Guidebook for New York
Food Scene
Iconic cafe for breakfast and snacks. Probably the most famous breakfast place in all of LES! A must-visit!
365 locals recommend
Clinton St. Baking Company
4 Clinton StIconic cafe for breakfast and snacks. Probably the most famous breakfast place in all of LES! A must-visit!
Famous Classic-style delicatessen made famous by the movie "When Harry Met Sally". You walk in & get a number. You step into a time machine! The food is good but $$$ but it's all about the experience.
690 locals recommend
Katz's Delicatessen
205 E Houston StFamous Classic-style delicatessen made famous by the movie "When Harry Met Sally". You walk in & get a number. You step into a time machine! The food is good but $$$ but it's all about the experience.
Right down the street is awesome casual Italian. Super super famous and yummy. They're open late for some good food at night!
580 locals recommend
The Meatball Shop
64 Greenwich AveRight down the street is awesome casual Italian. Super super famous and yummy. They're open late for some good food at night!
Incredible Ramen and a closer walk than the rest of the East Village spots. Must try!
103 locals recommend
Minca
536 E 5th StIncredible Ramen and a closer walk than the rest of the East Village spots. Must try!
Incredible speakeasy restaurant. Funky thrift store in the front and you go through to the back to a beautiful open sky modern chic restaurant with absolutely incredible small-plate food. I wanna go!!
235 locals recommend
Beauty & Essex
146 Essex StIncredible speakeasy restaurant. Funky thrift store in the front and you go through to the back to a beautiful open sky modern chic restaurant with absolutely incredible small-plate food. I wanna go!!
Oh my gosh. If you're a foodie come here! Small plate gastronomic fun fare. Try the French Onion Soup Dumplings and the red snapper tacos! Yum!
95 locals recommend
Stanton Social
Oh my gosh. If you're a foodie come here! Small plate gastronomic fun fare. Try the French Onion Soup Dumplings and the red snapper tacos! Yum!
Some of the best gelato and hands down the best variety in NYC. I always take out of towners here and they always ending getting at least a pint!
74 locals recommend
il laboratorio del gelato
188 Ludlow StSome of the best gelato and hands down the best variety in NYC. I always take out of towners here and they always ending getting at least a pint!
Best Belgian waffle place in NYC and possibly outside of Belgium! Originally a food truck, this is their first store front. Come here for some incredible sweets.
42 locals recommend
Wafels & Dinges
15 Avenue BBest Belgian waffle place in NYC and possibly outside of Belgium! Originally a food truck, this is their first store front. Come here for some incredible sweets.
WOWOWOWOW! Our FAVORITE restaurant in the neighborhood! It's been voted the best south Asian food in NYC! It has Filipino-Thai-accented SE Asian fare and specialty drinks served in modern digs with a patio. Their food is absolutely to die for, especially if you're adventurous! Order as many things as possible! I'm salivating just thinking about it! GET THE TASTING MENU!
98 locals recommend
Pig and Khao
68 Clinton StWOWOWOWOW! Our FAVORITE restaurant in the neighborhood! It's been voted the best south Asian food in NYC! It has Filipino-Thai-accented SE Asian fare and specialty drinks served in modern digs with a patio. Their food is absolutely to die for, especially if you're adventurous! Order as many things as possible! I'm salivating just thinking about it! GET THE TASTING MENU!
Shareable plates including panko-crusted ebi fry with tartar sauce (UHH YUM) and savory takoyaki pancake balls with octopus. A predinner shot of sake will warm your belly for the main course. SO GOOD
15 locals recommend
Azasu
49 Clinton StreetShareable plates including panko-crusted ebi fry with tartar sauce (UHH YUM) and savory takoyaki pancake balls with octopus. A predinner shot of sake will warm your belly for the main course. SO GOOD
new biz-casual power bistro. Great for night life too. But their lunch man. Much less pompous and you can actually see the gorgeous digs. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZE-BALLS French food.
