Guidebook for New York
Sightseeing
Newly renovated promenade along the East River is a great place to stroll on a nice day. Walk north for views of midtown. Walk south and you can go all the way to the Brooklyn Bridge.
89 locals recommend
East River Promenade
East River PromenadeNewly renovated promenade along the East River is a great place to stroll on a nice day. Walk north for views of midtown. Walk south and you can go all the way to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Contains a wealth of fascinating New York history. Check out the tours of their reconstructed tenement building to learn about life in the Lower East Side/East Village at the turn of the century.
603 locals recommend
Tenement Museum
103 Orchard StContains a wealth of fascinating New York history. Check out the tours of their reconstructed tenement building to learn about life in the Lower East Side/East Village at the turn of the century.
This elevated railway sat decaying for decades before being converted in the past few years to an architecturally stunning park with some great views of the city. One of the top new attractions in NY.
144 locals recommend
Empire Diner
210 10th AveThis elevated railway sat decaying for decades before being converted in the past few years to an architecturally stunning park with some great views of the city. One of the top new attractions in NY.
Did you know New York has a cable car? You can ride it for the price of a subway fare. You get some great aerial views of the city. Entrance is at 59th St. and 2nd Ave.
87 locals recommend
Roosevelt Island
Did you know New York has a cable car? You can ride it for the price of a subway fare. You get some great aerial views of the city. Entrance is at 59th St. and 2nd Ave.
This outdoor space showcases some of the world's top graffiti. If you're interested in graffiti, it's worth the subway trip.
12 locals recommend
5Pointz
This outdoor space showcases some of the world's top graffiti. If you're interested in graffiti, it's worth the subway trip.
Everyone knows you can go ice skating in central park in winter. But did you know you can also ice skate in the heart of midtown surrounded by skyscrapers?
12 locals recommend
Bryant Park Ice Skating (Citi Pond)
Everyone knows you can go ice skating in central park in winter. But did you know you can also ice skate in the heart of midtown surrounded by skyscrapers?
Take the IKEA ferry to Brooklyn and back for a nice view of lower Manhattan from the water. Free on the weekend 11am-9pm. $5 on weekdays 2pm-8pm. Runs every ~40 minutes.
11 Pier 11/Wall Street - Hoboken/NJ Transit Terminal
11 Pier 11/Wall Street - Hoboken/NJ Transit TerminalTake the IKEA ferry to Brooklyn and back for a nice view of lower Manhattan from the water. Free on the weekend 11am-9pm. $5 on weekdays 2pm-8pm. Runs every ~40 minutes.
Food Scene
Great brunch. Go early on the weekend to avoid an hour-long wait. Alternately, go for dinner on a weeknight before 8pm for their burger + beer special.
365 locals recommend
Clinton St. Baking Company
4 Clinton StGreat brunch. Go early on the weekend to avoid an hour-long wait. Alternately, go for dinner on a weeknight before 8pm for their burger + beer special.
Possibly the best ice cream in all of New York. I've sampled many places all over the city. I consider myself extremely lucky to live so close to this place.
74 locals recommend
il laboratorio del gelato
188 Ludlow StPossibly the best ice cream in all of New York. I've sampled many places all over the city. I consider myself extremely lucky to live so close to this place.
Crazy good donuts. Get the creme brulée, the tres leches, or the coconut cream. It will redefine your concept of the donut.
313 locals recommend
Doughnut Plant
379 Grand StCrazy good donuts. Get the creme brulée, the tres leches, or the coconut cream. It will redefine your concept of the donut.
If you think ramen is a dish made by pouring boiling water into a foam cup full of dried noodles, you need to go here to have your mind blown. This is not the ramen you thought you knew.
226 locals recommend
Ippudo NY
65 4th AveIf you think ramen is a dish made by pouring boiling water into a foam cup full of dried noodles, you need to go here to have your mind blown. This is not the ramen you thought you knew.
Southern cooking. Chicken and waffles. Hush puppies. All good things deep-fried. You will leave stuffed.
357 locals recommend
Pies 'n' Thighs
166 S 4th StSouthern cooking. Chicken and waffles. Hush puppies. All good things deep-fried. You will leave stuffed.
Veselka does Ukrainian food and American comfort food. A true staple of the East Village that has been around for decades. Famous. No gimmicks. Open 24 hours. Get the pierogies.
