A Local’s Guide to New York City: Boroughs, Iconic Sights & Hidden Gems

New York City 

New York City is an ever changing landscape of cultures, histories, movements, styles and cuisine. It is a worldly city, both glamorous and gritty filled with people from all walks of life. The city attracts dreamers and offers an endless supply of inspiration. Having lived here for 7 years, we’ve had the chance to explore and experience so much of what makes NYC unlike anywhere else. In no particular order, we’ve curated a list of sites worth visiting, hidden gems to appreciate, mouthwatering food to try and activities to do anywhere in NYC and across all 5 boroughs.  

Manhattan

Manhattan is the most iconic borough of New York City. Its towering skyscrapers, bustling avenues, historic neighborhoods, world renowned museums, famed parks and all hours of activity make it mesmerizing and energizing place to visit, live or work. 

Central Park 

Nestled within Manhattan’s grid of concrete and skyscrapers, is Central Park. The park acts as a retreat space for every New Yorker to escape the busy life of the city, spread out and re-connect with nature at all times of the year. These are our favorite reasons to visit the park: 

• Picnic! Gather some friends, bring a blanket, drinks, snacks and have a picnic. The park is filled with all types of lawns, fields and rock formations to choose from, finding a spot is never difficult to do. A few of our favorites are Umpire Rock, Sheep Meadow and Cedar Hill.

• The Lake.  With so many scenic spots nearby, the lake is one of our favorite areas in all of NYC. From here, you can listen to opera singers perform at Bethesda Terrace, share a kiss on the Bow Bridge, row across The Lake, sip on bubbly the Loeb Boathouse and get lost in the winding trails within The Ramble. 

• The North Woods.  Located in the northwest corner of the park between 100th & 110th streets, The North Woods is a vast section of the park with old trees, rolling hills and plenty of roads and trails to hike without leaving the city. 

• The Central Park Zoo.  A small but fun zoo to stroll through, see animals and learn about conservation. Our favorite part are the seals that frolic, splash and chase each other around in a large pool.

Grand Central Station 

An icon of NYC and well worth the visit with plenty to do and see outside of the typical commute.

• Wander The Great Hall, admire the celestial ceiling and check time on the Connecticut Clock. 

• Try a seafood tower, fresh oysters or whole lobster at the Oyster Bar.

• Whisper sweet nothings in the Whispering Hall. Outside of the Oyster Bar is a vaulted ceiling with columns at each corner. Stand diagonally across from another person speaking directly into the column. You’ll hear each other’s voice carry across the noisy hall’s ceiling.

• Drink a cocktail at The Apartment Bar, an old school NYC style speakeasy behind the restaurant on the south east corner of the great hall. 

• Shop for produce or souvenirs at the Grand Central Market. We usually grab specialty items from here on our way home; such as spices, seafood and Murray’s Cheese.

Photograph the Empire State Building 

The Empire State Building is easily the most recognizable and iconic sight in NYC defining the skyline day and night. At night, the building is illuminated in white or themed colorful lights. Try to spot the white lights twinkling on the hour after dark. Other special times to see the building illuminated is during Pride when it’s splashed in a rainbow of light, on New Years Eve when it glitters in color or Valentines Day when it’s lit in red and has a “heart beat.”

Observatories & Lookouts 

There are several observatories at the tops of historic and super tall buildings across the city. We’ve played tourist in our own city and visited multiple of them including:

• Empire State Building.  The most popular observatory in NYC and a must see with an outdoor deck, 360 city views and a small indoor room at the top of the spire. 

• The Edge.  An observatory with a large outdoor terrace and panoramic views of Manhattan. There’s a champagne bar to order bubbly from and enjoy the views. 

• World Trade Center.  The highest observatory in NYC with views of the Hudson Harbor and looking north across Manhattan. There is a cute bar with drinks and light bites 

• Rockefeller Center.  An observatory with views looking south towards Central Park and Midtown. 