53 locals recommend
Cherche Midi
282 Bowerynew biz-casual power bistro. Great for night life too. But their lunch man. Much less pompous and you can actually see the gorgeous digs. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZE-BALLS French food.
Think Moroccan-New Orleans.... North African/French... Beyonce and Jay Z frequent this place and it's super worth it. YUM
74 locals recommend
Dirty French
180 Ludlow StThink Moroccan-New Orleans.... North African/French... Beyonce and Jay Z frequent this place and it's super worth it. YUM
Located down a famous secret alley. Awesome spot. The original in terms of oft-copied taxidermied environs. Great hearty American food. Try the charred tender quail atop buttery grits! or rabbit!
60 locals recommend
Freeman Alley
Freeman AlleyLocated down a famous secret alley. Awesome spot. The original in terms of oft-copied taxidermied environs. Great hearty American food. Try the charred tender quail atop buttery grits! or rabbit!
awesome small japanese plates. Like the double-dredged chicken hearts and they even have breakfast! Try thte messy maple-and-apple topped Lancaster okonomiyaki. Oh and the ramen ;)
124 locals recommend
Ivan Ramen
25 Clinton Stawesome small japanese plates. Like the double-dredged chicken hearts and they even have breakfast! Try thte messy maple-and-apple topped Lancaster okonomiyaki. Oh and the ramen ;)
try some wild flavors... at late hours! Come after dinner... EVERY NIGHT
79 locals recommend
Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream
2 Rivington Sttry some wild flavors... at late hours! Come after dinner... EVERY NIGHT
Want some breakfast?? COME HERE. Iconic century-old appetizing store and kosher deli. Come here for smoked fish on awesome NY Bagels. This is a classic must-see while in the neighborhood.
181 locals recommend
Russ & Daughters Cafe
127 Orchard StWant some breakfast?? COME HERE. Iconic century-old appetizing store and kosher deli. Come here for smoked fish on awesome NY Bagels. This is a classic must-see while in the neighborhood.
great variety of free trade and organic beans brewed individually. If you're a coffee fan, this is your spot!
68 locals recommend
Roasting Plant
81 Orchard Stgreat variety of free trade and organic beans brewed individually. If you're a coffee fan, this is your spot!
Don't wanna go far for coffee? This Moroccan juice bar/restaurant serves up incredible coffee and even better foods!
65 locals recommend
Pause Cafe
3 Clinton StDon't wanna go far for coffee? This Moroccan juice bar/restaurant serves up incredible coffee and even better foods!
Came here with Julia for dessert on our first Valentine's. So worth it. They know how to make a chocolate dessert! They already just have a friendly vibe for good coffee too. Right around the corner!
15 locals recommend
Cocoa Bar
21 Clinton StCame here with Julia for dessert on our first Valentine's. So worth it. They know how to make a chocolate dessert! They already just have a friendly vibe for good coffee too. Right around the corner!
Great chill coffee shop super close by. If you're just looking for a nice coffee cafe. Super friendly and funky.
35 locals recommend
Black Cat LES
172 Rivington StGreat chill coffee shop super close by. If you're just looking for a nice coffee cafe. Super friendly and funky.
Awesome 24/7 Deli that has the best selection of sandwiches! They have vietnamese Pho sandwiches and the best variety of ingredients for budget friendly eats!
63 locals recommend
Sunny & Annie's Deli
94 Avenue BAwesome 24/7 Deli that has the best selection of sandwiches! They have vietnamese Pho sandwiches and the best variety of ingredients for budget friendly eats!
famous place offering high-end smoked fish, caviar & New York-style specialty foods since 1914.
251 locals recommend
Russ & Daughters
179 E Houston Stfamous place offering high-end smoked fish, caviar & New York-style specialty foods since 1914.
INCREDIBLE southern foody cuisine. They call it "elevated southern fare." Come for brunch! They also have barrel-aged cocktails & brown booze in a small rustic space with a market.
