NYC GUIDE: food, fitness, things to do & more

Sharing all the details on where I ate, worked out, explored and more while living in New York City! I checked off so many coffee shops and restaurants during my most recent stay - it felt like I was eating my way through the entire city! Our apartment was located in West Village so a majority of my recommendations are around that area since we really tried to walk everywhere we could.

This is a comprehensive list of places I have personally gone to or experienced and can provide my own reviews on! Aside from a few honorable mentions of spots we were dying to try but just didn’t have the time to (these are labeled with **). Large majority of these recommendations are from my most recent visit so they are timely and relevant, but I’ve included a few favorites from previous trips as well!

Whether you’re a New York local or booking an upcoming trip, I hope this guide can help you navigate the city a little better. As a heads up, you MUST make reservations, weeks if not months, in advance especially if you’re looking to go to any of the the “trendy” hot spots (cough cough all Taylor Swift’s local dining spots). Check the restaurants website to see when reservations become available and set your alarm - they get snatched up so quickly. If you’re unable to get a reservation, try going to restaurants as soon as they open and put your name on a waiting or cancellation list. We were able to get into a ton of spots this way too but you just have to be flexible!

I also used the app ResX which was really helpful for last minute reservations and for times we had a reservation booked that we weren’t able to make; you can list your res for someone else to claim so you don’t have to pay the no show fee. Most places have fees if you don’t cancel within a specific window so definitely worth it if you are there for an extended period of time!

Let’s get into it!

Coffee Shops:

First, we need to start with coffee shops because what’s better than a coffee walk in New York City during the fall?! Nada! I would wake up every morning and hop out of bed in excitement to head out on my routine coffee excursion. The city is full of so many local, quaint spots. It’s a fun way to explore the city especially in the early morning before all the madness begins.

Maman - Their coffee is great and they have delicious breakfast options. Also they’re on our best chocolate chip cookie list (see below!). if you live in NYC you get a 15% off locals discount.
Fellini - cute, quick coffee stop in WV. Don’t think the espresso is that great though compared to other places in the village.

Don’t Feed Alligators - love this spot on Bleeker. No computers allowed so don’t plan on working there.
Think coffee - one of the only coffee shops you can actually get work done at. I am obsessed with their almond milk cappuccinos with 1/2 honey graham cracker flavoring.
Elk coffee - one of the best coffee shops in WV. They also have a location in Nolita. Feels very local! Great coffee and to go food.
Ralph’s coffee - Ralph Lauren coffee shop. Very instagram-able and cute!
La Colombe - good coffee. Pretty crowded so more of a grab and go place.
Kobrik - love their coffee here!
Blank Street Coffee - there was one right next to our apartment so I would go here the most often. They have locations all over the city and it’s great if you’re in a rush. They also have the best festive beverages.
Oslo - another WV local spot. No frills coffee shop.
Hungry Ghost - I like their hot coffee here, good if you’re walking down Bleeker street.
The Well - co-working vibe with good coffee.

Dinner

Dinner is hands down the best meal to go out for in New York City. The dinner options are endless, and it felt like a race to get through as many as we could lol but we had some of the best food and dining experiences ever!

Don Angie - YOU MUST GO HERE. Get the lasagna for two, cantaloupe prosciutto dish and the salad. I dream about this meal. I’ve been twice and both times were 100000/10.
L’artusi - cacio e pepe and the ricotta app is delicious. Super hard to get a reservation so try going for brunch!

Lola Taverna - greek food that’s so good. Get the dip trio, and chicken bowl.
Shuka - have been here several times and it is incredible. One of our top favorite restaurants! I get the steak kabob.
Olio e Piu - italian food in a charming, quaint restaurant with lots of plants. Love the atmosphere and food is amazing. Feel like this spot doesn’t get the hype it deserves but it’s such a gem. We got the margarita pizza, chicken piccata and caesar salad.
Dante - love their $10 martini happy hour
Kin Ramen - unreal ramen, so great on a cold fall/winter day. The drink menu is fun too!
Cafe Cluny - love the roasted chicken breast. Also their late night cookies with ice cream.
Little Ruby’s - good for a group and a wide selection of dishes. Great for a more casual spot.

