Bánh Mì Saigon Bakery
In a city as culturally diverse as it is dense (nearly 40% of New Yorkers were born in other countries), the culinary breadth of what NYC has to offer goes well beyond dim sum, steakhouses, and Little Italy. We’ve got Ecuadorian and Puerto Rican street carts, a Koreatown with everything from barbecue to trendy corn dogs, African and Caribbean food enclaves throughout the five boroughs, as well as a sizable Eastern European population between Greenpoint’s Little’s Warsaw and Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach.
And after a rough two years, the good news is that the subways are once again running 24/7, restaurants are thriving, and from museums to people-watching on the streets, there’s culture overflowing from every corner. The options for entertainment in the city that never sleeps are practically endless, but in this city guide we’ve expertly curated some of the most essential things to eat, do, and see while you’re here.
Whether you lived here throughout the pandemic or are visiting for the first time, this city is all about new beginnings—so bask in the fact that you are in the greatest city in the world, and that a bevy of undiscovered things to go eat, see, and explore always await you.
Open since 1989, Bánh Mì Saigon Bakery’s concise menu gets straight to the point with all of the Vietnamese offerings you could ever want (sans phở). Choose from 13 bánh mì selections including barbecue pork, grilled chicken, and ham & pâté. Each is served with mayo, daikon, pickled carrot, cilantro, cucumber, and hot peppers on a toasted baguette and makes for delicious and portable eating anywhere. A selection of the proteins are also available over vermicelli noodles, and the spot’s must-try summer rolls come with three sizable pieces per order.
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
As one of NYC’s last remaining historic neighborhoods, Chinatown in downtown Manhattan is a gem filled with notable restaurants, shops, and romantic streets unlike anywhere else. Start with a visit to eateries like Hop Kee, Wu’s Wonton King, or Nom Wah Tea Parlor, which is considered to be the city’s first dim sum parlor and located on the famed Doyers Street. Shop for tableware, tea pots, and more at Chinatown’s oldest store founded in 1890, Wing On Wo & Co., before heading to Ting’s for porcelain goods and knick knacks. Treat yourself to dessert at the classic Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, Taipan for breads, or The Little One for kakigōri.
Explore Chinatown
On this sliver of (often overlooked) land in the East River nestled between Queens and Manhattan, the 18-story Graduate Roosevelt Island offers stunning views that are impossible anywhere else in NYC, making for a strong case to stay on the island for a night or weekend. The must-try rooftop spot, Panorama Room, rounds out the hotel experience, but if needed, the city is just a quick tram (or subway) ride away. This stylish hotel has impeccable design details covering every inch of its space and is especially ideal for those looking to enjoy NYC with a bit of breathing room—all the while knowing the five boroughs are accessible at any time.
Graduate Roosevelt
credits
This boutique hospitality brand sparked a hotel renaissance in NYC more than a decade ago when it offered free Wi-Fi inside its stylish lobby with comfortable working areas for limitless chilling. Expect the same ambiance at their recently debuted Ace Hotel Brooklyn, which is located in Boerum Hill and within walking distance to popular neighborhoods such downtown Brooklyn, Fort Greene, Park Slope, and more. The ground-floor restaurant, As You Are, is a must-try with fantastic New American cuisine, and includes a bakery and breakfast service with offerings like a black & white donut and Old Fashioned pancakes.
ace hotel brooklyn
Known for its signature neon-orange escalators, this Lower East Side hotspot from nightlife legend, Ian Schrager, is more than just a cool hotel. In addition to its rooms featuring a minimalist design, the PUBLIC offers a plethora of on-site dining and nightlife experiences that may distract you from exploring all of the great activities in nearby neighborhoods. Get coffee and pastries at Louis, dinner at Peruvian-inspired, Popular, and an evening of dancing at House of X—launched in collaboration with the legendary Brooklyn nightlife venue, House of Yes.
pUBLIC
This boutique hotel in Williamsburg was one of the earliest hospitality brands to establish itself in what’s considered one of Brooklyn’s most stylish neighborhoods. With the building dating back to 1901 and once even operating as a textile factory, the spacious and airy rooms offer an industrial feel in options that range from lofts overlooking the Manhattan skyline to accommodations featuring twin bunk beds. Even with plenty of nearby restaurants and nightlife, the onsite French bistro, Le Crocodile, is definitely worth a visit.
