Gaby's Guide to NYC

 

Before we jump right into my favorite things to do in NYC I must start by saying I'm a California girl through and through, but I LOVE a week in NYC. The energy, the food, the hotels, it's the best! Pre-pandemic I was there once a quarter or so for work and I soaked up every single minute of it. After dozens of trips and copious amounts of research, here are my all time favorite places to eat / drink / stay!

Browse by Area:

Downtown

COFFEE:

• Laughing Man - They've got coffee but go for the tea! | Neighborhood: Tribeca

• The Elk - A cute neighborhood coffee shop. They've got the best matcha and coffee as well as breakfast and lunch. | Neighborhood: West Village

• Happy Bones - COFFEE! One of my favorite places to re-fuel in between meetings! | Neighborhood: SoHo

• Ralph's Coffee - If you're in the Flatiron District and need some caffeine stop here. | Neighborhood: Flatiron District

• La Colombe Coffee Roasters - FUEL! | Neighborhood: All over! See all locations here.

BREAKFAST + BRUNCH:

• Sadelles - If you're looking for things to do in NYC on the weekend, Sadelles is the ultimate spot for brunch or a bagel to-go. | Neighborhood: SoHo

• Clinton St. Bakery - In the mood for pancakes? Come here! | Neighborhood: Lower East Side

• Lafayette - A power breakfast spot with incredible pastries!! | Neighborhood: NoHo

• Balthazar - Just promise me you'll go!! | Neighborhood: SoHo

• Russ and Daughters - Bagels and lox. You've gotta go once for breakfast or brunch. | Neighborhood: Lower East Side

• Jacks Wife Freda - Such an incredible place for brunch!! Grab some friends and go! | Neighborhood: SoHo, West Village, & Chelsea

• La Mercerie - The most fabulous French restaurant. Feels like a slice of Paris in the middle of SoHo. | Neighborhood: SoHo

LUNCH:

• Ruby's Cafe - An Australian cafe that has it all! | Neighborhood: SoHo, Murray Hill, East Village

• Banter - They've got bowls, salads, and sandwiches down pat. | Neighborhood: West Village & Greenwich Village

• ABC Kitchen - Business lunch location 101! Can't be beat! | Neighborhood: Flatiron

• Seamore’s - Go for lunch if you love fresh seafood! It's light and bright and perfect for a quick bite! | Neighborhood: Chelsea, Nolita, & Brookfield Place

• Sant Ambroeus - Another 10/10 business lunch location! | Neighborhood: West Village & Soho

• Bonberi Mart - Plant based salads and snacks for a quick grab and go lunch on busy days. | Neighborhood: West Village

DINNER:

DRINKS + DESSERTS:

• Dominique Ansel Bakery - ONLY worth going if there is no line... but get the chocolate chip cookie. It's truly one of the best I've ever had. | Neighborhood: SoHo

• Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream - The cutest ice cream shop with some of the most unexpected flavors. | Neighborhood: Noho

• Bar Pisellino - A classic Italian bar which serves espresso and aperitivi alongside a few light appetizers and desserts. Grab an apertivo and enjoy it outside at a cute table on the sidewalk. This bar is truly fabulous. | Neighborhood: West Village

STAY:

• Four Seasons Downtown NYC - Best hotel ever. And the room service menu is to die for. And that's saying a lot because who really does room service well? The Four Seasons Downtown NYC... that's who! | Neighborhood: Tribeca

• Crosby Street Hotel - Another one of my favs!! Just good vibes all around. | Neighborhood: SoHo

• The Greenwich Hotel - Nestled into one of my favorite neighborhoods, The Greenwich never disappoints! | Neighborhood: Tribeca

• The Beekman Hotel - If you have to be downtown, this is it!! | Neighborhood: FiDi

• Danji - Really incredible Korean rice bowls right in the middle of mid-town! Perf for a quick lunch! | Neighborhood: Hell's Kitchen - That's all I've got for you for Midtown. I know, it's not a comprehensive list. But let's be honest - midtown isn't a hot spot when it comes to food.

COFFEE:

• Black Press Coffee - A locals spot with some of the best coffee and matcha on a cute block in the UWS. One of the fun things to do in NYC is going on a walk through Central Park and this coffee shop is only a block away. | Neighborhood: Upper West Side

• Plant Shed - A relaxing cafe and floral/plant shop hybrid. Try their Freddo cappuccino, a traditional greek frothed espresso over ice topped with cold frothed milk and sweetened with brown sugar. | Neighborhood: Upper West Side

• 787 Coffee - A cozy Puerto Rican farm to cup coffee shop that grows, processes, and roasts their own coffee. | Neighborhood: Upper East Side

• Ralph's Coffee - A quintessential spot on the Upper East Side. | Neighborhood: Upper East Side

• Alice's Tea Cup - The cutest tea room for an epic tea party! They serve a variety of tea sandwiches and some of the most incredible scones with jam and butter! | Neighborhood: Upper West Side & Upper East Side

• Solid State Coffee - Another local coffee shop! Their homemade chai is everything! | Neighborhood: Upper West Side

BREAKFAST + BRUNCH:

• Orwashers Bakery - One of the best croissants in NYC. | Neighborhood: Upper West Side & Upper East Side

• Maman - A beautiful French cafe serving incredible pastries, coffee, breakfast and lunch. They're famous for their nutty chocolate chip cookies. Thinking about adding the search for the best chocolate chip cookie in the city to my list of things to do in NYC. | Neighborhood: Upper West Side & Upper East Side

