It’s officially been two months since I moved to NYC. WOWZA. In two months, I’ve explored pretty much every area in Manhattan and a couple neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Until I can actually feel good about making a guide to any specific area, I figured I would share the places I’ve tried, the places I’ve liked, and the places that are grossly overrated. So many of you have told me that you’re visiting NYC for the holidays and looking for things to see and places to eat. Here are some ideas!
Most of these places are pretty affordable. I will mark the ones that are a little pricier or maybe better for special occasions! Let’s also try not to think about how much money I’ve spent here. It’s better that way. Cue my commitment to a better budget for October.
You can check out my extensive google map here for more places to try and things to do.
The Food
We all know that I love food. And in this city, there is no shortage of amazing restaurants. I actually feel like it’s a race against the clock here because you never know when a locals’ favorite spot will close in favor of something new. Every restaurant will be listed below with a photo if I have a good one and my ranking. I’ll also throw the neighborhood in there for easy tracking. You can also find my google maps hub for all the places I’ve been to and some places I want to try!
Good For Breakfast
Jane
Jane was super delicious and a great first brunch option when my mom came to visit after I moved in back in August! I had the french toast and it was phenomenal especially paired with the peach bellini. This place was Mom-approved and a solid 4.5/5. Jane is just north of SoHo on Houston Street.
Sweet Chick
Sweet Chick was a cute, southern-style restaurant with so much character. You have to get the Chicken and Waffles, but if you’re not into that anything that comes with the home fries is a meal worth having. Located in the Lower East Side, you’ll also find the cutest murals EVER. 4.7/5
Sunday in Brooklyn
The perfect place to spend a Sunday in Brooklyn. This place gets packed early. Normally, you won’t find New Yorkers musing out of their apartments until after 10:30am, but not for SiB. I will say that this place was totally worth the wait especially if you’re in the mood for a savory meal. The avocado toast looked amazing and my egg scramble entree was SO GOOD. Also, the aesthetics are amazing. This place is a little of a trek from the mainland, but Williamsburg, Brooklyn is a cool neighborhood for some weekend exploring. 4.2/5
Wattle Cafe
The Aussies really know how to make a good waffle. I ran into this place after a workout to treat myself after a v. bad week. I’d love to sit in this little cafe for a bit and read. It seems like the perfect ambiance for that sort of thing. Established in the quaint Manhattan neighborhood of Murray Hill, I’m giving Wattle a 4/5.
Penelope
Penelope is by far my favorite brunch place because it’s super close to my ‘hood, it has a ~fair~ priced boozy brunch deal, and the portions are big! This is where you wanna go when you miss a good home cooked meal. The blueberry pancakes are AMAZING, and the omelet entree I’ve gotten before was solid. 4.9/5 for my brunch of choice on a lazy weekend morning.
Good For Lunch/Dinner
by Chloe
I always leave a piece of my heart at by Chloe. The vegan fast-food chain is a staple for New Yorkers. I’ve only had the guac burger and sweet potato fries (tears up a little bit just thinking about it), but the salads and mac and cheese are crowd favorites. It’s a little bit on the pricier side for fast-casual lunch options, but you know you’ll love it so it’s worth it. Also, everything is super filling. 4.5/5 with locations all over the city! My favorite one so far was at Rockefeller Plaza, v. spacious.
Sticky’s Finger Joint
My go-to Postmates option. I don’t know if I just missed southern seasoning but there is something so right about the chicken fingers at Sticky’s. The wide range of sauces will make everyone happy. There are a few locations in Manhattan and I’ll leave it with a 4.7/5 for knocking the chicken tender game out of the park.
Artichoke Basille Pizza
HUGE slices of pizza served by the slice or by the pie. Pretty affordable and great for a late night drunken food find. I mean even at 4AM. The artichoke pizza is apparently what they’re known for but my favorite is the Classic Margherita. 4.8/5 for being the go-to stop for pizza after a night out in the East Village.
