Dominique Ansel Bakery – home of the Cronut.
    Must try: Cronut of the month.
  • Little Cupcake Bakeshop – homestyle sweets.
    Must try: Blue velvet cake.
  • Ladurée – Parisian macarons.
    Must try: Rose macaron.
  • Dominique Ansel Workshop – more pastries.
    Must try: DKA (croissant-brioche hybrid).

Bars / Cocktails

  • Mother’s Ruin – fun cocktails.
    Must try: Slushie of the day.
  • Ear Inn – historic tavern.
    Must try: Guinness on tap.
  • Jimmy at The James – rooftop views.
    Must try: Spicy margarita.

Lower East Side (LES)

Coffee Shops

  • Black Cat LES – indie café.
    Must try: Matcha latte.
  • Ludlow Coffee Supply – hipster-friendly.
    Must try: Cortado.
  • Caffe Vita – Seattle import.
    Must try: Drip coffee.

Breakfast & Brunch

  • Russ & Daughters Café – Jewish classic.
    Must try: Smoked salmon platter.
  • Clinton St. Baking Company – pancakes.
    Must try: Blueberry pancakes.
  • Café Katja – Austrian spot.
    Must try: Bratwurst & eggs.
  • Dudley’s – Aussie café.
    Must try: Avocado toast.

Lunch

  • Katz’s Delicatessen – legendary deli.
    Must try: Pastrami on rye.
  • Dirt Candy – upscale vegetarian.
    Must try: Brussels sprout tacos.
  • Kiki’s – rustic Greek.
    Must try: Lamb chops.
  • Ivan Ramen – ramen shop.
    Must try: Shio ramen.

Dinner

  • Freemans – hidden tavern.
    Must try: Artichoke dip.
  • Wildair – natural wine bar + food.
    Must try: Potato darphin with uni.
  • Beauty & Essex – glitzy dinner.
    Must try: Tomato soup dumplings.
  • Contra – modern tasting menu.
    Must try: Chef’s tasting menu.

Desserts

  • Morgenstern’s – creative ice cream.
    Must try: Burnt honey vanilla.
  • Kekes Pastry – Armenian sweets.
    Must try: Baklava.
  • Supermoon Bakehouse – neon croissants.
    Must try: Rainbow croissant.
  • Ice & Vice – experimental ice cream.
    Must try: Milk Money (toasted milk, sea salt, chocolate chip).

Bars / Cocktails

  • Attaboy – legendary speakeasy.
    Must try: Bartender’s choice cocktail.
  • Mr. Purple – rooftop with views.
    Must try: Purple Margarita.
  • The Back Room – prohibition-style.
    Must try: Cocktail served in a teacup.
  • Bar Goto – Japanese-style cocktails.
    Must try: Sakura Martini.