Guidebook for New York
Food Scene
Vegetarian Indian lunch buffet for $8 a person. The food is DELICIOUS and you will be full for hours and hours. Very very casual.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chennai Garden by Tiffin Wallah
127 E 28th StVegetarian Indian lunch buffet for $8 a person. The food is DELICIOUS and you will be full for hours and hours. Very very casual.
Cheap (by NYC standards) and delicious breakfast with free coffee or tea until 11am. Terrific omelets and oatmeal in addition to pancakes, french toast, blintzes, etc. Definitely child friendly.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sunburst Espresso Bar
206 3rd AveCheap (by NYC standards) and delicious breakfast with free coffee or tea until 11am. Terrific omelets and oatmeal in addition to pancakes, french toast, blintzes, etc. Definitely child friendly.
Tiny cafe with a mostly Italian menu. Great breakfast sandwiches, cappuccino, and pastries.
37 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Piccolo Cafe
313 Amsterdam AveTiny cafe with a mostly Italian menu. Great breakfast sandwiches, cappuccino, and pastries.
Great for brunch. Can be crowded but they take reservations via OpenTable.com.
68 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Smith
55 3rd AveGreat for brunch. Can be crowded but they take reservations via OpenTable.com.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city. Very tiny and they don't take reservations, so go early. Try the de Pabellon and the la Mulata. There is a takeout counter next door.
355 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Caracas Arepa Bar
291 Grand StOne of my favorite restaurants in the city. Very tiny and they don't take reservations, so go early. Try the de Pabellon and the la Mulata. There is a takeout counter next door.
Right next door to Caracas! Buttery, creamy, deliciousness on a bun. Not cheap considering it's not a sit down restaurant . . . but terrific!
85 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Luke's Lobster East Village
Right next door to Caracas! Buttery, creamy, deliciousness on a bun. Not cheap considering it's not a sit down restaurant . . . but terrific!
This is our SOLID neighborhood pizza joint - thin crust style and everything is fabulous (including the salads). Delivery or dine in, casual and child friendly. Our moms love this place.
57 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
POST
217 E 3rd StThis is our SOLID neighborhood pizza joint - thin crust style and everything is fabulous (including the salads). Delivery or dine in, casual and child friendly. Our moms love this place.
Organic handmade dumplings. You order at the counter and then find a seat. Very casual.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mimi Cheng's Dumplings
179 2nd AveOrganic handmade dumplings. You order at the counter and then find a seat. Very casual.
Authentic Japanese ramen!! This place is CRAZY popular because it is that good. Get there right when it opens and you still might have to wait 45 minutes -- but it's totally worth it!
226 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ippudo NY
65 4th AveAuthentic Japanese ramen!! This place is CRAZY popular because it is that good. Get there right when it opens and you still might have to wait 45 minutes -- but it's totally worth it!
The lines can be RIDICULOUS but the burgers are really good. A shack in the middle of Madison Square Park, wait in line (can be 20+ mins) to order, pick up your food, then find a picnic table.
993 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Shake Shack
Madison AvenueThe lines can be RIDICULOUS but the burgers are really good. A shack in the middle of Madison Square Park, wait in line (can be 20+ mins) to order, pick up your food, then find a picnic table.
This place is brand new and getting a lot of buzz. It's all handmade veggie burgers. It's supposed to be da bomb.
48 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Superiority Burger
119 Avenue AThis place is brand new and getting a lot of buzz. It's all handmade veggie burgers. It's supposed to be da bomb.
This is our very solid neighborhood Japanese restaurant run by the nicest people. We usually do carry out, but you can dine in as well. It's down some steps, so keep your eyes open.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Yama
122 E 17th StThis is our very solid neighborhood Japanese restaurant run by the nicest people. We usually do carry out, but you can dine in as well. It's down some steps, so keep your eyes open.
They have trucks all over the city, but there's a storefront in the East Village.
