Lower East Side and Beyond
Food Scene
Nice place for a quick, affordable lunch or coffee. Great people watching
69 locals recommend
Tinys Giant Sandwich Shop
Nice place for a quick, affordable lunch or coffee. Great people watching
Super tasty Asian food (great if you like spicy), good drinks, and fun atmosphere. Tasty brunch. Plus it's less than a block away!
98 locals recommend
Pig and Khao
68 Clinton StSuper tasty Asian food (great if you like spicy), good drinks, and fun atmosphere. Tasty brunch. Plus it's less than a block away!
Tasty, fun, and affordable spot for lunch or dinner. Note that there might be a wait during peak dining times
580 locals recommend
The Meatball Shop
64 Greenwich AveTasty, fun, and affordable spot for lunch or dinner. Note that there might be a wait during peak dining times
El Rey
Adorable El Rey is super popular for a healthy breakfast, lunch, or coffee
This is some of the best Indian food New York. Everything's made fresh and it's very affordable. Great for eat-in or takeout.
17 locals recommend
The MasalaWala
This is some of the best Indian food New York. Everything's made fresh and it's very affordable. Great for eat-in or takeout.
Black Tree
131 Orchard StreetInnovative sandwiches and other great food
Great value! Super cheap Chinese dumplings and soups--great quality! One of my favorites.
288 locals recommend
Vanessa's Dumpling House
118A Eldridge StGreat value! Super cheap Chinese dumplings and soups--great quality! One of my favorites.
Indian flatbread "tacos" with creative fillings like curry lamb and delicious vegetarian options too. They have a few counter seats, or grab it to go.
16 locals recommend
goa taco
79 Delancey StreetIndian flatbread "tacos" with creative fillings like curry lamb and delicious vegetarian options too. They have a few counter seats, or grab it to go.
Delicious Venezuelan sandwiches to go or to eat in casual surroundings. In a cute part of the neighborhood across from a big park (if you want to have your food there).
8 locals recommend
Patacon Pisao
139 Essex StDelicious Venezuelan sandwiches to go or to eat in casual surroundings. In a cute part of the neighborhood across from a big park (if you want to have your food there).
If you're craving Italian, I recommend skipping touristy Little Italy and heading to this East Village restaurant, which specializes in Tuscan and Roman food. Don't miss the handmade artisanal pasta, which is the house specialty. Prices aren't outrageous for New York, either.
7 locals recommend
Porsena
21 E 7th StIf you're craving Italian, I recommend skipping touristy Little Italy and heading to this East Village restaurant, which specializes in Tuscan and Roman food. Don't miss the handmade artisanal pasta, which is the house specialty. Prices aren't outrageous for New York, either.
Russ & Daughters is THE place to get bagels and lox in NYC, and happily both the sit-down restaurant and the original 100-year-old takeout shop are right in the hood. Brunch is the way to go here, but prepare for a wait on weekends.
181 locals recommend
Russ & Daughters Cafe
127 Orchard StRuss & Daughters is THE place to get bagels and lox in NYC, and happily both the sit-down restaurant and the original 100-year-old takeout shop are right in the hood. Brunch is the way to go here, but prepare for a wait on weekends.
This weekend street food market in Brooklyn will boggle your mind with the number of stalls selling delicious bites from around the world, most costing less than $10. A festive and fun time, and it's right on the East River, so you can buy your food of choice and have a picnic.
777 locals recommend
Smorgasburg
90 Kent AveThis weekend street food market in Brooklyn will boggle your mind with the number of stalls selling delicious bites from around the world, most costing less than $10. A festive and fun time, and it's right on the East River, so you can buy your food of choice and have a picnic.
If you want to take your laptop to a cafe at a cafe, this one is right around the corner and has plenty of space to lounge.
35 locals recommend
Black Cat LES
172 Rivington StIf you want to take your laptop to a cafe at a cafe, this one is right around the corner and has plenty of space to lounge.
Great spot for lunch in Nolita / Soho. Clean, fresh menu highlights items like kale salad, cantaloupe juice, awesome breakfast with some unusual options. There's often a wait at lunchtime.
131 locals recommend
Jack's Wife Freda
226 Lafayette StGreat spot for lunch in Nolita / Soho. Clean, fresh menu highlights items like kale salad, cantaloupe juice, awesome breakfast with some unusual options. There's often a wait at lunchtime.
Tiny little Japanese soba noodle shop that makes everything from scratch. Their specialty is steaming bowls of noodle soup, so it's great for a cold day. Don't miss the housemade fresh tofu. There's another location down the street if this one is full.
104 locals recommend
Cocoron
16 Delancey StTiny little Japanese soba noodle shop that makes everything from scratch. Their specialty is steaming bowls of noodle soup, so it's great for a cold day. Don't miss the housemade fresh tofu. There's another location down the street if this one is full.
