New York City Travel Guide
Updated: Jun 8
Some people get inspired as they walk down the concrete labyrinth called Manhattan and watch the sunlight dance from skyscraper to skyscraper; others get anxious at the sight of rats in the subway and the strangely unique scent that can only be found in Washington Square Park. Whichever category you fall in, almost everyone would agree that New York City has no synonym; so if you haven't been, this is your sign to go, and if you have, this is your sign to go back.
I've been putting off writing this for a while because I felt like I'd always be missing something and couldn't possibly be doing this city justice. But everything has to start somewhere, so call this post a work in progress, if you will. With that said, here are some of my favorite things to do in New York City:
Restaurants
Maison Pickle—Their french toast is legendary, but I recently discovered their three-course lunch box that should not be missed! For $21, Maison Pickle offers a soup or salad, an entree (I got the patty melt) and an ice box cake.
Her Name is Han—Located in Koreatown, Her Name is Han is a hole-in-the-wall with, as you probably guessed, amazing Korean food. We loved their dumplings and KFC (Korean Fried Chicken); Plus, they gave us some mini sides to start (tofu, broccoli, potato, etc.).
Take 31—Literally right next door to Her Name is Han, I would say Take 31 is probably a lesser known Korean food staple, but just as (honestly, if not more) amazing. They give you scissors and everything to cut your vegetable pancakes!
Rosemary's—I recommend making a reservation at Rosemary's, especially if you want to enjoy their daily happy hour from 4-6 p.m. You must order one of the focaccia options and, of course, some pasta. It seems like they rotate their dishes throughout the seasons, but I thoroughly enjoyed the linguine with lemon, pickled chili and parmigiano.
Buvette—Located in Greenwich Village, Buvette is a precious (mostly outdoor) French Cafe with yummy brunch options! It's a perfect spot for people watching, and I loved their salmon fume.
Oiji Mi—Oiji Mi is definitely a restaurant for an occasion, but you will not be disappointed by the chef's menu. I mean, anywhere that serves a date-infused bourbon Old Fashioned with tapioca pearl chasers has got to be good, right?
Davelle—Located in the lower east side, with no reservations and often a line, Davelle is worth the trek and the wait. I have never had a more eclectic, delicious and affordable meal in NYC. This is a new favorite, hands down.
Ci Siamo—I feel like every time I'm in NYC there's 5 new Italian restaurant everyone's talking about so I try to always hit at least one of them. Near Hudson Yards, Ci Siamo is tucked away, off the beaten path. The food was amazing, but the show stopper for me was my drink: the moveable feast, which had tequila, mezcal, bell pepper and calabrian chili amaro—super savory, super amazing.
Randolph Beer—Randolph's is located in DUMBO, but it's still in a convenient location! Plus, they have a bottomless brunch option on the weekends—for $45 you can get an entree + endless mimosas, bloody mary's, brunch punch and/or select beer! Last time I was there, they had an awesome banana grilled cheese, but all the food options seemed great.
BLT Steak—My mom & I were in desperate need of a snack, but weren't quite ready for dinner yet, and the popovers (bread) from BLT Steak were exactly what we needed. They're also know for their steaks, but we just sat at the bar for bread + a drink and were not disappointed!
Ess-a-Bagel + Hot Jumbo Bagel—You can't go wrong with a bagel most places in New York City, but if you're on the East side of Manhattan, you certainly won't be disappointed with Ess-a-Bagel or Hot Jumbo Bagel. Prepare for a line for Ess-a-Bagel!
Cacio e Pepe—The place is called Cacio e Pepe, so naturally, you have to order cacio e pepe. They spin the pasta in a wheel of pecorino cheese right in front of you, so you know it's good, but truthfully, my favorite dish was the impepata di cozze con crostone all’aglio (the mussel dish). We also got the porchetta con fichi, rucola e provolone, which was amazing!
SERRA by Birreria—Located on the rooftop of EATLY in the flatiron district, Serra by Birreria is the perfect spot to enjoy a bottle of wine and a nice cheese board. The roof is covered so whether it's cold or rainy, this is still a great spot to stop at!