81 locals recommend
Root & Bone
200 E 3rd StINCREDIBLE southern foody cuisine. They call it "elevated southern fare." Come for brunch! They also have barrel-aged cocktails & brown booze in a small rustic space with a market.
one of our favorite brunch places. This is what American is famous for their brunch for! Great staples with a southern flare. We've had guests that tried both the FAMOUS Clinton Street Baking Company and this place and they've all said Sweet Chick is better!
268 locals recommend
Sweet Chick
178 Ludlow Stone of our favorite brunch places. This is what American is famous for their brunch for! Great staples with a southern flare. We've had guests that tried both the FAMOUS Clinton Street Baking Company and this place and they've all said Sweet Chick is better!
Closeby place great for all meals. We always go for brunch and ALWAYS get the baked eggs with sausage. Great and affordable!
32 locals recommend
Cornerstone Cafe
Closeby place great for all meals. We always go for brunch and ALWAYS get the baked eggs with sausage. Great and affordable!
Another classically American breakfast/brunch spot. Biscuits biscuits biscuits! They know how to do them right! If you're craving something truly American, come here!
57 locals recommend
POST
217 E 3rd StAnother classically American breakfast/brunch spot. Biscuits biscuits biscuits! They know how to do them right! If you're craving something truly American, come here!
We eat these wraps at least once a month! They are SUPER filling, funky and fun! So tasty and a great price if you're hungry and looking for something cheap!
32 locals recommend
Wolfnights
99 Rivington StWe eat these wraps at least once a month! They are SUPER filling, funky and fun! So tasty and a great price if you're hungry and looking for something cheap!
Very new place with astounding food! Great for brunch and definitely dinner! Worth a visit! They have wonderful comfort food meets New American!
6 locals recommend
Minnie's
Very new place with astounding food! Great for brunch and definitely dinner! Worth a visit! They have wonderful comfort food meets New American!
AMAZING Argentinian food. They really know how to cook a steak. They're packed for dinner and good for a quiet brunch. They've won many awards!
13 locals recommend
Balvanera
152 Stanton StAMAZING Argentinian food. They really know how to cook a steak. They're packed for dinner and good for a quiet brunch. They've won many awards!
AMAZING Sake bar with just as good of food as sake! If you're looking for some classic, fancy Japanese food, and INCREDIBLE sake, come here!
15 locals recommend
Azasu
49 Clinton StreetAMAZING Sake bar with just as good of food as sake! If you're looking for some classic, fancy Japanese food, and INCREDIBLE sake, come here!
Some of the BEST indian food in NYC! Also, check in on YELP and get a free samosa! If you're eating in.
17 locals recommend
The MasalaWala
Some of the BEST indian food in NYC! Also, check in on YELP and get a free samosa! If you're eating in.
My FAVORITE coffee in NYC and I'm not a coffee drinker, I'm a coffee snob lol. Only have it on special occasions... But their cold brew (New Orleans) and even espresso drinks are the BEST in NYC hands down!!
467 locals recommend
Blue Bottle Coffee
76 N 4th StMy FAVORITE coffee in NYC and I'm not a coffee drinker, I'm a coffee snob lol. Only have it on special occasions... But their cold brew (New Orleans) and even espresso drinks are the BEST in NYC hands down!!
Go here for an INCREDIBLE Italian meal. True NYC vibe. I've even talked to celebrities who frequent this cosy place! Super authentic and intimate. Perfect for a romantic evening. Very popular so it helps to get a reservation or come early!
156 locals recommend
Supper
156 E 2nd StGo here for an INCREDIBLE Italian meal. True NYC vibe. I've even talked to celebrities who frequent this cosy place! Super authentic and intimate. Perfect for a romantic evening. Very popular so it helps to get a reservation or come early!
AMAZING oysters and seafood selections. Definitely expect a wait if you come at peak times. They also have wonderful beer and wine selections! Awesome NY state beers too! TIP: Come for happy hour for oysters and beer!!!
