Korin

New hot spots seem to open in Lower Manhattan every week, and the Beekman (a block from City Hall and a few minutes’ walk from Battery Park) was one of the biggest. Designed by Martin Brudnizki—whose latest work includes London’s exclusive club Annabel’s and restaurant the Ivy—the redbrick building dates back to the 1880s. It feels like something from a British period film—with rugs over terra-cotta-tiled floors, tasseled velvet club chairs, wrought-iron balustrades, and dark, wood-paneled walls. Le Gratin, the hotel’s restaurant, is by Daniel Boulud and is a destination in its own right, serving classic, expertly made Lyonnais dishes.

This Thompson Street hotel has a lot more personality than you’ll generally otherwise find in the Financial District, as it’s funnily-enough, inspired by an Aspen country house (and more specifically, it's designed by Jim Walrod). The lobby feels a bit like a ski lodge, there’s really good art on the walls, and the beds are topped with tartan blankets. Though its location is a little out of the way if you’re not planning on spending a majority of your time downtown, it’s not that deep into the Financial District and its rates are good for the quality.

The hotel offers a wonderfully secluded and private stay, while the on-site restaurant, Locanda Verde, is one of our favorite Tribeca haunts. Subtly Mediterranean in vibe, the simply decorated rooms here are cozy and airy, plus there's an incredible Shibui spa, a pool and steam room, and a pretty courtyard that's the perfect destination when you just want coffee and the morning paper. The real crown jewel though, is the Penthouse Suite. Axel Vervoodt spent two years renovating it, and the end result is absolutely stunning: In his signature way, there's stone and wood accents, rough-luxe textured walls, wooden floors, and chic simplicity throughout.

If you've ever had a meal South of Canal Street, chances are that Peter Poulakakos was involved. He owns the popular Harry's Bar & Restaurant, and also this quietly delicious pizzeria, which has been around for years. The pies are straightforward in execution (i.e., wood-fired), generously sized and topped, and reliably great. There's also an ample array of salads and antipasto on the menu, as well as Italian classics like eggplant parm. On warmer nights you can sit out on the cobblestone street.

This dressed-up restaurant has all the elements of an old-school Mad Men-style steakhouse: Oysters, tick; an excellent Caesar Salad, tick; crabcakes and shrimp cocktails, tick. And of course, if it's steak you’re after, this is one of the best places in town to get it, with all the classic options for dressing it up, from Bearnaise sauce to an egg on top. The private space is moodily-lit.

This sleek (and tiny) foodie destination in Tribeca has only 18 seats, meaning that reservations are hard to come by. If you manage to snag one, you're in for a pretty great experience. The modern multi-course prix fixe menu (expect ingredients like birch sap or moss) is served opposite an open kitchen, which is fascinating to watch.

When the beloved owner behind Mercer Street’s Honmura An moved back to Japan, and closed his restaurant in Soho, many a foodie’s heart was broken. But the Japanese food at Azabu might be just as exquisite. The restaurant specializes in small places and sushi, including delicious uni handrolls and spicy tuna maki.

Balthazar and Minetta Tavern alums Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson got together and decided to do a French brasserie. Get the brouillade (buttery, garlicky scrambled egg and escargot)—technically it’s an hors d’oeuvre, but who cares? This could easily stand in as an entrée (especially with a side of charred carrots with labneh). And while ordering roast chicken might seem like a cop-out from some of the less pronounceable items on the menu, Frenchette’s is perfectly roasted and presented on a bed of croutons that soak up all the drippings, along with a little pot of puréed potatoes. The biodynamic wine list is a departure from the usual for French spots—and a very welcome one.

Both popular and low-key, this Southern Italian spot offers the sort of classics—gnocchi, carbonara, baked branzino, plenty of pizzas—that you always want, along with some regional specialties from Calabria and Sila that make it a little exciting, too.

Despite the Chinese characters on the awning outside, stepping through the olive green French doors at Kiki's on tiny Division Street, near the border of Chinatown and LES, sort of feels like you're walking into a taverna in Greece. The vibe is part local, part cool, all fun; and the food—from grilled octopus to Greek salad, tzatziki, and Melitzanosalata (eggplant mash)—is simply done and very good.

Interior design firm Roman and Williams’s expansive retail space in SoHo, Guild, is home to three things: a furniture and homeware showroom, an art gallery, and La Mercerie, chef Marie Aude-Rose’s picture-perfect French café and the real reason to come here. Aude-Rose excels at creating food you want to take time savoring, and the egg dishes are especially wonderful—highlights include a soft-boiled egg with cauliflower and tofu cream and an expertly made cheese omelet. The crème brûlée puts all other crème brûlées over the world to shame.

This 30,000 square-foot French-style food hall offers a bustling market divided into different “districts" (from a café and an ice cream shop to an ample salad-and-prepared-food spot), as well as multiple restaurants. There’s Le Bar, which as its name suggests is best for a glass of wine and shared plates, and then the gigantic Liberty Bistro, with standard bistro fare and a view of the water.

The best seat here is actually in the courtyard—shielded by palms, you feel truly removed from the city. The Italian food is hearty, comforting, and reliably great whether you come for breakfast or a big dinner with friends. Their private dining room is surprisingly spacious (it can hold up to 60 seated guests), but a warm stone fireplace keeps things cozy.