Joe’s Pizza
Joe’s is an NY staple and incredibly famous. You can pop in the shop after dodging the crowds in Times Square or for a quick bite after your Broadway show. There are so many locations around the city. Totally worth waiting in line and super deserving of all the hype. CASH only though so we’ll leave them with 4.5/5 because I’m a millennial out to destroy the dollar.
Eataly Flatiron
I LOVE the rooftop restaurant and bar in this place even though it will cost you an arm and a leg. Bring your parents here or come for a nice date night or simply just treat yourself. The pasta dish and meatballs that I ordered were divine and the $17 frose was 100% worth it. You can tell that they are using quality ingredients here. SO GOOD. 4.8/5 for my friends over in one of my favorite areas, the Flatiron District.
Sweetgreen
SWEETGREEN. MY HOME. MY LOVE. Seriously, the best fast-casual salad you’ll have in your life. The Guacamole Greens salad is giving me all the summer feels and I’ll be sad to see it go when they hit me with the autumn menu change. It’s so good, most of the time if I pass one on the way back to my apartment, you know what I’m eating for my next meal. Locations all over the dang place for this 4.9/5 salad stop.
Smorgasburg
If you’re in town during the summer months until mid-October, you need to hit up Smorgasburg! I’d recommend the Prospect Park location because the crowds aren’t as crazy as the flagship Williamsburg site. Be sure to bring your sunnies and a blanket and make a park day out of it. The vendors in here change frequently but A Good Batch ice cream sandwiches are always the move. You can find these 4.8/5 food festival stops at East River State Park on Saturdays and Prospect Park on Sundays from April-October.
Shake Shack
First thing: Shake Shack is better than In’N’Out. Don’t @ me. But, for real my Shake Shack meal is a pretty standard burger, amazing crinkle cut fries, and the best dang coffee milkshake. I’d probably be satisfied with just the fries and shake. When I don’t feel like going for a whole sit down meal, I love me some Shake Shack. 4.3/5 with locations all over the city.
Juliana’s
The first thing you’ll notice about Juliana’s is that the line is ridiculous. Well, I’m here to tell you that while the line is long, you better get your booty in it. The pizza here is seriously so perfect. As someone who loves pretty much any slice of za, you can actually taste what makes this pie so special. Find your favorite friend and split a small classic Margherita [we’ve been over this already]. You’ll be full and oh so happy in no time. Also, I’d go back for more and to hit up that dessert menu. 4.95/5 and located in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
Good For Drinks
Flatiron Hall
This is a cool happy hour spot to hang out after work especially if you’re in or near the Flatiron District. I’m a cider gal and they had the most delicious Rosé Cider. I also opted for the tots instead of an actual meal because I wasn’t super hungry and they were spectacularly unique. I’d definitely recommend this for when your out of town friend is in for a business trip. Great location in the Flatiron District and 4.3/5 for the pricey-ness.
Cask Bar + Kitchen
CASK is a warm spot in Murray Hill and I loved it. It had the tastiest blood orange margaritas. This spot is perfect for a quick drink after work and apparently, the brunch here is super good too. I’ll give this quaint little spot 4.5/5 for ambiance and general good vibes.
VinoTapa
VinoTapa had some of the best red sangria that I’ve had in my life. I’ve only been of legal drinking age for 1 year and some change, but I swear this stuff was on a new level especially for $5 during happy hour. The food here is also delicious! A fantastic spot to grab a small group and order a ton of options for the table. We didn’t have a single bad thing while we were there. 4.9/5 for the best sangria and some tasty tapas.
Dinner on Ludlow
This spot in Lower Manhattan has three different levels and is a really fun place to head out with friends for a fun night of dancing. The drinks here are incredibly pricey and I personally didn’t order anything here, but the music was good and the rooftop terrace was a great spot to get some fresh air when the dance floor was too crowded. 4.0/5 very nice digs, but the drink prices can be beaten.
