New York City: a city guide
Ah, New York...the city that never sleeps, the Big Apple, the place where dreams are made...I've always felt somewhat at home in this city despite never having lived here. New York is obviously wildly different to London, but as someone who was born and raised in a busy metropolis, and loves the pace of a buzzing capital, there's a kind of kinship I feel with New Yorkers and their hometown. Like London, the city is constantly evolving, and whenever I revisit, I'm always torn between revisiting places I loved from previous trips, or trying all of the new spots in town. Below I've recapped some of my favourite places to eat and sleep from my most recent trip...the list is by no means exhaustive (for a city like NYC, it never will be...)
To stay:
Followers of my Instagram will know that I’m a longtime fan of The Hoxton brand, and their hotel in Williamsburg is a great base to make your own if you’re looking to spend some time exploring Brooklyn. Situated on Wythe Avenue, you’ll be steps away from some of the neighbourhood’s best shops and restaurants - although the hotel has two in-house dining concepts that are worth trying if you’d rather not leave the premises. With an open-house lobby space (where freelancers gather every day), coffee counter serving Israeli-style pastries, and a rooftop with far-reaching views across the Manhattan skyline, it’s easy to see why some guests choose to stay here all day. The rooms are cosy and ooze a contemporary, laidback luxe in signature Hoxton style.
To eat:
Serving tasty sandwiches in several locations across the city, Daily Provisions is also your go-to spot for freshly made crullers (old-fashioned doughnuts) in a variety of daily-changing flavours…lemon and poppyseed, or pumpkin spice, anyone?
Possibly my favourite coffee shop in the entirety of the city (bold statement, I know), La Cabra is a Danish transplant based in the East Village. Serving specialty coffee and delicious pastries baked at their onsite bakery, this neighbourhood spot is buzzing every day of the week (expect to queue for those fresh cardamom buns - it’s 100% worth it, though).
One of my favourite dinner spots in NYC, Nami Nori serves delicious sushi at their slick restaurants in the West Village and Williamsburg - specifically, tasty temaki hand rolls which are freshly prepared on the spot. Grab a seat by the counter, where you can watch the chefs roll these one by one.
New York City’s most famous cookie spot, Levain Bakery is renowned for their dense, fudgy, and intensely indulgent cookies - each generously studded with chocolate chips and baked fresh every day. The hardest part is choosing between their best-selling chocolate chip and walnut or double chocolate…
With several spots across the city, Butler is your go-to spot for good coffee, homemade cakes, and a selection of breakfast items such as avocado toast and tasty sandwiches. Expect chic interiors and a laidback atmosphere - their SoHo branch on Lafayette Street is a firm favourite for freelancers looking for a cafe to work from.
This new dining concept located on the ground floor of The Hoxton is an Israeli-inspired restaurant serving breakfast through to dinner. Dishes on the menu range from Jerusalem bagels to small plates such as homemade challah bread with labneh butter and halloumi baclava (a revelation!).
A Middle Eastern-inspired bakery located in the East Village, you can expect freshly baked pastries such as flakey rosewater and pistachio croissants, and za’atar labneh morning buns on the counter here, along with perfectly poured flat whites.
This design-led cafe in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Greenpoint is a quietly minimal space that seems to be a firm favourite among the trendy locals. Far chicer than your average coffee shop, Rhythm Zero is filled with interesting design pieces such as elegantly framed oil paintings lining the walls, and the odd sculpture or two, almost making it feel like you’re sipping coffee inside a cool art gallery.
This spacious, open-kitchen dining spot in Williamsburg is your go-to place for fresh and simple (but ridiculously tasty) plates of pasta. Watch the chefs cook in front of you as you dine on linguine swimming in anchovy and garlic sauce, or tortelli stuffed with spinach and mascarpone. I definitely recommend booking a table in advance, but if you get there early, you may be lucky with a walk-in.
One of my favourite places to grab a quick, affordable lunch or dinner, Los Tacos No 1 has a few locations around the city, all offering authentic, tasty Mexican tacos. Expect tacos made fresh and fast on the spot, and eaten just as quickly at one of the standing counters - there’s no messing around here! The atmosphere here might seem a bit rushed and chaotic, but that’s all part of the charm…
This laidback, hole-in-the-wall bar located in Williamsburg is very much a ‘vibe’. The walls are stacked with wine bottles, and guests are invited to walk in and find a spot at the large wooden bar, where the bartenders will pour you a drink of whatever you fancy. You can also nibble on cheese and charcuterie boards while sipping your wine - this is a great spot to grab a drink before dinner in the neighbourhood.
Situated in Nolita, La Esquina is perhaps one of NYC’s most famous storefronts, beckoning diners inside with its vibrant neon sign. Dine on tasty Mexican fare (expect fresh ceviche, crispy tostadas and flavourful tacos) in a buzzy, laidback space.
A cosy, rustic pizza restaurant with two locations in Clinton Hill and West Village, Emily serves delightfully thin, wood-fired pizzas with delicious toppings (pistachio, honey, and truffle pizza, anyone?). Their ‘Emmy’ burger served on a pretzel bun has also been lauded as ‘NYC’s best burger’, although I haven’t yet tried it myself.
And more great places, all with multiple locations across the city: Maman, Partners Coffee, and La Colombe for reliable coffee shops across the city, Tacombi for tasty and affordable Mexican tacos, Doughnut Plant for artisan doughnuts in a range of interesting flavour combinations, Black Seed Bagels for bagel sandwiches, and Morgensten’s Finest Ice Cream for freshly churned ice cream in delicious flavours
Have you ever been to any of these places? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
