Travel Guide to New York City.
Destination: New York City
Welcome to New York! It’s been waiting for you. Here is my go-to guide for anyone traveling to New York City.
Breakfast and Brunch
ABC Kitchen (35 East 19th St.)
Bluestone Lane (Multiple Locations)
Cookshop (156 10th Ave.) Three words: the Bloody Marianna.
Egg Shop (151 Elizabeth St.)
Ess-A-Bagel (831 3rd Ave.) My favorite place for bagels in New York City.
Fish Cheeks (55 Bond St.)
Tompkins Square Bagels (184 2nd Ave.)
Lunch
Artichoke Pizza (Multiple Locations) You need an artichoke slice. Just one though.
Black Tap (Multiple Locations) Great craft beers and amazing crazy shakes that you’ll fall head over heels for.
Boqueria (Multiple Locations) This is my go-to restaurant in NYC for Spanish tapas and delicious churros with nutella.
La Esquina (114 Kenmare St.)
Katz’s Delicatessen (205 E Houston St.) “When Harry Met Sally,” anyone? Go ahead and have what she’s having.
Prince St. Pizza (27 Prince St.) Meet my favorite pizza place in New York City. Yes, it’s that good. There is usually a line, but it’s 158% worth it.
Shake Shack
Tacombi (Multiple Locations) This is my go-to taco spot. Try the barbacoa tacos, baja crispy fish tacos and corn esquites.
Xi’An Famous Foods (Multiple Locations) Their noodles are unparalleled.
Vanessa’s. My favorite hole-in-the-wall for dumplings.
Dinner
Aqua Boil (750 9th Ave.) This is either the best or worst first date spot EVER. Think shrimp you eat with gloves and a bib over wax paper.
Mermaid Inn (Multiple Locations)
Momofuku Noodle Bar (171 1st Avenue / 10 Columbus Circle)
Nom Wah Tea Parlor (13 Doyers St.)
The Spotted Pig (314 West 11th St).)
Ugly Baby (407 Smith St. in Brooklyn)
Coffee
Cha Cha Matcha (Multiple Locations)
Culture Espresso (Multiple Locations)
Egg Shop (151 Elizabeth St.)
Felix Roasting Co. (450 Park Avenue South) Easily one of the most beautiful coffee shops I’ve ever seen.
LRoom Cafe (41 W 14th St.)
Maman (Multiple Locations)
Ralph’s Coffee (888 Madison Ave.)
Rustic Table (504 W 42nd St.)
Sweets and Desserts
Dough (Multiple Locations) Amazing artisanal donuts.
Junior’s (Multiple Locations) This is very touristy, but also very delicious. A slice of cheesecake (or 2 or 3) are calling your name
Lady M Cake Boutique (Multiple Locations) Best crepe cakes ever.
Levain - My favorite cookies in all of New York.
Magnolia Bakery (Multiple Locations) You have to try the banana pudding. It’s perfection in a cup.
Mister Softee Ice Cream Truck (Every corner during summer)
Milk Bar (Multiple Locations)
Serendipity 3 (225 E 60th St.) Frozen hot chocolate heaven.
Stuffed Ice Cream (139 1st Ave.) Known for glazed donuts stuffed with ice cream. So many flavors and toppings. YUM.
Supermoon Bakehouse (120 Rivington St.)
Van Leeuwen (Multiple Locations). The perfect ice cream shop for anyone. Tons of delicious vegan and gluten-free flavors.
Drinks
Angel’s Share (8 Stuyvesant St.) Find this speakeasy by going up the staircase and cutting through the adjacent Japanese restaurant.
Dante (79-81 Macdougal St.)
Dear Irving on Hudson (310 W 40th St.)
Jungle Bird (174 8th Ave.) Go on Sundays for hot chicken and jazz.
Mother of Pearl (95 Avenue A) Vegan Polynesian restaurant and tiki bar. You need to get this shark drink just for the photo.
What to Do
Bike and picnic in Central Park
Bike on the Hudson River
Coney Island to ride the Wonder Wheel and eat a hot dog at Nathan’s
Eat all the things at Smorgasburg in Brooklyn
Experience the immersive theatre magic of Sleep No More
Get lost in the stacks at Strand Book Store
Get your culture on at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Karaoke in K-Town
Lay under the baby grand piano in Washington Square Park while listening to classical music
Peruse Chelsea Market for yummy bites and little chachkes
People watch in Union Square while eating lunch
Read in the New York Public Library Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
See a Broadway show (use the TodayTix app for discounted tickets)
Take the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty during sunset (free and magical)
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Walk the High Line
Window shop in the Meatpacking District
Visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Visit the Top of the Rock (best views of the city in my opinion!)
Visit the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
Where to Stay
Where to Work Out
Aqua (78 Franklin St.) Aquacycling that just makes your soul happy.
Broadway Bodies (50 Lexington Ave.) One of my favorite places to dance. They’ve got a fun mix of everything from Beyonce to Hamilton.
CorePower Yoga (Multiple Locations) My go-to for hot yoga that leaves you a hot, sweaty mess.
Rumble (Multiple Locations) Boxing-inspired group fitness classes.
SoulCycle (Multiple Locations)