East Village Gems: all within 5 minute walk
Food Scene
small spot, ideal for a snack of the best lobster roll in town
85 locals recommend
Luke's Lobster East Village
small spot, ideal for a snack of the best lobster roll in town
Pull up a stool at this amazing ceviche bar where they prepare it fresh right in front of you. Great, latino ambience. Ideal for 2, since there's only bar seating
57 locals recommend
Desnuda
221 S 1st StPull up a stool at this amazing ceviche bar where they prepare it fresh right in front of you. Great, latino ambience. Ideal for 2, since there's only bar seating
Esperanto
145 Loisaida AveGreat brunch and atmosphere with Brazilian vibes!
Buenos Aires
513 E 6th StAuthentic Argentine steak restaurant!
Casual breakfast (delicious) and coffee spot. Lovely garden in the back. No wifi, but full newspaper selection
131 locals recommend
MUD SPOT
307 E 9th StCasual breakfast (delicious) and coffee spot. Lovely garden in the back. No wifi, but full newspaper selection
Great bar and restaurant with a lounge-feel and Cuban-fusion food and music.
45 locals recommend
Cienfuegos
95 Avenue AGreat bar and restaurant with a lounge-feel and Cuban-fusion food and music.
Pylos
128 E 7th StOne of the city's best greek restaurants
Cozy, inventive American bistro - phenomenal food for any meal
87 locals recommend
Northern Spy Food Co.
511 East 12th StreetCozy, inventive American bistro - phenomenal food for any meal
Of all the great little authentic Mexican spots in the neighborhood, this is my favorite. A little area to sit down. Very casual.
23 locals recommend
Tacos Cuautla Morelos
438 E 9th StOf all the great little authentic Mexican spots in the neighborhood, this is my favorite. A little area to sit down. Very casual.
Back Forty
190 Avenue BAwesome for brunch, big garden for dining in the back!
Another great brunch option - never too crowded. Upscale diner feel with attention to detail and decor.
48 locals recommend
Rue B
188 Avenue BAnother great brunch option - never too crowded. Upscale diner feel with attention to detail and decor.
Abraço
81 E 7th StArguably the best coffee around. No room to sit- grab it to go!
Xe May Sandwich Shop
96 St Marks PlPick up a wonderful Vietnamese sandwich or salad to go
Xi'an Famous Foods
88 E Broadwaytake-out or casual sit-down phenomenal noodles and dumplings
Amazing quality coffee spot. A few bar stools to linger on.
236 locals recommend
Ninth Street Espresso
700 E 9th StAmazing quality coffee spot. A few bar stools to linger on.
Miss Lily's 7A Cafe
109 Avenue AFun, tasty caribbean place right downstairs
Caravan Of Dreams
405 E 6th StVeggie or Vegan, very delicious and creative
Tuome
536 E 5th StDelicious, creative asian cuisine with cozy ambience
Drinks & Nightlife
Incredibly beautiful and cozy bar with velvet couches, candles lit everywhere, and great bar snacks, including fondue
25 locals recommend
The Bourgeois Pig
111 East 7th StreetIncredibly beautiful and cozy bar with velvet couches, candles lit everywhere, and great bar snacks, including fondue
Amazing drinks and atmosphere. To-die-for sandwiches served until 4 am, great live music acts Sunday night through Wednesday night, and SUCH nice people working there
189 locals recommend
The Wayland
700 E 9th StAmazing drinks and atmosphere. To-die-for sandwiches served until 4 am, great live music acts Sunday night through Wednesday night, and SUCH nice people working there
Upstate
95 1st Ave.Craft Beer and Oyster bar
Good music and outdoor picnic tables. I recommend going during the week or on the earlier side - gets crowded in the prime hours Thurs- Sat nights
41 locals recommend
Bua
122 St Marks PlGood music and outdoor picnic tables. I recommend going during the week or on the earlier side - gets crowded in the prime hours Thurs- Sat nights
Zum Schneider NYC
107 Loisaida AveGerman-style indoor beer garden
Blind Barber
339 E 10th StInteresting bar hidden in the back of a barber shop
The Library
7 Avenue ABar with cozy library vibe
Nothing too special about this huge bar EXCEPT every board game under the sun! and a living room in the back.
8 locals recommend
Common Ground
206 Avenue ANothing too special about this huge bar EXCEPT every board game under the sun! and a living room in the back.
d.b.a.
41 1st Ave.Fantastic outdoor area and beer list
Cloister Cafe
238 E 9th StFantastic garden - hookah and mediterranean food
Pouring Ribbons
225 Avenue BSerious cocktails!
Booker and Dax
207 2nd AvenueSerious cocktails!
Hidden bar - enter through Crif Dogs hot dog spot and look for the little phone booth on the left
287 locals recommend
Please Don't Tell
113 St Marks PlHidden bar - enter through Crif Dogs hot dog spot and look for the little phone booth on the left
Mayahuel Mariposa
304 East 6th StreetSexy spot, serious cocktails
Essentials
Ost Cafe
Great coffeeshop, beautiful vibe, wifi and newspapers
The Bean
31 3rd Avehip coffee spot, wifi
Good place to be on your computer while having a mediterranean breakfast or lunch. Hippie/ San Francisco vibe
46 locals recommend
B Cup Cafe New York City
212 Avenue BGood place to be on your computer while having a mediterranean breakfast or lunch. Hippie/ San Francisco vibe
Croissanteria
Pretty, uncrowded spot that also serves wine
Everything Else
Big Gay Ice Cream Shop
125 E 7th StOne of NY's most famous ice cream spots!!
Macaron Parlour
Amazing macarons on a block of great dessert options
Butter Lane
123 E 7th StCupcakes made in front of you on a block of great dessert options
Sidewalk
casual spot for unique music acts
Cake Shop NYC
152 Ludlow Streetsmall rock club with cafe
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
620 Manhattan AveJust as the name suggests- a special ice cream spot
Shopping
Really interesting shop - everything sustainable!! - with cute little cafe in the back.
14 locals recommend
Sustainable NYC
139 Avenue AReally interesting shop - everything sustainable!! - with cute little cafe in the back.
An institution of funky, quirky, fun clothes accessories and other wonders
52 locals recommend
Tokio 7
83 E 7th StAn institution of funky, quirky, fun clothes accessories and other wonders
Alphabets
Particularly fun gift shop
Cobblestones
314 E 9th StInteresting vintage boutique
Live Music
Jules Bistro
65 St Marks PlCasual cozy jazz spot
Mercury Lounge
217 E Houston StExcellent live acts
Anyway Cafe
1602 E 2nd StGo back in time or maybe to Europe at this cozy live music cafe
Always interesting acts at their 3-4 different stages / lounges
226 locals recommend
Rockwood Music Hall
196 Allen StAlways interesting acts at their 3-4 different stages / lounges
Pianos
158 Ludlow StVery fun live music
Wine bars
Ruffian
125 E 7th StAmazing little spot for delicious small plates and wine
Grape and Grain
620 E 6th StAmbience, wine, sharable plates
Bibi Wine Bar
211 East 4th StreetMore wine, please!