Super delicious hand made bourbon not yet available at retail. Take their tour, see how they do it, and buy a bottle or six! Read more.
Come here pre-movie for a tasty beverage. They make some great variations on classic cocktails, I enjoyed the Greenpoint. Order at the bar or sit down for table service. The wax stuff is pretty creepy
The menus and chefs change daily, and the chefs are “nonnas” (Italian for grandmothers) who hail from different regions in Italy.
The Special Pondicherry Dosa and a Samosa is a good place to start, though you should try it all. Just be prepared to wait on line. It is a good idea to go a little ahead or after the main lunch rush.
Some of the best wood oven New York style pizza in the city, if not the world. Jay-Z apparently gets his pizza here.
Established 1933, continuously operated. One of the originators of New York style pizza and one of the few coal oven pizzerias in the city. Inspiration for a key scene of The Godfather.
The city's most famous Jewish deli, and one of the oldest and best as well. Try Reuben, liverwurst, or pastrami sandwich, but DO NOT lose your ticket or you'll pay an excessive penalty fee.
Established 1937. Interior is mostly original, but menu has been upscaled by new owners. "Parisian steakhouse meets classic New York City tavern." Once visited by all from Beat Poets to Joe Gould.
Established 1937, continuously operated. Multiple pancakes for breakfast, including a lemon-ricotta flavor. Try an old fashioned specialty drink, a Lime Rickey. Don't confuse with Tom's from Seinfeld.
Retro take on an old school soda fountain with giant sundaes, classic sandwiches, and real-deal egg creams.
Established 1920, moved down street 1968. Neighborhood staple for steamed buns, dim sum and tea. Most famous for homemade lotus paste and red bean filling for moon cake during the autumn festival.
Established in 1854 (or early 1860s) and operated continuously since, it is the oldest NYC Irish tavern. Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, & JFK have reportedly drank here. Women weren't allowed until 1970.
Built 1857. Saloon since 1867. Fanelli Cafe Established 1922 and continuously operated. Old-fashioned pub fare, such as meatloaf sandwiches, paired with beer and liquor.
Established in 1890, continuously family owned & operated. Previously named for the owner's great-grandfather, John. At quiet times, the back room feels like you're drinking in a museum.
Built 1868 (originally four stories). P.J. Clarke's was established in 1884 and operated continuously since. It has been frequented by a number of famous people and featured in films, TV, and songs.
Hard-living Ukranians swear by cabbage soup as a hangover cure, and we think the bowl here packs an extra restorative sauerkraut punch. Get it the morning after to kill the pain. Read more.
"Bring your own sandals and shorts, and a friend. Hit the sauna room and sweat, sweat, sweat. You'll never feel better." -Sean Avery, in the WSJ's Insider's Guide to New York City Read more.
Established 1927 by former Russian Imperial Ballet members. Crossed the street 1929 to brownstone from 1875. Building remodeled in 2006, retaining restaurant as original. Frequented by celebrities.
The original supper clubs that invented chicken & waffles are no longer around, but Amy Ruth's is definitely the best example of Harlem style C&W in modern times.
Established 1910 by immigrant rabbi who sold from a cart. Continuously family owned. Handmade knishes cooked in the basement brick oven; a dumbwaiter connecting to the shabbily-nostalgic dining room.
A Park Slope standard. Perfect water-boiled bagels, some of the best in New York.
Little old Ukrainian babushkas cook dumplings and sausage in a church basement to raise funds for the church. Open F-Su during the day. Closes for indefinite periods of the summer for vacation.
The original Shake Shack location is a pretty small stand in Madison Square Park. In a matter of a few years it went from long lines at that location to a nationwide chain.
Go for the tuna melt, one of our 101 Best Sandwiches in New York. On rye, of course. Read more.
100 year old vibe that's authentic without trying. Great noodle soup, french toast, egg cream, and many classic diner staples. Old freshly made, old style.
Not a great place for an actual meal, but that's not why people come here in the first place. It's the cheesecake. Rich and delicious, get a slice and you won't be disappointed.
It's always Christmas in here. Even if it's not the actual season but you're feeling low on the yuletide spirit in your day to day, this place will definitely have you singing Mariah when you leave.
"Milon and Panna II have been embroiled in a rivalry for over 20 years that has no end in sight... The feud can be summed up with one simple question: who came up with the idea for the lights?" Read more.
Decked out in 1960's memorabilia, with a nod to all things Elvis, you can't go wrong with and oozy-melted grilled cheese sandwich on white toast, plus it comes with (best potato ever) tater tots!
Built 1829. A "grocery & grog" store from 1852 and a tavern from 1864. Named Healy's in 1899 and alluded to in O.Henry's works. Renamed Pete's in 1932. Appears in numerous films and TV shows.
Established 1892 and continuously operated. Most of the furnishings and decor are original, including New York's oldest dumbwaiter and iconic urinals. The original menu was German influenced.
Established 1921. Covered with celebrity caricatures such as Jackie Gleason; complemented by red banquettes, old chairs, and lampshade fixtures. Still the location for Tony Awards lunches & parties.