Bryant Park 

This urban oasis is magical spot to relax and admire the city. Find an open chair or green patch of grass, sit back and listen to the hum of everything happening around you. The park is a few blocks from the energy and lights in Times Square and adjacent to the quiet and calm found within main branch of the NY Public Library. Bryant Park also hosts events year round from group yoga classes, chess competitions, ping pong, square dancing and a seasonal ice rink. 

Times Square 

While most New Yorkers avoid Times Square like the plague, you have to visit at least once or pass through in route to a Broadway show. Take in the lights, giant billboards, bustling chaos and noise.

Ride the Subway 

There’s hardly anything glamorous about riding the subway but it’s part of the NYC experience. Take the trains across town, look and listen for performers and don’t be afraid to ask strangers for directions. 

Directions to Keep in Mind: 

• Uptown = Central Park/Harlem

• Midtown = Times Square

• Downtown = World Trade Center

• Most trains pass through Times Square or Grand Central. From either, you can transfer almost anywhere. 

Eat NY Style Pizza 

Grab a slice of New York style pizza. Characterized by its crispy thin crust and wide slices, it’s a staple of NYC cuisine. Look out for pizzerias with long counters lined with dozens of pizzas all sold by the slice. Many of these shops are open 24 hours and constantly crank out new pies ensuring a fresh and delicious slice at any time of day. The East Village hosts a large number of pizzerias.

The Cast Iron District 

Spend an afternoon strolling through the cobble stone streets of the Historic Cast Iron District in SoHo. Hundreds of ornately designed cast iron clad buildings define the neighborhood, many of which are now home to high end restaurants, residences, boutiques and nightlife. Our favorites streets to walk down are Green Street, Bond Street and Crosby Street.

Urban Hiking 

One of the best ways to see the NYC is on foot. We often spend our weekends walking down avenues, across bridges and through Burroughs to explore the neighborhoods, discover restaurants and see areas we would typically passby while riding the subway. Get lost wandering, as Alicia Keys said it, “these streets will make you feel brand new.”

Vesuvius Bakery

One of our favorite bakeries in the city! This SoHo bakery often lures us in with its window display made from stacks of large chocolate chip cookies. Their cookies are crispy on the edges and gooey in-the middle made from layers of thin chocolate that melt apart with each bite.

The High Line 

Walk The High Line in Chelsea and Meatpacking. It’s an old rail line turned into an elevated park surrounded by contemporary architecture. It’s beautiful year round but our favorite time to visit is during autumn. Midway through, stop by Chelsea Market and eat your way through the food stands and restaurants.

Liberty Island 

Visit Liberty Island to see one of the United States most recognizable sights, The Statue of Liberty. The island is home to a museum recounting the statue’s history, construction and renovations. Most sightseeing tours leave from Battery Park.

Governor’s Island 

An island park in the NY Harbor accessible from the ferry terminal in lower Manhattan. Come here to picnic, admire the skyline and Statue of Liberty, ride bicycles without the stress of nyc drivers, rent kayaks at Pier 101, visit Castle Williams and admire artwork at summer galleries. There are a range of seasonal restaurants to dine and relax at including:

• Gitano Island.  A beach club style restaurant and bar with palm trees, a live DJ and tropical food and drinks.

• Taco Vista.  A taco stand in a shipping container with a patio overlooking the Manhattan skyline. 

• Island Oyster.  An outdoor oyster bar with an east coast vibe and skyline views. 

If you’re looking for something ritzier, buy a pass to the QC NY Spa or stay overnight at The Collective’s luxurious glamp-ground.

Roosevelt Island 

Ride the cable car connecting the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island that runs parallel to the Queensboro Bridge. While on Roosevelt Island, visit Four Freedoms Park, appreciate the island’s Brutalist Architecture or admire the Cherry Blossoms from April to May.