wythe hotel
Located only blocks away from Central Park—and within walking distance of Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and other popular Midtown destinations—the Conrad New York Midtown offers 54 floors of rooms that are all suites. The pet-friendly hotel underwent a complete renovation in 2019 and even has its own signature scent. Choose from accommodations grouped into apartment-style rooms, sky suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, atriums featuring panoramic views, or the penthouse with two floors of opulence and views of Central Park and the Hudson River.
conrad new york midtown
This two-story Italian steakhouse is the latest restaurant from renowned chef and restaurateur Andrew Carmellini. If you’re looking to go big with a decadent meal, head here for steaks, chops, and signature starters like the special pairing of mozzarella sticks and caviar. Eat solo at the ground floor dining room’s gorgeous horseshoe bar or work your way up the grand spiral staircase to the second floor for banquettes and views of the East River. But no matter where you’re planted, prepare yourself for a full-throttle chophouse experience with an array of meat and Italian specialties.
Carne Mare
The original Midwood location of Di Fara opened in 1965 and the Brooklyn slice shop continues to bring in the crowds to remain one of NYC’s most popular food pilgrimages. Expect long lines to watch owner and operator Domenico "Dom" DeMarco slowly snip fresh basil over your pie as he packs it into its box. Using ingredients imported from Italy, the sauce is made with both raw whole peeled tomatoes and cooked tomato puree, and dough prepared the same day for a thin pizza crust that’s considered legendary among many New Yorkers. In addition to the regular, add on toppings like soppressata, wild onions, or the seasonal broccoli rabe. A Lower East Side location at 196 Stanton Street is also now open, but there’s nothing quite like a visit to the OG.
di fara
This charming and award-winning restaurant run by the couple and chef duo Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli celebrates their roots with an Italian-American-inspired menu. With signature dishes like the lasagna for two that’s been an Instagram hit and the debut of their first cookbook, Italian American, the West Village eatery continues to remain one of the most popular (and hardest to book) reservations in town. Additional popular items include the stuffed garlic flatbread, pasta cacciatore, lobster for two with smoked vodka sauce, and desserts like cantaloupe sorbet and black cocoa tiramisu.
Don Angie
Known for its casual atmosphere and especially popular with a stylish young crowd, Golden Diner from chef Sam Yoo offers nostalgic diner classics with an Asian twist. Inspired by nearby Chinatown and located below the picturesque Manhattan Bridge, Golden Diner is great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and if you’re there anytime before 5 pm, be sure to order the honey butter pancakes. Additional must-tries include the Chinatown egg and cheese sando, vegan Caesar salad, the chicken katsu club, and signature Golden Cheeseburger with a mushroom kochujang sauce.
Golden diner
When it comes to soul food in NYC, Sylvia’s is the place to go. Founded in 1962 by Sylvia Woods, a North Carolina native who moved to NYC as a teenger, her eponymous restaurant has remained an uptown epicenter for soul food and Black culture and social life—cementing her status as the legendary “Queen of Soul Food.” Fried chicken, barbecue ribs, mac 'n cheese, cornbread, chicken and waffles (hungry yet?), are just some of the signature items to choose from. The eatery is currently operated by four generations of Woods’ descendants.
Sylvia's
After starting as a pushcart selling herring, more than a century later, family-run Russ & Daughters continues to be a NYC institution for smoked fish, bagels, schmears, and more. For New Yorkers, waking up with a craving for their fish offerings on the weekend means you’ve got to mobilize quickly because there’s a good chance you won’t be the only one. Head to the original shop to buy your goods to-go, or to Russ & Daughters Cafe on Orchard Street that opened in 2014 to mark the brand’s 100th anniversary (famously featured on Broad City), where there’s outdoor seating with a limited takeout-style menu. The full-service indoor restaurant will reopen in early 2022.
