Guidebook for New York
Arts & Culture
One ring circus with many standard acts, but no exotic animals. Barebones facilities but reasonable prices.
117 locals recommend
Lincoln Center Plaza
Lincoln Center PlazaOne ring circus with many standard acts, but no exotic animals. Barebones facilities but reasonable prices.
Puppet show for adults. Very funny, and at times raunchy, look at life using music and puppets. Something different from the usual theatre fare.
6 locals recommend
Avenue Q
Puppet show for adults. Very funny, and at times raunchy, look at life using music and puppets. Something different from the usual theatre fare.
Absolutely beautiful space to watch the performing arts. A must-visit for opera fans. Reasonably priced.
116 locals recommend
Metropolitan Opera House
30 Lincoln Center PlazaAbsolutely beautiful space to watch the performing arts. A must-visit for opera fans. Reasonably priced.
Best theater for viewing IMAX films. Clean and not crazy crowded most of the time.
138 locals recommend
AMC 84th Street 6
2310 BroadwayBest theater for viewing IMAX films. Clean and not crazy crowded most of the time.
Stunning architecture and a nice blend of modern and classical ambiance. Enjoy some champagne during intermission.
621 locals recommend
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center PlazaStunning architecture and a nice blend of modern and classical ambiance. Enjoy some champagne during intermission.
Essentials
Can be disorganized or slow, but the place to go when on a tight budget or needing something in bulk.
17 locals recommend
Western Beef Supermarket
75 West End AveCan be disorganized or slow, but the place to go when on a tight budget or needing something in bulk.
Pricier but clean and with a good selection. Fresh deli and breakfast items are worth stopping in for.
101 West End Ave
Pricier but clean and with a good selection. Fresh deli and breakfast items are worth stopping in for.
Great place for specialty, ethnic, or dietary foods. Big selection. Cramped space makes weekly grocery shopping a little more difficult.
185 locals recommend
Fairway Market 74th Street
2131 BroadwayGreat place for specialty, ethnic, or dietary foods. Big selection. Cramped space makes weekly grocery shopping a little more difficult.
Whatever you feel like eating, it’s here. Fresh salad bar, coffee, microbrews, sushi. Grab a bite and take it to the Park.
1895 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
95 E Houston StWhatever you feel like eating, it’s here. Fresh salad bar, coffee, microbrews, sushi. Grab a bite and take it to the Park.
Everything Else
Newer building with Wifi and some seating. Fills up with kids and students in the afternoons.
127 Amsterdam Ave
127 Amsterdam AvenueNewer building with Wifi and some seating. Fills up with kids and students in the afternoons.
75 West End Ave
75 West End AvenueCompetitive prices and fast service.
Shopping
Lansky's
235 Columbus AveDependable deli sandwiches and brunch without the higher prices of more well-known delis.
Large selection of big cupcakes. Sweeter than most other bakeries in the area.
17 locals recommend
Crumbs Bake Shop
775 Columbus AveLarge selection of big cupcakes. Sweeter than most other bakeries in the area.
Like most Apple stores, wide selection of products, Genius bar for help, though success depends on the employee. A little less busy than other Apple locations.
61 locals recommend
Apple Upper West Side
1981 BroadwayLike most Apple stores, wide selection of products, Genius bar for help, though success depends on the employee. A little less busy than other Apple locations.
Gets busy and layout is odd, but they have everything you need for the bathroom and bedroom (and many things you didn’t know you needed).
83 locals recommend
Bed Bath & Beyond
1932 BroadwayGets busy and layout is odd, but they have everything you need for the bathroom and bedroom (and many things you didn’t know you needed).
Thrift store worth making your main shopping destination for the day. Great bargains on quality products.
55 locals recommend
Housing Works Thrift Shops
266 5th AveThrift store worth making your main shopping destination for the day. Great bargains on quality products.
Food Scene
Small bakery that sells big, delicious cookies. The word indulgent definitely applies here.
167 W 74th St
167 West 74th StreetSmall bakery that sells big, delicious cookies. The word indulgent definitely applies here.
Upscale soup and sandwiches with a French flavor. Good coffee and macarons if you just want a snack. Pricey.
28 locals recommend
Bouchon
10 Columbus CircleUpscale soup and sandwiches with a French flavor. Good coffee and macarons if you just want a snack. Pricey.
Seasonal French menu in a formal dining space. Lunch special is actually a good deal, especially for food of this quality.
42 locals recommend
Jean-Georges
1 Central Park WestSeasonal French menu in a formal dining space. Lunch special is actually a good deal, especially for food of this quality.
