New York City Guide
My guide to my favourite places in my favourite city.
Le Sel Rrose
SoHo
BROOKLYN
SEE/ DO/ SHOP
DUMBO
DUMBO (stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is the place to go for great views of Manhattan and New York's beautiful bridges, including the Brooklyn Bridge. From here walk to Brooklyn Heights.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Dumbo
BROOKYLN HEIGHTS
This lovely neighbourhood, just a short walk from DUMBO, is home to elegant multi-million dollar brownstones. Walk down the charming streets named after fruit like Orange Street, Cranberry and Pineapple Street.
Brooklyn Heights
SMORGASBURG
Seasonal outdoor food market open on Saturdays (in Williamsburg) and Sundays (in Brooklyn Bridge Park). Try everything.
East River State Park
90 Kent Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Williamsburg - North Side
BIRD
Beautiful store stocking high end men's and women's labels including Rachel Comey, Ulla Johnson, A.P.C, Isabel Marant Étoile and Dries Von Noten.
203 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Williamsburg & Various Locations
PROSPECT PARK
One of my favourite parks in the city, take blissful strolls or mini hikes through this beautiful expanse. Visit the boathouse on the pond, it's gorgeous.
Brooklyn, NY 11225
Prospect Park
CATBIRD
Discover fine handmade jewellery at this Brooklyn institution.
219 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211, USA
Williamsburg
EAT/ DRINK
HEARTS CAFE
Owned by my close friends, Hearts is the perfect place to stop for a coffee and pastries to-go. They also have delicious vegan treats.
1207 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11221
Bushwick
FIVE LEAVES
The vision of Heath Ledger made a reality by his business partner and family after his death. Come here at any time of the day - for brunch (order the hotcakes), an excellent burger, cocktails and great people watching.
18 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Greenpoint
THE IDES BAR AT WYTHE HOTEL
Enjoy magnificent views of Manhattan from this rooftop bar. A place to go for one expensive drink to enjoy the view and then venture down the road to a dive bar to spend the rest of the night. Note: No need to tip here, this bar is gratuity free.
80 Wythe Ave. at N. 11th Brooklyn, NY 11249
Williamsburg
THE WILLIAMSBURG HOTEL ROOFTOP BAR
Panoramic views of Manhattan.
96 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11249
Williamsburg
JULIETTE
Parisian style eatery with an open-air rooftop is the perfect spot for a bite to eat or cocktail.
Visit their sister restaurant Tartine in Greenwich Village.
135 North 5th Street,
Brooklyn, NY 11249
Williamsburg
BAKERI
Delicious baked goods in this adorable little bakery.
150 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Williamsburg
PIES N' THIGHS
Fried chicken, waffles, catfish sandwiches and pies for dessert. This place is always busy.
166 S. 4th Street (at Driggs)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Williamsburg
MAISON PREMIERE
Enjoy happy hour oysters in a sophisticated New Orleans style bar.
298 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11249
Williamsburg
SUNDAY IN BROOKLYN
A neighbourhood restaurant offering brunch, lunch, dinner, cocktails and Sunday every day of the week. Try their handmade sweet buns.
348 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Williamsburg
DINER
This is one of my favourites! Set in a retro railcar, the skilled waitstaff take you through their daily seasonal menu by writing on the table. It's charming and delicious. Just hope you go when their fried chicken sandwich is on their daily menu.
85 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Williamsburg
FARO
A rustic Italian restaurant serving handmade pasta in a renovated warehouse. It was featured in the New York Magazine, given a Michelan star and now it's nearly impossible to get into. I hear it's worth the wait though.
436 Jefferson St, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Bushwick
ROBERTA'S
Good vibes. Great pizza. Sweet Buns. Need I say anymore? Local tip: Arrive on the earlier side of brunch or dinner to avoid a long wait. Or opt to sit in the beer garden and order from Roberta's takeaway shop next door.
261 Moore St,
Brooklyn NY 11206
Bed-Stuy
JOE'S PIZZA
Cozy corner of a longtime counter-serve pizza.
