Annex Giancarlo Valle

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.

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.

This Japanese shop equips restaurants like Nobu and Per Se, meaning it's where pro-chefs go to buy their knives. They're artfully displayed on the wall and in cases throughout the space according to brand and style. In addition, we like to shop their selection of lacquered bento boxes and traditional serveware.

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.)

This is one of the better Aces. The guest rooms are a good size for NYC, with huge bathrooms. Some rooms have a nice view, too. The lobby bar turns up on weekend nights—people dance all around the bar and lobby, spilling into the elevator space.

The Aman is New York’s most expensive hotel, and the rooms are appropriately big (and drop-dead minimalist-spectacular), the ceilings soaring, and the pool enormous. The restaurants are incredible (and the city’s most-sceney, as they’re only for guests for now, so only the most skilled string-pullers can get an exception), especially the exquisite Japanese Nama. Don’t miss the spa, whatever you do: Anyone (not just guests) can reserve treatments, which occur in beautiful, generous rooms with some of the best practitioners in New York. The cryo experience is especially fantastic.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel occupies a 1907 Renaissance-style mansion and a modern glass tower—the whole place strikes a balance between contemporary taste and gilded-age glamour. In the guest rooms, you’ll find plush beds, paisley drapes, blown-glass chandeliers, and dressers inlaid with mother-of-pear vines. If you want to get dressed up, the restaurant Café Carmellini is good for that; finish the night off in the wood-paneled, warmly-lit Portrait Bar.

In what used to be the Jarmulowsky Bank, Nine Orchard is a gem of a hotel in a beautifully preserved and restored Neo-Renaissance building. The Swan Room—gathering space by day, cocktail lounge by night—occupies the former teller room, and it’s gorgeous, with marble walls and sky-high ceilings. There’s also a warm and homey tavern, Corner Bar, for breakfasts and dinners that far exceed the casual neighborhood vibe: Here, it’s 56-dollar steak au poivre and rare bottles of Burgundy. There are 113 guest rooms, all simply and thoughtfully appointed with a minimalist mid-century vibe. One more thing: Nine Orchard is smack in the middle of the sceniest part of the Lower East Side, across the street from the café that became the namesake for Dimes Square. Whether that’s a pro or a con, we’ll leave to you.

The Pendry is luxurious, but in a way that feels young and relaxed. It sits right above the High Line and steps from Hudson Yards; it’s convenient if you’re spending your time in Midtown and downtown. The gym is equipped for Pilates and yoga—it has Peloton bikes, too—and the lobby bar feels like it’s been lifted out of the Upper East Side. At the restaurant, Zou Zou’s, chef Madeline Sperling does great dips, crispy latkes, and incredible Moroccan fried chicken to share.

The co-chefs and owners at Café Mars, who have dubbed their genre “unusual Italian,” have something special here: The menu features riffs on traditional Italian entrees—garlic-knot monkey bread, extraordinary pastas, and meat and fish entrees that defy your entire table’s expectations (ciao, smoked pork-rib parm!). And the space itself—a former pasta factory and Italian grocer—is atmospheric, with deluxe banquets, a gorgeous bar, custom-made chairs by Studio Apotroes, and the prettiest al fresco courtyard where you can scarf down some of Brooklyn's best Italian food under twinkling string lights.

Casino, which occupies the old Mission Chinese space, became the “it” restaurant on the Lower East Side as soon as it opened. If you’re looking for a night out for espresso martinis, dim lighting, and people watching, it’s great for that. When your server asks if you’re interested in dessert, the answer is yes, and the correct order is the dark chocolate cake.

From the people that gave us (and continue to give us) the brilliant Olmsted in Brooklyn, Five Acres is incredibly delicious, inventive, and even healthy.

Chef Flynn McGarry opened the original Gem restaurant at just 19 years old, and Gem Wine at 25. If you’re wondering how that’s possible, some context: McGarry started his first tasting restaurant at age 11, and he’s since trained at Alinea, Eleven Madison Park, and Noma, among others. Gem Wine has a great wine list, but McGarry’s menu, which changes weekly, is still the main event. The space (on a mostly residential block on the Lower East Side) is breezy and spacious, and it’s great for impressing a date.

