East Village

Mouth-watering Tex-Mex in…New York? That’s correct. The East Village needed Yellow Rose, the brainchild of two Texas transplants serving authentic, impossible-not-to-overorder tacos to every other Texas transplant missing some hometown comfort food. We recommend making a few visits and working your way through the menu. (Note: The breakfast tacos are served on weekends only.) First-timers can’t go wrong with chicken verde tacos and the house-made tortilla chips with salsa. We loved the make-your-own-michelada kit to take home and cannot wait for our next Saturday sip of horchata spiked with cold brew. This spot is a winner.

Originally implemented by doctors to treat patients suffering from arthritis, holistically, cryotherapy is believed to lower anxiety and ease inflammation. During a cryofacial here, an aesthetician whooshes liquid-nitrogen-chilled air over your face to help tighten pores and promote smoother, glowier skin. It feels bracing, in a way that’s enlivening rather than “make it stop,” since the treatment is a speedy fifteen minutes. The exposure to frigid temperatures is said to stimulate the release of inflammation-calming molecules and endorphins. In any case, you saunter out looking and feeling fantastic.  

COVID-19 update: Temporarily closed until the spring. Ravi DeRossi’s collection of vegan restaurants and cocktail bars (Mother of Pearl, Avant Garden, cienfuegos) are all delicious; Ladybird, backed by animal-rights activist/musician Moby, has tons of tapas—hummus crudites, vegan fondues, and veggie toasts. All of the cocktails are packed with vegetables, so they feel a just little bit virtuous. The late-night happy hour re-creates classic bar food from mozzarella sticks and buffalo wings to mac 'n' cheese—all of which are mind-blowingly good.

Nestled in Alphabet City, this cozy herbal apothecary stocks every health-supporting botanical one could dream up, no matter how obscure. The shelves are lined with organic herbs—ones we’ve heard of like ashwagandha and comfrey, as well as ones we haven’t like bladderwrack and bloodroot—gorgeous flower essences, nourishing roots, bath salts, gem elixirs, organic mushrooms, and essential oils.

Part holistic café, part beauty and wellness boutique, The Alchemist’s Kitchen has everything from delicious matcha milkshakes and an array of beautifully health-supporting detox teas to adaptogenic mushroom powders (Sun Potion galore!) elixirs for sweet dreams, the best ghee butter on the planet, and tinctures for every ailment under the sun (menstrual cramps, stress, and more). Founded by three female herbalists, the studio offers workshops and informative panels on herbalism and the healing powers of botanicals, as well as one-on-one consultations with their in-house herbalists. (Bonus: Infrared studio Higher Dose shares the space, occupying the lower level.)

A beautifully outfitted spot for grab-and-go meals, El Rey and its menu live at the intersection of healthy, filling, and delicious. The offering is a tight edit of easy, craving-quenching, nutritious foods like chia pudding and granola, nutty farro salad, spicy chicken bowls topped with zesty yogurt, and flavorful add-ons like pickles, avocado, or eggs. For a caffeinated indulgence try the Mexican mocha, then settle into a window seat for prime people watching while you drink.

While NYC has its fair share of Vietnamese restaurants, what's great about this cozy St. Mark's spot is the mix of inventiveness and authenticity: the pho is extremely rich and layered and served sans the traditional American side of lime, and the spring rolls have an unexpected crunch thanks to fried wonton shells. It's also a great brunch option, if you're looking for something other than traditional breakfast fare—crispy rice crepes, fried eggs, and salmon roe, all of which pair well with a pot of their hot Coconut Oolong.

Our admiration for Lizzie Fortunato runs deep—back to 2008, in fact, when the jewelry designer launched her eponymous line of eclectic, wildly-unique, globally inspired jewelry, which she co-founded with her sister, Kathryn. The duo then extended their vision to Fortune Finds, an online shop that offers a considered assortment of global homewares and art, all of which mirrors their colorful aesthetic and expresses a love for slow-crafted pieces that boast great design and a story. Now through January, Fortune Finds has a physical presence in their East Village pop-up, which the sisters decorated with pieces from their favorite makers including Ash NY furniture and Andrew Neyer light fixtures. Here you'll find brass candlesticks from one of our favorite brands, Skultuna, hand-loomed Portugues rugs (the sisters carried them back from a trip), and framed art, as well as Lizzie Fortunato jewelry and accessories.

Not your run-of-the-mill intuitive, certified herbalist Deganit Nuur uses acupuncture, essential oils, and cupping to open the meridians before every reading, which means that sessions are restorative on multiple levels. Her readings are spot-on—and you might not see it coming. Nuur’s personality is so easygoing and bubbly, it at first feels like you’re settling in for a light chat. But when she starts channeling, it’s ka-pow. These days, it's easier to book Nuur for a virtual session than in-person, but her growing practice of clairvoyants, aptly named Nuurvana, has two locations in NYC (Greenwich and East Village) and one in LA.

As serious côte devotees, we cannot get enough of their relaxing manicures and pedicures, all of which happen inside a space that evokes a clean, non-toxic, lazy-dream beach house vibe.