216 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Williamsburg
Rooftop drinks at the Wythe Hotel
Russ & Daughters
CHELSEA
SEE/ DO / SHOP
HIGHLINE PARK
A revitalised 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park created on a former New York Central Railroad on the west side of Manhattan. Walk early morning or dusk.
SLEEP NO MORE
Utterly unique and insane theatre experience in an abandoned five-storey hotel in Chelsea.
Go and have a drink at Gallow Green Rooftop bar and restaurant afterwards and chat about your experience.
530 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
Chelsea
CHELSEA MARKET
Rustic food and shopping mall in Chelsea next to the Highline.
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Chelsea
CHELSEA GALLERIES
Just a stone throw away from the Highline, the best of New York galleries line Chelsea streets. Make an effort and dress up to visit these swanky galleries.
Chelsea
THE WHITNEY MUSEUM
Newly reopened museum with a focus on 20th- and 21st-century American art. Situated between the High Line and the Hudson River.
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023
Meatpacking District
MARIE'S CRISIS
This landmark piano bar makes for some of the most unexpectedly fun nights. It draws the gays and the musical-theatre lovers with its show tunes.
59 Grove St, New York, NY 10014
West Village
EAT/ DRINK
CITIZENS OF CHELSEA
Great coffee, delicious food and chill vibes sums up this cafe owned by an Aussie friend of mine. Make sure you check this out!
401 W 25th St, New York, NY 10001
Chelsea
PEPE GIALLO
I stumbled across this charming Italian budget-priced eatery and was pleased that I did.
195 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10001
Chelsea
BAR B
A small standing bar inspired by tapas in Spain and Italy. A must-try. Also try their pasta place Basta Pasta.
84 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Chelsea
UNION SQUARE - FLATIRON
SEE/ DO/ SHOP
ABC CARPET & HOME
Six floors of beautiful and unique home decor. Also check out ABC Kitchen and ABC Cocina.
888 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
Union Square, Flatiron
UNION SQ GREEN MARKET
Visit this farmers market for fresh food, bread, vegetables and flowers. Open Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat.
1 Union Sq West, New York, NY 10003
Union Square
EAT/ DRINK
EATALY
The largest Italian marketplace in the world, comprising a variety of restaurants, food and beverage counters, bakery, retail items, and a cooking school. Stop by to pick up some gelato or focaccia.
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010
Flatiron
SHAKE SHACK
Quality fast-food burger joint.
Madison Square Park
E 23rd St & Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010
Flatiron - Multiple Locations
Upper East Side
SEE/ DO/ SHOP / EAT / DRINK
BEMELMANS BAR
Named after Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the classic Madeline children’s books. Bemelman painted the walls of the bar and rather than be paid for his art, he exchanged his work for a year and a half of accommodation at The Carlyle for himself and his family. Enjoy a jazz band here every night of the week except Monday. Come here for a true experience.
35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10075
Upper East Side
GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL
Beautiful ornate train station. Worth the visit.
89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
Midtown East
TOP OF THE ROCK
Observatory on top of Rockefeller Center offering city views. Much better views than Empire State Building - must see for NYC’s skyline.
30 Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10112
Midtown West
THE PLAZA HOTEL FOODCOURT
Delight your senses with this upmarket food court offering everything you could want.
1 W 59th St, New York, NY 10019
Upper East Side
CENTRAL PARK
A 843 acre urban park in the central Manhattan. Go for a picnic out on the Great Lawn, as well as enjoy events and concerts during the summer.
Central Park Conservancy
14 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022
Upper East Side
BERGDORF GOODMAN
High-end designer department store. The Shoe Salon is a must-see.
754 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019, USA
Upper East Side
DUMBO
SoHo
LOWER MANHATTAN
SEE/ DO/ SHOP
SOHO
Standing for "South of Houston Street," SoHo is a hip and fashionable neighbourhood. Walk the cobblestone streets to shop and people watch. Hectic on weekends.
New York, NY 10012
SoHo
STRALA YOGA
Sign up for a casual class with well- known yoga instructor Tara Stiles.
