The Indy Guide: New York City

From bagels to bistros, enjoy Meg's curated guide to her favorite city!

Photography by Hellen Oliveira @hellencophotos

After two years of savoring every bite New York City has to offer, I’m finally unveiling the list that’s been years in the making—your curated guide to eating your way through Manhattan.

From mouthwatering morning bagels to creative late-night cocktails (and every delicious bite in between), consider this your local look at all the must-visit spots in the city—plus exactly what to order.

Bon appétit! - Meg

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P.S. Keep an eye out for ** next to our all-time favorites & scroll to the very bottom for shopping recs too!

Bagels

• Apollo Bagels** (West Village, East Village) - Everything Bagel with Tomato (enjoy along the Westside Highway)

• Pop Up Bagel’s (Greenwich) - Seasonal Schmears (enjoy at Washington Square Park)

• Brooklyn Bagel (Greenwich) – Jalapeño Cheddar Cream Cheese

• Court Street Bagels (Brooklyn) - B.E.C

• Honorable Mentions – Leon’s Bagels (NoLita), Tompkins Square Bagels (East Village), Bagel Shop (Upper East Side)

My favorite vignette at L’Appartement 4F in Brooklyn

Bakeries

• L’Appartement 4F** (Brooklyn Heights) — Pain Au Chocolat (walk down the street & enjoy along the Brooklyn Heights promenade)

• Librae (Cooper Square) — Espresso Pain Au Chocolat, Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie

• Supermoon Bakehouse (Lower East Side) — Passionfruit Curd Doughnut

• Honorable Mentions — Bakeri (Greenpoint), Bicyclette (Williamsburg), Nick + Sons (Greenpoint)

Breakfast

• Breakfast by Salt’s Cure** (West Village) – Chocolate Chip Griddle Cakes

• Ceremonia Bakeshop (Williamsburg) - Chorizo Breakfast Burrito

• Eggshop (NoLita) - El Capitan Breakfast Burrito

• Golden Diner (Two Bridges) – Honey Butter Pancakes

• Edith’s (West Village) - Iced Cafe Slushie with Tahini

• Honorable Mentions – Buvette (West Village), Gem (NoLita), Little Canal (Dimes Square), Win Son Bakery (Brooklyn)

(Left to Right) Citizens of Soho, Golden Diner, Thai Diner

Brunch spread at K’Far in Brooklyn

Brunch

• K’Far** (Brooklyn) — Chocolate Rugelach, Scallion Feta Boreka, Shakshuka

• La Mercerie** (Soho) — Profiteroles Au Chocolat

• Little Ruby’s** (West Village) — Breakfast Burrito, Crispy Rice Bowl, & the fries!

• Thai Diner** (NoLita) — Egg Sandwich, Thai Tea Babka French Toast

• Shuka (Soho) — Chicken Shawarma, Fried Halloumi

• Chama Mama (Chelsea) — Khinkali, Adjaruli Khachapuri

• ShooShoo (Nolita) — Shook Shooka, Schnitzel Sandwich, Harissa Burger

• Maison Pickle (Upper West Side) — French Dip, Hot Honey Chicken N’ Toast

• Honorable Mentions — Nura (Brooklyn), Dudley’s (East Village), Citizens of Soho (Soho)

(Left to Right) ShooShoo, Little Ruby's, Maison Pickle

Coffees and croissants at Buvette’s in West Village

Coffee

• Elk** (NoLita) — Cinnful Latte, Iced Lavender Matcha

• Cafe Integral (NoLita) — Cortado

• Sant Ambroeus (Soho) — Affogato

• Lost Draft (Soho) — Vanilla Latte

• Honorable Mentions – Do Not Feed Alligators (West Village), Stone Street (NoLita), La Cabra (Soho), Variety Coffee Roasters (Upper East Side)

(Left to Right) The Elk, Lost Draft, Cafe Integral

Chinese

• Deluxe Green Bo** (Chinatown) — Pork soup dumplings, spicy peanut wontons

• Shanghai 21 (Chinatown) — Scallion Pancakes, Crispy Beef

• Joe’s Shanghai — Pork Soup Dumplings

• Xi’an Famous Foods** (Chinatown) — Lamb cumin noodles

• Potluck Club (NoLita) — Salt & Pepper Chicken with Scallion Biscuits

Happy Hour

• Dante**(West Village) — Espresso Martini, Bread Service + Smoked Butter

• Bar Pisellino** (West Village) — Sgroppino, Olives

• The Swan Room at Nine Orchard (Lower Eastside) — Martini Service

• The Wooly (NoLita) — Patio Seating & Oysters On The Half Shell

• Banzarbar at Freemans (Lower Eastside) — whatever the bartender recommends!

