New York.
I lived here for two short but very great years. It was chaotic, but in the best way possible. There is truly no other place on the planet like New York. I used to find myself wandering around random city blocks just kind of listening to the sounds of the city. And sometimes I'd stop and be like how do that many people fit on this island? Between Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the other burrows you can find anything you'd imagine here. What I love the most about this city is that you can wake up and be whoever you want and there will be someone there to match your energy.
64 spots
Midtown · Bar / Restaurant
I've been here a few times and I absolutely love it. The ambiance is incredible and they have the best Chocolate Espresso martinis I've ever had in my life. The drinks are more "dessert" like so it's a good place to go after you've eaten. Never have tried any of the food. Ask to be seated in the trolley if you can.
East Village · Bar / Restaurant
This place is way better than Nobu by a mile, and you won't get as many "influencer" type people coming through here. The down stairs area is more laid back.
SoHo · Bar / Restaurant
Good luck getting a reservation here but if you happen to get one definitely go. I dined alone here quite a bit after my SoHo shopping trips. I think the quality of the food is worth the price tag, and it's right in the heart of Soho so during the summer on the sidewalks - people watching gold.
NoMad · Bar / Restaurant
There are other locations throughout the city. Best thing on the menu is the Spicy Kimchi Noodles. The drink - the Volstead.
East Village · Cafe
Super cute cafe where the other half is a "dog cafe" you can go in there and just sit and there will be dogs running around
East Village · Bar / Restaurant
Alright, I love this place mainly for the take-out but they do have a very quaint indoor eating area that you can sit at. Super great pricing and the food is EXCELLENT.
West Village · Market
Accidentally stumbled upon this place when I was frantically trying to make it to Central Park for a picnic. Great selection of gourmet cheeses and meats.
East Village
Way back when I first visited NYC I came to this place. Quite literally in a barbershop and is very small and they let you BYOB. Super cool experience and the tickets were super cheap. Saw Hannah Brenner.
Tribeca
They do a Cincinnati night - enough said. Every month, last Monday of the month. Warning, they do jack up the prices an outrageous amount.
Flat Iron
This is my favorite Equinox that I've visited in the city. I did not have an Equinox membership when I lived in New York, but I had one in Los Angeles, so when I would fly back to visit, I frequented a few different locations. I love the multi-level layout of this one, and it's on the larger side. I also think it's one of the newer locations so it has that "polished" feel to it.
If you are a Friends fan it's a must. It is kind of "gimmickey" but it is super cool to walk through the sets.
Williamsburg
More of a general area I recommend visiting, especially in warmer months. So many cool boutiques and thrift stores up and down this street.
Flat Iron
Not quite Harry Potter World, but still a good Harry Potter fix. You can order Butter Beer ;)
NoMad · Bar / Restaurant
This is actually a California-native restaurant - but it is SO good. So if you don't live on the West Coast, check it out when you're in NYC. They don't take reservations and you wait in line until it's your turn. I usually do 3-4 hand rolls. My one complaint about all of them - why is it so dark?
West Village · Bar / Restaurant
So I am a Ruby's stan - I love Ruby's. This is a chain, however, a good one at that. I have never had a bad thing on the menu. This must have just recently opened I saw it last time I was there. This has more of a bar/hang-out vibe than just brunch. Go scout it out for me!
Carroll Gardens · Cafe
Absolutely LOVE this place. This is the place to go if you want to have a chill work or reading day. The owner has a sister location in the East Village that I also frequent. Highly recommend for a cute, quaint spot to hangout and I frequently see larger groups meeting here as well. I recommend getting here early if you want a good spot at the bar.
East Village · Attraction
Alright so I'm listing this as an "attraciton" because it's a truly underrated experience. You can take the Ferry from Stuysvant Cove down to FiDi and get absolutely great views of the city. Drops you at wall street and you can walk over to Seaport
Upper West Side
Okay I could spend hours in here. If you are a museum person I highly recommend checking this out, especially if you get a day with bad weather.
Oscar Wilde
MustNoMad · Bar / Restaurant
Such a cool place. The inside is like Alice & Wonderland themed and the drinks are incredible. Highly recommend going for more of an "experience" - I'd imagine this place also fills up at night.
SoHo
This is definitely one of the best Italian restaurants I dined at in the city. I ordered one of their seasonal autumn dishes, but had a bit of everyone else's, and wow oh wow.