The ultimate indulgence for foodies. Try world renowned Chef Thomas Keller’s tasting menu and you’ll never look at food the same.
66 locals recommend
Per Se
10 Columbus CircleThe ultimate indulgence for foodies. Try world renowned Chef Thomas Keller’s tasting menu and you’ll never look at food the same.
Try a variety of different meats grilled on skewers in an attractive dining space. You can spread your foodie wings a bit, but the bill can pile up quickly.
18 locals recommend
Yakitori Totto
251 W 55th StTry a variety of different meats grilled on skewers in an attractive dining space. You can spread your foodie wings a bit, but the bill can pile up quickly.
Alice in Wonderland theme decorates a cozy café with a friendly staff You can eat a meal here, but the better choice is just a snack or dessert with your tea.
102 W 73rd St
102 West 73rd StreetAlice in Wonderland theme decorates a cozy café with a friendly staff You can eat a meal here, but the better choice is just a snack or dessert with your tea.
Authentic Thai cuisine and helpful service. Great baby back ribs. Familiar dishes and some more unique offerings to try. Gets crowded.
102 locals recommend
Pure Thai Cookhouse
766 9th AveAuthentic Thai cuisine and helpful service. Great baby back ribs. Familiar dishes and some more unique offerings to try. Gets crowded.
Dive with a huge menu of comfort foods. Big portions. Space is small but they deliver or have seating outside.
Big Nick's Burger Joint & Pizza Joint
2175 BroadwayDive with a huge menu of comfort foods. Big portions. Space is small but they deliver or have seating outside.
Beautiful restaurant known for brunch. Lemon ricotta pancakes and eggs benedict are highlights.
29 locals recommend
Sarabeth's
40 Central Park SBeautiful restaurant known for brunch. Lemon ricotta pancakes and eggs benedict are highlights.
Excellent salmon and tuna. Serves brunch as well. Best seats are probably outside.
17 locals recommend
Ocean Grill
384 Columbus AvenueExcellent salmon and tuna. Serves brunch as well. Best seats are probably outside.
No special gimmicks, just good sushi at a reasonable price. Friendly servers and decent décor.
12 locals recommend
Tenzan Columbus Ave
285 Columbus AveNo special gimmicks, just good sushi at a reasonable price. Friendly servers and decent décor.
Large gluten-free menu and a picnic basket meal you can take with you to the park. Coupons usually available online.
12 locals recommend
Pappardella
316 Columbus AveLarge gluten-free menu and a picnic basket meal you can take with you to the park. Coupons usually available online.
Quick, flavorful burgers, fries, and shakes. Nothing too fancy or big, just good. Shroom Burger is a unique experience.
993 locals recommend
Shake Shack
Madison AvenueQuick, flavorful burgers, fries, and shakes. Nothing too fancy or big, just good. Shroom Burger is a unique experience.
If you can find a time when the wait is less than 2 hours, you’ll love the simple but complex ramen and broths. Cash only.
138 locals recommend
Totto Ramen Midtown West
If you can find a time when the wait is less than 2 hours, you’ll love the simple but complex ramen and broths. Cash only.
A hole-in-the-wall burger place hidden in a posh hotel. Classic, thick burgers and fries for a reasonable price. Cash only.
69 locals recommend
burger joint
119 W 56th StA hole-in-the-wall burger place hidden in a posh hotel. Classic, thick burgers and fries for a reasonable price. Cash only.
A French and American restaurant where you can sit and talk and have a relaxing evening without totally breaking the bank.
437 locals recommend
New York City Hall
A French and American restaurant where you can sit and talk and have a relaxing evening without totally breaking the bank.
Drinks & Nightlife
The perfect date spot. Dark and intimate lounge with excellent cocktails and food. North African menu adds to feeling you’ve traveled somewhere exotic.
28 locals recommend
Shalel Lounge
65 W 70th StThe perfect date spot. Dark and intimate lounge with excellent cocktails and food. North African menu adds to feeling you’ve traveled somewhere exotic.
Drinks are a bit pricey and nothing special, but dancing on the rooftop with a view of NYC is a great experience. Monday is jazz night.
48 locals recommend
The Empire Hotel
44 W 63rd St.Drinks are a bit pricey and nothing special, but dancing on the rooftop with a view of NYC is a great experience. Monday is jazz night.
Laid back pub with slightly higher prices due to location. Burger and tater tots are their signature, but their Raw bar is also quite popular.
80 locals recommend
PJ Clarke's
915 3rd AveLaid back pub with slightly higher prices due to location. Burger and tater tots are their signature, but their Raw bar is also quite popular.