57 locals recommend
Upstate
95 1st Ave.AMAZING oysters and seafood selections. Definitely expect a wait if you come at peak times. They also have wonderful beer and wine selections! Awesome NY state beers too! TIP: Come for happy hour for oysters and beer!!!
Drinks & Nightlife
Half bar, half venue. The real heart of The Lower East Side. Divey, edgy, funky, artsy, dark and underground (literally the venue!). Come here for great music & cheap drinks. And a real LES experience
73 locals recommend
Arlene Grocery
95 Stanton StHalf bar, half venue. The real heart of The Lower East Side. Divey, edgy, funky, artsy, dark and underground (literally the venue!). Come here for great music & cheap drinks. And a real LES experience
Great venue with awesome music and dancing! A little pricey but worth a good time! Honestly a classic. Everyone who has lived in NYC for a while has hit up Pianos!
257 locals recommend
Pianos
158 Ludlow StGreat venue with awesome music and dancing! A little pricey but worth a good time! Honestly a classic. Everyone who has lived in NYC for a while has hit up Pianos!
My favorite venue. FREE music on at least one stage at all times. Three stages in total, different acts every hour! You'll surely hear some amazing music here!!
226 locals recommend
Rockwood Music Hall
196 Allen StMy favorite venue. FREE music on at least one stage at all times. Three stages in total, different acts every hour! You'll surely hear some amazing music here!!
Cultural center and performance center with well-known poets performing and sometimes so awesome music. Definitely check the calendar while you're here! Open mic night on Mondays!
83 locals recommend
Nuyorican Poet's Cafe
236 E 3rd StCultural center and performance center with well-known poets performing and sometimes so awesome music. Definitely check the calendar while you're here! Open mic night on Mondays!
Experimental performance space with avante garde performances and concerts. Super funky and fun! No advance ticket sales though!
21 locals recommend
The Stone
55 West 13th StreetExperimental performance space with avante garde performances and concerts. Super funky and fun! No advance ticket sales though!
One of the best speakeasy bars in the area. Definitely one of my favorite bars. They make some of the best drinks in NYC and have a really romantic, swanky atmosphere. Come here for a nice date or just some incredible drinks.
203 locals recommend
Death & Company
433 E 6th StOne of the best speakeasy bars in the area. Definitely one of my favorite bars. They make some of the best drinks in NYC and have a really romantic, swanky atmosphere. Come here for a nice date or just some incredible drinks.
So secret, airbnb didn't even have it listed! An authentic speakeasy from the 1920s. They serve their drinks in the classic tea cups. Come Monday when there's a live band and dozens of swing dancers!
6 locals recommend
102 Norfolk St
102 Norfolk StreetSo secret, airbnb didn't even have it listed! An authentic speakeasy from the 1920s. They serve their drinks in the classic tea cups. Come Monday when there's a live band and dozens of swing dancers!
Maybe the best happy hour in NYC! $5 funky cocktails until 10pm! Lounge/bar with great Asian small-plates food too.
30 locals recommend
Verlaine
110 Rivington StMaybe the best happy hour in NYC! $5 funky cocktails until 10pm! Lounge/bar with great Asian small-plates food too.
Great music venue that always has music. Some small artists and some reasonably sized ones. Gotta check what's playing while you're here!
95 locals recommend
Mercury Lounge
217 E Houston StGreat music venue that always has music. Some small artists and some reasonably sized ones. Gotta check what's playing while you're here!
Probably the best venue in the city for seeing indie bands, either those on their way up or the ones holding their own. Still, the Bowery also manages to bring in a diverse range of artists.
135 locals recommend
The Bowery Ballroom
6 Delancey StProbably the best venue in the city for seeing indie bands, either those on their way up or the ones holding their own. Still, the Bowery also manages to bring in a diverse range of artists.
Buxom '50s pinups - not doctors - rule at this coffeeshop-turned bar named for the notorious Bettie Page. Fun tasteful (ish) spot. Something different!