The candlelit room filled with wooden farmhouse tables and exposed bricks is the perfect setting for Iron Chef winner Marc Forgione's delicious comfort food, from filet mignon to blackened chicken.

Tucked away at the northern end of the Seaport, this old-school steakhouse is one of Manhattan’s main rivals for Brooklyn’s Peter Luger, which is just across the bridge. (Plus, MarkJoseph takes credit cards.) If you don’t love or eat meat it still has its appeal: Namely there's creamed spinach, wedge salad, perfectly whipped potatoes, and asparagus.

This small and cozy offshoot from the East Village original is exactly where you want to go when you want to dive into a hearty plate of no-fuss pasta. They don’t skimp on portions, nor do they skimp on wine pours, and it’s all really well-priced.

Michael Chow made his name in the London and Hollywood art and music worlds before opening in New York on East 57th Street in 1979, where his restaurant quickly became one of the city’s main touchstones for the art world. Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, David Bowie, Madonna, and John Lennon were just a few of the restaurant’s faithful patrons (watch Julian Schnabel’s Basquiat to get a sense of the scene). To this day, a meal at Mr Chow's isn't about the food: It's about the tuxedo and white glove service and the fun, party vibe. The outpost in Tribeca is just as beautiful and scene-y—an Andy Warhol portrait of Chow in the dining room sets the tone.

Quiet and unassuming, this long-standing institution has one of the friendlier sushi chef staffs in downtown—there’s also plenty of bar seating. While there’s always something interesting on the daily sushi menu, we think they really shine when it comes to the cooked dishes and soba noodle salads. There’s also an outpost in Brooklyn and a bakery down the street.

This award-winning bar is incredibly well-executed to feel like a 19th-century Irish pub that’s been subtly turned on its head. (For one, the mixologists are some of the world’s best.) On the ground-floor, you’ll find a classic, though impeccably-designed taproom with bottled punch, whiskeys, and craft beers (along with a hearty menu of sandwiches and pies); Upstairs, it gets a little bit fancier as they make historically accurate cocktails from the 19th-century in a lounge-like room. The food menu upstairs is actually the same, with offerings like sausage rolls, oysters, and burgers.

From June through October, this oyster bar aboard the historic Sherman Zwicker schooner docks at Pier 25 in Tribeca. Under yellow and white stripe canopies, servers in appropriately nautical outfits distribute casual sea-side fare and cocktails from the built-in bar. During weekend days, it’s a fun lobster roll destination with kids, and in the evenings, thanks to a solid list of schooner-themed cocktails and oysters and small plates, it’s a pretty great night out. While the location is a bit remote, it’s still conveniently close to downtown—plus, how cool is it to eat on the water?

At first glance, this looks like a laid-back bar with a good cocktail list; but the major appeal, here, is that on Sundays, they bring in Maryland Blue Crabs. These are served alongside nicer bar food than you'd expect, like truffle fries and a homemade burger.

This long, dark bar on a lonesome corner in Tribeca is handsome, yet non-descript, which is what you want when the sole intent of the night is to grab some drinks with friends. You can generally always get a small table or seat at the bar, and there are darts in the back. This isn't fancy (no craft cocktails in sight), so swing by when you want something basic or a beer.

This cool little hole-in-the-wall bar in Tribeca is delightful for a quick, quiet drink (or two), and a delicious seafood dinner if you can nab a seat. There are oysters and clams on the menu, as well as an excellent brioche bun burger.

Terroir is the kind of bar where even wine connoisseurs might learn something new. And on the flip side, if you've always found wine intimidating, the incredibly knowledgeable staff are more than happy to make recommendations and teach you everything they know. Their wine menu is vast, as as is the meat-heavy small bites menu.

This is one of Tribeca’s most history-laden taverns, with the pressed tin ceilings and sagging floors to prove it. The menu is a bit random—hummus, cowboy chili, chicken tenders—but most people really come for a cocktail and a seat at the wonderfully worn-in bar.

This is the second outpost of the Prospect Heights bar, loved for its great music and relaxed vibe.

The hand-rolled, wood-fired bagel sandwiches at Black Seed are actually easy to eat (they’re much smaller than their brethren), and for the most part, they’re great—particularly for those times when the only thing that will satisfy is a bagel sandwich. Favorites include: beet-cured gravlax, a basic tuna salad, Tobiko spread, and the egg salad (though it’s heavy on the dill). There’s now a location in the Financial District and East Village, in addition to the Nolita original.

On a good day, Chambers Street Wines has around 2,000 bottles wedged onto its many shelves and crates, and all of them are available for delivery. In a city packed with excellent wine purveyors, Chambers Street stands out for its dedication to organic, small-production wines and unusual champagnes (yes, there’s a whole world of champagne out there beyond the five or six labels we’re so accustomed to paying top dollar for). Chambers has compiled a slew of what it calls “sampler cases” of wine running the gamut: pét-nat (naturally sparkling), skin-contact (orange wine), red, white, and natural (biodynamic). You can try a case of six or twelve wines of the same type but from different regions and producers to note the variations and nuances of terroir.