Union Square Market 

Every Saturday morning, the northwest side of Union Square transforms into a large farmers market comparable to those found in the plazas of Europe. It’s one of our favorite places to shop for locally made and grown items including Brooklyn honey, cut flowers, fresh caught seafood, funky mushrooms, artisan bread, smelly cheese, NY wine, maple syrup, seasonal produce and other specialties from local and urban farmers.

Greenwich Village

A historic Manhattan neighborhood known for its narrow streets, brick town houses, high end restaurants, trendy cocktail bars and fashion boutiques. It’s a home to the lgbtq community and movement with numerous gay bars including The Stonewall Inn, Julius, Dupex, The Monster, Pieces and Playhouse. Come to any of these for drag shows and dancing.  

Little Island

A fairy tale park built on tulip shaped pre-cast concrete columns rising from the Hudson River. The park has a winding pathway that gently climbs to a high point with views of the river. It’s home to a lawn, amphitheater and stage; each host concerts, fashion shows, comedians and other performances. There is also a rotunda with concession stands and colorful dining tables.

Chinatown 

After emerging from the Canal St subway station, it’s evident you’re in Chinatown by the pagoda style architecture, strings of red lanterns, vertical Mandarin signs and vendors selling fresh produce and knock-off handbags. Sip on bubble tea from Miss Du’s Tea Shop, lick ube or black sesame ice cream from Soft Swerve Ice Cream, shop for live seafood at Aqua Best, get a massage from the Renew Day Spa, check out the exhibit at world’s smallest museum, TheMmmuseum and sing dollar karaoke songs at Winnie’s Bar. Visit during Lunar New Year and participate in the neighborhoods festivities and traditions.

Little Italy

That's Amore! Visit Little Italy for authentic homestyle Italian cuisine. While looking for a place to eat, you can expect to be invited into every restaurant on the street by their respective hosts. Come here to eat wood fired pizza at Gelso & Grand, homemade pasta at Benito One, freshly filled cannolis or gelato at Ferrara Bakery & Cafe and espresso or espresso martinis at Caffe Roma. If you happen to visit during September, go during the Feast of San Gennaro, the neighborhood’s yearly food festival and street fair. 

Lower East Side

A popular Manhattan neighborhood that feels both grungy and upscale, trendy and timeless, home to locals and welcoming of tourists. About every cuisine imaginable is just a New York minute away with decades old restaurants, corner bodegas and street cafes serving customers late into the night. It’s a trendy area for nightlife with roof top cocktail bars, late night dives, hidden speakeasies and infamous clubs lurking around every corner. 

Go on a Bagel Crawl 

The city is dotted with delis, bakeries, bodegas and food carts offering these quintessential NY breads. Order one and split it amongst friends. After your first bagel, set out for your second, third, fourth and so on…enjoying the moments in-between to walk off a few carbs and see the city. There is an abundance of bagel shops throughout the Lower East Side. If you only have one type of bagel in NYC, make sure it’s a bagel with lox (cured salmon).

See Some Art

With renowned museums and galleries, NYC is home to some of the best art and artists in the world.

• Visit The Guggenheim and experience the museum as it was intended. Take the elevator to the top floor then walk down the spiral ramp viewing the art as you descend. 

• Spend a day at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMa)to see modern artwork by world famous artists like Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Warhol and Frida Kahlo. 

• Tour the Egyptian Temple of Dendur, walk among the Ancient Greek sculptures and galleries of renowned artwork at The MET

• Question the meaning behind contemporary art at The Whitney. 

• Tour the galleries and exhibits of city’s second largest art museum, The Brooklyn Museum.

• Go Gallery Hoppingin Chelsea on a Thursday during the open gallery night from 5-8pm. See work by new and emerging artists while enjoying free glasses of wine or beer. 

American Museum of Natural History 

An expansive natural history museum with some of the world’s most important discoveries and finds on display including full dinosaur skeletons, the oldest discovered humanoid, the world’s largest meteorite on display and thousands of preserved once living creatures from across all biological kingdoms.  