13 locals recommend
Veselka Bowery
9 E 1st StVeselka does Ukrainian food and American comfort food. A true staple of the East Village that has been around for decades. Famous. No gimmicks. Open 24 hours. Get the pierogies.
If you like pork, get the porchetta sandwich. $10 of extremely tasty seasoned pork in a sandwich.
32 locals recommend
Porchetta
If you like pork, get the porchetta sandwich. $10 of extremely tasty seasoned pork in a sandwich.
The food is good, but this is also a great drink destination. The mixologists behind the bar make some fantastic cocktails. You pay for drinks this good, but then again, you get what you pay for.
199 locals recommend
Freemans
Freeman AlleyThe food is good, but this is also a great drink destination. The mixologists behind the bar make some fantastic cocktails. You pay for drinks this good, but then again, you get what you pay for.
Small bites with exquisite flavour. The oxtail ravioli is one of my personal favourites.
22 locals recommend
Il Posto Accanto
190 E 2nd StSmall bites with exquisite flavour. The oxtail ravioli is one of my personal favourites.
For a true New York brunch experience, go here at 1pm on a Sunday. Both fun and funny – this is a scene. Expect to get drunk. (Entrance is on Rivington, not Essex St. as shown on Google Maps.)
341 locals recommend
Essex Market
88 Essex StFor a true New York brunch experience, go here at 1pm on a Sunday. Both fun and funny – this is a scene. Expect to get drunk. (Entrance is on Rivington, not Essex St. as shown on Google Maps.)
Bluebird Coffee Shop
Excellent coffee.
Abraço
81 E 7th StComically tiny coffee shop. Another good choice for excellent coffee.
Another contender for best coffee in the neighbourhood. Truly rich and powerful.
236 locals recommend
Ninth Street Espresso
700 E 9th StAnother contender for best coffee in the neighbourhood. Truly rich and powerful.
New Yorkers go crazy for Shake Shack burgers. This location is right next to the famous Flatiron building. Visit in winter and the line isn't too long. Visit in summer and you may wait up to an hour.
993 locals recommend
Shake Shack
Madison AvenueNew Yorkers go crazy for Shake Shack burgers. This location is right next to the famous Flatiron building. Visit in winter and the line isn't too long. Visit in summer and you may wait up to an hour.
If you're looking for gluten-free snacks, this place does gluten-free cupcakes. Most are dairy free too.
48 locals recommend
Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC
248 Broome StIf you're looking for gluten-free snacks, this place does gluten-free cupcakes. Most are dairy free too.
Stogo
159 2nd AveAnother dairy-free ice cream option. This one uses organic ingredients.
A highly-rated dairy-free ice cream shop, for those who can't have dairy products.
26 locals recommend
Lula's Sweet Apothecary
516 E 6th StA highly-rated dairy-free ice cream shop, for those who can't have dairy products.
Neither the coffee nor the food are outstanding, but the atmosphere is good for hanging out and relaxing, and it looks onto Tompkins Square Park.
40 locals recommend
Cafe Pick Me Up
145 Avenue ANeither the coffee nor the food are outstanding, but the atmosphere is good for hanging out and relaxing, and it looks onto Tompkins Square Park.
Teany
90 Rivington StA vegan and vegetarian cafe in the Lower East Side. Moby owns this place.
If you want dessert, stop in here. With options like warm molten chocolate cake, brioche donut squares, goat cheese cheesecake and more, you'll satisfy your craving.
DessertTruck Works
6 Clinton StIf you want dessert, stop in here. With options like warm molten chocolate cake, brioche donut squares, goat cheese cheesecake and more, you'll satisfy your craving.
Freshly made and delicious. Possibly the cheapest meal you will find in New York. The dumplings are an obvious and very good choice. The sesame pancake sandwiches are also highly recommended.
288 locals recommend
Vanessa's Dumpling House
118A Eldridge StFreshly made and delicious. Possibly the cheapest meal you will find in New York. The dumplings are an obvious and very good choice. The sesame pancake sandwiches are also highly recommended.