Established 1908, continuously operated. Well-worn original tile floors, red leather banquettes and a candle that has been burning since 1937. Heavy Italian food, both northern and southern.
Don't miss the Salted Crack Caramel, an intense and just salty enough butter caramel ice cream that gets even better with "crack cookies," buttery chocolate-covered Saltines.
Perhaps my favorite place to see and play music. Geoff and Lynette have given home to a wonderful community.
This Grand Central favorite tops the Village Voice's Top 10 Oyster Bar list. The atmosphere alone is worth the price, with enormous arched ceilings spanning above the restaurant. Read more.
Get the Roast Beef sandwich special with mozzarella, gravy and sundried tomatoes (Thursday or Saturday only). It's the sandwich that was featured in 'The Sandwich' episode on "30 Rock."
Go here for not just your fill of Dim Sum, but your fill of authentic out-of-America experience!
Everyone knows about the great hot dogs here (especially the deep fried dog), but walking through the phone booth is a little hidden gem we love.
At first I thought the shushing was obnoxious, then I grew to appreciate it. You can find a 1000 noisy bars in nyc, but only 1 quiet 1.
The best New York-focused museum is housed in a decommissioned subway station. Make sure to see the excellent collection of vintage subway cars. Read more.
The best place to gawk at priceless art has a collection that is seemingly endless, spanning creepy Egyptian tombs to the shimmering Impressionist paintings to an unparalleled costume collection. Read more.
Frank Lloyd Wright originally intended for Guggenheim visitors to take the elevator up and stroll down the ramps. Today, exhibitions are viewed both ways. The choice is yours!
Established mid-19th century as part of the Lamb Club, it opened independently in 1885. Keen's is the only survivor of the Herald Square Theatre District and is known for its pipe collection and club.
Invented General Tso's Chicken, a staple among American Chinese restaurants, in the 1970s. They brought it back after a long hiatus. This place is on the pricier and fancier end of the spectrum.
All sorts of retro gaming items, games, accessories, consoles, some merchandise. Mostly local (American) but you can find a little bit of import (Japanese) too. Prices are not cheapest I've seen.
Books-by-the-Foot service provides ready-made libraries. “Bargain books,” a random selection of hardbacks, is the cheapest, at ten dollars a foot. For thirty dollars, clients can customize the color. Read more.
Established 1918, continuously family owned & operated. Features Italian cuisine and a veteran wait staff that gives it a homey feeling. Chef is willing to design a menu for the table.
Who You Gonna Call? This firehouse served as the headquarters for Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, and the rest of the "Ghostbusters" in both their 1984 film and the sequel 5 years later Read more.
Do the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel Tour. Get the earlier reservation. Bring a high powered flashlight. Don't bring your claustrophobia.
Stay on the 6 local downtown past the last stop and you will see the station out the right side as you loop around to go back uptown. For best results sit in the back. Great way to impress someone!
The most beautiful grocery store you will ever find. TJ's took one of the grand old bank buildings from the 20s (1923) and actually showcased the architecture, unlike most owners of such buildings.
The acts rotate throughout the day so you're not going to miss anything. Just go in and check it out. Great for kids too. ALSO you could catch a burlesque show Friday nights. Read more.
The Cyclone was originally built in 1927. The coaster uses a chain to pull the train to the top of the 1st plunge, it then runs on its own momentum reaching up to 68 mph through 9 drops and 6 curves.
Created by composer La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela, "Dream House" transforms a TriBeCa loft floor into a trippy environment of strange lights and sounds.
Marking its 30th anniversary this year, De Maria's epic installation fills a second-floor loft with a quarter-million pounds of dirt.
Open since 1937, this old school candy shop is packed to the brim with chocolate, gummies, fruits and nuts, and all manner of other sweets, vintage and new.
Aside from exhibiting all types of media (such as fanzines, old cameras and arcade consoles), the facility also offers a 267-seat cinema with multiple weekend screenings. Read more.
When's the last time you had a Charlotte Russe? Find one at Staten Islands oldest (1878) family-owned bakery, Holtermans, offering American and Euro-style pastries, cookies, cakes, & breads.
Found behind a “secret” door next to Crif Dogs, this place is a favorite for classic and tweaked cocktails. As seen on Travel Channel’s The Layover with Anthony Bourdain.
Established 1900. Original chandeliers to mid-century paneling to a modern glassed-in kitchen. Classic Italian immigrant appetizers and entrees, since before NY saw its first pizzerias.
The pork and chive dumplings alongside the wheat noodles with peanut butter sauce (#05) are the staple dishes of this place. Place looks a little dodgy but worth it.
Established 1938. Owned by family of early employees. Tudor-style building with aged brick and wood-paneled interior. Known for its thin-sliced roast beef, served on a Kaiser roll with pan drippings.
150 flavors of infused vodka and great small food plates and appetizers. Cool crowd. -Galina Sobolev, Launch My Line
Created Negimaki in 1963. After a NY Times critic said a Japanese restaurant had to serve beef in NY, chef Nobuyoshi Kuraoka wrapped it around scallions with soy sauce.
