Guidebook for New York
Food Scene
C&B
178 E 7th StGreat coffee shop with very friendly people behind the counter!
Hip, cool and with ambiance and food to die for, Freeman's is the best. A little on the pricey end, but worth every penny. If you want an unforgettable meal in NYC, this is your spot.
199 locals recommend
Freemans
Freeman AlleyHip, cool and with ambiance and food to die for, Freeman's is the best. A little on the pricey end, but worth every penny. If you want an unforgettable meal in NYC, this is your spot.
BRUNCH! Huevos rancheros, steak and eggs, bloody marys—this latin restaurant is my #1 go-to spot for a tasty afternoon brunch.
82 locals recommend
Yuca Bar
111 Avenue ABRUNCH! Huevos rancheros, steak and eggs, bloody marys—this latin restaurant is my #1 go-to spot for a tasty afternoon brunch.
One of the best new Italian restaurants in the neighborhood. Cheap and delicious pasta & wine.
36 locals recommend
San Marzano
117 2nd AveOne of the best new Italian restaurants in the neighborhood. Cheap and delicious pasta & wine.
Open 24 hours a day, Veselka is famous in the East Village. Think diner food but so much more. The menu is huge and every item on it is more delicious than the last.
235 locals recommend
Veselka
144 2nd AveOpen 24 hours a day, Veselka is famous in the East Village. Think diner food but so much more. The menu is huge and every item on it is more delicious than the last.
MUD coffee is as good as it gets. Grab one to go or stick around and eat brunch on their back patio—also amazing.
131 locals recommend
MUD SPOT
307 E 9th StMUD coffee is as good as it gets. Grab one to go or stick around and eat brunch on their back patio—also amazing.
If you've never had an arepa (or even if you HAVE), you'll die and go to heaven when you try the ones at Caracas!
355 locals recommend
Caracas Arepa Bar
291 Grand StIf you've never had an arepa (or even if you HAVE), you'll die and go to heaven when you try the ones at Caracas!
Otto's Tacos
141 2nd AveBEST. TACOS. EVER. Enough said.
Whitmans
406 E 9th StGreat burger joint that serves amazing blue cheese french fries.
Gruppo Thin Crust Pizza
98 Avenue BThin crust pizza that is heavenly.
Famous hot dog place in the neighborhood, great when you're drunk at 3 am.
134 locals recommend
Crif Dogs
113 St Marks PlFamous hot dog place in the neighborhood, great when you're drunk at 3 am.
Coffee shop with fresh and delicate pastries. Good way to kick start the day.
35 locals recommend
Croissanteria
Coffee shop with fresh and delicate pastries. Good way to kick start the day.
Hot new vegetarian burger joint in the East Village. Usually a bit of a line outside, which tells you how tasty it is.
48 locals recommend
Superiority Burger
119 Avenue AHot new vegetarian burger joint in the East Village. Usually a bit of a line outside, which tells you how tasty it is.
My favorite vegetarian spot in the neighborhood. Friendly staff, varied menu and tasty dishes.
48 locals recommend
Angelica Kitchen
My favorite vegetarian spot in the neighborhood. Friendly staff, varied menu and tasty dishes.
Purple Ginger
507 E 6th StGreat Thai spot with plenty of yummy vegetarian dishes on the menu.
Trendy-meets-tasty vegetarian spot on the Lower East Side. Gets pretty packed, so reservations are most likely a good idea.
63 locals recommend
Dirt Candy
86 Allen StTrendy-meets-tasty vegetarian spot on the Lower East Side. Gets pretty packed, so reservations are most likely a good idea.
Drinks & Nightlife
One of my favorite bars in the neighborhood. Cheap happy hour with great drink prices and tapas. The jalapeño margarita and bacon-wrapped dates are a must.
39 locals recommend
Poco
33 Avenue BOne of my favorite bars in the neighborhood. Cheap happy hour with great drink prices and tapas. The jalapeño margarita and bacon-wrapped dates are a must.
If you want a place to grab drinks, BUA is cool and has good happy hour specials.
41 locals recommend
Bua
122 St Marks PlIf you want a place to grab drinks, BUA is cool and has good happy hour specials.
A New York institution, Lucy's has been in the neighborhood for a long, long time. A great dive bar with an attitude, and Lucy herself is behind the bar nightly.
17 locals recommend
Lucy's
135 Avenue AA New York institution, Lucy's has been in the neighborhood for a long, long time. A great dive bar with an attitude, and Lucy herself is behind the bar nightly.
Mexican place with a great dinner menu but also serving a brunch with bottomless mimosas/bloody mary's.
173 locals recommend
Fonda
434 7th AveMexican place with a great dinner menu but also serving a brunch with bottomless mimosas/bloody mary's.
East Village Social
126 St Marks PlCool little bar on St. Marks.
Everything Else
Donation-based yoga with several classes a day in the East Village? What's not to love?
66 locals recommend
Yoga to the People Teacher Training
12 St Marks PlDonation-based yoga with several classes a day in the East Village? What's not to love?
Liquiteria
West 15th StreetJuice, juice and more juice!
Mast Books
72 Avenue AA well-curated used bookstore with cool books at super cheap prices.
Urban Outfitters
162 2nd AveIn case you need a shopping fix.
Shopping
Perfect gift shop for cool cards & souvenirs—everything is cheap and quirky or well-designed.
17 locals recommend
Exit9 Gift Emporium
51 Avenue APerfect gift shop for cool cards & souvenirs—everything is cheap and quirky or well-designed.