Jean’s is the kind of restaurant you might have found in late-’90s St. Tropez—clubby, intimate, and legitimately chic. (If “clubby” is something that would normally put you off: fair, but stay with us for a moment.) The crowd wears Bode and Eckhaus Latta; tables fill up with outrageously good Caesar salads, French dips, burgers, and fries; and the spicy olive-oil martini will change your life. Everyone is here for a good time, and they’re having it.

On top of the Williamsburg Hoxton hotel overlooking the waterfront, Laser Wolf would probably have been popular even without the spectacularly delicious food. But with it, it’s an understandably tough reservation to get: Gigantic trays come crowded with incredible Mediterranean salads, all an accompaniment to amazing grilled skewers of meat (or vegetables, if you prefer). The spritzy cocktails are perfection—there’s one with tequila, sour cherry, and lime for less-sweet-cocktail lovers everywhere—as is the salted-tahini soft-serve.

Naks is a Filipino spot by the same people who run the regional Indian restaurants Dhamaka (in the East Village) and Semma (in the West Village). Here, chef Eric Valdez makes food he grew up eating in his mom’s house in Makati, plus dishes inspired by his travels across the Phillipines. You can order à la carte—but the most special meal here is the kamayan dinner, where fried duck, lemongrass-stuffed pork belly, and pancit batil patong (ground wagyu and egg noodles) are spread out on banana leaves for you to eat with your hands.

Penny is a raw bar that takes “bar” literally; it’s all bar and counter seating, with most spots reserved for walk-ins. They serve great oysters and crudo, garlicky periwinkles, caviar service, and house-made sesame brioche, with good wine to wash everything down.

From the dining room at Raf’s, you can watch almost everything on the menu emerge from the vintage bread oven in the kitchen’s back wall: escargot, brick-oven chicken, leeks vinaigrette, and other French-Italian magic. Order more than you have room for, let it load up on your teeny table, and don’t skip dessert from pastry chef Camari Mick.

Dreamed up by Gramercy Tavern alumni, Rolo’s is purely excellent. The polenta bread is fluffy, perfectly charred, perfect for sopping up decadent salt-and-pepper shrimp drippings or the tahini chickpeas small plate. There’s a major steak moment on the menu, glorious pastas, tender chicken that transcends any expectation of chicken, and more. The team’s talent is that they’re not reinventing the wheel with their menu, but rather taking rustic, wood-fire-grilled deliciousness to new heights. Don’t skip the homemade ice cream for dessert—and be sure to visit their other outpost, Radio Bakery, in Greenpoint.

If Afro-Caribbean Tatiana isn’t already high on your list, it should be. James Beard Award–winning chef Kwame Onwuachi takes inspiration from his childhood in the Bronx and from the legacy of San Juan Hill, the vibrant neighborhood that preceded the construction of Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side. The menu is distinctly Onwuachi, and distinctly New York: The chef works with ingredients and techniques from his Creole, Nigerian, and Caribbean roots—and plays with ideas from French cooking, Chinese takeout, Jewish delis, and city bodegas.

Torrisi reopened in 2023, just a block up from where the original Torrisi Italian Specialties made a name for chefs Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone a decade prior. The new Torrisi is a fancier affair, with white tablecloths and servers in starched shirts. That said, the food is even better than at the O.G.—go for plates of ragù, rotisserie, and ravioli, and whatever specials are posted on the wall today.

If you’re after cocktails, moody lighting, and DJs slinging jazz and Aretha Franklin on vinyl, you’ll find all of the above at Another Country.

This is the morning-to-evening place every city needs more of. It’s great for a cappuccino, people-watching, and sitting with a book in the morning, and it stays open late—until 2am—on weekends.