RUSS & DAUGHTERS
Located on the top floor of the same building that houses New World Mall and its popular basement food court, this seafood restaurant offers the type of grand dim sum experience that’s becoming harder to come by in NYC. At Royal Queen, go for favorites like shumai, har gow, and pork buns that are available to order in the classic fashion of pointing at what you’d like from the roving food carts radiating steam. The spacious and elegant dining room features gorgeous chandeliers, large round tables to become BFFs with fellow strangers/diners, and a skylight to gawk at the large horse statue near the entrance.
Royal Queen
Thai Diner serves Thai dishes with a mix of diner-inspired classics rooted in chef/owner Ann Redding’s Thai-American background. With no shortage of fun—and very approachable—vibes, this restaurant continues to be one of downtown Manhattan’s most popular eateries, and was even name-dropped in an episode of the recent Gossip Girl reboot. Breakfast items like Thai tea babka French toast with salty condensed milk are served until 5 pm, and for dinner, choose from seafood platters, Thai disco fries smothered in massaman curry, a classic burger with an option to add American cheese, a spicy lobster omelette, and more.
Thai diner
Smashed has been one of NYC’s most exciting recent additions to the local burger scene. The Lower East Side spot specializes in—you guessed right—smashed burgers, and offers thin griddled patties as flavorful as the crispy edge in your favorite regular burger. Selections include vegan options or noteworthy items like The Big Schmacc, chili cheeseburger, or bleu cheese burger. Our favorite is the classic available with single, double, or triple patties with American cheese, griddled onions, pickles, and Smash Sauce on a Martin's potato roll.
Smashed
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Photo by Melissa Hom for Thrillist
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Photo by Melissa Hom for Thrillist
Central Park is a beautiful oasis located in the heart of Manhattan, and like much of NYC, wandering it leads through areas that differ by aesthetic and vibe. From top to bottom, the 843-acre park offers something for everyone year round. At the northern end, visit the Duke Ellington statue, Conservatory Garden, or feel transported outside of the city in the North Woods. At Mid-Park, do a loop around the famed Reservoir or take in the sights of Belvedere Castle. Near the southern end, the Central Park Zoo always delights, as does Wollman Rink and the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument.
Take A Walk in Central Park
If there’s one food crawl to do in Brooklyn, it’s gotta be for the pizza. On top of an extensive list of spectacular choices, a single slice is the perfect amount of sustenance to keep you satiated until your next destination, which can also be worked off from walking between spots or through all those stairs required to go up and down a subway station. Start your journey at newer places like Mo’s General in Greenpoint or Baby Luc’s in Carroll Gardens, before heading toward stalwarts like Roberta’s in Bushwick, L&B Spumoni Gardens in Gravesend, Juliana’s in DUMBO, or Speedy Romeo in Clinton Hill. Curate your own personal itinerary by choosing from any of these worthy pizza joints.
Do a brooklyn pizza crawl
There’s no shortage of entertainment venues in NYC, but truthfully, one of the best tickets in town costs absolutely nothing: people-watching. One of the prime spots to do this is at Washington Square Park in the West Village. Located at the nexus of colleges and a gorgeously historic neighborhood filled with great dining and things to do, since the pandemic, the park has become even more popular with young people as a place to congregate and gather al fresco. From musical performances and dance classes to skateboarders and impromptu art installations, partake in it all or kick back on a bench to watch from afar.
people-watch in washington
square park
The newest destination in the lineup of Brookfield Properties is Manhattan West, a 5.4-million-square-foot destination for shopping, dining, and fun experiences. While NYC isn’t much of a mall town, places like Manhattan West are the closest thing to it and offer plenty to do in a gorgeous and airy space. While there, dine at Ci Siamo for wood-fired grill cooking, catch a show at Midnight Theatre, or even stay for the night at the luxurious Hotel Pendry.
shop and eat at manhattan west
Traveling by water is a New York City pastime, and one of the best ways to do it is while heading to the borough of Staten Island. The Staten Island Ferry departs from Lower Manhattan 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the free 25-minute ride offers spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan skyline, and New York Harbor. Hop on board and before you explore the rest of NYC’s “fifth borough,” head to Empire Outlets located upon arrival at the St. George Terminal for a full day of shopping and fun at the sole outlet shopping destination in town.