313 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
620 Manhattan AveThey have trucks all over the city, but there's a storefront in the East Village.
I have never actually been here -- but there is always a line out the door. They have really creative flavor combos and it's very NYC.
148 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Big Gay Ice Cream Shop
125 E 7th StI have never actually been here -- but there is always a line out the door. They have really creative flavor combos and it's very NYC.
I'm obsessed with this place. It's not really that close to the apartment, but definitely worth the trek and the price tag. All of their products are gluten free and made using goat's milk.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Victory Garden
31 Carmine StI'm obsessed with this place. It's not really that close to the apartment, but definitely worth the trek and the price tag. All of their products are gluten free and made using goat's milk.
Formerly Babycakes. This place is gluten, dairy, soy, and nut free yet totally delicious. The buttermilk biscuits are so flakey and buttery, you won't believe they are vegan.
48 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC
248 Broome StFormerly Babycakes. This place is gluten, dairy, soy, and nut free yet totally delicious. The buttermilk biscuits are so flakey and buttery, you won't believe they are vegan.
This is the guy who invented the Cronut! I've never had one, but people wait hours to get them. I wouldn't wait hours myself, but if you walk by and there's no line, check it out!
157 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dominique Ansel Bakery
189 Spring StThis is the guy who invented the Cronut! I've never had one, but people wait hours to get them. I wouldn't wait hours myself, but if you walk by and there's no line, check it out!
Solid neighborhood coffee place next door to Friend of a Farmer. They have terrific pastries as well.
109 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Irving Farm New York
224 W 79th StSolid neighborhood coffee place next door to Friend of a Farmer. They have terrific pastries as well.
The best coffee in the city. A tiny sliver of a store-front with a line out the door. Worth the wait and the walk. Their pastries are killer as well. Try the olive oil loaf if they have it.
127 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Abraço
81 E 7th StThe best coffee in the city. A tiny sliver of a store-front with a line out the door. Worth the wait and the walk. Their pastries are killer as well. Try the olive oil loaf if they have it.
This is my favorite place because they have the creamiest almond milk. It's probably a 5-7 minute walk from the apartment, but it's totally worth it!
214 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Joe Coffee Company
514 Columbus AveThis is my favorite place because they have the creamiest almond milk. It's probably a 5-7 minute walk from the apartment, but it's totally worth it!
In Chelsea, so it's not exactly close to the apartment, but this is the coffee shop that's featured in HBO's Girls. Very solid coffee.
90 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Café Grumpy
224 W 20th StIn Chelsea, so it's not exactly close to the apartment, but this is the coffee shop that's featured in HBO's Girls. Very solid coffee.
Our favorite place to celebrate. Unbelievable food, ambiance, and wine. Plus, just steps from our door!
56 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Casa Mono
52 Irving PlOur favorite place to celebrate. Unbelievable food, ambiance, and wine. Plus, just steps from our door!
A classic Danny Meyer NYC dining experience. Dress up, treat yourself to the tasting menu and then stroll home passing Gramercy Park on the way. What a night!
99 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gramercy Tavern
42 E 20th StA classic Danny Meyer NYC dining experience. Dress up, treat yourself to the tasting menu and then stroll home passing Gramercy Park on the way. What a night!
Fine Italian dining. This is one of our all time favorite splurges. Get gussied up, then load your fine self onto the M14 bus to 10th Avenue. This is one of Batali and Bastianich's best restaurants.
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Del Posto
85 10th AveFine Italian dining. This is one of our all time favorite splurges. Get gussied up, then load your fine self onto the M14 bus to 10th Avenue. This is one of Batali and Bastianich's best restaurants.
If you're visiting the Tenement Museum, why not grab a knish to round out your experience. Closed for the Jewish High Holidays
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Yonah Schimmel's Knish Bakery
137 E Houston StIf you're visiting the Tenement Museum, why not grab a knish to round out your experience. Closed for the Jewish High Holidays
The best (and only) Paleo restaurant in the city. This place can do grain-free magic. Terrific for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. YUM!