Chef Yara Herrera and the team behind Rolo’s (right down the street) dreamed up this chic cocktail bar with a Mexican menu. There’s no dearth of exceptional artisanal margaritas. The name (an homage to the hellbender salamander, the largest in North America) might reel you in, but it’s the sumptuous flavors, moody vibe, and spot-on drinks that make it an instant classic.

Lullaby is the kind of place you can order boozy punch and Dole whip cocktails. It’s dark. There’s a guy spinning vinyl at the end of the bar. People get up and dance, even though there’s not much space. It’s a great party—in the most low-key way.

The line always snakes out the door of this exquisite bakery, deli, and grocery on a cute corner in Williamsburg. The wait is worth it: Inside, Chrissa Yee and pastry chef Abby Swain churn out fresh-baked delight after delight. The breakfast sausage and egg sandwich (they even bake the bun) is something to dream about all week. The coffee is excellent and adorably packaged if you buy a bag to go. And A&C's homemade granola is the perfect blend of nuts, oats, peanut butter, maple syrup, and crunch. Other pantry staples we’re in love with: their homemade ice cream, the canned fish, fancy olive oil...everything really.

Apollo serves warm, fresh bagels with a chewy inside and crusty exterior, well-coated with sesame seeds or everything spice, if you choose. Their menu is simple, with a few types of bagels and a few types of schmear, plus tomato, whitefish, lox, and the typical bagel fixings.

Some people are saying this is the east coast counterpart to Erewhon, and the comparisons are apt: This boutique health food store has a stellar hot bar, an especially well-curated selection of healthy snacks, and as many functional beverages you could try in a year. The vibe is really good and the service is friendly, if not always fast.

Morgenstern’s still does traditional ice cream in a parlor in Greenwich Village, serving up scoops, pies, and cakes made without anything artificial. This second outpost, Bananas, is dedicated to non-dairy soft serve made with a frozen-banana base.

This coffee spot is known for its fruit lattes, which you’ll either love or hate. They’re made with just espresso, milk, and fresh fruit, which cuts the bitterness from coffee.

It’s hard not to go into rapture over the luscious pastries (something called a “bolus” is a cross between a sticky bun and the best doughnut you’ve ever had), pillowy breads (the country pan loaf, a blend of whole wheat and rye sourdough, is delectable eaten in hunks on the sidewalk or as toast days later), and perfect lunch sandwiches (we love the feta and tomato, but really you can’t go wrong) at this Greenpoint bakery from the team behind the excellent Rolo’s. Everything you order is fresh-out-the-oven, gobsmackingly great, and made with the highest-quality ingredients.

If you’re hosting (or looking for a hostess gift), this is the store to count on for colorful martini glasses, pretty cocktail napkins, and nice olive oil in a cute bottle. They have two stores: This one’s in the West Village and the other is in Greenpoint.

Café Forgot’s tiny-designer emporium embodies “if you get it, you get it” Lower East Side–cool. Even if their stuff isn’t your style—it leans avant-garde, and some of it is transgressively difficult to wear—you’d struggle to flip through their racks without finding something totally unique and special.

The people who started Colbo went out of their way to make this more than a clothing shop. They carry men’s streetwear from Gramicci, Meals, and Small Talk Studio, plus Tejesta eyewear and ceramics from Danny D’s Mud Shop. Their in-house brand is designed and produced right here in New York. But as you’re browsing—or after you’re done—hang around a while to flip through design magazines and listen to their collection of rare records. The staff isn’t just helpful, but hospitable; take them up on their offer for a tea or an espresso, which comes from LA-based Canyon Coffee.

For serious vintage lovers, a trip here feels less like shopping and more like stepping into a vault. Desert is a destination for rare and antique fashion—specifically, pieces from the turn of the century through the 1970s. What’s exceptional is how modern it all feels; owners Salima Boufelfel and Roberto Cowan meticulously curate the assortment to work in contemporary wardrobes.

The vintage collection at Funny Pretty Nice leans into colorful ’90s and Y2K styles, and it’s a treasure trove of Missoni disco pants, low-rise Fendi skirts, and the silk slips Victoria’s Secret once did so beautifully.

