Guidebook for New York
Food Scene
Best restaurant in LES. They only serve variations of meatballs (pork, chicken, beef, veggie, daily special) - served various ways with various sauces. Also try the homemade ice cream sandwiches :)
580 locals recommend
The Meatball Shop
64 Greenwich AveBest restaurant in LES. They only serve variations of meatballs (pork, chicken, beef, veggie, daily special) - served various ways with various sauces. Also try the homemade ice cream sandwiches :)
Great gourmet pizza - with tons of veggie, dairy-free, and gluten-free options. Nice selection of wine as well.
13 locals recommend
Pala Pizza
Great gourmet pizza - with tons of veggie, dairy-free, and gluten-free options. Nice selection of wine as well.
This and "The Roasting Plant" are my favorite coffee places in the Lower East Side. It's a small little whole in the wall, but the staff is super friendly and the Swedish coffee is great.
11 locals recommend
Konditori
This and "The Roasting Plant" are my favorite coffee places in the Lower East Side. It's a small little whole in the wall, but the staff is super friendly and the Swedish coffee is great.
This is the best place to get fresh lox in NY. My favorite is the "Scottish" or the fresh sable. Get them on a bagel with cream cheese and fresh tomato. Yumm
251 locals recommend
Russ & Daughters
179 E Houston StThis is the best place to get fresh lox in NY. My favorite is the "Scottish" or the fresh sable. Get them on a bagel with cream cheese and fresh tomato. Yumm
This is the most famous jewish deli in Manhattan. Sandwiches are pricey, but large and delicious. You HAVE to get the corned beef or pastrami (they'll let you try a bit of both).
690 locals recommend
Katz's Delicatessen
205 E Houston StThis is the most famous jewish deli in Manhattan. Sandwiches are pricey, but large and delicious. You HAVE to get the corned beef or pastrami (they'll let you try a bit of both).
This is my favorite wood oven pizza in the East Village. It's a nice wine bar as well. My favorite is the Foccacina (goat cheese, prosciutto, and truffle oil) or the daily gnocchi special.
149 locals recommend
Lil Charlie's NYC
19 Kenmare StThis is my favorite wood oven pizza in the East Village. It's a nice wine bar as well. My favorite is the Foccacina (goat cheese, prosciutto, and truffle oil) or the daily gnocchi special.
By far the best "real" Mexican I've had in the city. The owners are Mexican and came from Los Angeles - so you know it's legit. Don't go anywhere else for tacos (Snack Dragon, Mission Cantina, etc)!
49 locals recommend
Taqueria St. Marks Place
79 St Marks PlBy far the best "real" Mexican I've had in the city. The owners are Mexican and came from Los Angeles - so you know it's legit. Don't go anywhere else for tacos (Snack Dragon, Mission Cantina, etc)!
It's a bit of a walk, but it's a cool experience - you see them roasting the beans right in from of you. When you order, the beans shoot up over your head, into a grinder, for a fresh cup of coffee.
68 locals recommend
Roasting Plant
81 Orchard StIt's a bit of a walk, but it's a cool experience - you see them roasting the beans right in from of you. When you order, the beans shoot up over your head, into a grinder, for a fresh cup of coffee.
You'd never notice this little hole in the wall, but it's an amazing New Orleans sandwich place. For breakfast, get egg & cheese on a biscuit - for lunch, get the 1/2 oyster 1/2 shrimp po' boy
97 locals recommend
Cheeky Sandwiches
88 Orchard StYou'd never notice this little hole in the wall, but it's an amazing New Orleans sandwich place. For breakfast, get egg & cheese on a biscuit - for lunch, get the 1/2 oyster 1/2 shrimp po' boy
This is a great Greek spot. The pitas are pretty small, so it's best to order two. I get the Chicken SGR Pita - which comes with a spicy feta sauce. They also have a bunch of flavors of humus.