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is one of New York City’s most inviting boroughs! It’s home to historic neighborhoods with iconic brownstones, rooftops water towers, Manhattan views and vintage amusement parks. It’s urban charm, arts scene and ritzy areas are quintessential of the city’s diverse and ever changing character. 

Coney Island 

This nostalgic and eccentric place is a usual highlight of our summer. We often spend the day here riding amusement park rides, walking the boardwalk, relaxing on the beach and eating fried foods. Make sure to ride the Wonder Wheel and The Cyclone. Have a meal at Nathan’s with a Mermaid Pilsner. If you’re in NYC during mid June, make your way out to Coney Island to witness or participate in the Mermaid Parade, where thousands of people dress up as mermaids, sea creatures and in nautical costumes.  

Walk Across the Bridges 

Walk between Brooklyn and Manhattan on 3 of the city’s most iconic bridges: The Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge.

DUMBO 

Short for “Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass,” this Brooklyn neighborhood is once of the most iconic for its city and bridge views, rooftop water towers, cobblestone streets, red brick buildings and warehouses. Ride Jane’s Carousel, a vintage merry-go-round on the waterfront for only a few dollars. 

Admire the Brownstones

Take the subway to Brooklyn to see New York’s historic Brownstones. These architectural beauties are scattered throughout the city with large concentrations in Bed Stuy and Park Slope. Characterized by their brown stone facades, elevated stoops and narrow width, these homes exude urban charm. 

Tawk like a New Yawker 

Easily recognizable, the New York accent comes from the mix of ethnicities, social groups and cultural influences. It’s known for its combination of excitement, hand gestures, attitude, unique phrases, cursing and drawn out words. When you’re here, it’s hard not to notice and even harder not to try speaking.

Queens

Queens is the largest of New York City’s boroughs, famed for its multicultural neighborhoods, international food scene, waterfront views of midtown Manhattan and city beaches. 

Manhattanhenge 

Manhattanhenge is a rare spectacle when the sun lines up precisely with Manhattan’s east/west street grid during May - July. During this time, the sun rises and sets within the city’s canyon of buildings.

Rockaway Beach 

One of the most easily accessible beaches from NYC. The Rockaways are home to miles of mostly sandy beach and boardwalk. The boardwalk is lined with seasonal restaurants and concession stands serving everything from ceviche, pizza, burgers, arepas and ice cream. Get here by taking the East River Ferry from Wall Street or the A and S trains.

• Rippers. Come here for burgers and beer on the boardwalk.

• Tacoway Beach.  A seasonal surfers bar with board lockers, a large outdoor patio, strong margaritas and a range of delicious tacos. Try the black bean, cheese and sweet plantain tacos.

• Rockaway Brewing. One of our favorite NYC breweries with a location at Rockaway Beach and in Long Island City. They have a tap room and canned beers to go. Try the Beach Cruiser Ale and Hawaiian Pizza IPA.

Jacob Riis Beach.  Our go to beach spot in the Rockaways. It gets packed but it’s one of the most diverse and lgbtq+ friendly beaches we’ve visited. We usually arrive early because it tends to get crowded by late morning.

TWA Terminal

If you find yourself at JFK, visit the TWA Terminal and Hotel. This Mid Century masterpiece is an iconic symbol of the golden age of air travel. With numerous things to keep you occupied during a layover or night’s stay, it is a destination in itself. Order a drink in Sunken Lounge or outside in The Connie, a converted airplane bar, enjoy fine dining at the Paris Cafe and watch airplanes take off from the hotel’s rooftop pool. 

Long Island City Waterfront

The LIC waterfront is one of the most photogenic locations in NYC and a popular location for sunset proposals. The park provides sweeping views of Midtown Manhattan and is a beautiful spot to watch seaplanes land in the East River. The north end is home to Gantry Park and the neon lit Pepsi Cola Sign, a favorite spot of ours to picnic during the summer. At the heart of the park is Gantry Plaza, where dozens of food trucks line up during the late afternoon though evening. Visit the beer garden at Frank Ottomanelli's for drinks, burgers and the occasional salsa night. The south end, Hunters Point, is a favorite for its winding pathways and lush gardens. The surrounding neighborhood is home to several breweries, MoMA PS1 and a variety of restaurants and cafes, especially along Vernon Blvd. 