Co-owned by two brothers from San Francisco—who were dismayed by the dearth of good Mexican spots in NYC—the emphasis here is on the basics: Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and burrito bowls. The ingredients are fresh and local, and the flavorings are equal parts subdued and complex. This spot is popular: There's practically one in every neighborhood.

If you're meeting friends here keep in mind that there are actually two Kaffe Landskap's in Tribeca, just a handful of blocks from each other on the north and south ends of the neighborhood. If they're looking to own an area, they've certainly done it, as it's the best spot south of Canal for an almond milk latte (or fresh juice).

Years ago, Hugh Jackman and his wife, Deborah-Lee Furness traveled to Ethiopia and met a coffee farmer named Dukale, who was growing incredible beans in an effort to support his family. In 2011, Jackman started the Laughing Man Foundation, to help farmers find a market for their beans in America, which you can sample at his Tribeca coffee shop. Not only do 100% of the profits support the foundation, but they make an excellent Flat White, too.

The sandwiches, soups, and salads here are mighty: While the offerings change daily, you can always count on a pretty delicious (and hearty) turkey sandwich, or a chopped salad packed with everything you could ever want. There's also a location in Soho.

At first glance, you’ll notice the tiny European car parked in the middle of this little shop in the old-world-like Pasanella & Sons. But you’ll really be sold by the 400-odd wines on offer, from better-known vineyards to little known European labels—there’s also a great array of accessories, like gorgeous crystal and antique corkscrews. Beyond selling bottles, they do fun area events, like tastings in the garden out back and sunset drinks on the deck of the schooner Pioneer, parked in the Seaport nearby.

With an endless array of choices—all delicious, and made with environmentally friendly, non-GMO, and organic produce where possible—Tin Building is the hot spot for just about everything: a gourmet market, music, and events. And it's perfect for satisfying a group of picky visitors. Start your morning off with a saffron golden milk from T Cafe and a brunch burger from Double Yolk. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with the California dates and little gem lettuce dressed with creamy sesame peppercorn and kosho marinated cucumbers from Seeds + Weeds.

Come here for classic, hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels: And all the relevant toppings, from super-thick cream cheese variations, to smoked lox, to a pretty great egg salad (and an egg sandwich, for mornings when nothing else will do). There’s room to sit quickly, though most people don’t linger (although they do serve La Colombe coffee). It’s also a great option for catering.

Studio Giancarlo Valle outfitted Hotel Esencia, Soho Townhouse, and some of Manhattan’s coolest lofts. This is their showroom, where you can check out their signature furniture IRL: carved-cedar credenzas, sinuate sconces, and geometric seating that doesn’t sacrifice on plushness.

Bode admirers waited seven years for designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla to introduce a women’s line, and it’s every bit as good as people hoped for, with thrift-inspired jackets, gauzy dresses, and playful accessories (like a handbag shaped like a fish, and a belt studded with multicolor rhinestones). This location is dedicated to Bode womenswear; you’ll find their iconic menswear, shoes, and one-of-a-kind pieces in separate spaces on the Lower East Side.

Officially part of the South Street Seaport Museum, this is a wonderful, old-world print shop, which actually holds the title of being New York City’s oldest operating business under the same name (Robert Bowne started it in 1775). The 19th-century letter presses are still on-site, and you can buy cards that are still made in the shop today.

At this design co-operative, designers like Flat Vernacular, Fort Standard, and Meg Callahan co-exist in beautiful vignettes scattered throughout the space. It’s founder Jean Lin who has a special knack for the whole mix, giving high-design furniture, textiles, and accessories a home-like context.

The only thing better than Cos Bar's famously vast offering of makeup, fragrance, bath, and beauty products is the exceptional customer service provided by the knowledgeable, genuinely nice beauty consultants, which is exactly how founder Lily Garfield envisioned it back in 1976 when she opened the original Aspen outpost.

The broad cobblestone streets between Bowery and Lafayette are a fitting entryway to the charm of deVOL. Founded in 1989 by two design graduates from Loughborough University, the English countryside–charactered kitchen interiors duo expanded across the pond back in 2019. This showroom boasts four awe-inspiring kitchen setups filled with dreamy cabinets adorned with handcrafted hardware and fixtures, Italian marble sinks, and an intoxicating scent of wild fig and grape. Almost all items are handmade in their Leicestershire workshops. If you can manage to pull yourself away from the dreamy kitchens, the basement is a wonderland of perfectly curated vintage furniture, antiques, and brocante.

Double Knot boasts a collection of tribal rugs, antique carpets, kilims, and other textiles from a diverse array of regions: Turkey, Iran, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Morocco. If in town, you can check out their gallery in Tribeca, which is open to the public.

At La Garçonne, founder Kris Kim curates for the design-minded minimalist—always elegant, never boring. Here, you’ll discover soft longline coats (and matching trousers) from Loulou Studio, bubble-shaped rattan bags from Sacai, glittery ballet flats from Dries Van Noten, and much more.