Hop on the Staten Island Ferry to check out NYC’s only outlet shopping
People can talk smack about Times Square all they want, but there’s nowhere else that captures the frenetic and exhilarating vibe of the city. Especially since the pandemic, Times Square offers a much needed pop of neon lights and go-go-go energy that’s still being restored in certain parts of NYC. Drop by for a mood-lifting pick-me-up that even the most jaded local might be in need of right now. In small doses, this microcosm of the best city in the world is an absolute must-visit.
bask in times square
To properly experience Harlem’s glory, go on a walking tour of the neighborhood. The 1.4-mile trove located in Upper Manhattan is home to some of the most iconic parks, places of worship, architecture, and landmarks celebrating Black culture in NYC. On the itinerary is the Marcus Garvey Park named for the famed political activist; Swing Low, a bronze memorial dedicated to Harriet Tubman; the Langston Hughes House where the poet laureate and writer once lived; and Masjid Malcolm Shabazz, a mosque where Malcolm X worshipped and organized during the civil rights movement.
go on a harlem walking tour
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Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
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Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Photo by Steve Freihon
Photo courtesy of Ace Hotel Brooklyn
Photo courtesy of PUBLIC
Photo courtesy Wythe Hotel
Photo Courtesy Conrad New York Midtown
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Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
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Copyright Artem Vorobiev/Getty Images
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Photo by Steve Freihon
Photo courtesy of Ace Hotel Brooklyn
Photo courtesy of PUBLIC
Photo courtesy Wythe Hotel
Photo Courtesy Conrad New York Midtown
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
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Long gone are the days of stuffy museums where century-old paintings are studied from afar. Nowadays, museums often play a role as the cool nucleus to many neighborhoods and delight with both the creative artwork they house in addition to the modern aesthetics these cultural destinations were designed with. Check out The New Museum, The Shed, MoMA, Brooklyn Museum, MoMA PS1, The Museum of Natural History, the New York Botanical Garden, The Guggenheim, and The Whitney Museum of American Art.
go museum hopping
Courtesy of The Met
See the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building from above at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, a newly opened 65,000-square-foot, four-level, sky-high transparent glass box experience in Midtown. With a multitude of different rooms and observation areas, at its highest point, it’s 1,200 feet above street level and provides views as far as 80 miles on a clear day. While there, cozy up to the fireplace at Après, a cafe and lounge offering bites and drinks curated by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events.
Gawk at sky-high views atop SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Long gone are the days of stuffy museums where century-old paintings are studied from afar. Nowadays, museums often play a role as the cool nucleus to many neighborhoods and delight with both the creativite artwork they house in addition to the modern aesthetics these cultural destinations were designed with. Check out The New Museum, The Shed, MoMA, Brooklyn Museum, MoMA PS1, The Museum of Natural History, the New York Botanical Garden, The Guggenheim, and The Whitney Museum of American Art.
go museum hopping
Courtesy of The Met
See the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building from above at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, a newly opened 65,000-square-foot, four-level, sky-high transparent glass box experience in Midtown. With a multitude of different rooms and observation areas, at its highest point, it’s 1,200 feet above street level and provides views as far as 80 miles on a clear day. While there, cozy up to the fireplace at Après, a cafe and lounge offering bites and drinks curated by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events.
Gawk at sky-high views atop SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Wherever you go, your phone goes, so you’ll need on-the-go coverage for all your big adventures. Being America’s leader in 5G coverage, T-Mobile has you covered. In fact, T-Mobile has the most interstate highway miles with 5G (92% coverage to be exact). So go where the open road takes you — and be confident you’ll stay connected to what matters most.
See 5G device, coverage, & access details at T-Mobile.com
COURTESY OF: T-MOBILE
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Wherever you go, your phone goes, so you’ll need on-the-go coverage for all your big adventures. Being America’s leader in 5G coverage, T-Mobile has you covered. In fact, T-Mobile has the most interstate highway miles with 5G (92% coverage to be exact). So go where the open road takes you — and be confident you’ll stay connected to what matters most.
See 5G device, coverage, & access details at T-Mobile.com
COURTESY OF: T-MOBILE
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Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist