Kara’s guidebook
Restaurants
Most are in this neighborhood, some are a little further afield. I've eaten at all and recommend them
Under the 'Friend's' building, this is a cute little place serving amazing food. A must!
111 locals recommend
Little Owl
90 Bedford StUnder the 'Friend's' building, this is a cute little place serving amazing food. A must!
Buvette
42 Grove StTiny french restaurant. Amazing breakfasts and better cocktails
French restaurant, good place to hang at the bar or grab a spot in the window and people watch
24 locals recommend
A.O.C. L'aile ou la Cuisse
314 Bleecker StFrench restaurant, good place to hang at the bar or grab a spot in the window and people watch
Lovely little British cafe serving great breakfasts and crunchy fish and chips.
8 locals recommend
Oscar's Place
466 Hudson StLovely little British cafe serving great breakfasts and crunchy fish and chips.
If you like peaking Duck, this spot is a must. Great bar serving yummy cocktails too
9 locals recommend
Decoy
529 Hudson StIf you like peaking Duck, this spot is a must. Great bar serving yummy cocktails too
You have to try a steakhouse while in NY. This is probably the most famous.
61 locals recommend
Keens Steakhouse
72 W 36th StYou have to try a steakhouse while in NY. This is probably the most famous.
That scene where Carrie & Big fall into the pond? Here.
Great food, better scenery. Make a reservation
169 locals recommend
The Loeb Boathouse
East 72nd StreetThat scene where Carrie & Big fall into the pond? Here.
Great food, better scenery. Make a reservation
If you're looking for Authentic Thai, come here! Cute little place in the heart of Soho
68 locals recommend
Uncle Boons
186 Mott StIf you're looking for Authentic Thai, come here! Cute little place in the heart of Soho
Peasant
194 Elizabeth StRustic Italian. Never had a bad meal here
If you're traveling with kids, this is a great spot. Even if you're not, this is a top choice for burgers, brunch and beer
24 locals recommend
Cowgirl
519 Hudson StIf you're traveling with kids, this is a great spot. Even if you're not, this is a top choice for burgers, brunch and beer
The oldest Chinese tea house in the city. Serving great dumplings and Chinese dishes
Get here early as the lines can be long
153 locals recommend
Nom Wah Tea Parlor
13 Doyers StThe oldest Chinese tea house in the city. Serving great dumplings and Chinese dishes
Get here early as the lines can be long
New York is not known for its Mexican food. This place is pretty great! If you're in Union Square, stop here for a burrito bowl and beer.
Flats Fix
28 E 16th StNew York is not known for its Mexican food. This place is pretty great! If you're in Union Square, stop here for a burrito bowl and beer.
The fish is fresh, the rice is slightly warm when it hits the table. The price is reasonable. It's amazing sushi. Open lunch and dinner. You can't make reservations and there is usually a wait. Try to get there at odd times to avoid waiting for an hour like I have
28 locals recommend
SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa
33 E 20th StThe fish is fresh, the rice is slightly warm when it hits the table. The price is reasonable. It's amazing sushi. Open lunch and dinner. You can't make reservations and there is usually a wait. Try to get there at odd times to avoid waiting for an hour like I have
Great healthy food. Right around the corner from the apartment. Small restaurant, they have locations in Chelsea and others. They also deliver.
71 locals recommend
Westville West
210 W 10th StGreat healthy food. Right around the corner from the apartment. Small restaurant, they have locations in Chelsea and others. They also deliver.
Another great steakhouse. With vintage looking red booths, this place looks like it would have been a gangsta hang out if it was around back in the day. Good martinis
29 locals recommend
Strip House
13 E 12th StAnother great steakhouse. With vintage looking red booths, this place looks like it would have been a gangsta hang out if it was around back in the day. Good martinis
Beautiful Italian restaurant. Classy piano bar downstairs, white table clothed restaurant upstairs. Wonderful pastas and entrees. I've taken gluten free folks here and they come away full.
67 locals recommend
Babbo
110 Waverly PlBeautiful Italian restaurant. Classy piano bar downstairs, white table clothed restaurant upstairs. Wonderful pastas and entrees. I've taken gluten free folks here and they come away full.
Hip, bi-level spot featuring Italian-accented New American fare, wine & art featuring boomboxes.
Brunch, lunch & dinner
37 locals recommend
Charlie Bird
5 King StHip, bi-level spot featuring Italian-accented New American fare, wine & art featuring boomboxes.
Brunch, lunch & dinner
Morandi
211 Waverly PlGreat casual Italian spot. Nice bar to hang out and wait for your table
Right around the corner. It's small but packs a punch. Good food, great cocktails, better people watching.
