My Favorite Local Places
From Brunch spots to late night speakeasy's & coffee/matcha shops - this is a list of my favorite places in the neighborhood and surrounding areas
NightLife -- Hidden gem, this speakeasy has really great ambiance, live music and amazing (but pricey) drinks. Definitely fun for 1 or 2 drinks after dinner or late night.
212 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Apotheke
9 Doyers StNightLife -- Hidden gem, this speakeasy has really great ambiance, live music and amazing (but pricey) drinks. Definitely fun for 1 or 2 drinks after dinner or late night.
Breakfast / Brunch: Awesome breakfast or brunch spot -- Try and get here early or go on weekday because it's slamming packed on the weekends for brunch. The food and drinks are super tasty.
104 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Egg Shop
151 Elizabeth StBreakfast / Brunch: Awesome breakfast or brunch spot -- Try and get here early or go on weekday because it's slamming packed on the weekends for brunch. The food and drinks are super tasty.
Breakfast / Brunch: Cute, trendy Aussie-style breakfast place (think avocado toast) just up the street on 164 Mott. Good for brunch but it's very popular so expect a wait of around 30 mins (especially on the weekends).
The food is good, the atmosphere is hip, and one thing I really like about this place is the amount of healthier options on the menu
.
87 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Two Hands
164 Mott StBreakfast / Brunch: Cute, trendy Aussie-style breakfast place (think avocado toast) just up the street on 164 Mott. Good for brunch but it's very popular so expect a wait of around 30 mins (especially on the weekends).
The food is good, the atmosphere is hip, and one thing I really like about this place is the amount of healthier options on the menu
.
Little Italy: Good spot for groups - they have a cool backyard area and nice bar. Pasta dishes are tasty. You can't go wrong eating here for brunch, lunch or dinner
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Aunt Jake's
133 Mulberry StLittle Italy: Good spot for groups - they have a cool backyard area and nice bar. Pasta dishes are tasty. You can't go wrong eating here for brunch, lunch or dinner
Dinner/Nightlife: Good dinner spot for Mexican cuisine and cool atmosphere. The entrance is really cool. You enter through the deli, and there is an employee checking reservations at a "no entry employees only" door. When you walk down the stairs, the restaurant is large with dim lighting. There is a bar and lounge area to hang out when you are waiting for your table.
263 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Esquina - SoHo
114 Kenmare StDinner/Nightlife: Good dinner spot for Mexican cuisine and cool atmosphere. The entrance is really cool. You enter through the deli, and there is an employee checking reservations at a "no entry employees only" door. When you walk down the stairs, the restaurant is large with dim lighting. There is a bar and lounge area to hang out when you are waiting for your table.
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: You walk a long alley of graffiti art covered walls, cool backdrop for a perfect selfie ;)
The exterior teal entrance only becomes more adorable inside, as if walking into a cabin up north.
There's a speakeasy upstairs called BanzarBar, you have to call ahead to make a reservation.
199 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Freemans
Freeman AlleyBreakfast, Lunch or Dinner: You walk a long alley of graffiti art covered walls, cool backdrop for a perfect selfie ;)
The exterior teal entrance only becomes more adorable inside, as if walking into a cabin up north.
There's a speakeasy upstairs called BanzarBar, you have to call ahead to make a reservation.
Chinatown: If you're in the mood for traditional Chinese food and a real local feel then this is the place for awesome Chinese food!
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Big Wong
67 Mott StChinatown: If you're in the mood for traditional Chinese food and a real local feel then this is the place for awesome Chinese food!
Dessert: Cute place for delicious ice cream - it's been around forever and makes homemade ice cream daily :)
59 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
65 Bayard StDessert: Cute place for delicious ice cream - it's been around forever and makes homemade ice cream daily :)
Little Italy: Traditional Italian family style place. Recommended if you're in the mood for fun Italian meal with the family
La Bella Vita
163 Mulberry StLittle Italy: Traditional Italian family style place. Recommended if you're in the mood for fun Italian meal with the family
Little Italy / Lunch: Amazing Meats & Cheeses and Italian sandwiches/bread - famous institution in Little Italy
51 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Di Palo's
200 Grand StLittle Italy / Lunch: Amazing Meats & Cheeses and Italian sandwiches/bread - famous institution in Little Italy
Pizza! Famous Pizza place - might have to stand in line but well worth the wait!!
126 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Prince St. Pizza
27 Prince StPizza! Famous Pizza place - might have to stand in line but well worth the wait!!
Chinatown Institution - soup dumplings are the best!
196 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Joe's Shanghai
46 BoweryChinatown Institution - soup dumplings are the best!
Chinatown Old-school standby for dim sum & tea
153 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nom Wah Tea Parlor
13 Doyers StChinatown Old-school standby for dim sum & tea
Chinatown old school restaurant serving Chinese eats in bright, no-frills digs
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wo Hop Next Door
15 Mott StChinatown old school restaurant serving Chinese eats in bright, no-frills digs
Dessert: Little Italy institution for amazing pastries - must try the cannolis
32 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ferrara Bakery & Cafe
195 Grand StDessert: Little Italy institution for amazing pastries - must try the cannolis
Dessert: Sweet tooth time! Snug bakery (a Momofuku offshoot) for quirky, inventive desserts from pastry chef Christina Tosi.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Milk Bar Mini: Nolita
246 Mott StDessert: Sweet tooth time! Snug bakery (a Momofuku offshoot) for quirky, inventive desserts from pastry chef Christina Tosi.
Café Integral
149 Elizabeth StBest Coffee in the neighborhood!
If you like Matcha this is a must! Best in town. Might have to wait in line but worth it :)
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cha Cha Matcha
373 Broome StIf you like Matcha this is a must! Best in town. Might have to wait in line but worth it :)
Famous Pizza place - Landmark NoLita restaurant serving coal-fired, thin-crust Neapolitan pizza since 1905.
149 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lombardi's
32 Spring StFamous Pizza place - Landmark NoLita restaurant serving coal-fired, thin-crust Neapolitan pizza since 1905.
Old School Bar: Neighborhood dive bar since the 1920s draws patrons from 8AM on for basic drinks
66 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Spring Lounge
48 Spring StOld School Bar: Neighborhood dive bar since the 1920s draws patrons from 8AM on for basic drinks