• Zuckers - BAGELS! These are some of the best! | Neighborhood: Upper West Side

• H&H Bagels - Getting bagels is pretty much one of the non-negotiable things to do in NYC. | Neighborhood: Upper East Side & Upper West Side

• Absolute Bagels - This is your classic no-frills bagel spot! | Neighborhood: Upper West Side

• Bluestone Lane - Can't go wrong with getting brunch at this Australian cafe. | Neighborhood: Upper West Side & Upper East Side

• Kirsch - The french toast and quiche are to die for. | Neighborhood: Upper West Side

LUNCH:

• Hutch + Waldo - A healthy Australian cafe that serves breakfast and lunch. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. | Neighborhood: Upper East Side

• Daily Provisions - Sandwiches, salads, soups, coffee, and pastries. You'll love this bakery. | Neighborhood: Upper West Side

• Sant Ambroeus - Another wonderful business lunch location! | Neighborhood: Upper East Side

DINNER:

DRINKS + DESSERTS:

• Anita Gelato - Just promise me you'll go. You'll be blown away by their gelato flavors! | Neighborhood: Upper East Side

• Magnolia Bakery - A New York classic famous for their banana pudding and cupcakes. | Neighborhood: Upper West Side

• Vin Sur Vingt - A super cozy wine bar. | Neighborhood: Upper West Side

STAY:

• The Carlyle - ONE OF THE BEST!! Great service, amazing restaurants and bars too! | Neighborhood: Upper East Side

• The Mark - Another incredible option uptown! | Neighborhood: Upper East Side

• 1 Hotel Central Park- Steps from Central Park and 5th Ave, and a short walk to Rockefeller center. | Neighborhood: Central Park South

COFFEE:

• Partner's Coffee - Can't go wrong with Partner's! Maybe even grab a bag of coffee beans while you're here! | Neighborhood: Williamsburg

• Oslo Coffee Roasters - A great Brooklyn coffee roaster! | Neighborhood: Williamsburg

• Butler - They've got amazing coffee, baked goods, breakfast, lunch and everything in between. | Neighborhood: Dumbo

• Neighbors - Located in the lobby of the 1 Hotel this coffee shop is absolutely beautiful. They also serve light bites for breakfast and lunch. | Neighborhood: Dumbo

BREAKFAST + BRUNCH:

• Sunday in Brooklyn - Truly the most incredible spot for brunch! I mean their Sunday Pancakes say it all. | Neighborhood: Williamsburg

• Nick + Sons Bakery - If you're visiting on a Wednesday - Sunday pre-order a croissant you won't be disappointed! | Neighborhood: Williamsburg

LUNCH:

• Hometown BBQ - Brooklyn style barbecue smoked on wood to perfection, plus all the classic sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw, cornbread, potato salad, and pickles. The line gets pretty long so come early. | Neighborhood: Red Hook & Industry City

• 12 Chairs - One of the most incredible restaurants in NYC. It's a no fuss type of place, with amazing food, and a cozy atmosphere. You'll want to order everything on the menu (the areyas are a must if you like lamb.) | Neighborhood: South Williamsburg

DINNER:

• Lilia - The Italian food of my dreams. Aperol Spritz and all the pasta. You can't go wrong with any orders here. It's the definition of perfection. | Neighborhood: Williamsburg

• Misi - Lilia's sister restaurant, and it's equally as amazing! Their menu focuses on handmade pasta and vegetable antipasti. You must order the whipped ricotta toast, it is everything! If you can snag a reservation, this is definitely one of things to do in NYC. | Neighborhood: South Williamsburg

• Laser Wolf - A super chic and relaxed rooftop restaurant with Israeli-style skewered snacks & Manhattan skyline views. The dips and spreads are other worldly. | Neighborhood: Williamsburg

• Roberta's - FAVORITE pizza in Brooklyn. OMG it's so good. | Neighborhood: South Williamsburg & Bushwick

• Tacombi - Come for ALLLL the tacos. Their homemade tortillas are some of the best. | Neighborhood: Fort Greene & Williamsburg

• Sobre Masa - Tacos made from what's truly the homemade tortillas of your dreams! Sobre Masa is also a mission driven restaurant focused on the social and economic impact of corn, partnering with non-profits to ensure a better life for the farmers that dedicate their lives to growing it. | Neighborhood: Bushwick

• Insa - Korean fried chicken and karaoke what more could you ask for. | Neighborhood: Park Slope

DRINKS + DESSERTS:

• The Four Horsemen - Part wine bar part restaurant. Grab a glass or two from their selection of natural wine and a few plates of food. | Neighborhood: Williamsburg

STAY:

• 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge - Located on the waterfront of the Brooklyn Bridge, with views of the Manhattan skyline. | Dumbo

And that's a wrap on my favorite things to do in NYC! If you're looking for more city guides check these out:

• Gaby’s Guide to Los Angeles, CA
• Gaby’s Guide to Maine
• Gaby’s Guide to Santa Ynez (and surrounding areas)
• Gaby’s Guide to Washington DC
• Gaby’s Guide to San Francisco, CA

Did I miss anything? Shout it out in the comments below so I can go give it a try!! There are too many restaurants and not enough days in the week to try them all. But I’m willing to give it a try!