30 locals recommend
Bar Sardine
183 W 10th StRight around the corner. It's small but packs a punch. Good food, great cocktails, better people watching.
Famous cheese shop right down the street. They do cheese and wine classes, have a large cheese shop to fulfill all your needs and there's a restaurant attached.
179 locals recommend
Murray's Cheese Bar
28-30 Jackson AvenueFamous cheese shop right down the street. They do cheese and wine classes, have a large cheese shop to fulfill all your needs and there's a restaurant attached.
A famous local Italian sandwich joint. The sandwiches are big, tasty and in your face. The Italian hero is a great sandwich to start on, also chicken cutlet, meatball, ham and cheese....you can’t go wrong really. Share one with a friend or two. Also a butcher with some nice cuts
23 locals recommend
Faicco’s Italian Specialties
260 Bleecker StA famous local Italian sandwich joint. The sandwiches are big, tasty and in your face. The Italian hero is a great sandwich to start on, also chicken cutlet, meatball, ham and cheese....you can’t go wrong really. Share one with a friend or two. Also a butcher with some nice cuts
Very popular little Australian cafe. If you're craving Aussie coffee or avo toast, this is the place for you. In the warmer months, you can sit outside. It's great people watching.
48 locals recommend
Bluestone Lane Collective Café
55 Greenwich AveVery popular little Australian cafe. If you're craving Aussie coffee or avo toast, this is the place for you. In the warmer months, you can sit outside. It's great people watching.
Things to do...
Touristy & non-touristy things
Local New Yorkers show you New York. What's not to love?
My family have done this, twice.
They are run on a strictly volunteer basis only so book well in advance!
Big Apple Greeter
1 Centre StLocal New Yorkers show you New York. What's not to love?
My family have done this, twice.
They are run on a strictly volunteer basis only so book well in advance!
If you want to see the Statue of Liberty close up, without hoards of tourists on a large ferry - book this now!
Captain Dave takes up to 9 people in his wooden sail boat
I've done this and loved it!
The people I've referred here said it was the best experience they had in NYC.
Tribeca Sailing
225 Liberty StIf you want to see the Statue of Liberty close up, without hoards of tourists on a large ferry - book this now!
Captain Dave takes up to 9 people in his wooden sail boat
I've done this and loved it!
The people I've referred here said it was the best experience they had in NYC.
For me this is the best of the observation towers in NYC.
You get a direct view of Central Park & Empire State Building.
The lines are generally smaller than the Empire State Building. Honestly, do not line up for 3hrs at the Empire State Building.
The views are better at the Rock
423 locals recommend
Top of the Rock
30 Rockefeller PlazaFor me this is the best of the observation towers in NYC.
You get a direct view of Central Park & Empire State Building.
The lines are generally smaller than the Empire State Building. Honestly, do not line up for 3hrs at the Empire State Building.
The views are better at the Rock
Where did Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Michelle Wolf all get their start? At the Comedy Cellar!
I go here quite often, some nights are better than others but you just can't miss an opportunity of going to a comedy club in the Village in NYC.
Book your tickets in advance or prepare to line up on standby.
Tickets range from free to $30 plus a 2 drink minimum. If you don't show, you don't pay.
323 locals recommend
Comedy Cellar
117 MacDougal StWhere did Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Michelle Wolf all get their start? At the Comedy Cellar!
I go here quite often, some nights are better than others but you just can't miss an opportunity of going to a comedy club in the Village in NYC.
Book your tickets in advance or prepare to line up on standby.
Tickets range from free to $30 plus a 2 drink minimum. If you don't show, you don't pay.
Birthplace of the Moonwalk - literally.
Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown, Billie Holiday have all played and some even began their careers here.
In Harlem, get dinner at Red Rooster or Sylvia's before the show
Wednesday is amateur night - highly recommend
893 locals recommend
Apollo Theater
253 W 125th StBirthplace of the Moonwalk - literally.
Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown, Billie Holiday have all played and some even began their careers here.
In Harlem, get dinner at Red Rooster or Sylvia's before the show
Wednesday is amateur night - highly recommend
Local Staples - grocery etc
Grocery
Liquor
Grocery store
They will have everything you need
Milk, bread, soda etc
29 locals recommend
Health & Harmony
470 Hudson StGrocery store
They will have everything you need
Milk, bread, soda etc
Lovely butcher on Hudson St
They make great sandwiches too
HUDSON & CHARLES Local Sustainable Grass Fed Meats
524 Hudson StLovely butcher on Hudson St
They make great sandwiches too
There are plenty of liquor stores nearby
I've always had great service from these guys
They offer 10% off for 3 bottles of wine
Pride Wine & Spirits
98 Christopher StThere are plenty of liquor stores nearby
I've always had great service from these guys
They offer 10% off for 3 bottles of wine
If you need a pharmacy, this is the closest
Same block as the apartment.
