Guidebook for New York
Food Scene
Seriously authentic, affordable Isan-style Thai food - and delicious cocktails. The rice-on-a-stick side dish is sneakily addictive.
51 locals raden deze aan
Somtum Der
85 Avenue ASeriously authentic, affordable Isan-style Thai food - and delicious cocktails. The rice-on-a-stick side dish is sneakily addictive.
Lovely ambiance, ridiculously tasty wood-oven pizzas (as well as other stuff), an expansive wine selection, and some of the friendliest service in the city.
14 locals raden deze aan
GG's
511 East 5th StreetLovely ambiance, ridiculously tasty wood-oven pizzas (as well as other stuff), an expansive wine selection, and some of the friendliest service in the city.
Sexy-rustic ambiance, Neo-Bedouin cuisine. A relative newcomer to the neighborhood.
13 locals raden deze aan
Timna
Sexy-rustic ambiance, Neo-Bedouin cuisine. A relative newcomer to the neighborhood.
Delicious tacos, outstanding sauces, and remarkably tasty tequila-based cocktails. Gets crowded (and a little douchey) during happy hour, so go early/late to avoid the popped-collar set.
19 locals raden deze aan
Empellon Al Pastor
132 St Marks PlDelicious tacos, outstanding sauces, and remarkably tasty tequila-based cocktails. Gets crowded (and a little douchey) during happy hour, so go early/late to avoid the popped-collar set.
Moody, two-story Spanish spot with delicious tapas and a bar specializing in mescal cocktails. Lots of nooks and shadows - great for dates. Try the truffle-dusted popcorn!
71 locals raden deze aan
Mayahuel Mariposa
304 East 6th StreetMoody, two-story Spanish spot with delicious tapas and a bar specializing in mescal cocktails. Lots of nooks and shadows - great for dates. Try the truffle-dusted popcorn!
Deeply French. Tons of vodka infusions, and live jazz most nights.
35 locals raden deze aan
Anyway Cafe
1602 E 2nd StDeeply French. Tons of vodka infusions, and live jazz most nights.
Stupid-good BBQ, served lunch-line style. Brisket is amazing, as well as the ribs. The sweet potato-maple-pecan casserole is criminally good! Gets crazy-busy on Fri/Sat nights.
139 locals raden deze aan
Mighty Quinn's Barbeque
75 2nd AveStupid-good BBQ, served lunch-line style. Brisket is amazing, as well as the ribs. The sweet potato-maple-pecan casserole is criminally good! Gets crazy-busy on Fri/Sat nights.
Friendly, upscale Italian spot - full bar, straightforward menu, and well-rounded wine list.
10 locals raden deze aan
Giano
126 E 7th StFriendly, upscale Italian spot - full bar, straightforward menu, and well-rounded wine list.
Best damn dumplings in Manhattan outside of Chinatown - and cheap! The seared pork dumplings with Cool Monster sauce are ridiculously delicious.
37 locals raden deze aan
Dumpling Man
100 St Marks PlBest damn dumplings in Manhattan outside of Chinatown - and cheap! The seared pork dumplings with Cool Monster sauce are ridiculously delicious.
A terrific Italian place owned by one of our neighbors - it's a great daytime coffee/snack/dessert spot.
42 locals raden deze aan
Gnocco
337 E 10th StA terrific Italian place owned by one of our neighbors - it's a great daytime coffee/snack/dessert spot.
Tasty Caribbean food, festive ambiance, and good music. Also an extensive fresh-pressed juice bar.
137 locals raden deze aan
Miss Lily's 7A Cafe
109 Avenue ATasty Caribbean food, festive ambiance, and good music. Also an extensive fresh-pressed juice bar.
Super-popular organic fresh-pressed juice bar. They also have bottled juices for sale, as well as a few organic/gluten-free snacks, like scones, cookies, etc.
42 locals raden deze aan
Liquiteria
170 2nd AvenueSuper-popular organic fresh-pressed juice bar. They also have bottled juices for sale, as well as a few organic/gluten-free snacks, like scones, cookies, etc.
A dense concentration of Indian and Pakistani restaurants of every description, including vegetarian - many have live sitar/flute/drum ensembles on certain nights.
8 locals raden deze aan
East 6th Street
East 6th StreetA dense concentration of Indian and Pakistani restaurants of every description, including vegetarian - many have live sitar/flute/drum ensembles on certain nights.
Drinks & Nightlife
Underground - literally. Look for the 'On-Air' sign by the stairs leading downward. Can get crowded, so expect a wait if you go Thurs-Sat. Sake/soju only - but a huge selection of both.
88 locals raden deze aan
Sake Bar Decibel
240 E 9th StUnderground - literally. Look for the 'On-Air' sign by the stairs leading downward. Can get crowded, so expect a wait if you go Thurs-Sat. Sake/soju only - but a huge selection of both.
Contrary to the name, this is a tiny little spot. Brian, the bartender on Tues/Thurs nights is super-friendly, and very talented - ask him to surprise you, and you will not be disappointed.
