Guidebook for New York
Food Scene
Le Pain Quotidien
861 Lexington AveShake Shack
Madison AvenueOrganic Beef Burgers
Great Italian Grill - Appetizer Pasta Portions - Recommend: Veal Ravioli - Balsamic Chicken Livers - Fried Calamari Salad - Cheese Menu
12 locals recommend
Cavatappo Grill
Great Italian Grill - Appetizer Pasta Portions - Recommend: Veal Ravioli - Balsamic Chicken Livers - Fried Calamari Salad - Cheese Menu
BEST New York City Hot Dog - Seriously! Take a bite and the juices just explode in your mouth! I recommend their pineapple coconut drink with the combo!
26 locals recommend
Papaya King
1535 East 86th StBEST New York City Hot Dog - Seriously! Take a bite and the juices just explode in your mouth! I recommend their pineapple coconut drink with the combo!
Awesome CHEAP eats! - They are open 6:00pm -2:00 am. Yakitori is the Japanese Grilled Skewers. You can eat like a king and they have pitchers of beer! Always crowded and not fancy but good!
22 locals recommend
Yakitori Taisho
9 St Marks PlAwesome CHEAP eats! - They are open 6:00pm -2:00 am. Yakitori is the Japanese Grilled Skewers. You can eat like a king and they have pitchers of beer! Always crowded and not fancy but good!
Korean Fried Chicken - If you've never had it is one of the most delicious things you will ever had... Choose from Spicy or Garlic - Japanese Beers by the Pitcher and Wines
11 locals recommend
Bonchon New York - 32nd Street
325 5th AvenueKorean Fried Chicken - If you've never had it is one of the most delicious things you will ever had... Choose from Spicy or Garlic - Japanese Beers by the Pitcher and Wines
Favorite place for Dim Sum (Chinese Steamed Dumplings) - The place is huge and always a bit of a wait, but not long because the place is huge! You may have to share a big round table with others but there is a nice variety of Dim Sum!
70 locals recommend
Jing Fong Restaurant
380 Amsterdam AvenueFavorite place for Dim Sum (Chinese Steamed Dumplings) - The place is huge and always a bit of a wait, but not long because the place is huge! You may have to share a big round table with others but there is a nice variety of Dim Sum!
A lot fancier Yakitori place than Taisho - I recommend reserving a seat at the bar so you can watch them making the food. DEFINITELY MAKE A RESERVATION!
18 locals recommend
Yakitori Totto
251 W 55th StA lot fancier Yakitori place than Taisho - I recommend reserving a seat at the bar so you can watch them making the food. DEFINITELY MAKE A RESERVATION!
It's a Japanese Noodle place but don't go there for the soup!!! Go for the appetizers and with a group where you can share. A bit loud but the food is AWESOME!
I recommend the pork belly buns, the chicken wings, and the spicy octopus with potato. They don't take reservations and there is no sign. They also will not seat incomplete parties.
226 locals recommend
Ippudo NY
65 4th AveIt's a Japanese Noodle place but don't go there for the soup!!! Go for the appetizers and with a group where you can share. A bit loud but the food is AWESOME!
I recommend the pork belly buns, the chicken wings, and the spicy octopus with potato. They don't take reservations and there is no sign. They also will not seat incomplete parties.
Delicious Peruvian Cuisine - I recommend the Lomo Saltado and the Jalea (battered fried seafood with cassava)
Sangria and tasty PISCO SOURS. Outside seating for people watching and reasonable prices.
6 locals recommend
Panca
92 7th Ave SDelicious Peruvian Cuisine - I recommend the Lomo Saltado and the Jalea (battered fried seafood with cassava)
Sangria and tasty PISCO SOURS. Outside seating for people watching and reasonable prices.
Vietnamese Sandwich Shop that has other Vietnamese dishes, it's inexpensive, and lots to choose from, plus it is just a couple of blocks away.
7 locals recommend
PHO VIETNAMESE SANDWICH SHOP
1716 1st Ave.Vietnamese Sandwich Shop that has other Vietnamese dishes, it's inexpensive, and lots to choose from, plus it is just a couple of blocks away.
Classic New York City Diner - OPEN 24/7 - Great Carrot Cake - They serve breakfast all day - Burgers, Seafood, Salads + anything else you can think of.
6 locals recommend
Gracie's Corner Diner
1633 East 86th StClassic New York City Diner - OPEN 24/7 - Great Carrot Cake - They serve breakfast all day - Burgers, Seafood, Salads + anything else you can think of.