Gallerists Penny Pilkington and Wendy Olsoff have been ahead of their time since they opened PPOW in the early ’80s, and they’ve stood by artists who otherwise might not have gotten their shot: Betty Tompkins, Martin Wong, David Wojnarowicz, Nancy Spero, and Carrie Mae Weems all showed here early in their careers. The gallery remains forward-thinking, hosting visionary artists whose work interrogates gender, race, sexuality, and inequality.

Technically, Quarters is a gallery space for Brooklyn-based lighting studio In Common With. They host installations—of their own work, and that of visiting artists. But it feels nothing like a gallery, and more like visiting extremely chic friends in their extremely chic apartment. Grab a drink at the bar, then wander through immaculately designed bedrooms, lush living spaces, and a dream of a kitchen. If you fall in love with that lamp, or that table, or that painting on the wall, go ahead and mention it to one of the associates: Everything in the space is for sale.

The Class by Taryn Toomey is a music-driven, somatic workout designed to regulate the nervous system and release pent-up energy. Sessions move through a grounding warm-up, repetitive sequences, breathwork, and a vocal release—yelling, shaking, letting go—before concluding with a calming reset. It’s equal parts physical workout and emotional catharsis. Come with an open mind; you'll leave feeling noticeably lighter mentally.

This longtime Pilates mainstay in NYC is known for its deeply individualized, almost clinical approach. Founded by former professional dancer Erika Bloom, the studio focuses on alignment, strength, and overall health through highly tailored private or duet-based sessions (no group classes). The Erika Bloom Method blends classical Pilates with somatic practices like Feldenkrais, often addressing posture, injury, or long-term imbalances. What sets it apart is its curated Wellness Collective—a coordinated group of movement, bodywork, and healing experts—which allows clients to integrate different modalities seamlessly. To book, email a practitioner directly or reach out to studio@erikabloom.com.

For exceptional skincare at an accessible price point, head to this facial spa (there are six locations in Manhattan). With a membership option, flexible scheduling, and a staff of New York State-accredited and licensed estheticians on hand, Heyday manages to make it easier and, most importantly, more convenient than many luxury facial spas to stop in for a last-minute tune-up.

This intimate, humble spot bestows all the support and expertise you need for a safe and empowering workout during pregnancy or postpartum. Using body weight, functional movements, and some resistance equipment, your private sessions are guided by pre- and postnatal fitness experts that pay special attention to your unique needs during this time: incontinence, pelvic floor strength, general aches and pains, and even emotional support. Though it’s a three-month course, just one class will leave you feeling totally strong and revitalized.

The concept here is similar to a Korean spa, with one entrance fee covering multiple tubs, baths, steams, and treatments. The execution is more Italian in style. And it’s a ferry ride (included in your fee) away on Governors Island. There are outdoor pools, epic massages, beautiful steams and saunas, and even food and cocktails, all from an Italian spa brand with locations around the world. Go with friends, family, or your SO—an incredibly memorable way to spend a day (or half of one).

Hidden on the top floor of a charming building in Tribeca (the elevator opens directly into an airy, high-ceilinged, all-white oasis), this sleek studio is where Raquel Medina-Cleghorn’s roster of famous clients go for sculpting, high-tech, skin-reviving facials and body treatments. Medina-Cleghorn employs ultrasound, intra oral massage, microchanneling, LED photobiomodulation, and more to bring skin to life. She herself is a calming presence, and when you walk out of a session, the difference in your skin is noticeable.

Ricari Studios is where the New York fashion set goes for lymphatic drainage—it’s known for having one of the most effective treatments in the city for reducing bloating, sculpting, and resetting your system. Treatments use specialized Italian Icoone technology to stimulate lymphatic flow, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation—which is especially great post-travel or post-event.

It’s always an effort to sit up after a massage, but it’s nearly impossible to wrench yourself off the table after one of the transporting treatments at the onsen-modeled oasis that is The Greenwich Hotel’s Shibui Spa in Tribeca. The Japanese aesthetic—lanterns softly illuminate the heated pool in the main lounge area and embellish the treatment rooms, low-slung day beds, guests padding around in the best-looking Japanese Yukata robes—sets a tranquil, removed mood that’s instantly anxiety-dissolving. Prepare to be smoothed down in replenishing botanical oils that leave your skin a thousand times glowier than you’ve ever seen it. During the Drunken Lotus massage, essential oils are worked over every inch of your body, then tired muscles are stoked back to life as they’re enveloped in hot, sake-soaked towels. The seasonal aromatherapy bath soaks are over-the-top and can be added on to any treatment—think you (or you plus your better half, if you opt for the couples soak), in a tub, steeping in healing ginger-infused waters.

This is not your regular neighborhood mani/pedi joint. Set up above the bustle of the Financial District, the low-key space is outfitted with mid-century modern antiques (you won't find any oversized massage chairs) and the technicians are incredibly well-trained.

No goop wellness list would be complete without Tracy Anderson—Gwyneth’s longtime friend and trusted trainer. Opened in 2009, her Tribeca studio brings the world-renowned Tracy Anderson Method (TAM) to life through signature classes like muscular design,  dance cardio, and multitask Band (featuring her proprietary Iso-Kinetic Band System), along with private training. The space spans three levels, with signature Super G floors, private training rooms, women's locker rooms, and a retail area. As with all Tracy Anderson studios, classrooms are kept at controlled heat and humidity, meant to support performance and results.