33 locals recommend
Souvlaki GR
116 Stanton StThis is a great Greek spot. The pitas are pretty small, so it's best to order two. I get the Chicken SGR Pita - which comes with a spicy feta sauce. They also have a bunch of flavors of humus.
Usually the places right on Houston are garbage (with the exception of Russ & Daughters and Katz's). The Lobster Joint recently opened up and they actually have great lobster rolls!
109 locals recommend
Lobster Joint
1073 Manhattan AveUsually the places right on Houston are garbage (with the exception of Russ & Daughters and Katz's). The Lobster Joint recently opened up and they actually have great lobster rolls!
This is the best diner within walking distance, but it's a bit more pricey. If you want QUALITY diner food, then go here. They also have a great selection of oysters and specialty cocktails.
7 locals recommend
Bowery Diner
241 BoweryThis is the best diner within walking distance, but it's a bit more pricey. If you want QUALITY diner food, then go here. They also have a great selection of oysters and specialty cocktails.
I rarely go here, because it's so incredibly unhealthy haha. If you want the best BBQ in Manhattan, then go here. The owner is from St. Louis and the ribs are amazing. It's cash only
11 locals recommend
Georgia's Eastside BBQ
I rarely go here, because it's so incredibly unhealthy haha. If you want the best BBQ in Manhattan, then go here. The owner is from St. Louis and the ribs are amazing. It's cash only
Everything Else
This is my laundry spot... nothing fancy. I usually just walk to the counter, drop off my clothes in the AM, and pick them up after 6pm. It's $1.00/pound for their wash and fold service.
11 locals recommend
Bright Laundry Land
108 Stanton StThis is my laundry spot... nothing fancy. I usually just walk to the counter, drop off my clothes in the AM, and pick them up after 6pm. It's $1.00/pound for their wash and fold service.
Drinks & Nightlife
Spitzers is a great bar to visit any night of the week. They have 50+ different beers on tap from all over the world. If the front bar looks busy, walk around back (there is another one back there)
95 locals recommend
Spitzer's Corner
Spitzers is a great bar to visit any night of the week. They have 50+ different beers on tap from all over the world. If the front bar looks busy, walk around back (there is another one back there)
I love Pianos for many reasons. The front is great for hanging out, the back always has great live music, and the upstairs is usually a fun DJ / dance party. They actually have decent food too!
257 locals recommend
Pianos
158 Ludlow StI love Pianos for many reasons. The front is great for hanging out, the back always has great live music, and the upstairs is usually a fun DJ / dance party. They actually have decent food too!
Arlene's Grocery is a bar & live music venue. If you're there on a Monday or Friday night, you MUST check out the live band "Rock N Roll Karaoke." Get up and sing with them if you're brave enough!
73 locals recommend
Arlene Grocery
95 Stanton StArlene's Grocery is a bar & live music venue. If you're there on a Monday or Friday night, you MUST check out the live band "Rock N Roll Karaoke." Get up and sing with them if you're brave enough!
Your favorite bands play here. It's a short walk from my apartment. It's definitely worth checking out the schedule to see if you recognize any of the band names!
135 locals recommend
The Bowery Ballroom
6 Delancey StYour favorite bands play here. It's a short walk from my apartment. It's definitely worth checking out the schedule to see if you recognize any of the band names!
Essentials
The Whole Foods is only a few blocks away. It's a massive 2 floor Whole Foods with anything you need. Upstairs even has some great restaurants.
1895 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
95 E Houston StThe Whole Foods is only a few blocks away. It's a massive 2 floor Whole Foods with anything you need. Upstairs even has some great restaurants.
Duane Reade
110 Newark AveYour basic pharmacy with everything you need.
Sightseeing
Nice day? Take a walk or bike ride across the Williamsburg Bridge. End at Grimaldi's Pizza - which is located right below the bridge in Brooklyn.
387 locals recommend
Williamsburg Bridge
70 Williamsburg Bridge Bicycle PathNice day? Take a walk or bike ride across the Williamsburg Bridge. End at Grimaldi's Pizza - which is located right below the bridge in Brooklyn.