Street Taco
I love a good margarita, that’s something important you should really know about me. I also love a good taco which makes Street Taco a very nice spot to try. I ordered another blood orange margarita and it was top notch. If you go during happy hour you can get all the good deals. A reliable option for Mexican on the East Side, 4.5/5.
Good For A Sweet Treat
Laduree
Frankly, you have to pop into the Soho shop when you visit NYC, but I probably won’t ever go back to Laduree for macarons unless I’m showing a friend around the city. I give Laduree a huge thumbs up for texture and taste though. The shop in SoHo is so cute and a nice little spot for tea, 4.8/5.
Eggloo
Eggloo is a tucked away hidden treasure on the edge of Chinatown and the financial district. After grabbing $1 dumplings a couple streets over, you can pop in here for ice cream in a Belgian waffle cone. I promise it’s 100% worth the Instagram hype, and it’s fallen just under the radar that there shouldn’t be a huge line. I was expecting it to be one of those edible super Instagram worthy desserts, but the ice cream was actually really really good! This hidden sweet treat gets 4.85/5 from me.
Levain Bakery
Levain Bakery cookies are the best I’ve had in the city ever. I don’t say that lightly because I take my chocolate chip cookie rankings very seriously. There are two locations that are a few blocks down from each other. I think my new activity if I’m stressed or sad or just have nothing to do on a random Sunday is to grab a book, a Levain cookie, and sit in Central Park. That whole idea sounds about as good as that cookie will taste. The gooey, warm Upper West Side staple gets 4.99/5.
Tipsy Scoop
Tipsy Scoop is hidden away in the Kips Bay neighborhood and is a gem. I mean alcohol-infused ice cream. Holy Moly. I had the coffee flavored ice cream infused with Bailey’s and it was good. I was eyeing the Strawberry Sangria Sorbet but they were all sold out when I visited. This was one of the first spots I went to when I moved to the city. It helped cool me off on a hot summer day, but seriously I need to get back here before it gets too cold. The cashier was so nice and wished me an early Happy Birthday when I was here too! 4.7/5 for my friends at Tipsy Scoop.
The Doughnuttery
I wanted more from the Doughnuttery, but I realize that this was probably more of my fault because I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and most of the time I do a ton of research. I like a substantial donut. One that I can bite into and really enjoy, ya know. These doughnuts are the mini ones that you just pop in and enjoy all at once. I mean they were tasty, but I left feeling unfulfilled. Also, Chelsea Market was so crowded and so hard to find a spot. You definitely want to go here on a sunny day and bring up your treats on the High Line. These were definitely good doughnuts: 4.4/5.
Van Leeuwen’s
LET’S TALK ABOUT VAN LEEUWEN’S. I could eat this creamy, flavorful ice cream all day every day if I wouldn’t go broke and gain 10 pounds. Also, I hear the vegan ice cream is good too. The shops are so cute and there’s one that’s two feet away from Yumi Kim and the floral trash can mural. I mean you wanted aesthetic and I’m giving it to you. This place definitely earns a 4.8/5 and has locations all over Manhattan and Brooklyn. The Greenwich Village and Lower Manhattan locations are cute!
One Girl Cookies
The fact that they regrammed me aside, One Girl Cookies is a place that I’d go back to over and over again. The Pumpkin whoopie pie was divine and the coffee had just the slightest taste of nutmeg and the smoothest consistency. The location in DUMBO is central and a must visit 4.8/5.
Good For Coffee
Maman
Maman is perfection. I mean I don’t think I’ve come across any shop so aesthetically pleasing in my life. It’s such an inviting place and seems super friendly. The outside patio is so cute and perfect for a cute little Brunch outing. The cookies in the coffee shop rival Levain’s and like I said earlier, that’s a pretty big deal. Instagram-worthy aesthetics + tasty Brunch + impressive cookies = 4.7/5.
