Ultimate NYC Recommendation Guide (from a NYC-obsessed millennial)

Written By Madison Hawkinson

So you’re interested in seeing the real New York?

I’ve been obsessed with NYC for at least 10 years. Working in tech, my career has been magnetized around Silicon Valley. I spent every waking second in Silicon Valley optimizing towards being in NYC, until I finally ended up here 3 years ago from San Francisco. I’ve loved every second, and continue to adore the exploration and adventure that living in NYC brings to my everyday. I’ve also lived in many neighborhoods in NYC including Soho, Tribeca, Greenwich Village, West Village and now Park Slope. Hoping that my sifting through the spots and experiences can inform an amazing time for you in NYC! So drumroll…. here’s my list of favorite spots in NYC:

Tips and Tricks from the locals

  • Do not be afraid of the subway! You can subway 90% of NYC and it is hands down the fastest way to get anywhere. If you default to uber/taxi, you’ll end up sitting in a car in traffic jams or driving an hour when it would’ve been 10 min on the subway. Use google maps - it’s fairly easy to navigate. But be kind to yourself, I’ve been living here for years and still accidentally take the wrong subway sometimes.

  • If you must drive, taxi! Uber is way more expensive. And use Curb, the app that allows you to automatically pair and pay in taxis. So much easier than trying to slide your card or use cash while rushing to get out of the car and other cars are honking.

  • As a default, you should plan to book reservations for almost everything at least a week in advance. There are always some spots you can pop around and get in day-of or without a wait, but that’s an exception to the rule. If you do not have reservations, go to Brooklyn and you’ll have a much better chance.

  • Do not stay in Midtown or upper Manhattan. Please listen to me here. If you are trying to actually see NYC, stay anywhere in lower Manhattan, below ~30th St. Trust me, you will make it up to Midtown for the Broadway show you attend, just don’t stay here.

Best Neighborhoods

  • West Village: Hands down my favorite neighborhood in NYC. If you want the quintessential NYC experience, go to West Village. The most charming brownstone apartments with trees and flowers everywhere, adorable restaurants that are innovative and energizing, and bars and unique shops on every street. I’ve seen the most celebrities in this neighborhood too, not that that’s the best signal (but keep your eyes open). I also love Greenwich Village, which West Village morphs towards.

  • Nolita: Gorgeous, modern and great location. Every time I walk through Nolita, it’s so energizing. To me, this feels like the cleanest area of NYC with modern architecture, but still maintains a NYC vibe. Great restaurants, but not really a going out area in itself. Stands for North of Little Italy (Nolita).

  • Chinatown and Little Italy: Absolutely love these neighborhoods for their authenticity. Both have cobblestone streets and visually are beautiful. Very much worth having a day spent in both neighborhoods. Great location in the center of everything. You need to do your research to find the great, authentic places here. Do not get swindled by the servers standing outside the tourist traps. Also, there are a number of cool speakeasies hidden in these neighborhoods if you find them.

  • Lower East Side: LES is having a moment in NYC right now. It’s extremely edgy, young, and trendy. It’s the Brooklyn of Manhattan. There are really unique and edgy bars and innovative restaurants. A great place to go out!

  • Hudson Yards, Meatpacking and Chelsea: This previously industrial area has had significant development and has a lot to love. Chelsea has fantastic restaurants and bars and it’s a great central location to stay - especially for its proximity to West Village. The high line, which snacks through Chelsea, is a personal favorite as a walking path. Hudson Yards is the newest area of NYC and in my opinion, Hudson Yards is what most people think Midtown should be. Clean and cool skyscrapers, a beautiful modern mall and sweeping views from the Edge.

  • Soho: This is a neighborhood only for shopping. There are minimal bars and restaurants. Coming to NYC without spending a day walking through Soho and seeing beautifully built out shops is a mistake. You can generally find almost any major brand here, from all over the world. There’s something for everyone!

  • Park Slope: This is my favorite neighborhood in Brooklyn, as I liken Park Slope to West Village. There are also large brownstones adorned with trees and flowers and it lines around Prospect Park, which is similar to Central Park. 5th and 7th Avenues have a more European feel with many excellent restaurants, bars, and shops that are always filled with people. They close down streets on the weekend to cars and it’s highly walkable.

  • Gowanus: Such! A! Cool! Neighborhood! Do not write it off. This neighborhood has only recently had investment and used to be entirely industrial. There are tons of breweries here, experience-oriented bars, great views of the city and fun restaurants. Check it out to see “new NYC”!

  • Williamsburg: Although I am not as big a fan of Williamsburg as many of my friends, it is a really unique and fun neighborhood. Again, tons to do here from workout classes to bars to restaurants to shopping. McCarren Park is always packed and it’s a great place to enjoy a Saturday with friends.

Worst Neighborhoods

  • Midtown: Do not stay here. Ever. Really not even worth going to. If you enjoy extremely expensive tacky restaurants and lights, maybe you’ll enjoy being here. But just not worth coming to NYC for. Please listen to my plead - you can do so much better than this.