Conmigo
1685 1st Ave.Good Mexican - Really awesome atmosphere and decor.
Amazing Hanger Steak Tacos - Great Happy Hour food Specials - Outdoor Seating
76 locals recommend
Cascabel Taqueria
242 E 85th StAmazing Hanger Steak Tacos - Great Happy Hour food Specials - Outdoor Seating
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
700 W 125th StBBQ Ribs & Classic American Side Dishes
Drinks & Nightlife
Kaia Wine Bar
1614 3rd AveSouth African Cuisine - GREAT Cheese Menu & Wines
See the most beautiful views of Manhattan on a boat and eat lobster and raw bar...need I say more?
It's $10 cover and you can eat and get pitchers of beer, lobster rolls, corn on the cob. Visit their website for menu and prices.
20 locals recommend
North River Lobster Company
West 41st StreetSee the most beautiful views of Manhattan on a boat and eat lobster and raw bar...need I say more?
It's $10 cover and you can eat and get pitchers of beer, lobster rolls, corn on the cob. Visit their website for menu and prices.
The museum is pay as you wish ($1.00+) on Friday nights and they have a rooftop bar where you can watch the sun set over New Jersey and catch a little art while you are at it. It used to be on Madison Avenue but they built a beautiful new building on 99 Gansevoort Street by architect Renzo Piano
884 locals recommend
Salmagundi Museum of American Art
The museum is pay as you wish ($1.00+) on Friday nights and they have a rooftop bar where you can watch the sun set over New Jersey and catch a little art while you are at it. It used to be on Madison Avenue but they built a beautiful new building on 99 Gansevoort Street by architect Renzo Piano
Parks & Nature
Breathtaking views of the East River and 59th St. Bridge, Astoria, and Roosevelt Island. I recommend going at night especially when the moon is out. It is safe with police and lots of people jogging and walking. It is also where the Mayor of NYC lives in Gracie Mansion so extra safe!!!
Carl Schurz Park Conservancy
1624 York AveBreathtaking views of the East River and 59th St. Bridge, Astoria, and Roosevelt Island. I recommend going at night especially when the moon is out. It is safe with police and lots of people jogging and walking. It is also where the Mayor of NYC lives in Gracie Mansion so extra safe!!!
Check out their schedule online for FREE concerts for everything from Opera, Regae, Latin Rock, Awesome Dance Parties as well!!!
21 locals recommend
SummerStage in Central Park
5th AvenueCheck out their schedule online for FREE concerts for everything from Opera, Regae, Latin Rock, Awesome Dance Parties as well!!!
Beautiful night/evening walk/run with the city skyline on the other side of the reservoir! It is 2.53 miles all the way around. Keep an eye out for raccoons.
142 locals recommend
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir
Beautiful night/evening walk/run with the city skyline on the other side of the reservoir! It is 2.53 miles all the way around. Keep an eye out for raccoons.
Beautiful European Garden - It's like being in Italy but with no tourists, ha, ha! Most touristst who visit the park tend to concentrate on the lower half.
159 locals recommend
Conservatory Garden
1233 5th AveBeautiful European Garden - It's like being in Italy but with no tourists, ha, ha! Most touristst who visit the park tend to concentrate on the lower half.
The park is more beautiful at night because they light it all up, and you always see photo shoots. They close the park at 10:00pm and you can enter on 14th St and 23rd St. It is an old abandoned elevated subway line that was abandoned and now it beautiful new urban park with stunning views located in the trendy Meat Packing District full of shops, clubs, bars & restaurants. Cobble stone streets, and the famous Pastis restaurant where you will almost ALWAYS spot a famous celebrity! I've seen Sandra Bernhard, Dennis Quad, and Heather Graham.
It extends up to Chelsea where you can spend the day visiting endless art galleries with the most contemporary artists in the World!!!
2323 locals recommend
The High Line Park
The park is more beautiful at night because they light it all up, and you always see photo shoots. They close the park at 10:00pm and you can enter on 14th St and 23rd St. It is an old abandoned elevated subway line that was abandoned and now it beautiful new urban park with stunning views located in the trendy Meat Packing District full of shops, clubs, bars & restaurants. Cobble stone streets, and the famous Pastis restaurant where you will almost ALWAYS spot a famous celebrity! I've seen Sandra Bernhard, Dennis Quad, and Heather Graham.
It extends up to Chelsea where you can spend the day visiting endless art galleries with the most contemporary artists in the World!!!