East Village · Bar / Restaurant
This place is so fantastic and it by far my favorite restaurant in the whole city. I come here every single time I'm back in Manhattan. And when I lived in the city it was a frequent spot. It's such an intimate setting and is so good for catching up with friends. And it's location is great so you can go out after in the area. First of all, the vibe. Immaculate. Especially around Christmas, they decorate it all cozy (try to get seated downstairs). This is a tapas place, but they're like mid-sized tapas if that makes sense- like not the tapas you get pissed at when they come out because they're so small. Geuinely is some of the most flavorful food you will try.
Lower East Side · Cafe
This is definitely my favorite coffee in the city (and quite possibly the country?). The way they roast and serve the coffee is super innovative. I will say it's pretty pricey and the portion isn't large - but it is so good.
Seaport
I have not personally been to this spot yet because it opened recently but have been meaning to go.
East Village · Bar / Restaurant
Where to start on Ruby's. I think I've been here like 50 times. It's just so solid and you really can't miss.
Attraction
Okay this one is super fun - I went on a date here and actually had the best time of my life. It's super educational and you learn some cool facts and also get to compete.
Union Square · Comedy Club
Cool comedy club in Union Square. They have some pretty big names / up-and-coming people come through here.
Up Thai
MustUpper East Side · Bar / Restaurant
I literally love this place and try to go there each time I'm back in the city. For one thing, the food is astounding, but the service is also top-tier. I can't remember a time I've been there and my food didn't come out within 10 minutes. Highly recommend trying their desserts.
Win Son
MustWilliamsburg · Bar / Restaurant
This has to be one of the top meals I've eaten in my life from the presentation to the flavor. They also have a sister restaurant across the street that's more of a cafe / bakery.
bb.q Chicken
MustK-Town · Bar / Restaurant
Now why on earth am I putting this on here - because it's so good and like $12. They also do have a full restaurant downstairs but honestly the upstairs is a way better deal. I always get the Teriyaki rice bowl.
SoHo
I thought this place was so fun overall. The concept is great, food is pretty good. However, I find it to be less Italian and more of an experience. You get to watch them make your pasta and can sample different pastas.
Bar / Restaurant
The only reason I'm putting this place on here is for the ambience. I would recommend going here for drinks - the dinner was overpriced and small portions. The ambience is truly incredible.
Greenwich Village · Bar / Restaurant
Pretty solid "chain". Honestly a lot of the chain restaurants in NYC slap. This is a pretty decent Parisian French restaurant
Nothing extremely special but it's a staple in this part of the village to go watch sports and hang out at. There's a connected bar on the other side I can't remember the name of.
Bar / Restaurant
This spot is extremely posh. Not sure that it's worth the price tag but it is gorgeous on the inside
West Village · Bar / Restaurant
This place is always popping on the weekends. This is a place you go if you want it to be loud and you really want to be in the thick of it.
Attraction
So touristy, but definitely an iconic place and one can't deny how awesome it in structurally. What you can do if you're taking the subway at all is plan your route to pass through there.
Union Square · Bar / Restaurant
Yes, Drake's Il Mulino. It was actually pretty decent.
Bar / Restaurant
Only went here once before I fled the city, but it was such a cool vibe. Right by Target.
Bar / Restaurant
This is definitely more of a place for group dining and celebrations, but boy oh boy was it fun. People standing on chairs, owners serenading you - highly recommend. The food was served family style.
Greenwich Village
Here's the thing. This place is a chain - but I think it's pretty solid. I've actually only been to the East Village one, but curious to see what the Greenwich Village one is like.
Tribeca
Here's the thing about Serafina, it's a chain, and not all of them are created equal. The one in Tribeca is my favorite - I would go here after getting lasered.
West Village · Bar / Restaurant
Super cute French spot - specifically South of France. There's another location in Greenwhich but I prefer this locations outdoor seating in the summer.
FiDi · Bar / Restaurant
This is actually more of an "area" but people go out day drinking here a lot. May be a bit of a younger crowd depending on the weekend.
SoHo · Bar / Restaurant
I would not recommend this diner for breakfast personally - mainly because I am picky about what I eat for breakfast. However, totally recommend coming here for dinner.
Midtown · Bar / Restaurant
There's a lot of these throughout the city, but if you're passing through and want to people watch the one in Flat Iron is for sure the best one.
Bar / Restaurant
When I first moved to NYC at around 24, I loved this spot. It was a great place for happy hour in the warmer months because you can sit outside, and everything is reasonably priced. I can't say I would go back and visit this place in my older age.
I do not like this location at all. It's fine if you live close to it I guess, but it's a smaller location and extremely crowded.