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hu Kitchen
78 5th AveThe best (and only) Paleo restaurant in the city. This place can do grain-free magic. Terrific for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. YUM!
I love this place for drinks. I love this place for brunch. I love this place for dinner. Just go, ok?
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
abcV
38 E 19th StI love this place for drinks. I love this place for brunch. I love this place for dinner. Just go, ok?
Drinks & Nightlife
Very child friendly which means weekend lines! Complimentary cornbread with your brunch. They do not take reservations!
63 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Friend Of A Farmer
77 Irving PlVery child friendly which means weekend lines! Complimentary cornbread with your brunch. They do not take reservations!
Adam thinks this place is over-priced and I don't care! A speakeasy in the back of a Japanese Izakaya. Try the Evidence (made with Earl Grey infused gin, whoa).
172 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Angel's Share
45 Stuyvesant StAdam thinks this place is over-priced and I don't care! A speakeasy in the back of a Japanese Izakaya. Try the Evidence (made with Earl Grey infused gin, whoa).
Terrific cocktail bar in Alphabet City. The bartenders are super nice and will craft you the perfect drink. Make a reservation before going!
63 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pouring Ribbons
225 Avenue BTerrific cocktail bar in Alphabet City. The bartenders are super nice and will craft you the perfect drink. Make a reservation before going!
If you like cider (which I really do) then this place is a MUST. Serving ciders from around the world along with high concept nibbles in a great atmosphere.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wassail
162 Orchard StIf you like cider (which I really do) then this place is a MUST. Serving ciders from around the world along with high concept nibbles in a great atmosphere.
Everything Else
People aren't as obsessed with this place as they used to be . . . but it is excellent pizza. Take out store front on 14th Street. It can get very crowded with the bar crowd!
426 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Artichoke Basille's Pizza
321 E 14th StPeople aren't as obsessed with this place as they used to be . . . but it is excellent pizza. Take out store front on 14th Street. It can get very crowded with the bar crowd!
Karyn, Jaws, and Charlee - oh how amazing you are. Get your sweat on in NoHo and then go eat a whole bunch of NYC treats!
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
SoulCycle NOHO
384 Lafayette StKaryn, Jaws, and Charlee - oh how amazing you are. Get your sweat on in NoHo and then go eat a whole bunch of NYC treats!
This is - hands down - the best mani-pedi in the city (which really means it's the best mani-pedi in the world). Make an appointment before you go and prepare to be pampered.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jin Soon Natural Hand-Foot Spa
56 E 4th StThis is - hands down - the best mani-pedi in the city (which really means it's the best mani-pedi in the world). Make an appointment before you go and prepare to be pampered.
My FAVORITE place for a chinese foot massage. They will NOT take it easy on you. Something like $25 for an hour? The price can't be beat, so make sure you tip well!
Relax Foot Spa
201 Hester StMy FAVORITE place for a chinese foot massage. They will NOT take it easy on you. Something like $25 for an hour? The price can't be beat, so make sure you tip well!
I love this spa! I go here regularly for massages with Coco, but all of the women who work here are terrific. Free organic juice included with your service!
Mama Spa
141 Allen StI love this spa! I go here regularly for massages with Coco, but all of the women who work here are terrific. Free organic juice included with your service!
Spend the day in the water lounge complete with hot tub, sauna, steam room, and cold plunge. $50 and stay as long as you want. Crowded on the weekends.
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Great Jones Spa
29 Great Jones StSpend the day in the water lounge complete with hot tub, sauna, steam room, and cold plunge. $50 and stay as long as you want. Crowded on the weekends.
Essentials
I am probably in here at least once a day to grab something. Family owned and run, they have EVERYTHING you could need and fair prices. Most things are organic!
Natural Green Market
162 3rd AveI am probably in here at least once a day to grab something. Family owned and run, they have EVERYTHING you could need and fair prices. Most things are organic!
Shopping
ABC Carpet & Home
888 BroadwayJust go. Best store of all time.