Models flock to the Tribeca studio of facialist Eileen Feighny della Faille, who’s made a name for herself with skin-clearing, Korean-style facials. A session with Feighny della Faille lasts a full two hours and involves a detoxifying, grounding, pampering, skin-rehabbing sequence of extractions, aromatherapy, radiofrequency, ice therapy, customized herbal masks, LED light, and more. If you can’t get in to see her—she’s often has a wait list—follow her best skin tip: Give yourself a face massage as often as you can. “Face massage is so important,” she says. “Massage your products in at every step in your routine, for lymphatic drainage, stimulating skin, and giving that energized, healthy glow.”

Imagination Playground, designed by David Rockwell, is one of the city's most deluxe parks for little ones, with an enormous sand-pit, Rockwell's own system of big blue blocks for kids, and plenty of water and sprinklers. It goes without saying, but you'll want to pack a change of clothes since they can't resist getting wet.

Located in the northern-most area of Battery Park City with direct views of the Hudson, this is one of the best parks in the city, with several play structures for different age groups, a water area, and a sand pit. Kids can also climb and interact with the playful Tom Otterness sculptures installed throughout the park.

Granted, this stretch is as touristy as it gets, but it’s a great day’s outing with kids. Skip the shops, and head to the South Street Seaport Museum, where you get to climb aboard several historic ships, including the Pioneer, an authentic 19th-century schooner which hosts rides from May through October. (Don't miss Bowne & Co., an old-world print shop, which is attached to the South Street Seaport Museum.)

Roberta's splashy little sister, which lives in a sleek warehouse right on the restaurant's grounds, is where chef Carlo Mierarchi gets to flex his culinary muscles. He serves a tasting menu of varied origins: The meal might kick off with Omakase-style Japanese appetizers, followed by pasta, and then an excellent cut of lamb or beef. There are only 12 seats, which face a massive open kitchen—while it’s a steep $195 a seat, the food is fantastic, the vibe is great, and it’s a wonderful experience. Reservations are a must.

This Peking Duck-dedicated spot—tucked away in a converted laundromat beneath RedFarm—has the sort of exquisite Chinese food that you’d expect from Ed Schoenfeld and Joe Ng. While the Peking Duck was excellent (you have to reserve one in advance), we were most blown away by the uni noodle and octopus salad and the crab fried rice.

A meal here is a total, resolutely vegetarian, treat. This Michelin-starred, Art Deco-esque restaurant is also an investment, both in time and money. But it’s absolutely worth it, as the kitchen, under the direction of chef Daniel Humm, sends forth molecular gastronomy-inflected dishes that are pristine and precise. On the tasting menu, you’ll choose the main ingredient—the rest is up to the kitchen, meaning that each dish is a wonderful surprise.

We were thrilled when Igancio Mattos (formerly of Chez Panisse, Il Buco, and Isa) opened this spot on East Houston (he now has Café Altro Paradiso nearby on Spring Street). The dishes are of a Mediterranean slant, and while they’re unfamiliar and unexpected, he never sacrifices taste or pleasure for innovation. There are many swoon moments on the menu: egg salad on matzo, raw scallops with yuzu, beef tartare with sunchoke, and ricotta dumplings. It’s a small spot with rustic accents that never threaten to overshadow the food. It can get quite loud, and tables can be hard to come by, but if you can get one, go.

This development in the formerly sleepy and overlooked West 40's gathers some of the city's top food purveyors like Petee's Pies Company, dell'anima, and La Palapa under one roof, with a stand and bar-seating at each.

Jungsik will take any preconceived ideas about traditional Korean food and squash them. Case in point: Chef Jung Sik Yim’s version of Bibimbap is crafted from foie gras and fresh black truffles, while meat and seafood gets the molecular gastronomy treatment rather than the open fire in the middle of the table. All the fireworks aside, the home-y, yet surprisingly refined rice dishes are still the go-tos in our eyes.

Frill-free and well-priced for omakase (there's a 12-piece option for $85), everything here is dressed and plated by the 70-year-old chef Ishizuka (grab a spot at the 12-seat bar to watch him work). You won't find wasabi or soy sauce—only ginger, as it's traditional to the max: In fact, it’s only marked outside by a white wall with a blue curtain, that's bedecked with a small white bow. Highlights: Belt fish, squid, red snapper, and seared salmon. Photo: Jebb

Ssam Bar, which is attached to Milk Bar, offers a wider range of options than its siblings (Ko and Noodle Bar). Chang, who is now legendary, does pretty revolutionary food, whether it’s noodle or pork buns, meaning that if there’s just one must-try foodie experience downtown, one of this restaurants would probably be it.

Napa's French Laundry may have put Thomas Keller on the map, but Per Se, which is perched above Central Park, confirmed his legendary status. The menu changes daily, and you can expect Keller to trot out some of his older hits along with some delightful new surprises. The meal itself can last for hours as you advance from seasonal course to course, and the set dinner menu starts at $390. The private room also happens to have one of the best views in town.