Super popular contemporary Chinese American food, with a rock n' roll twist. If you love spicy Chinese, this is your spot, but be sure to make a reservation.
179 locals recommend
Mission
171 E BroadwaySuper popular contemporary Chinese American food, with a rock n' roll twist. If you love spicy Chinese, this is your spot, but be sure to make a reservation.
Amazing ramen. A bit pricey, but I think it's worth it. They even have gluten-free tofu noodles. Best to make a reservation. There's a small patio out back for nice days.
124 locals recommend
Ivan Ramen
25 Clinton StAmazing ramen. A bit pricey, but I think it's worth it. They even have gluten-free tofu noodles. Best to make a reservation. There's a small patio out back for nice days.
Famous for brunch, especially the pancakes. Just be prepared for a wait.
365 locals recommend
Clinton St. Baking Company
4 Clinton StFamous for brunch, especially the pancakes. Just be prepared for a wait.
Doughnut Plant
379 Grand StSome of the best doughnuts in the city, just a few blocks away!
Everything Else
This indoor market has groceries and many places to grab a quick bites--tacos, Japanese bento, bagels, grilled cheese, and more
341 locals recommend
Essex Market
88 Essex StThis indoor market has groceries and many places to grab a quick bites--tacos, Japanese bento, bagels, grilled cheese, and more
Arts & Culture
A really nice look at what life used to be on the Lower East Side. You tour vintage apartments of Jewish, Italian, or other families to learn about their lives.
603 locals recommend
Tenement Museum
103 Orchard StA really nice look at what life used to be on the Lower East Side. You tour vintage apartments of Jewish, Italian, or other families to learn about their lives.
Newly opened in the Meatpacking District, this museum is stunning and cutting-edge for art. On Friday evenings, there's free admission.
884 locals recommend
Salmagundi Museum of American Art
Newly opened in the Meatpacking District, this museum is stunning and cutting-edge for art. On Friday evenings, there's free admission.
Sightseeing
If you want an up-close view of the Statue of Liberty without waiting in line, take the (free!) Staten Island Ferry from the Financial District and take a spot on the right-hand upper deck. You'll pass right by Lady Liberty--perfect for photos.
254 locals recommend
Staten Island Ferry
Staten Island FerryIf you want an up-close view of the Statue of Liberty without waiting in line, take the (free!) Staten Island Ferry from the Financial District and take a spot on the right-hand upper deck. You'll pass right by Lady Liberty--perfect for photos.
Drinks & Nightlife
This club-bar-restaurant is lots of fun if you're looking for a big night out. Dress up and prepare for a wait--it's worth it. Great food and drinks.
235 locals recommend
Beauty & Essex
146 Essex StThis club-bar-restaurant is lots of fun if you're looking for a big night out. Dress up and prepare for a wait--it's worth it. Great food and drinks.
This bar is just down the street and has good dollar oysters at happy hour. I also love the cocktails.
17 locals recommend
Black Crescent
76 Clinton StThis bar is just down the street and has good dollar oysters at happy hour. I also love the cocktails.
Entertainment & Activities
If you're craving a yoga class, this studio is only two blocks away and offers excellent hour-long classes. I believe the drop-in fee is $16 but you may be able to find a Groupon if you do an internet search.
6 locals recommend
Stanton Street Yoga Studio
196 Stanton StIf you're craving a yoga class, this studio is only two blocks away and offers excellent hour-long classes. I believe the drop-in fee is $16 but you may be able to find a Groupon if you do an internet search.
This booth at South Street Seaport is usually less crowded than the Times Square one, but either is the spot to purchase deeply discounted theater tickets the day-of the show. You won't find tickets to the most in-demand shows here, but there's always something interesting.
37 locals recommend
TKTS South Street Seaport
190 Front StThis booth at South Street Seaport is usually less crowded than the Times Square one, but either is the spot to purchase deeply discounted theater tickets the day-of the show. You won't find tickets to the most in-demand shows here, but there's always something interesting.
RA MA Institute New York
125 Stanton StTHE place for kundalini yoga in NYC.
Super close-by gym that has affordable week or day passes, for those wanting to work out
12 locals recommend
Ludlow Fitness
100 Delancey StSuper close-by gym that has affordable week or day passes, for those wanting to work out
Essentials
The closest Whole Foods is 10-15 minute walk away. There's a nice eating area with several food options on the second floor.
1895 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
95 E Houston StThe closest Whole Foods is 10-15 minute walk away. There's a nice eating area with several food options on the second floor.
America's favorite chain for cosmetics, affordable clothing and accessories, home goods, and limited groceries
399 locals recommend
Target
139 Flatbush AveAmerica's favorite chain for cosmetics, affordable clothing and accessories, home goods, and limited groceries