Remi Flower + Coffee
Remi Flower + Coffee is where you take new friends and colleagues to make them think you’re cooler than you are. A relatively new spot in Midtown near the UN, Remi Flower + Coffee is half flower shop and half coffee shop. It was the perfect little spot to grab an early Saturday morning coffee with a new friend! They have the cutest succulents if you’re interested in the flora and fauna too! 4.6/5
The Sights
Bryant Park
Washington Square Park
Madison Square Park
Central Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park
The parks of New York City cannot be beaten. My favorite is probably Washington Square Park; there’s always something to see here and there’s a sweetgreen right around the corner. The perfect lunch for me would be enjoying a sweet green salad on a bench in Washington Square Park.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden was so much fun and a good place for outdoor exploring *cue the fresh air*. They are renovating the Japanese Garden but that will be stunning once it’s finished and in the spring the Cherry Blossom Trees are probably gorgeous. Honestly, I think I’ll be back in early April to see the new blooms. It’s totally worth the admission price and it’s free on Friday mornings! 4.8/5
Manhattan Bridge Colonnade
Brooklyn Bridge
Times Square
Herald Square
Union Square
Flatiron Building
All of these spots are iconic for New York and I recommend that you visit them for the incredible photo ops. My favorite spot for THAT New York picture would probably have to be the Brooklyn Bridge. You’ll have your new profile picture in no time. It gets crowded at all of these spots, so I’d try them in the morning. And, there’s a cute little farmer’s market at Union Square on the weekends!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met is my rainy day oasis. I love the calmness of the Upper East Side and the fact that I could pop into Central Park if it’s sunny outside is always a plus. There are so many fantastic exhibits at all times of the year but the Met Gala Fashion installation comes around in the summer/fall and I definitely recommend trying that out. The 2018 Heavenly Bodies exhibit was stunning. I haven’t been to a ton of museums since I’ve been here, but Museum Mile is apparently a happening spot in the city. 4.8/5
Front General Store
The Front General Store is an eclectic Vintage shop in DUMBO and worth a browse. They had a couple of Burberry trench coats, nbd, that honestly are SO chic and at a pretty good deal if you’re interested. I’ll stick to my Old Navy Trench Coat and North Face parka in the meantime.
The Shows
Chicago
An amazing and simplistic show. It’s the longest-running American Broadway musical and I see why. The cast is so talented and it’s super easy to get rush tickets for pretty cheap. 4.7/5
Waitress
Waitress is such an amazing show and I am so close to trekking back up to Times Square to see it again. I saw it the first week of shows when the role of Jenna was being played by Nicolette Robinson. It was so so inspiring to see a woman of color in a leading role in a Broadway show. She killed it!! I was originally so bummed that I wasn’t going to be able to see my girl Katherine McPhee [SMASH was my sh*t!!]. But Nicolette’s performance was something I didn’t know I needed in my life. Also, Katie Lowe, my scandal queen was also in the show!! Yes, please! 4.9/5 If you follow me on Spotify, (you totally should be anyway) I promise I’m okay I just really love the soundtrack for this show and sometimes listen to it for 48 hours straight.
Anastasia
Michelle and I got some free tickets to Anastasia from our friends at GoldStar, a super cool events app that can score you discounted tickets to all the things you’ll want to do while you’re exploring the city. Anastasia’s cast was impeccable; it still blows my mind that I was able to see the original Anastasia live. I kept comparing the show to that 1997 animated movie, but this musical can stand on its own. I love a riveting commentary on political struggle and they definitely sprinkled a little bit of that in there. The new songs that the composer and lyricist wrote for the show are amazing and this is another one that I have on repeat frequently and always belt out in the shower. 4.8/5 for this journey t0 the past.
Two whole months of exploration synthesized down into a 3200-word blog post. INCREDIBLE. Let me know if you try any of these places out when you’re in the city!! I’d love to hear what you have to say about them. Have you ever been to NYC? Do you plan on coming?? Let me know if you’re ever planning a trip, I’d love to be a mini tour guide or a vacation photographer.
Keep on keepin’ on.