People are crazy for this Thai via Portland import: Andy Ricker’s fresh takes on Thai classics are seriously good (and run on the hot side), from the signature charcoal roasted hen with lemongrass to the sweet, spicy salads. There’s also an awesome Thai-inspired cocktail menu (the Pok Pok Bloody Mary with Thai chilies is a serious kick in the ass) which you can explore on depth from the comfort of a seat at the bar.

Roberta’s has been warmly flourishing for years. Camouflaged by an industrial, kind of uninviting exterior, this gem of a spot offers a succinct menu includes a few wonderful pizzas, plus seasonal veggies and pasta dishes. There’s an indoor, primarily communal seating area where you can watch the pizza-making go down in the open kitchen. The vibe is casual and the ambiance always lively, as it routinely draws big crowds. While you can expect to wait, it’s a good place to have a drink.

A two-month wait for a seat at Nakazawa’s bar, a chef whose claim to fame is having worked under Jiro, is not unheard of. Pedigree aside, the wait for the restaurant makes total sense: You’ll get 20 perfect pieces of perfect nigiri. The cuts are gorgeous, and it’s dressed up ever so slightly with just an ingredient or two (yuzu paste, lemon, salt).

As its name would suggest, when it comes to ramen, Ivan and company know what they are doing (Ivan is actually a Jewish kid from Long Island who is obsessed with Japanese cooking). The Red-Hot Cold Mazemen is delicious, while the cold spicy sesame noodles topped with prawns are a great alternative on hotter days. If you go for dinner, they’re most famous for Triple Pork Triple Garlic Mazeman and Four Cheese Mazeman, which they only serve at night—the Tokyo Shio Ramen, loaded with egg, pork chashu and roast tomato is a bit lighter. If you’re not into noodles, the pork meatballs, garnished with bonito flakes, chinese broccoli prepared in a sweet soy and garlic sauce, and the Tofu Coney Island, which is essentially an Asian spin on chili cheese fries are all insanely good. Heavy, but delicious. The original is on the Lower East Side.

So NYC has never really gotten snaps for its Mexican food, but Cosme is said to break the trend. It's probably because it's from chef Enrique Olvera, of Mexico City Pujol fame—trust us when we say he’s legit. The private room is just as sleek and modern as the rest of the restaurant, and while it'll cost you, a prix-fixe private meal here is an incredibly special experience.

The only thing keeping up with Ippudo's sterling reputation for Japanese comfort food is its growing list of U.S. locations. The need-to-knows: The noodles are hand-pulled on-site and cooked perfectly al dente. Broths are slow-boiled for up to 20 hours. They're known for the super-flavorful tonkotso ramen, but we love the miso ramen and yuzu shoyu. They have some more contemporary restaurant-style dishes here, but the traditional ramen bowls are really where it's at. Prices are low, and it's first come, first serve, so be prepared to wait.

COVID-19 update: Temporarily closed.

Everyone in New York has their own best-of list, but the wood-fired pizza at Pasquale Jones, from the same folks behind Charlie Bird, is a solid contender. The littleneck clam and salsiccia pies are standouts, and a nice match to their wine list, which has some great reasonably priced bottles. The action here centers around an open kitchen and two wood-burning stoves; the booths—though limited—are roomy and good if you’re dining with littles in tow. Reservations are hard to come by, so walking in is your best bet, though be prepared to take several spins around the block while you wait. (Worth it, still.)

A legendary Jewish deli, Katz’s originally opened in 1888 under a different name, and across the street from its current location on Houston and Ludlow. It was an institution long before the iconic orgasm scene from When Harry Met Sally, although it didn’t hurt. Most people come for either the hot pastrami or corned beef sandwich, or the Reuben version, which adds Swiss cheese and sauerkraut. Katz’s credits its slow curing method, which can last up to a month, for the meat’s superior taste. (You’ll also find matzo ball soup on the menu, along with everything else you’d expect/want, as well as less traditional offerings for a Jewish deli, like NY-style cheesecake.) For those outside of the city, note that Katz’s ships across the States.

Tucked into a tiny (very tiny) space next door to Casa Mono, this U-shaped tapas bar by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich has been around for more than a decade. The crowd is typically neighborhood types grabbing quick drinks, lots of (stylish) first dates, or those swinging by for a nightcap post dinner next door. The pared-down menu, which is scrawled on the mirror behind the bar, includes pan con tomate, tortila, and jamon iberico—in addition to, obviously, great reds. Food Photos: Kate Previte; Exterior Photo: Kelly Campbell

Restaurateur Gabriel Stulman (of Happy Cooking Hospitality) re-concepted his West Village Italian restaurant, Perla, into Fairfax, a Mediterranean eatery with a straightforward menu of inventive dishes you'll want order over and over, oh and a great wine list. Part of the swap was changing out formal dining room tables for more casual living room furniture and communal tables (many of the pieces taken from the Stulman's own home), making it super comfortable. It's also a great place to host a party.

In business since the '60s, this old-school, family-run operation has cracked the code on how to smoke fish in an all-natural way. Their line, Blue Hill Fish, is so popular that they've opened up a West Coast office to keep up with demand. If you can make it to Greenpoint on a Friday morning, you can snag smoked goods at half price until 1pm. Preorder strongly suggested.

Amy’s started out in Hell’s Kitchen back in 1992 and in the intervening years, her business has gone gangbusters, supplying many of the city’s gourmet shops with their wonderful bread and pastries. Head to any of the stores—our favorite is still the largely unchanged original—to pick up a French baguette, olive twist, or one of their delicious pastries to go.

As the crown jewel of restauranteur Keith McNally’s downtown empire, Balthazar channels all the charm and style of a Parisian bistro—booths and antiqued mirrors included. Dining here feels like an event, and as such it draws big crowds for its Coq Au Vin, Moules Frites, and burger. We actually like its adjacent bakery best, where you can take perfect croissants, loafs of bread, and coffee to go.

This incredible kitchen store will lure you in, but the classes will convince you to stay. Offering everything from Vitamix blenders and Pillivuyt roasting pans, to homemade ramen broth, farm fresh eggs, and exotic cuts of meat, the provisions part of the operation draws people from all over the city. Meanwhile, you can learn how to make homemade pizza with the Roberta’s crew, pickle with McClure, or take a class in doughnut or dumpling making.

Located in the old Nabisco building just north of the Meatpacking District, you’ll find a warren-like maze of restaurants and specialty shops. There are many hits, but we like Los Tacos No.1 for authentic Mexican and, if cooking a special meal at home is an option, we’d pick up our bread at Amy’s, fresh groceries at the Manhattan Fruit Market, and crustaceans at Lobster Place (they also do great pre-made rolls). You'll also find Bowery Kitchen Supply and Posman Books, where the offerings are more suitcase-appropriate.

Dépanneur is the general store we all wish we had on our block. Part café, part grocer the inventory ranges from the necessary (fresh-baked bread, newspapers, eggs, three types of yogurt) to the indulgent (a series of canned sardines, unusual grains, wildly expensive chocolate). The coffee is expertly made and always hot, the range of to-go snacks behind the counter is meant to satisfy every state of hunger with mini ham-and-cheese baguettes, croissants, and slabs of pound cake. Pick up a coffee or an obscure bottle of kombucha and sit at one of the round tables outside, perfectly placed for people watching.

This is kind of foodie nirvana, care of Mario Batali. Essentially Costco-sized, this Italian gourmet grocery store stocks aisle after aisle of the best artisanal ingredients, including truly fantastic fresh pasta. Throughout the space (which also includes cookware), you’ll find plenty of places to sit down and eat. While there are several gussied-up Batali restaurants upstairs, including a rooftop birreria, we find the best way to experience Eataly it is to grab a seat at one of the many bar-size specialty eateries scattered across the main shop floor. Understandably, they offer an excellent array of gelato.

Beyond being one of the more perfect independent grocery stores around, Fairway is the perfect New York cross section: You'll see young families, old ladies in fur coats, students looking for good food at good prices, and just about every New York type you can think of.

As serious home cooks attest, Kalustyan’s may just be the best international food stockist in the world. Operating out of the same Lexington Avenue location since 1944, they stock every spice, grain, cracker, and chutney in the world from India to Italy, along with just the right implements, whether it be a tortilla press or a tagine. The sheer size of the honey aisle alone is enough to drop jaws. It’s a foodie mecca, not just for the seemingly infinite varieties of foods and international kitchen tools, but for the outstanding sandwiches and Mediterranean food served at their cafe upstairs.

Andrew Tarlow’s burgeoning Brooklyn food empire (Diner, Reynard, Marlow & Sons) also includes this quality, nose-to-tail butcher shop. Besides house-made sausages and great cuts of steak, you’ll find all the fixings, from gourmet olive oil to mint sauce and side salads. The breads and sandwiches, courtesy of She Wolf Bakery, make this a favorite takeaway pit-stop, too.

Come here for the bagels, and the rugelach, and the chocolate babka, and the smoked fish, and we could go on and on. This Upper West Side specialty grocer, which has been operated by the Zabar family (out of the same location) since the 1930s, is still the place to stock up on old-school Jewish delicatessen fare. It’s one of those classic city shops that’s as worth it for the goods as it is for the characters who shop there regularly.

Murray's seems to import every conceivable cheese in production for public consumption, and has a staff that can happily walk you through (and sample) all of them. There are cheese cave tours offered for those who want to learn even more and delicious sandwiches—or melts—for anyone who wants more than just a few hunks of the good stuff. While they supply most of Manhattan with their cheese plate offerings, they also ship across the states. There's also an outpost at the Grand Central Market.

While it’s pretty hard to screw up a grilled cheese sandwich, the oversized, overstuffed versions here are made using Beecher’s own cheese, a lot of which is made right on site (watching the cheese makers do their thing through the massive windows is nothing short of mesmerizing). The main café is ideal for weekday lunches and the Cellar downstairs is a more dressed-up small-plates-and-wine restaurant. And if you need a hostess gift but are short on time, the nuts, jams, small but mighty selection of wine, and of course, cheeses, pack up nicely.

Bonnie Slotnick’s hole-in-the-wall bookshop stocks rare and out-of-print cookbooks from as far back as the early 19th-century, and she finds every single one herself. In fact, she’s a one man show, so store hours can be erratic, making it all the more special on the days when the shop is indeed open. You’ll find vintage cookbooks and kitchen paraphernalia appealingly displayed in the cramped little store, which is as entertaining for foodies as it is for design aficionados who love old books. If you’re looking for something in particular, Bonnie will track it down.

For over 20 years, food academics, serious chefs, and home cooks alike have all come here to stock their kitchen bookshelves. In fact, Julia Child used to shop here. Besides the seemingly endless supply of cookbooks, academic journals, and food memoirs, it’s owner Nach Waxman and his team that make it really special. Well-informed but not intimidating, they’re happy to help you find the right book, or will track it down if they don’t have it.

Each level—antiques, contemporary furniture, lighting, and accessories—looks like a page ripped out of an interior design magazine. You can call and make an appointment with a sales associate who will walk you through everything you need to decorate your home, or simply spend a few hours browsing their tastefully jam-packed floors. The best part? At ABC, health, sustainability and the environment are a part of the ethos, thus organic upholstery and wood sourced from sustainable sources are available. Don't miss lunch at Jean George Vongerichten'sABC Kitchen: Fittingly, the innovative yet simple food is local, organic and has won the James Beard award for Best New Restaurant. There's also a below-ground carpet outlet across the street that has some amazing bargains.

In the past 20 years, Fishs Eddy has established itself as a vintage tabletop institution. They started out selling retired lines of dishware from hotels, camps, airlines, and clubs (and seem to have endless sources for it), but have since branched into their own, often whimsical, collections. They’re also a great resource for old-fashioned, but useful basics, like ceramic berry baskets, pie stands, and egg trays.

Occupying a sliver of space in a quiet stretch of Soho, Global Table is one of those places that's packed from floor to ceiling. Sourcing items from all over the world, the prevailing aesthetic is bright, colorful, and modern, though they also have a great selection of wooden serving pieces, like salad bowls and cutting boards. It’s rare to walk out empty-handed.

Beyond being the best resource in New York for Astier de Villatte’s stunningly hand-turned plates, bowls, and glasses, John Derian's instantly recognizable decoupaged glass plates and paperweights have a unique old world appeal that also applies to the small objects, furniture, and curiosities he stocks in his iconic East Village shop. It's a small microcosm packed with antique objects and hand-made works by artisans with a similarly whimsical aesthetic, from Leanne Shapton's painted wooden "books" to Hugo Guinness' drawings and prints. Derian also designs his own line of furniture which mixes right in with the flea market finds and printed fabrics at his dry goods shop next door.

We head to Steven Alan for the perfectly tailored yet lived-in men's and women's shirting that comes in an endless variety of plaids and stripes. Beyond that, it's the relaxed mix of pieces from designers like A.P.C, Isabel Marant, Rachel Comey, that keeps us coming back. The outpost in Tribeca is the flagship and the original, though there are now locations scattered around the city. They've recently opened a home goods shop, too.

Though the International Culinary Center is one of the country’s best institutes for turning out chefs, sommeliers, and managers, they offer one-day crash courses for home cooks, too. The classes are wonderfully specific, with the intent of 24-hour mastery, whether you want to try your hand at cupcake decoration, fondant, or the basics of sushi.

We’re pretty smitten with the concept here: Founder Alison Cayne transformed a carriage house into a cooking school/supper club, where area chefs lead classes on everything from cooking Vietnamese food with fresh herbs to gluten and allergen-free baking. Once the meal is made, participants grab chairs and eat the spoils together.

This incredible kitchen store will lure you in, but the classes will convince you to stay. Offering everything from Vitamix blenders and Pillivuyt roasting pans, to homemade ramen broth, farm fresh eggs, and exotic cuts of meat (it's also home to The Meat Hook), the provisions part of the operation draws people from all over the city. Meanwhile, you can learn how to make homemade pizza with the Roberta’s crew, pickle with McClure, or take a class in doughnut or dumpling making.

Amy’s started out in Hell’s Kitchen back in 1992 and in the intervening years, her business has gone gangbusters, supplying many of the city’s gourmet shops with their wonderful bread and pastries. Head to any of the stores—our favorite is still the largely unchanged original—to pick up a French baguette, olive twist, or one of their delicious pastries to go. As a huge bonus, they offer breadmaking classes at their Chelsea Market location where you can learn how to make everything from foccacia to thin-crust pizza.

Ideally located where NoHo, the East Village, and Nolita meet, this hotel's bright bedrooms and contrastingly cavernous bar attracts the rockstar set—for scene, but also for comfort. The rooms feature classic New York apartment touches like marble bathtubs and hardwood floors—combined with high-end linens and plush velvety touches, this makes for an ideal stay. Downstairs, Gemma is a good spot for a drink (it’s also a good dinner option for bigger groups), though the hotel is so well-situated to some of the city’s best restaurants, consider taking your meals out.

Like all of Andre Balasz’ hotels, The Standard East Village, a tall glass building looming above Cooper Square, is a haven for travelers as much as it is a local, neighborhood establishment. Upstairs, hotel guests enjoy a little respite with rooms that boast picture window views, high above the city streets.