Haricot Vert is best known for their necklaces, earrings, and bracelets with charms made from colorful collage cut-outs. Maybe you’ll take home a pair of perfectly mismatched earrings (one radis, one beurre?) or have the staff help you design something custom. Or if you give them a photograph—of your dog, perhaps, or your best friend’s face—they can turn it into a unique piece just for you. Their Williamsburg shop hosts DIY workshops in jewelry-making and collage, and you can book them for private events, too.

If you’re wondering where your coolest friend gets their heavy silver rings and chunky chains, it’s probably Old Jewelry Store on the Lower East Side. Founder Sarah Burns finds the most unique vintage pieces, curating for old-school craftsmanship with contemporary wearability. She also makes a small house collection and showcases other indie designers—like, in one past pop-up, sculptural pins and earrings from Paris-based Zoé Mohm.

These guys make the best denim. That includes a tight run of classic cuts in just a few different washes, all of them perfect. But we’re especially into their signature styles: ’90s straight-cut jeans, low-rise pairs with drawstring closures, and ones with colorful hand-painted stripes up the back (more wearable than you think).

We love this boutique, which is stocked with clothes from Baserange, Deiji Studios, and Saks Potts, plus indie jewelry brands, boutique magazines, and all sorts of home goods and gifts. Their selection feels so fresh—if you’re looking for something fun and unique, start here.

Lia Bartha’s signature workout, B the Method, is based in classic mat Pilates but cuts out most of the props. All you need to get started is a ball. From there, Bartha dials in on good form and strips away distraction. It’s challenging and engaging but not prohibitively hard; we tend to walk away from it sweaty and satisfied, but not sore. B the Method is mostly online, but you can book at the Gowanus studio by appointment and join for monthly group events. (Sign up for their newsletter to jump on the list.)

Othership Flatiron is one of the most high-energy, immersive contrast therapy experiences in NYC, with guided sauna and cold plunge sessions set to music and breathwork. Classes are less quiet and meditative than dynamic and engaging—designed to leave you feeling rejuvenated and energized. The shared momentum of moving through it with a group is hard to replicate on your own.

Oula—a maternity center that combines midwifery and obstetrics for prenatal, delivery, and postnatal support—is an incredible option for pregnant people seeking low-intervention births. The staff of midwives is brilliant—friendly, vivacious, knowledgeable, supportive (there is zero judgment whether you want an epidural or drug-free delivery)—and visits feel unhurried and comfortable. The office is decidedly un-medical feeling. They take insurance including some Medicaid, and are committed to inclusive and equitable care to serve a diverse patient base. This location is in Brooklyn, and there's another Oula in Manhattan.)

Remedy Place is a standout in NYC for recovery—a social wellness club that blends ancient practices with modern technology to support your overall wellbeing. At the flagship in Flatiron and second outpost in Soho,  interiors reflect this approach—warm tones, cozy chairs, and sofas create a space that's minimal yet purposeful, never stark or cold. The wellness offerings are extensive, spanning IV therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, breathwork, contrast therapy, and more.

The Skin Lab evokes a ramped up version of what you feel slathering on The Rich Cream (or any other totally amazing Augustinus Bader product)—luxurious, refined, completely innovative, and located at the intersection of indulgence and science. The studio is complete with the classic Augustinus Bader–blue, copper detailing, and the most high tech facials. You start off with a skin consultation with an expert and choose your preferred treatment. We love the Ultimate Facial, which combines customized skincare picks, exfoliation, micro current, oxygen therapy, ultrasound, and LED—all completely tailored to your skin’s needs. Even better, they have a three-treatment approach to help you find the best route for your glowiest skin ever.

It’s not just the glossy nails you walk out with that makes us love this airy nail studio. There’s also the cute slippers they gift you, the red-light treatment that leaves your hands soft as silk...not to mention the service where the salon invites you to write yourself a letter as you wait for your nails to dry. (Write something nice—they mail it to you a few weeks later.) All five locations feel spalike in their serenity, and the Soho location’s lush balcony is perfect for luxuriating as you air-dry your nails.