25 locals recommend
Nurse Bettie
106 Norfolk StBuxom '50s pinups - not doctors - rule at this coffeeshop-turned bar named for the notorious Bettie Page. Fun tasteful (ish) spot. Something different!
intimate and tiny whiskey house. They have more than 600 bottles crammed into the bookshelves. Very cool spot.
16 locals recommend
Copper & Oak
157 Allen Stintimate and tiny whiskey house. They have more than 600 bottles crammed into the bookshelves. Very cool spot.
German beer garden!! With amazing selections. Just be wary, it's cramped in the back patio. Only come if you aren't in a hurry to be waited on.
36 locals recommend
Loreley Beer Garden
7 Rivington StGerman beer garden!! With amazing selections. Just be wary, it's cramped in the back patio. Only come if you aren't in a hurry to be waited on.
CHEAP BEER! $3 PBR. Come here for LES bohemian/indie vibe. Very punk and glam rock
29 locals recommend
Max Fish
120 Orchard StCHEAP BEER! $3 PBR. Come here for LES bohemian/indie vibe. Very punk and glam rock
German beer giant! Come if you're looking for a beer hall with some space and LOTS of drinking!
Paulaner on Bowery
German beer giant! Come if you're looking for a beer hall with some space and LOTS of drinking!
Amazing cocktails right around the corner! They also have incredible $1 oysters after midnight! They were closed due to renovation for a while but they recently just reopened and are better than ever. Their selection and cocktail recipes are wonderful@
17 locals recommend
Black Crescent
76 Clinton StAmazing cocktails right around the corner! They also have incredible $1 oysters after midnight! They were closed due to renovation for a while but they recently just reopened and are better than ever. Their selection and cocktail recipes are wonderful@
A hidden door downstairs the Burgary opens to this 1920s-style speakeasy with creative cocktails in luxe decor.
14 locals recommend
Garfunkel's
67 Clinton StA hidden door downstairs the Burgary opens to this 1920s-style speakeasy with creative cocktails in luxe decor.
They make some of the best cocktails around. They are always always packed and there's a good reason! Come here for a nearby wonderful cocktail!
45 locals recommend
Nitecap
151 Rivington StThey make some of the best cocktails around. They are always always packed and there's a good reason! Come here for a nearby wonderful cocktail!
WONDERFUL Rooftop bar with a chique NYC vibe. Lots of young people at this hotel rooftop bar. Drinks aren't the cheapest but their average for NYC cocktail bar. The ambiance and the views are worth it!
136 locals recommend
Mr. Purple
180 Orchard StWONDERFUL Rooftop bar with a chique NYC vibe. Lots of young people at this hotel rooftop bar. Drinks aren't the cheapest but their average for NYC cocktail bar. The ambiance and the views are worth it!
Very cool Mountain Cabin vibe with awesome happy hours! Possibly one of the best Happy Hours in NYC! Huge selection of beers and wine. You'll have to see this cute, cosy hip place to believe it!
11 locals recommend
Antler
123 Allen StVery cool Mountain Cabin vibe with awesome happy hours! Possibly one of the best Happy Hours in NYC! Huge selection of beers and wine. You'll have to see this cute, cosy hip place to believe it!
Entertainment & Activities
Iconic park in lower East Village. Great for people watching and relaxing. Sometimes there's live music!
538 locals recommend
Tompkins Square Park
East 10th StreetIconic park in lower East Village. Great for people watching and relaxing. Sometimes there's live music!
Super close park with a huge public pool! It gets hot in NYC summers!
13 locals recommend
Hamilton Fish Recreation Center
128 Pitt StSuper close park with a huge public pool! It gets hot in NYC summers!
Brand new funky movie theater in the area that shows only a few movies a day all in 35mm! They often have directors come and talk with Q&As! Great spot.
131 locals recommend
Metrograph
7 Ludlow StBrand new funky movie theater in the area that shows only a few movies a day all in 35mm! They often have directors come and talk with Q&As! Great spot.