Arts & Culture
The building and fountains get all lit up at night and it is just a breathtaking view of 5th Ave...classic New York moment... Although it's huge, it is like a Mini Louvre Museum.
A not so touristy but amazing hidden gem is the Asian Art side where they have a beautiful Japanese Garden, and hand carved Indonesian art.
The museum is suggested donation EVERY DAY so you can just pay as you wish ($1.00+) .
2653 locals recommend
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th AveThe building and fountains get all lit up at night and it is just a breathtaking view of 5th Ave...classic New York moment... Although it's huge, it is like a Mini Louvre Museum.
A not so touristy but amazing hidden gem is the Asian Art side where they have a beautiful Japanese Garden, and hand carved Indonesian art.
The museum is suggested donation EVERY DAY so you can just pay as you wish ($1.00+) .
My favorite museum for contemporary art!!! It is part of the MoMA but with more recent avant garde artists and video art installations. Used to be a public school (PS)
Saturdays are the Warm Up New York parties with the best DJs from around the world, Beer, Burgers & Hotdogs in a different outdoor installation, usually involving water each year. $18 cover otherwise the museum is suggested donation everyday and FREE if you kept your MoMA ticket stub for up to two weeks after your MoMA visit.
If you go, please don't miss on visiting The Meeting Room - James Turrell's piece meant to be visited at dusk.
575 locals recommend
MoMA PS1
22-25 Jackson AveMy favorite museum for contemporary art!!! It is part of the MoMA but with more recent avant garde artists and video art installations. Used to be a public school (PS)
Saturdays are the Warm Up New York parties with the best DJs from around the world, Beer, Burgers & Hotdogs in a different outdoor installation, usually involving water each year. $18 cover otherwise the museum is suggested donation everyday and FREE if you kept your MoMA ticket stub for up to two weeks after your MoMA visit.
If you go, please don't miss on visiting The Meeting Room - James Turrell's piece meant to be visited at dusk.
Amazing building! Amazing exhibitions! OPEN LATE PAY AS YOU WISH (suggested donation $1.00+) ON THURSDAYS
(I once was next to Robin Williams (RIP) looking through Art Books in their book store when they were in SoHo)
629 locals recommend
New Museum of Contemporary Art
235 BoweryAmazing building! Amazing exhibitions! OPEN LATE PAY AS YOU WISH (suggested donation $1.00+) ON THURSDAYS
(I once was next to Robin Williams (RIP) looking through Art Books in their book store when they were in SoHo)
Essentials
They close at 10:00 but the least pricey of the local supermarkets.
663 locals recommend
CTown Supermarkets
330 Graham AveThey close at 10:00 but the least pricey of the local supermarkets.
Gourmet Grocery Store - AMAZING cheese selection you can buy by the ounce and they will let you taste! They also have inexpensive gourmet sandwiches that are great on the go if you want to have a picnic! Foccacia Pizza is good too!
79 locals recommend
Agata & Valentina
64 University PlGourmet Grocery Store - AMAZING cheese selection you can buy by the ounce and they will let you taste! They also have inexpensive gourmet sandwiches that are great on the go if you want to have a picnic! Foccacia Pizza is good too!
Shopping
This is a TOP SECRET location! The wealthy Upper East Siders who are into fashion tend to wear things a couple of times and shop some more. What do they do with their old clothes? They donate them here, so you can find Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Kenneth Cole, + more slightly used tops for $7.00!!! Designer jeans that would cost $180 for $18.00!!! Sometimes the stuff still has the original tags so never worn!!!
8 locals recommend
Goodwill NYNJ Store & Donation Center
1704 2nd AveThis is a TOP SECRET location! The wealthy Upper East Siders who are into fashion tend to wear things a couple of times and shop some more. What do they do with their old clothes? They donate them here, so you can find Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Kenneth Cole, + more slightly used tops for $7.00!!! Designer jeans that would cost $180 for $18.00!!! Sometimes the stuff still has the original tags so never worn!!!
Sightseeing
If you are interested and have time to go to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty it is $18 but it takes up 1/2 your day. The FREE alternative is to go and come back to Staten Island. Beautiful views of Manhattan and the Statue Of Liberty.
254 locals recommend
Staten Island Ferry
Staten Island FerryIf you are interested and have time to go to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty it is $18 but it takes up 1/2 your day. The FREE alternative is to go and come back to Staten Island. Beautiful views of Manhattan and the Statue Of Liberty.