Arturo's Coal Oven Pizza

Want a New York City pizza experience to remember? Order a coal-oven baked pie at Arturo’s and enjoy the kitschy vibe of the restaurant, along with a fantastic bar and live jazz. This Greenwich Village staple has been around for over 60 years.

• Web:

  www.arturoscoaloven.com

• Address:

  106 W Houston Street, New York

• Phone:

  +1 212 677 3820

• Opening hours:

  Daily 5pm–11pm

Atomix

Atomix is a Korean restaurant offering a creative 10-course chef’s tasting menu in a refined, minimalist setting. Each dish highlights regional flavors and is served with attention to detail, often accompanied by a short note explaining its inspiration. The horseshoe-shaped counter puts diners close to the kitchen, letting you watch the chefs at work.

• Web:

  www.atomixnyc.com

• Address:

  104 E 30th Street, New York

• Opening hours:

  Daily 5:30pm–11pm

Chinatown

Chinatown is one of New York’s best bets for food. In this traditional and colorful neighborhood, you'll find hundreds of places packed into a few blocks, so the best approach is to wander and follow the crowds or the smell of fresh dumplings. Try a classic banquet hall for dim sum, grab a quick bowl of noodles at a small counter, or stop by a bakery for sweet buns and bubble tea. The secret is to come hungry and not rush it.

• Address:

  Chinatown, New York

Emma's Torch

Emma’s Torch serves seasonal American food with global influences, all prepared by chefs in training through its culinary program for refugees and asylees. The menu changes often and there's a garden seating when the weather’s nice. Eating at Emma's Torch feels good in every sense, not only you get to enjoy a tasty meal but you also get to help New York's community.

• Web:

  www.emmastorch.org

• E-mail:

  info@emmastorch.org

• Address:

  345 Smith Street, Brooklyn, New York

• Phone:

  +1 718 243 1222

Grand Central Oyster Bar

Grand Central Oyster Bar sits beneath the iconic vaulted arches of Grand Central Terminal, where the rush of commuters forms a constant backdrop. The menu focuses on fresh seafood, with raw oysters, pan roasts, and chowders as staples. You can grab a seat at the bar for a more social experience or settle into the dining room to watch the terminal’s bustling energy while enjoying your meal.

• Web:

  www.oysterbarny.com

• Address:

  89 E 42nd Street, New York

• Phone:

  +1 212 490 6650

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 11:30am–9:30pm, Sat & Sun closed

• More info:

  Inside Grand Central Terminal

Indochine

Indochine is a SoHo staple serving French-Vietnamese dishes in a setting of low light, palm fronds, and vintage 1980s flair. The menu includes classics like crab-stuffed avocado and lemongrass chicken, with a daily pre-theater option for those heading to nearby shows.

• Web:

  www.indochinenyc.com

• Address:

  430 Lafayette Street, New York

• Phone:

  +1 212 505 5111

Avant Gardner

Step into the pulsating heart of New York City's nightlife at Avant Gardner, a sprawling indoor-outdoor events complex nestled in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Formerly a warehouse turned rave haven, Avant Gardner hosts some of the most renowned DJs and electronic dance music artists. From the open-air Brooklyn Mirage during the summer months to the year-round allure of the Great Hall and Kings Hall, this music venue leaves nothing to be desired.

• Web:

  www.avant-gardner.com

• Address:

  140 Stewart Avenue, New York

• Phone:

  +1 347 987 3146

Brooklyn Brewery

Brooklyn Brewery helped kickstart the borough’s craft beer scene and still draws a steady crowd to its Williamsburg taproom. The lineup usually includes house favorites like Local 1 and several seasonal or experimental brews. Weekend tours are short, free, and a fun way to see where it all started before grabbing a pint in the tasting room.

• Web:

  www.brooklynbrewery.com

• Address:

  79 N 11th Street, New York

Elsewhere

Elsewhere is a colossal live music venue in Brooklyn that has been a cornerstone of New York City's nightlife for years. Split into three main rooms (and during the summer, The Rooftop), Elsewhere offers an eclectic array of music and atmospheres to suit every taste; from intimate sets by underground DJs to electrifying performances by A-listers. Remember to secure your ticket in advance through their website and Instagram page.