  • East Village: Don’t come for me, but I am not a fan of East Village. Having spent a lot of time here, I generally find this area to be very fratty and young. If you want to have cheap beers or aren’t looking for a super expensive meal, you may enjoy it here. Generally lower on my list though.

  • Upper East Side: UES has strange vibes and generally feels very quiet and empty. There are some good restaurants though.

  • Hell’s Kitchen: Okay, it’s not a terrible area. There are some cool parts to the neighborhood. But overall it feels very dirty, grungy and I’ve never felt safe here.

  • Alphabet City: I think this entire neighborhood was built in the 80s. Alphabet City has the ugliest buildings in NYC that are monotonous and have little resemblance to the NYC architecture people expect. It’s also far away from any subways and hard to get to.

Restaurants

  • $$ Little Owl: Delicious and picturesque dinner spot. Especially great for date nights or when you just want a great classic dinner. Food is always perfectly cooked.

  • $$$ Pinch Chinese: Amazing modern Chinese and soup dumplings with great energy, fun for a boozy dinner or brunch. Definitely need a reservation.

  • $$ Fish Cheeks: I think this is my favorite restaurant in NYC - super spicy modern Thai food and really fun drinks. No reservations possible, and usually a wait. You can also order Fish Cheeks if you’re in Manhattan.

  • $$ Gottino: Adorable Italian wine bar with great appetizers. Great garden in the back.

  • $$ Jeffrey’s Groceries: Osters and wine at happy hour during the week. Can usually walk in.

  • $$ Buvette: Best French brunch in NYC. Ask about their specials + get coffee! Only go on a week day when line is short (line gets super bad) and you can walk in.

  • $$$ Via Carota: Best Italian ever, but it is a bit expensive. Put your name in early as reservations aren’t possible. You will wait 3-4 hours.

  • $$ City Vineyard: Wine bar on the river with great views.

  • $$ Grand Banks: Oysters and great food on a boat that’s docked in the river! Need a reservation. You don’t go here for the food, you go for the experience.

  • $ Uncle Chop Chop: Small Asian fusion plates and homemade drinks, cute little place and pretty inexpensive for West Village (get the watermelon margarita). Can almost always walk in, great location.

  • $$$$ Jua: Another favorite restaurant. They do a fantastic 8 course tasting menu and pair with cocktails and wine. It’s authentic and modern Korean and they change the menu to be more seasonal.

  • $$ Tea & Sympathy: Really good high tea.

  • $ Los tacos No. 1: Our favorite tacos. Used to be a hidden secret, now it’s picking up in popularity. They are pretty cheap (used to be cheaper). If you go to the one in Chelsea Market, you can walk with your tacos to Los Mariscos (look on Google) through a hidden hallway and sit down and order more fish tacos and frozen margaritas or Coronas. Los Mariscos feels like stepping in to a Mexican seaside sports bar.

  • $$ Berimbau Brazilian: Awesome authentic Brazilian and very cozy. Order caipirinhas and pau de queijo!! Love this place.

  • $$ Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery: Insanely good bakery, super modern take on baked goods, with tons of options from savory to sweet. Skip the well-known bakeries and go here.

  • $$ Minetta Tavern: Been told this is the best burger in NYC, but I haven’t been for years. Great location in Greenwich Village for going out.

  • $$$$ 4 Charles Prime Rib: Impossible to get a reservation. Amazing prime rib, mac and cheese and a number of other classic American dishes.

  • $ Grey Dog: Delicious spot for casual lunch and drinks. You can get pretty healthy options too. I’ve never had to wait for a table here and never regret coming. In the summer, they have frozen drinks like Frosé and Margaritas.

  • $ Sweetgreen: If you don’t know Sweetgreen, you probably don’t live in a major urban area. Very healthy salads and so good every time. I generally get Sweetgreen during every work week lunch and it’s fairly reasonable as NYC prices go.

  • $$ Sugarfish: A fantastic sushi spot - you can either go or order in a bento box. If you go in, you order an omakase which they serve the second it’s prepared. Not sauce/roll focused - much bigger focus on the high quality sushi. Order the sake too!!!! Fairly reasonably priced around $50 for a full omakase.

  • $$ Magic Hour: Rooftop cocktails, probably a wait. A nice rooftop for happy hour.

  • $$ Xixa: Modern Oaxacan restaurant. Chefs tasting menu for $50 with 10+ courses and all so good. Go hungry. Best deconstructed margaritas and desserts.

Things to Do

  • Whitney museum

  • Walk the High Line (look on Google maps)

  • Ice cream at Van Leeuwen (earl grey tea is the best)

  • Golf club at Chelsea pier - can hit balls at the river (there’s a net) and beers - next to city winery

  • Check out Little Island (new walking area with food trucks over the river)

  • Dive bars to go out: red lion or off the wagon

  • Central Park boathouse

  • La Barca cantina is a boat you can ride around the city and eat tacos and drink margaritas - just have to buy a $10 ticket

  • Employees only: secret bar for really good drinks right by us

  • 9/11 memorial and one world trade center observatory

  • Comedy show (can get a reservation online at comedy cellar if you’re lucky or buy them at city winery here: https://citywinery.com/newyork/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=newyork-buy-tickets&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=

Madison Hawkinson
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