Getting Here.  Both Gantry Park and Hunters Point have their own East River Ferry docks making them easily accessible. In addition, the neighborhood is only one subway station east of Grand Central via the 7 Train and one north of Brooklyn via the G Train.

Take the East River Ferry 

For an inexpensive way to see the city by water, buy a ticket and hop on the East River Ferry. Ferries operate between Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx for less than $4 one way. There’s also a bar on board and an outdoor deck. It’s an easy way to enjoy the waterfront, see the skyline and get to Rockaway Beach.

Eat at an All Night Diner

NYC is known as the city that never sleeps. This couldn’t be truer than at an all night diner. Characterized by their run-on menus, cake displays and signed photos of celebrities mounted to the walls, these comforting places are waiting to welcome you at any hour of the day. 

Order Street Food 

Some of the best meals we’ve had have come from unassuming street vendors. Whether it’s tacos, falafel, kimchi, an egg and cheese or pretzels, there’s likely a street cart or food truck selling it.

The Bronx 

The Bronx is the northernmost of New York City’s five boroughs. Its home to lush green spaces, island neighborhoods and Yankee Stadium.

The Bronx Zoo & Tree Top Canopy Adventure 

An adventure park at The Bronx Zoo with zip lines, rope suspension bridges, wood plank walkways and platforms built between the canopy of trees. There are several challenge course ranging from beginner to expert with various style activities including a zip line over the Bronx river, one where you sit in a sled and another in a kayak. The zoo is home to a world of animal life including asian elephants, southern white rhinos, giraffes, gorillas, monkeys, red pandas and snow leopards.

Pro Tip. Visit in late June to collect feathers from the mating peacocks! 

City Island

An island neighborhood of the Bronx located in the Long Island Sound. There is a main street lined with lobster restaurants, boat marinas, bait and tackle shops, cute houses with wooden siding. Walk from one end to the next in less than an hour stopping for drinks at The Black Whale and lobster rolls at The City Island Lobster House. 

Staten Island

Staten Island is the southernmost of New York City’s five boroughs, located across the harbor from Manhattan and Brooklyn. The best way to visit is by taking The Staten Island Ferry, an iconic orange ship ferrying passengers between Staten Island and Manhattan. It’s an inexpensive way to enjoy the views of lower Manhattan, New Jersey, Brooklyn and the State of Liberty.

The Best Restaurants & Bars in NYC 

Writing about the best restaurants in NYC is a lofty under taking so we created a list with our city wide favorites, neighborhood haunts, vegan and vegetarian eateries, fine dining establishments, speakeasies and rooftop bars. View the list here, The Best Restaurants & Bars in NYC.

A Local’s Guide to The Best Restaurants & Bars in NYC

The Best Restaurants & Bars in NYC

Writing about the best restaurants in NYC is a lofty under taking so we created this guide with our city wide favorites, go-to neighborhood haunts, recommended vegan and vegetarian eateries, places for fine dining and celebrations, speakeasies and rooftop bars. 

Long Island City Favorites 

These neighborhood favorites keep us coming back time and time again. Having lived in Long Island City for over 7 years, we’ve grown to love these neighborhood eateries. 

Tournesol

A classic French bistro where the meals and vibes are always magnifique! This neighborhood hole in the wall transports diners to Paris. The owner, chef and servers are all French expats providing an appetizing and welcoming experience. The menu consists of homestyle dishes and desserts often paired with a bottle of French wine or gin martini. As lovers of seafood, we often order staple dishes from their menu including: the moule frites, pan seared skate, seared trout or roasted hake. Some frequent specials include the poisson en papillote and bouillabaisse.

The restaurant is recognizable by its mural of a woman with a tournesol (French for sunflower) on the side of the building and a tiny red car parked out front. The dimly lit interior with white table cloths, bistro chairs, a tin ceiling and antique tiled floor provides a cozy ambiance.

Skinny’s Cantina 

One tequila. Two tequila. Three tequila. Floor! Skinny’s frozen margaritas are enough to get you buzzing or further. In addition, we regularly come here for their extremely well made fish tacos, veggie burrito and sizzling fajitas. Though more expensive than a typical tacoria, it’s worth every dollar and that’s not the tequila talking. 

Sweet Chick 

Tastes like chicken! We come here for their vegetarian chicken and waffles! A personal favorite is the spicy Nashville chicken and waffles. They also offer Southern sides like hush puppies, baked man-n-cheese, shrimp and grits. It’s a usual go to for brunch with friends! We even hosted our 40 person engagement party here in their Jazz Room. 

Slice LIC

We’re not going to be so bold as to claim it’s the best pizza in NYC but it’s surly the best pizza in Long Island City! Walk up window with a spread of NY style pizzas by the slice. We often order an assortment of slices to share including their margarita, vodka, white pie and pesto slices! 

Jora 

A Peruvian restaurant with traditional Peruvian dishes like ceviche, corn causas, arroz con mariscos and empanadas. Their Pisco bar offers Pisco forward cocktails including the classic Pisco Sour among other libations made with Peruvian ingredients. 

New York City Favorites 

New York City is a food lovers paradise with every cuisine and type of food imaginable. With over 10,000 restaurants across the city, it would be impossible to try them all but we’ve curated a list of a few of our favorites. 

Kokomo

Everyone knows a place like Kokomo! This extravagant Caribbean restaurant in the heart of Brooklyn offers tropical vibes, rum cocktails and traditional dishes from the West Indies like whole fried red snapper, vegan curries and goat stew. 

Petit Boucherie 

One of our favorite restaurants in NYC is Petit Boucherie. It’s an intimate French Restaurant in the heart of Greenwich Village with an old world ambiance. We love coming here for their traditional absinthe drip cocktails. 

The Haab 

A hole in the wall for authentic Mexican dishes. We often come for weekend brunch ordering chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and conchas. We’ve been to both locations in Sunnyside Queens and East Williamsburg. The East Williamsburg has a large vegan menu including dishes like seitan mole enchiladas, spicy tempe tacos, black bean tamales and more. 

Tea and Sympathy 

Did someone say tea time? An English style restaurant for afternoon tea complete with mismatched tea cups and a tiered tower of tea sandwiches and authentic sweets like scones, sticky toffee pudding and rhubarb crumple. With English owners and staff, this tea house feels like a piece of merry ole London in the West Village. Stop into their next door businesses, Carry On, for English teas and A Salt & Battery for fish and chips.

St. Mazie Bar & Supper Club

A genuine gem of a restaurant tucked away in Williamsburg with nightly Jazz performances. The historic and warmly lit interior provides an intimate setting for a romantic date night of evening with friends. Order a spread of snacks and appetizers for the table with a bottle of wine or absinthe cocktails.

Socarrat

One of the few paella restaurants we’ve been to that makes genuine paella! Paella is prepared in a traditional pan and scraped out of the dish by the server, revealing the crunchy rice (aka socarrat) beneath. Our personal favorite is the seafood paella made with squid ink rice, scallops, shrimp and oysters. Enjoy a carafe of red, white or rose sangria on the side. 

Fine Dining 

NYC has countless fine dining restaurants worth your top dollar. Whether celebrating a birthday, anniversary, promotion or simply having a date night, these are some of our favorites. Just make sure to secure a reservation weeks ahead of time. 

The River Cafe

An iconic restaurant on a barge below the Brooklyn Bridge with contemporary American cuisine. It is a popular location for proposals and has a very strict dress code. 