Just take a left & left - they're on Hudson St
29 locals recommend
Rite Aid
534 Hudson StIf you need a pharmacy, this is the closest
Same block as the apartment.
Just take a left & left - they're on Hudson St
Bars
New York has an unlimited supply of options to relax, or get yourself into trouble :)
Here's a list of places that I been to or have heard great reviews.
Within 2 hours of first setting foot in New York I was taken to this bar. On that same night, Chris Noth (Big from Sex in the City), walked into the bar and had a drink. At that time (it was a few years ago), you couldn't get more of a New York experience than that.
This bar is the reason I decided to move from Sydney.
Staffed by aspiring or 'retired' Broadway singers, bring your dollar bills and request your favorite song. Show starts from 9pm each day.
It's Upper East Side, but totally worth the cab ride.
36 locals recommend
Brandy's Piano Bar
235 E 84th StWithin 2 hours of first setting foot in New York I was taken to this bar. On that same night, Chris Noth (Big from Sex in the City), walked into the bar and had a drink. At that time (it was a few years ago), you couldn't get more of a New York experience than that.
This bar is the reason I decided to move from Sydney.
Staffed by aspiring or 'retired' Broadway singers, bring your dollar bills and request your favorite song. Show starts from 9pm each day.
It's Upper East Side, but totally worth the cab ride.
Employees Only
510 Hudson StLocal Speakeasy, about a 3min walk from the apartment
Attaboy
134 Eldridge StSpeakeasy Lower East Side
Large speakeasy in Gramercy (about a 10 min cab ride)
You can make reservations here. Highly recommend
59 locals recommend
Dear Irving Gramercy
55 Irving PlLarge speakeasy in Gramercy (about a 10 min cab ride)
You can make reservations here. Highly recommend
The Tippler
425 W 15th StCool underground bar at the Chelsea Markets
Please Don't Tell
113 St Marks PlEnter through a phone booth - super cool
Birthplace of LGBT civil rights movement. Multiple levels, multiple options of fun
79 locals recommend
The Stonewall Inn
53 Christopher StBirthplace of LGBT civil rights movement. Multiple levels, multiple options of fun
Barracuda
275 W 22nd StDrag shows & 90's music. Before you know it, it's 2am you need pizza
About a 5 min stagger from the apartment
Great happy hours, fun bar, jukebox and strong drinks
Lesbian bar
21 locals recommend
Cubby Hole
281 W 12th StAbout a 5 min stagger from the apartment
Great happy hours, fun bar, jukebox and strong drinks
Lesbian bar
If you can't make the trip to Brandy's on the Upper East Side, Duplex is a pretty good alternative. LGBT very friendly piano bar about a 5 min walk from here. On the same street at Stonewall, make a night of it
45 locals recommend
The Duplex
61 Christopher StIf you can't make the trip to Brandy's on the Upper East Side, Duplex is a pretty good alternative. LGBT very friendly piano bar about a 5 min walk from here. On the same street at Stonewall, make a night of it
Order In...
People think New York must be a hard city to live in...not when you can get everything delivered to your door!
If you need cleaning services, i highly recommend Good Earth. Excellent service from people who care
6 locals recommend
The Good Earth Cleaners
6 Bethune StIf you need cleaning services, i highly recommend Good Earth. Excellent service from people who care
Joe's Pizza
7 Carmine StHot, fresh - get the cheese pie like a real New Yorker
Dirty Bird to-go
If you're craving fried chicken, Dirty Bird is your place
Oscar's Place
466 Hudson StHad a big night? Need a reliable breakfast? Oscar's is your place
You gotta have a bagel. Murray's are crunchy, chewy and delicious!
70 locals recommend
Murray's Bagels
500 6th AveYou gotta have a bagel. Murray's are crunchy, chewy and delicious!
Seamless
1065 6th AveDownload the Seamless app to order all types of food
Spas
Day spas
Highly recommend this!
Located at a restored historical building, originally an 1883 textile factory, the AIRE experience consists of an unforgettable journey through sensations across the various baths with water at different temperatures that will transport you to the ancient times of the Roman, Greek and Ottoman traditions.
43 locals recommend
AIRE Ancient Baths New York
88 Franklin StHighly recommend this!
Located at a restored historical building, originally an 1883 textile factory, the AIRE experience consists of an unforgettable journey through sensations across the various baths with water at different temperatures that will transport you to the ancient times of the Roman, Greek and Ottoman traditions.
You can hang out in their pools before and after your massage. Well priced.
21 locals recommend
Great Jones Spa
29 Great Jones StYou can hang out in their pools before and after your massage. Well priced.