• Happiest Hour (All West Village) — best for dancing!

• Honorable Mentions — Spring Lounge (Nolita), The Spaniard, Jeffrey’s Grocery, Palmas, The Garrett, Sip & Guzzle (all West Village), Penrose Bar (Upper East Side)

(Left to Right) Dante, Bar Pisellino

Grab & Go

• Electric Burrito** (East Village) — California Burrito

• All’Antico Vinaio (West Village) — La Toscana on Foccacia

• Rowdy Rooster (East Village) — Fried Chicken Sandwich

• Inday All Day (Soho) — Chicken Tikka Masala 'Pyaaz'

• Gotham Burger (Lower East Side) — Frickles, Gotham Smash

• Bobwhite Counter (East Village) — Chicken Caesar Wrap

• Honorable Mentions — 7th Street Burger, Sushi Counter (West Village), Taco Mahal (West Village)

(Left to Right) Gotham Burger, Electric Burrito

My favorite perch at Epistrophe in Nolita

Italian

• Pistoia** (West Village) — Pappardelle Al Ragú, Gnocchi Alla Rosticciana, Tagliatelle Al Tartufo, Maccheroni Sull’Anatra

• Torrisi**(Nolita) — Tortellini Pomodoro

• Via Carota (West Village) — Cacio E Pepe, Tiramisu + a cappuccino

• Emporio (Nolita) — Tuscan Kale Salad, Spicy Sopresseta Pizza

• Epistrophy (Nolita) — Orecchiette Con Radicchio E Pancetta

• Misi (Brooklyn) – Ricotta Toast

• Lilia (Brooklyn) — Give it all a try!

Indian

• Semma (West Village) — Gunpowder Dosa

• Gupshup** (Gramercy) — Chicken Tikka, Butter Paneer Masala, Mango Lassi

• Honorable Mentions – Malai Market (East Village), Bombay Bistros (West Village)

Japanese

• Tonchin (Brooklyn) — Ramen, Matcha Shaved Ice

• Omakase by Korami (Hells Kitchen) — Tasting Experience

• Raku (East Village) — Chicken Tatsuta-age, Udon

• Honorable Mentions – Mikaku Sushi (Nolita)

Korean

• Thursday Kitchen (East Village ) — Edamame Dumplings

• Mokyo** (East Village) — Lobster Roll, Corn Dumplings

• Nowon** (East Village) — Chopped Cheese Rice Cakes, Cukes, Curry Tots, Legendary Burger

A slice of Joe’s Pizza on the Hudson

Pizza

• Prince Street Pizza (Nolita) — Spicy Spring, Spicy Vodka, The Naughty Pie

• Emporio** (Nolita) — Spicy Sopresseta Pizza

• Mama’s Too (West Village) — Slices & Sandwiches!

• Lucia’s (Soho) — Papa Leone

• L’Antica (West Village ) - any flavor + added buratta

• Rubirosa (Nolita) — Tie Dye Pizza

• Honorable Mentions – Joe’s Pizza (West Village - cash only), L’Industrie (West Village)

(Left to Right) Lucia's, L'Antica, L'Industrie

Thai Tea Babka French Toast at Thai Diner

Thai

• Thai Diner** (Nolita) — Khao Soi, Pad Thai + Fried Chicken, Disco Fries

• Fish Cheeks** (Noho) — Coconut Crab Curry, Crispy Rice Salad

• Wayan** (NoLita) - Lobster Noodles, Chocolate Ganash

• Honorable Mentions — Pig & Khao (Lower Eastside), Soothr (Gramercy)

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Shopping

• Meg (Nolita & Brooklyn) — classic feminine silhouettes, reimagined (say hi to Blu for me!)

• Dauphinette (West Village) — a smorgasbord of fun vintage pieces

• Korres (Nolita) — incredible Greek Skincare (say hi to Shannah for me!)

• The Meadow (Nolita) — wonderful gifts for the home

• Goods for the Study (Nolita) — lovely paper goods

• Clic (Soho) — eclectic finds for the home

• Nickey Kehoe (Greenwich) — stunning home store! a must see! (say hi to Derek for me!)

• Sezane (Nolita) — head to the back of the store for the photobooth :)

• Le Alfre (Chelsea) — gorgeous menswear at a gorgeous price (say hi to Brandon for me!)

• M. Crow (Little Italy) — peculiar in the loveliest of ways, favorite spot to wander and wonder

• Serviette (Nolita) — a visually striking perfume store with notable scents

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The Indy Guide to New York City is an ever-evolving list, thoughtfully curated and constantly refreshed. Be sure to check back in as we continue to add and update recommendations. Happy travels!