Le Coucou 

A contemporary French restaurant with a refined yet unpretentious atmosphere. The menu features dishes like rabbit, duck, lobster, sea bass and our favorite, the dover sole. A interior is illuminated with dimly lit candle style chandeliers, features an open kitchen and comfortable velvet furniture. Located in SoHo, it’s popular among celebrities and boasts a Michelin Star. 

One if Land, Two if by Sea

A romantic restaurant with fine American cuisine served in multi-course menus with changing dishes. The dim interior glimmers with the light from candle lit chandeliers reflected off the warmth of the red brick walls and American style artwork as a pianist serenades diners throughout the night. Come during the holidays for a festive ambiance when the walls are decorated in evergreen garland. 

Omakase room by Maaser

A simple 12 seat omakase room offering a 12 and 17 course tasting menus and sake pairings. The Itamae (sushi chef) will individually prepare an assortment of sea life as pieces of sushi, sashimi, nigiri and oyster at the counter. Some pieces served are raw while others are flamed and all are balanced with the perfect level of umami flavor. 

Le Crocodile

An elevated French restaurant in an upscale area of Williamsburg. It has a slightly relaxed vibe and an antiqued interior with high ceilings, brick walls, wood paneling and warm lighting. Come for the dinner service and order the mushroom pate with black truffle, summer ratatouille, almond encrusted trout and chocolate mousse. 

Marseille 

A higher end southern French restaurant specializing in Bouillabaisse, the traditional seafood stew created in Marseille, France. Come here on a romantic date night and share the Bouillabaisse between two. Sit indoors and enjoy the French styled interior with elegant decor, leather banquettes and warmly lit lighting. 

Vegan and Vegetarian Cuisine   

Restaurants across NYC cater to every palette and cuisine, as mostly plant based we’ve frequented several vegan and vegetarian restaurants over the years. These are some of the best we’ve been to.

Delice & Sarrasin 

An inventive French restaurant with vegan versions of classic French dishes like escargot, boeuf bourguignon, steak tartare, foie gras and French onion soup. Using pea protein, traditional preparations and a bit of ‘je ne sais quoi,’ the chef is able to create delectable dishes that elevate vegan cuisine. 

Ja Ja Ja Mexicana 

A restaurant with multiple locations across NYC known for their vegan Mexican dishes including tacos, quesadillas, burritos, tamales and enchiladas. For their base, each dish is made with veggies or vegan meats like chorizo, pollo, pescado and carnitas. At the bar, order from a range of mezcal and tequila forward cocktails with citric and floral notes. Each location has a colorfully tiled and textured interior with plants and wicker decor. 

Anixi 

A high end vegan restaurant with Turkish influences both in its food and interior. Try the mezze dips, pide flatbreads and vegan meats grilled on 14” swords. A palace like restaurant has tall ceilings, stone covered walls, a large fireplace, velvet curtains and crystal chandeliers. 

Bunna Cafe 

Head to Bushwick for plant based Ethiopian cuisine at Bunna Cafe. We come here for their injera and a combination of plant based dishes like cremini mushrooms, steamed collared greens, spiced and pureed chickpeas, berbere seasoned lentils, seasoned yellow lentils, vegetables with cabbage and sautéed beets

Beyond Sushi 

If you like sushi, you’ll like Beyond Sushi. This restaurant creates convincingly flavorful and artful vegan sushi rolls. Seafood is made from vegetables like marinated carrot and radish, jackfruit and mushroom. 

Vegan on the Fly

A fast food style vegan restaurant in the heart of Midtown with shaved seitan gyros, vegan drumsticks, chicken sandwiches and milkshakes. 

Speakeasies 

In a city where something new lingers around every corner, some of the best surprises remain truly hidden. A few of these hidden gems are speakeasies. Here are a few of our favorites and how to get in. 

Please Don’t Tell

The entrance is located through a phone booth inside Criff Dogs on St. Marks Place. After 6pm, enter the phone booth, pick up the receiver and dial 1. The other side of the phone booth will open leading into the bar. The bar itself is known for its mixologists, often crafting custom cocktails to your taste. 