• Web:

  www.elsewhere.club

• Address:

  599 Johnson Avenue, Brooklyn, New York

SOB’s

SOB’s, aka "Sounds of Brazil," is a live music venue in SoHo that aims to introduce guests to (and supply old-timers with ever-increasing servings of) music other than tired pop hits, which ranges from hip-hop to Brazilian, Caribbean, Haitian, and Latin music, as well as tunes from all across the world.

• Web:

  https://sobs.com

• Address:

  204 Varick St, New York

• Phone:

  +1 212 243 4940

The Bowery Ballroom

The Bowery Ballroom is a historic venue in the Lower East Side that hosts a mix of up-and-coming bands and established acts. The space is intimate, so you feel closer to the stage than in a typical arena, and the balcony offers a great view if you want to step back.

• Web:

  https://mercuryeastpresents.com/boweryballroom

• Address:

  6 Delancey Street, New York

• Phone:

  +1 212 260 4700

The DL

The DL is a three-story venue on the Lower East Side with a restaurant on the ground floor, a lounge on the second, and a rooftop bar with skyline views on top. The rooftop has a retractable roof, so it works even if the weather isn’t perfect, and the crowd tends to pick up in the evenings and on weekends. Dress neat and plan ahead if you want a spot on the rooftop.

• Web:

  www.thedl-nyc.com

• Address:

  95 Delancey Street, New York

• Phone:

  +1 332 296 2805

2nd Ave Deli

2nd Ave Deli is a classic New York institution serving traditional Jewish comfort food with no shortcuts. Try the matzo ball soup that locals swear by, grab a corned beef or pastrami sandwich, and finish with a slice of rugelach or a black-and-white cookie. It’s the kind of place where the portions are generous and the flavors taste like they’ve been perfected over generations.

• Web:

  https://2ndavedeli.com

• Address:

  162 E 33rd Street, New York

• Phone:

  +1 212 689 9000

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–8pm

Abraço Espresso

Abraço Espresso is a small East Village counter-serve café known for strong espresso and pastries made from fresh, local ingredients. The olive oil cake is a favorite, and the rest of the pastry menu is just as carefully curated. The café is tiny and can get crowded, especially in the morning, so plan for a short wait if you’re stopping by for breakfast or a midday snack.

• Web:

  www.abraconyc.com

• E-mail:

  info@abraconyc.com

• Address:

  81 East 7th Street, New York

Caffe Reggio

Founded in 1927 by Domenico Parisi, the first to introduce Italian cappuccino to America, Caffe Reggio is the oldest and most historic café in New York. You can still see the original machine after you enter from the bright green facade. Pastries like sfogliatelle and cannoli can be coupled with your cup of coffee, while you enjoy the paintings that decorate the walls, one of them made by an artist of the school of Caravaggio.

• Address:

  119 Macdougal Street, New York

• Phone:

  +1 212 475 9557

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu 9am–3am, Fri & Sat 9am–4am

Junior's Restaurant & Bakery

Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery is a classic Brooklyn diner‑bakery best known for its thick, creamy New York‑style cheesecake made on a sponge‑cake crust. Go ahead and grab a slice (or maybe two) and see what all the fuss is about.

• Web:

  www.juniorscheesecake.com

• Address:

  386 Flatbush Avenue Ext, Brooklyn, NY

• Phone:

  +1 718 852 5257

Katz’s Deli

Katz’s Deli has been slicing up thick, hand-carved pastrami on the Lower East Side since 1888, making it one of New York’s oldest and most iconic delis. Stop by for a pastrami sandwich stacked so high it barely fits in your hands, grab a pickle on the side, and soak in the old-school chaos that makes this place a true New York experience.

• Web:

  https://katzsdelicatessen.com

• Address:

  205 E Houston Street, New York

• Phone:

  +1 212 254 2246

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu 8am–11pm, Fri 8am–11:30pm, Sat open 24 hours, Sun midnight–11pm

Little Italy

Little Italy still holds pockets of old‑school Italian flavor, even as Chinatown has expanded into much of the neighborhood. Mulberry and Mott Streets have several cafés where you can grab a smooth espresso, a fresh cannoli, and take a short break while soaking in the street’s Italian character.

• Web:

  www.littleitalynyc.com

• Address:

  Little Italy, New York