8 locals raden deze aan
Big Bar
75 E 7th StContrary to the name, this is a tiny little spot. Brian, the bartender on Tues/Thurs nights is super-friendly, and very talented - ask him to surprise you, and you will not be disappointed.
A scruffy punk/tiki bar with drinks served in punch bowls lit on fire, and live music every night - lots of local bands and performers, usually of the punk/hardcore/rockabilly variety.
26 locals raden deze aan
Otto's Shrunken Head
538 E 14th StA scruffy punk/tiki bar with drinks served in punch bowls lit on fire, and live music every night - lots of local bands and performers, usually of the punk/hardcore/rockabilly variety.
A small, scruffy neighborhood gay bar - excellent DJ, quirky decor (there's a stuffed zebra head wearing a Communist hat on the wall) and go-go dancers some nights. Gets busy after 11pm.
8 locals raden deze aan
Easternbloc
505 E 6th StA small, scruffy neighborhood gay bar - excellent DJ, quirky decor (there's a stuffed zebra head wearing a Communist hat on the wall) and go-go dancers some nights. Gets busy after 11pm.
Essentials
Great (though pricey) source for organic produce, international items, and high-end deli foods.
522 locals raden deze aan
Union Market
240 E Houston StGreat (though pricey) source for organic produce, international items, and high-end deli foods.
Definitely our best nearby grocery store - they've got everything, and aren't crazy-expensive. Highly recommend their in-house prepared food section.
358 locals raden deze aan
Westside Market
2840 BroadwayDefinitely our best nearby grocery store - they've got everything, and aren't crazy-expensive. Highly recommend their in-house prepared food section.
A good option if you need grocery basics - they have a full deli, as well as surprisingly well-stocked organic and gluten-free sections. (their produce section leaves much to be desired, however.)
509 locals raden deze aan
Key Food Supermarkets
492 Myrtle AveA good option if you need grocery basics - they have a full deli, as well as surprisingly well-stocked organic and gluten-free sections. (their produce section leaves much to be desired, however.)
Everything Else
Huge liquor/wine shop with very knowledgeable staff, and frequent free tastings and seminars. If you can't find it here, you don't need to drink it. :)
37 locals raden deze aan
Astor Wines & Spirits
399 Lafayette StHuge liquor/wine shop with very knowledgeable staff, and frequent free tastings and seminars. If you can't find it here, you don't need to drink it. :)
A singular East Village institution - the Baths have been in operation for over 100 years. They have men- and women-only hours on certain days, so check the schedule, or stop by the front desk.
68 locals raden deze aan
Russian & Turkish Baths
268 E 10th StA singular East Village institution - the Baths have been in operation for over 100 years. They have men- and women-only hours on certain days, so check the schedule, or stop by the front desk.
The pride of the E. Village - the park has been renovated and improved in recent years. Check out the dog run, the drum circles, or watch feats of strength on the jungle-gyms at 10th and Ave B.
538 locals raden deze aan
Tompkins Square Park
East 10th StreetThe pride of the E. Village - the park has been renovated and improved in recent years. Check out the dog run, the drum circles, or watch feats of strength on the jungle-gyms at 10th and Ave B.
Guided tours of a restored/preserved tenement building offering a fascinating, intimate look at the history of the Lower East Side and the immigrants who made NYC what it is. Highly recommended!
603 locals raden deze aan
Tenement Museum
103 Orchard StGuided tours of a restored/preserved tenement building offering a fascinating, intimate look at the history of the Lower East Side and the immigrants who made NYC what it is. Highly recommended!
Shopping
As the name suggests, this spot stocks beers of every description, from all over the world. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and can recommend to any taste.
36 locals raden deze aan
Good Beer
422 E 9th StAs the name suggests, this spot stocks beers of every description, from all over the world. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and can recommend to any taste.
An East Village gem - they stock hundreds of dried herbs, essential oils, incense, and books on plant lore, history, and botanical healing.
7 locals raden deze aan
Flower Power Herbs & Roots Inc
406 E 9th StAn East Village gem - they stock hundreds of dried herbs, essential oils, incense, and books on plant lore, history, and botanical healing.
One of the best high-end vintage/designer resale shops in the city - it's not all cheap, but you can always find amazing pieces from recent runway collections for far below retail here.
52 locals raden deze aan
Tokio 7
83 E 7th StOne of the best high-end vintage/designer resale shops in the city - it's not all cheap, but you can always find amazing pieces from recent runway collections for far below retail here.
A dangerous place if you have a sweet tooth - try the chocolate-covered Bacon-Toffee Bites, or the chocolate-covered Swedish fish.
9 locals raden deze aan
Handsome Dan's Snocone & Candy Stand
218 Bedford AveA dangerous place if you have a sweet tooth - try the chocolate-covered Bacon-Toffee Bites, or the chocolate-covered Swedish fish.
Arts & Culture
Ultra-modern/postmodern art on the legendary Bowery. Exhibits can be hit-and-miss, but the bookstore and people-watching are superb.
629 locals raden deze aan
New Museum of Contemporary Art
235 BoweryUltra-modern/postmodern art on the legendary Bowery. Exhibits can be hit-and-miss, but the bookstore and people-watching are superb.