Via Corota - this restaurant is so hyped up (one of TSwift’s favs) so I went in with impossibly high expectations. I really liked the cacio e pepe and chicken but the other dishes we ordered didn’t do it for me!
Quality Meats - upscale steak restaurant in midtown
American Bar - get the peanut chicken salad. I had this on repeat! Also they have the best french fries here.
Laser Wolf - went here for drinks, the vibe is amazing and has a beautiful view of the city.
***To try next time: Bar pitti, LSODI, Au Cheval, 4 Charles, MISI, Ciccio, Lillia, Semma, Babo, Mamo, Bad Roman

Breakfast + Bagels

I primarily ate breakfast at home since it was one of the only meals I really had space to “cook” in my apartment, and it was just nice to eat a quick meal at home. Not to mention way cheaper! There are incredible breakfast and brunch spots though. We did try a few on the weekends and they were all 10/10.

Bubbys - my fav breakfast spot in the city! All of their food is amazing and it feels like an upscale diner vibe.
Buvette - the croque and waffle are delicious. Be prepared to wait in line if you’re in a group. If it’s just you or one other person they will usually seat you quicker.

The Grey Dog - casual, more affordable spot with great food!
Sadelle’s - honestly worth the hype, like it’s popular for a reason. Their bagels and lox are out of this world.

Jack’s Wfe Frida - there is something for everyone here. They are technically a mediterarrean restaurant but have a ton of options. I love the Maya’s breakfast bowl.
Pop Up Bagels - trending all over TikTok and they are delish! Best when eaten warm right when you order. If you go on a weekday afternoon there won’t be a line :)

***Ess a Bagel - honorable mention but didn’t have time to go.
***Salt cure - supposed to have the best pancakes in the city!

Pizza

Johns pizza - best pizza, have to order the entire pie so go hungry.
Made in New York - late night slice in WV. Great for a drunk slice after going out lol.
Joe’s pizza - definitely the most hyped up pizza spot but I honestly love it. It reminds me of Costco pizza in the best way… don’t at me.
Bleeker st pizza - probably my least favorite of the super hyped up popular places, but still good.
**Scarr’s pizza
**Prince st pizza

Lunch

I’m not a huge lunch person - I usually just stick to what’s quick, healthy and convenient which usually consisted of either a Sweetgreen salad or a sandwich and a smoothie so don’t have as many recommendations for you here.

American Bar - get the peanut chicken salad. I had this on repeat! Also they have the best french fries here.
Bonberi - quick grab and go spot in WV.
Fairfax - our favorite hamburger in the city. The bun is crispy. Also love their side salad and tater tots.
Joe and the Juice - I know it seems basic to have this rec on here but I actually am addicted to the Joe’s Club sandwich. I would eat this every other day for lunch!
Faiccos - great local deli on Bleeker street. Love their turkey sandwich. IT’S MASSIVE.
Katz Deli - the famous pastrami sandwich is worth the hype. You can also get it to go! Very $$.

Grab Drinks + Bars

Bar Pissellino - feels like a European bar, love sitting outside here!
Bartusi - love this spot
Little Branch - speakeasy
The Garrett - speakeasy above Five Guys
Nubeluz - best view of the city. Make a reservation a head of time about 30 minutes before sunset! Drinks are $$ but worth it for the view.
***To try next time: Manhatta, Swingers, St Regis in Flatiron, the bar at the Baccarat

Chocolate chip cookies (ranked in order)

Levain - double chocolate chip cookie is INSANE. Thick, soft, gooey and the perfect amount of chocolate chips.
Maman - one of the best cookies in WV.
Culture espresso - thick and a great chocolate chip ratio.
Cafe Cluny - fancier vibe if you want a late night treat, we love their warm chocolate chip cookies with ice cream.
Chip City - really soft and buttery
Magnolia Bakery - their cookies were more on the dry, crunchy side if you’re into that. My least fav cookie we tried but their bread pudding and key lime pie are amazing!

Next time: Funny face bakery

Fitness + Wellness

Dancebody - this class is like no other workout I’ve ever done. My favorite cardio/sculpt workout in NYC!
Humming Puppy - most beautiful yoga studio I’ve ever been to. They have Jay in their locker rooms btw!
Sarah Brooks Pilates - one of the best pilates classes ever. Referral based so book on her website.
Therabody Reset - new location for all your wellness needs!
SLT - effective and efficient reformer pilates
Y7 Hot Yoga - love this studio for a heated, classic flow

Higher Dose - this studio is actually on the 11th floor of a hotel so each sauna is situated in it’s own hotel room. It feels so luxe! There are showers in each room as well so you don’t have to leave all sweaty.
New York Pilates - went here a few years ago and enjoyed it
Equinox - love their pilates fusion and barre classes
Natural Pilates - went here a few years ago and enjoyed it
Barry’s (Chelsea)
Alo Wellness Club