If you want to dine in style and spend some money, this is a great choice that doesn't require you to have booked a table months in advance.
8 locals recommend
Colicchio & Sons
85 10th AveIf you want to dine in style and spend some money, this is a great choice that doesn't require you to have booked a table months in advance.
Been drinking and need a late night piece of pizza? There are plenty of mediocre places on every block in New York. If you're near 14th St., go to Artichoke. Their pizza is special. You'll see why.
426 locals recommend
Artichoke Basille's Pizza
321 E 14th StBeen drinking and need a late night piece of pizza? There are plenty of mediocre places on every block in New York. If you're near 14th St., go to Artichoke. Their pizza is special. You'll see why.
One of my favourite brunch places. A mix of mediterranean and western. Good hummus.
856 locals recommend
Cafe Mogador
133 Wythe AveOne of my favourite brunch places. A mix of mediterranean and western. Good hummus.
All I know about this small Greek restaurant is the lamb sandwich. It's a secret a friend shared with me. One of the best sandwiches in the city. Once dinner hits you can only get it as takeout.
46 locals recommend
Snacky
187 Grand StAll I know about this small Greek restaurant is the lamb sandwich. It's a secret a friend shared with me. One of the best sandwiches in the city. Once dinner hits you can only get it as takeout.
This landmark store has been open over 100 years. Worth the visit for the bagel and cream cheese with lox (smoked salmon). Expensive for a bagel, but they have some of the best lox anywhere.
251 locals recommend
Russ & Daughters
179 E Houston StThis landmark store has been open over 100 years. Worth the visit for the bagel and cream cheese with lox (smoked salmon). Expensive for a bagel, but they have some of the best lox anywhere.
Simply the best pizza in New York. I've tried many top rated places and most aren't worth the hype. This one is. And it's worth the trek.
95 locals recommend
Di Fara Pizza
1424 Avenue JSimply the best pizza in New York. I've tried many top rated places and most aren't worth the hype. This one is. And it's worth the trek.
Drinks & Nightlife
One of the top speakeasy bars in the East Village. Almost impossible to get into, but worth a try. Hidden entrance through the phone booth in Criff Dog. Bartenders turn cocktails into fine art.
287 locals recommend
Please Don't Tell
113 St Marks PlOne of the top speakeasy bars in the East Village. Almost impossible to get into, but worth a try. Hidden entrance through the phone booth in Criff Dog. Bartenders turn cocktails into fine art.
Extensive beer selection. If beer is your thing, this is a place to check out.
26 locals recommend
d.b.a.
41 1st Ave.Extensive beer selection. If beer is your thing, this is a place to check out.
Madam Geneva
4 Bleecker StTheir unique gin + jam cocktails are worth trying.
Good atmosphere at this bar. If you feel like kicking it up a notch, go downstairs and hit the dancefloor.
26 locals recommend
Von
3 Bleecker StGood atmosphere at this bar. If you feel like kicking it up a notch, go downstairs and hit the dancefloor.
Arts & Culture
If you want to check out a local music hangout, this is a great destination. A small low-key bar with lots of local musicians passing through. Great taste of the East Village.
Banjo Jim's
If you want to check out a local music hangout, this is a great destination. A small low-key bar with lots of local musicians passing through. Great taste of the East Village.
A cultural staple of the East Village. Every Friday night at 10pm they host a poetry slam. Get there 45-60 minutes early to make sure you get in. You're guaranteed incredible talent and moving poetry.
83 locals recommend
Nuyorican Poet's Cafe
236 E 3rd StA cultural staple of the East Village. Every Friday night at 10pm they host a poetry slam. Get there 45-60 minutes early to make sure you get in. You're guaranteed incredible talent and moving poetry.
If you like improv, this comedy joint is a top destination.
81 locals recommend
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
555 W 42nd StIf you like improv, this comedy joint is a top destination.
Everything Else
Get to it via a free ferry. Wonderful place to wander, rent a bike, relax. Also great views of lower Manhattan. Open in the summertime.
18 locals recommend
Governors Island
Get to it via a free ferry. Wonderful place to wander, rent a bike, relax. Also great views of lower Manhattan. Open in the summertime.