632 Broadway, New York, NY 10012, USA
EAT / DRINK
EGG SHOP
An egg specialist, although the french toast is damn fine.
151 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
Nolita
MOMOFUKU KO
8 Extra Pl, New York, NY 10003
East Village
CAFE HABANA
Great little spot for excellent corn and cuban sandwich.
17 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
Nolita
LE SEL RROSE
Oyster happy hour and lobster rolls in this rustic-chic bar.
1 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002
Lower East Side
JACKS WIFE FREDA
Adorable brunch spot.
Multiple Locations
224 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012
SoHo
LOCANDA VERDE
Lively Italian.
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013
b/t Moore St & Franklin St
TriBeCa
RUSS & DAUGHTERS
This is the new cafe from the legendary deli Russ & Daughters located around the corner on Houston. This retro, full-service restaurant serves delicious Jewish comfort food. One of the best meals I have had in NYC.
127 Orchard Street, New York, New York 10002
Lower East Side
ESTELA
One of my favourite restaurants in New York City. The place to come for a special occasion or just for really really good food. It's a sharing place, try everything. Bookings recommended.
47 E Houston St, New York, NY 10012
NoHo
IPPUDO
Delicious japanese.
Multiple Locations
65 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003
East Village
MIMI CHENG'S DUMPLINGS
Taiwanese dumpling house.
380 Broome St.
(between Mott and Mulberry)
New York, NY 10013
Nolita. Also an East Village location
VINTAGE / CONSIGNMENT STORES
NY VINTAGE
Lots of older gems from blue chip designers, a bit pricey but they have a sale section.
117 W 25th St, New York, NY 10001
Chelsea
COBBLESTONES
Supposedly the ultimate goldmine for vintage.
314 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003
East Village
TOKIO 7
Interesting selection of labels including good Japanese designers as well as Antwerp six, lots of Dries. I found a pristine Christine Dior tuxedo vest here on my last trip.
83 East 7th Street, New York, NY 10003
East Village
LOCAL CLOTHING
A tiny curated gem offering true vintage and random labels. The owner has a keen eye.
328 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003
East Village
WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
A well-known store as stylists pull from them for shoots.A range from designer vintage to historical vintage.
351 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013
SoHo
DIAMONDS AND COLE
Designer consignment store representing brands such as Hermes, Celine, Fendi, Dior, Marni, Prada, Rick Owens, J. Mendel and Saint Laurent.
22 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011
West Village
10 FT. SINGLE BY STELLA DALLAS
Beautifully curated extensive range of vintage from original rock tees to leather boots and Levis jeans.
Pop next door to Stella Dallas Living store for an impeccable selection of clothing, homeware and antiques.
285 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Williamsburg
BEACONS CLOSET
Huge warehouse-style space full of stock from people's wardrobes. Hit and miss here whether you come across gold or not.
Various locations
INA CONSIGNMENT
Extensive designer consignment store offering more current pieces. Three locations, all worth checking out as they will have a different selection.
110 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003
AWOKE VINTAGE
Starting as a little vintage market stall in Perth in 2006. Owner, Elizabeth Power moved from Australia and opened store in Williamsburg, followed by a second location in Greenpoint. Come here to find vintage gems.
132 North 5th Street,
Brooklyn, New York, 11249
Williamsburg
688 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn,
NY, 11222
Greenpoint
OTHER
THE CLOISTERS
Spend an afternoon exploring the museum and gardens located in Fort Tryon Park in the Washington Heights section of Upper Manhattan. Owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Fort Tryon Park
99 Margaret Corbin Dr, New York, NY 10040
Washington Heights
STORM KING
One of the world’s leading sculpture parks.
1 Museum Rd, New Windsor, NY 12553,
Mountainville, New York
DIA: BEACON
This museum features collection of art from the 1960s to the present. It is situated on the banks of the Hudson River in Beacon, New York. The hour long train ride up to Beacon is a beautiful away to see upstate New York.
3 Beekman St, Beacon, NY 12508
Beacon, New York
Empire State of mind
These are just a few of my favourites in New York City! Let me know yours.
Lei xx