They are super close and super fun! They have a huge collection of arcades. Yes, there is Barcade on St. Marks but it's always so much more packed and so much further away! Love this place!
26 locals recommend
Two-Bit's Retro Arcade
153 Essex StThey are super close and super fun! They have a huge collection of arcades. Yes, there is Barcade on St. Marks but it's always so much more packed and so much further away! Love this place!
Arts & Culture
Worlds best Improv, hands down! Shows every night and every time I go I'm not disappointed! Some of the best comedy in nyc
124 locals recommend
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre East Village
45 Bleecker StWorlds best Improv, hands down! Shows every night and every time I go I'm not disappointed! Some of the best comedy in nyc
Downtown's contemporary art hub. Great modern weird stuff you'll surely enjoy!
629 locals recommend
New Museum of Contemporary Art
235 BoweryDowntown's contemporary art hub. Great modern weird stuff you'll surely enjoy!
Shopping
self-proclaimed "radical" bookstore and cafe which hosts readings and discussions on health, race, class and sexuality featuring stellar writers.
18 locals recommend
Bluestockings Bookstore, Cafe & Activist Center
116 Suffolk Stself-proclaimed "radical" bookstore and cafe which hosts readings and discussions on health, race, class and sexuality featuring stellar writers.
Some of the best doughnuts in NYC. While it's one of the further items on the guidebook, it's worth it. I was sad to leave EW to leave Dun-Well donuts but this place is a close 2nd. COME EAT DONUTS
313 locals recommend
Doughnut Plant
379 Grand StSome of the best doughnuts in NYC. While it's one of the further items on the guidebook, it's worth it. I was sad to leave EW to leave Dun-Well donuts but this place is a close 2nd. COME EAT DONUTS
Great gift shop with stuff to choose from for everyone! Super cute stuff
17 locals recommend
Exit9 Gift Emporium
51 Avenue AGreat gift shop with stuff to choose from for everyone! Super cute stuff
FUN gift shop with wacky and funny toys and collectibles. I usually walk in just to take a gander! They have some really fun stuff!
16 locals recommend
Alphabets
FUN gift shop with wacky and funny toys and collectibles. I usually walk in just to take a gander! They have some really fun stuff!
This is an iconic, famous clothing brand and they HAPPEN to have their storefront right on our street! If Only NY is your thing or maybe it could be a great souvenir for a loved one, check it out!
Only NY
176 Stanton StThis is an iconic, famous clothing brand and they HAPPEN to have their storefront right on our street! If Only NY is your thing or maybe it could be a great souvenir for a loved one, check it out!
Essentials
My favorite grocery store in all of NYC. Better than Whole Foods. They literally have everything you could ever imagine and it's not a huge mega-store with too many people. Feels like a local spot
522 locals recommend
Union Market
240 E Houston StMy favorite grocery store in all of NYC. Better than Whole Foods. They literally have everything you could ever imagine and it's not a huge mega-store with too many people. Feels like a local spot
MUST VISIT! Tons of foodie shops and cafes inside to waste an entire afternoon. It's a historic culinary destination that you'll surely find some awesome food for whatever you crave!
341 locals recommend
Essex Market
88 Essex StMUST VISIT! Tons of foodie shops and cafes inside to waste an entire afternoon. It's a historic culinary destination that you'll surely find some awesome food for whatever you crave!
Sightseeing
a historic apartment building that was completed in 1863 and sheltered almost 7,000 immigrants over the years.
603 locals recommend
Tenement Museum
103 Orchard Sta historic apartment building that was completed in 1863 and sheltered almost 7,000 immigrants over the years.
Great views looking back at Manhattan. Take the pedestrian walk but halfway over the bridge cross over to the biking side. You'll see a great view of midtown manhattan. Especially at night or dusk!
387 locals recommend
Williamsburg Bridge
70 Williamsburg Bridge Bicycle PathGreat views looking back at Manhattan. Take the pedestrian walk but halfway over the bridge cross over to the biking side. You'll see a great view of midtown manhattan. Especially at night or dusk!