simon and the whale
gramercy / american / $$
Located in the Freehand Hotel, Simon and the Whale has food that lives up to its well-decorated interior. You won’t want to leave after you finish eating.
menu instagram maps reservations
menu instagram maps reservations
juban
soho / new american / $$$
little park
tribeca / new american / $$$
Located in the Smyth Hotel, Little Park is an elegant and spacious farm-to-table restaurant with a reasonably priced, interesting, and delicious brunch menu.
menu instagram maps reservations
bobo
new american / west village / garden / $$
Nestled on the corner of 10th St and 7th Ave, there is more to Bobo than initially meets the eye.
menu maps instagram reservations
maialino
gramercy park / italian / $$
Come for the cacio e pepe scrambled eggs and lemon ricotta pancakes (these are an absolute must for brunch!) I could eat the homemade jam that comes with the pancakes by itself. One of my favorite brunch places, Maialino is located in a beautiful area just across the street from Gramercy Park. The spacious and well-decorated dining space is very accommodating of large groups and they take reservations for brunch as well. This is the perfect place to bring your parents when they visit. Maialino is also a non-tipping restaurant, making their prices very reasonable for brunch.
menu instagram maps reservations
cafe mogador
various locations / moroccan / $$
This Moroccan restaurant has so many delicious menu items that it’s always hard to order when you’re there.
1803
This New Orleans-inspired restaurant in Tribeca is the perfect balance of well-decorated and delicious.
llama san
I had known about this well-known establishment for awhile, but my desire to check it out intensified after I watched the episode on Padma Lakshmi’s Taste the Nation show on Hulu about chef and owner Erik Ramirez. This restaurant has the misfortune to be located by a subway grate and is on a busy avenue. However, amidst the bustle of cars and the occasional waft from the subway, the ceviche makes it worth it. (Their indoor space is very spacious and well-decorated, if you prefer dining that route.) You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, so go crazy, and make sure you order the ceviche!
menu maps instagram reservations
museums
museum of the city of new york
upper east side / history and art / $$
If you like NYC, you will like this museum. My favorite museum in New York, the Museum of the City of New York is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of NYC. From 5th Ave architecture to street art through the years, this museum will shed some light on crucial parts of the city’s rich cultural past.
boutiques
matta
ma non trappo
modern: anthology
kordel studio
mo:vint
la garconne
bars
chelsea / cocktails / walk-ins only / $$$
This spacious garden situated outside the High Line Hotel is adorned with string lights and is home to a vintage double decker bus.
drinks instagram maps
bathtub gin
chelsea / cocktails / $$$
While you won’t get your Instagram shot in their famous bathtub, you can still enjoy their drinks. Although they don’t have much space, Bathtub Gin has a few sidewalk seats available outside of Stone Street Coffee Company, the outer facade of the bar that previously hid the speakeasy from any undiscerning passerby.
drinks instagram maps
frying pan
chelsea / $
This seasonal bar (open from May - October), is situated on a historical ship.
drinks instagram maps
park slope / beer + wine / $$
This is my favorite bar in the city! Not to be confused with Union Pool in Williamsburg (which is also a fantastic bar but they will be closed until March 2021), Union Hall is a must-visit in Brooklyn (it’s on the border of Gowanus and Park Slope). While the inside of this bar is beautiful - leather couches, dark wood-paneled bookshelves, and there are bocce ball courts, and a downstairs area that is normally used for an array of events like comedy shows, karaoke, and more, their outdoor covid setup is well worth a visit also.
drinks instagram maps reservations
pig beach
gowanus / beer + bbq / $
This fun backyard bar is a great spot for the summer, but thanks to their spacious setup, it is still a fun place to grab drinks in the winter.
drinks instagram maps reservations
east village / $
This unpretentious cocktail bar is a solid option for a date or drinks with friends. The only downside is that they’re cash only. While their outdoor vibes are reminiscent of a laidback, beachy atmosphere, the interior is sultry and dimly lit.
dessert
lollino gelato
chelsea / gelato / $$
Conveniently located an avenue and a half away from my apartment, this gelato place has become my go-to ice cream place. However, location aside, Lollino is objectively the best gelato place in the city. Also, since it is less well known than other creameries and tucked away on 9th ave, Lollino does not have the lines that you typically see at ice cream places in the city.
flavors instagram maps
cafes/bakeries
felix roasting co
murray hill / $$
With three uniquely decorated rooms featuring different colorfully patterned wallpaper, Felix is an extremely Instagrammable and relaxing place to study, grab coffee with someone, or have a light breakfast date.
the frick collection
upper east side / art
There are so many more museums on the Upper East Side to visit than heavy hitters like the Guggenheim and the Met. The Frick Collection is housed in a former mansion on Fifth Ave.
canal street market
food + retail / soho / $$
fashion + jewelry / soho + williamsburg / $$
nolita / clothing, home
A tasteful, minimalist space that started out as an online shop that sold items featured in the Hesperios Journal (an art literary publication), Hesperios features lovingly curated ceramics, clothing, accessories, books, and pantry food items (that are perfect for gifting). A spacious backyard space filled with wooden tables and benches opens out from the back café, providing a quiet and beautiful area to relax in.