Basement Chinatown

Located in Chinatown down a flight of stairs on Mott St is a Coca Cola refrigerator door. Behind the door is a basement bar with a subtle carnival theme, emphasized by a self serve popcorn machine.

Employees Only

The entrance, hidden behind the curtains of a fortune teller’s shop in Chelsea, leads to this classy cocktail bar. The speakeasy is known for its experimental drinks and prohibition era vibes. 

Fig. 19 

A speakeasy in the Lower East Side disguised as a white box art gallery. Once inside, behind a hidden door is a cozy cocktail lounge. Friday nights and weekends can get surprisingly busy.

Rooftop Bars 

A swanky NYC night out involves cocktails at a rooftop bar or lounge. We’ve gone to numerous across the city, each with a different vibe and unique view. Here’s a shortlist of some of our favorites.

The Broken Shaker

Located on the roof of the Freehand Hotel, this 70s style tiki themed rooftop features multiple bars, tropical drinks and tasty small plates.

Spyglass Rooftop

This intimate rooftop cocktail bar has some of the best views of the Empire State Building. As its name suggests, it even has a viewing periscope pointed directly at the building. 

The Boom Boom Room

Located at the top of the Standard Hotel, this iconic and ultra glitzy spot embodies the glamour of NYC. Come for the high end cocktails, live music and make sure to check out the restrooms.

Bookmarks

A cozy cocktail lounge with charcuterie, an outdoor patio (covered during the winter) a fireplace, velvet furniture and the smell of books.

Ophelia Lounge

A cocktail bar and restaurant at the top of the Art Deco style Beekman Tower with 360 city and East River views.

The MET Roof Garden Bar

Located on the rooftop of the MET, this seasonal bar features outdoor art installations, skyline views and overlooks the treetops of Central Park.

Other rooftop bars worth visiting are: Bar Blondeau, Westlight, RT60 Rooftop, PHD Dream Rooftop & Apotheke Nomad. 

Eclectic Bars Across the City 

There are a lot of eclectic and viby cocktail bars across the city. These are a few that we’ve found ourselves returning to when we’re in the area. 

Dutch Kills Bar

An old school cocktail bar only open after 5pm with a dimly lit interior and a wide range of spirits. Mixologists are known for inventing drinks based of your spirit and flavor preferences. 

Surf Bar

A beach like dive bar with a sand covered floor, surfboards on the ceiling, stings of colorful bulb lights and walls covered in natural decor and accessories. Come here for the tropical cocktails and tiki drinks. 

Joy Face

This is one of those funky NYC bars. It’s decorated like the 1970s complete with a disco ball, water bed and vintage furniture. After a couple of cocktails, we seemingly get lost in time. 

Analogue

Try a Manhattan in Manhattan! Mixologists stir, shake and serve up sipping cocktails made from strong spirits like whisky, scotch, bourbon, rye, gin and mezcal. This dimly lit bar has a cozy feeling with leather sofas, Edison bulbs and framed black and white photos. 

Russian Samovar 

A Russian vodka and piano bar with a range of house infused vodkas steeped with dill, cucumber, horseradish, pepper, ginger, lemon, basil and more. Our personal favorite drink is the horseradish martini. Their food menu has plenty of Eastern European classics like pierogi, cured lox and Russian salads.  

Tips for Dining Out in NYC

Reservations.  Making reservations ahead of time is necessary whenever dining out in NYC. Call the restaurant directly or book online with Open Table. Some places require a refundable deposit to hold your reservation. 

Dress Codes.  Double check restaurant websites and reviews for any dress code requirements before arriving. Generally only fine dining restaurants or exclusive bars have set dress codes.  

Tipping.  A 20% tip is standard for service across restaurants and bars in NYC. Always double check that the gratuity is not included in the final bill to avoid double tipping. 

Cash vs Card.  Most restaurants and bars accept credit and debit cards while the occasional business will be cash only. Carry cash for street food.