Guidebook for Chinatown / LES / NYC
Food Scene
Bacaro
136 Division StLove the atmosphere; love the food; love the service.
Order: Ginger-scallion lo mein, Roast pork or Soy sauce chicken, Wonton soup. Best.
38 locals recommend
Great NY Noodletown
28 BoweryOrder: Ginger-scallion lo mein, Roast pork or Soy sauce chicken, Wonton soup. Best.
Great little French-Moroccan boîte – generally open breakfast to dinner.
34 locals recommend
Les Enfants de Bohème
177 Henry StGreat little French-Moroccan boîte – generally open breakfast to dinner.
Essentially ignited the Dumpling House craze -- still the best.
288 locals recommend
Vanessa's Dumpling House
118A Eldridge StEssentially ignited the Dumpling House craze -- still the best.
Great Aussi staff, mixing delicious drinks and serving perfectly cooked plates – breakfast, lunch, dinner or supper, this place satisfies with charm.
210 locals recommend
Dudley's
85 Orchard StGreat Aussi staff, mixing delicious drinks and serving perfectly cooked plates – breakfast, lunch, dinner or supper, this place satisfies with charm.
Best fish & chips in this Israeli-Irish public house, with wine & beer both on tap. Don't miss the Israeli-Scotch Egg with a falafel crust –
44 locals recommend
Eastwood
200 Clinton StBest fish & chips in this Israeli-Irish public house, with wine & beer both on tap. Don't miss the Israeli-Scotch Egg with a falafel crust –
Dim Sum Go Go
5 E BroadwayBest modern Chinese restaurant that's still not expensive.
Mission
171 E BroadwayBest modern Chinese food that is reimagined and a glamorous experience.
The Odeon
145 W BroadwayI mean, this place is iconic New York.
Balthazar
80 Spring StSeriously, my favorite for food, service, et al.
Cervo's
43 Canal StAmazing Greek cuisine and such charming bar staff.
Kiki's
130 Division StreetGreek grilled everything – excellent wines + beer (but no cocktails)
Forgtmenot
138 Division StA surfer bar in New York's Chinatown? Yep.
Best vegan I've ever had. Strike that: I actually enjoyed – thoroughly loved – this food, which happens to be vegan.
198 locals recommend
The Butcher's Daughter
19 Kenmare StBest vegan I've ever had. Strike that: I actually enjoyed – thoroughly loved – this food, which happens to be vegan.
Weekend breakfast run – best bagels AND BIYALYS in the neighborhood.
50 locals recommend
Kossar's Bagels & Bialys
367 Grand StWeekend breakfast run – best bagels AND BIYALYS in the neighborhood.
Doughnut Plant
379 Grand StWhen you just want a perfect doughnut. And when wouldn't you?
Get one of each: Pastrami on rye with mustard; and a Corned Beef on rye with mustard – then try to decide which is better. Oh, and bring at least two friends to help you eat those two sandwiches, which are huge. Wash it down with a CelRay soda – yes, that's a celery soda and it's a perfect complement to the meal. (!?)
690 locals recommend
Katz's Delicatessen
205 E Houston StGet one of each: Pastrami on rye with mustard; and a Corned Beef on rye with mustard – then try to decide which is better. Oh, and bring at least two friends to help you eat those two sandwiches, which are huge. Wash it down with a CelRay soda – yes, that's a celery soda and it's a perfect complement to the meal. (!?)
Because sometimes you don't want to leave Chinatown but you want amazing guacamole, homemade chips and a jalapeño margarita. And it's GOOD.
222 locals recommend
Barrio Chino
253 Broome StBecause sometimes you don't want to leave Chinatown but you want amazing guacamole, homemade chips and a jalapeño margarita. And it's GOOD.
Well, yes, I love a perfect pretzel, followed by a perfect schnitzel, accompanied by a glass of Gruner Veltliner — and if you do too, then you'll be very happy here.
89 locals recommend
Cafe Katja
79 Orchard StWell, yes, I love a perfect pretzel, followed by a perfect schnitzel, accompanied by a glass of Gruner Veltliner — and if you do too, then you'll be very happy here.
Beyond casual, simple menu, delish, I want to say cheap but that sounds rude. It's not expensive for how good it is.
96 locals recommend
An Choi
85 Orchard StBeyond casual, simple menu, delish, I want to say cheap but that sounds rude. It's not expensive for how good it is.
Cervo's
43 Canal St
Dimes
49 Canal StAmazing Vegetarian restaurant
Great place to get a taste of so many of the varied cultures that have coexisted in the Lower East Side for generations — brought under one roof in this design-forward new food hall.
The Market Line
115 Delancey StGreat place to get a taste of so many of the varied cultures that have coexisted in the Lower East Side for generations — brought under one roof in this design-forward new food hall.
Grooming
LAICALE Soho Hair Salon
129 Grand StAmazing talent creating fabulous looks for men and women in the know.
Men's barber services -- and great suiting to shop thru while you wait.
8 locals recommend
Freemans Sporting Club
8 Rivington StMen's barber services -- and great suiting to shop thru while you wait.
Arts & Culture
Always something rather wild -- even if it's the crowd-watching. Don't miss the roof deck.
629 locals recommend
New Museum of Contemporary Art
235 BoweryAlways something rather wild -- even if it's the crowd-watching. Don't miss the roof deck.
Amazing museum in a preserved apartment house, also offering neighborhood walking tours and a fabulous bookstore.
603 locals recommend
Tenement Museum
103 Orchard StAmazing museum in a preserved apartment house, also offering neighborhood walking tours and a fabulous bookstore.
Shopping
Wine Therapy
171 Elizabeth StBest selection of wines -- as for Jean-Baptiste.
Le Labo
233 Elizabeth StNine perfect fragrances.
I'm a Vetiver.
City Laundry Pick Up & De
48 Hester StCan also arrange pick-up & delivery laundry service from this proprietor.
Michele Varian
400 Atlantic AvenueOpening Ceremony
Drinks & Nightlife
Home Sweet Home
131 Chrystie StBest neighborhood dive bar.
169 Bar
169 E BroadwayGreat dive bar with bites.
Clandestino
35 Canal StChic without attitude.
The Ten Bells
247 Broome StFrench / Belgian bar w/ fabulous wines and great oysters too.
The neighborhood's "N'ahlins" bar. That's New Orleans. Their Sazeracs are perfect. I also love their fried oysters. It's a perfect afternoons bar cause the light is great and it's not overcrowded yet.
46 locals recommend
Sel Rrose
1 Delancey StThe neighborhood's "N'ahlins" bar. That's New Orleans. Their Sazeracs are perfect. I also love their fried oysters. It's a perfect afternoons bar cause the light is great and it's not overcrowded yet.
Devon
252 Broome StAn '80s-inspired bar vibe with a thoughtfully edited food menu to boot –
Getting Around
Citibike is a great way to explore the neighborhood, or just get from place to place – stations all over. visit citibikenyc.com for details.
6 locals recommend
Citibike Station
Citibike is a great way to explore the neighborhood, or just get from place to place – stations all over. visit citibikenyc.com for details.
Parks & Nature
Battery Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park
334 Furman StGreat place for a run, power walk – or just a relaxing twilight stroll along the East River.
East River Esplanade
FDR DriveGreat place for a run, power walk – or just a relaxing twilight stroll along the East River.