There’s still so many neighbourhoods I need to explore more, and I’ll keep updating this list as I do.
Bolded items are my most-favs. Asterisk means the place has multiple locations.
Last updated July 20 2019.
Upper Manhattan
Places
- The Met Cloisters
Upper West Side / Upper East Side
Food
- Sushi Yasaka (cheap omakase!)
- Sala Thai
Places
- Watch a movie at Lincoln Center (NYFF is in autumn)
- The Frick
- The Met
- Cooper Hewitt
- Guggenheim
Hell’s Kitchen
Food
- Totto Ramen* (go to the one on 10th Ave imo)
- La Pulperia
- Amy’s Bread* (go for breakfast when it’s most fresh)
- Pure Thai Cookhouse
- Bibble and Sip (matcha cream puff!)
- Empanada Mama
Midtown / Midtown East
Food
- Souvlaki GR* (that lamb pita tho)
- Keen’s Steakhouse ($$$ mutton chops)
- The Smith*
Go further east for less touristy spots.
Places
- New York Public Library
- Kinokuniya
- Nintendo NY
- MoMA
- Watch a Broadway show
Chelsea / Flatiron
Food
- Los Tacos #1*
- Brooklyn Bagel
Places
- The High Line
- Sleep No More (you can go to the earliest show and just stay there when the show repeats, stay as long as you want)
Korea Town
Food/Bars
- BCD Tofu House
- Jongro BBQ (plenty of good KBBQ options though)
- Pocha
- Barnjoo*
- Gammeeok
Book that karaoke EARLY.
West Village / Greenwich Village
Food/Bars
- Amelie Wine Bar
Places
- Whitney Museum
- Washington Square Park
- IFC Center (go here in February to watch Oscar Nominated Shorts)
East Village / Gramercy Park
This area has the best food and bars!!
Food/Bars
- ISE (lunch specials!!)
- Szechuan Mountain House (go with a large group so you can try more dishes)
- Sobaya
- Mala Project
- Raku*
- Spot Dessert Bar*
- Kura
- Cafe Mogador
- Ho Foods
- Benemon
Bars
- Death and Company
- Angel’s Share*
- The Winslow (for trivia night on Mondays)
Places
- Strand Bookstore
Soho / Nolita / Chinatown
I am here way too much… The food + shopping here is just too good.
Food
- Prince Street Pizza
- Boba Guys*
- Kopitiam (get the nasi lemak or the fishball soup. Go off on the appetizers. Check out the surprisingly nice bathroom)
- Cha Cha Matcha*
- Yaya Tea* (for the onigiri)
Places
- The Hole (it’s free!)
- Canal Street Market
- Everlane (lol)
Long Island City
Places
- Noguchi Museum
Brooklyn
Food
- Brooklyn’s Homeslice Pizza
Places
- Nets game (cheaper and better than the Knicks tbh)
- Alamo Drafthouse
- ALAND
- Brooklyn Museum
