Amarcord
01
shopping
Lovers of Italian fashion, rejoice! The owners of Amarcord have literally traveled the world to bring you such great options, flying to Italy and blessing us all with their best finds.
Dante
02
food
I absolutely love this place. It's perfect for breakfast or a weekend brunch.
The Bar Room
03
food
Perfect for dinner and drinks with some friends. It is old-school opulence at its finest.
The Whitney
04
culture
The new Whitney is cool. Really, really cool. Sitting on the west edge of the Meatpacking District, its views are almost as good as its art.
Carbone
05
food
If you want a ridiculously amazing, “Holy shit, is this for real?” Italian experience, go to Carbone. The waiters’ uniforms, rolling carts filled with cured meats and cheeses, 20 dessert options, and interior décor is just perfect, classic, old school Italian. Oh, and the food? Order anything. You can’t go wrong.
Sant Ambroeus
06
food
The design (and I hate myself for saying this) is an Instagram haven with a really cool atmosphere and aesthetics—almost too cool. It’s where I go when I’m in the mood to bump into someone I know without making plans.
Milk Bar Mini
07
food
Part of the Milk Bar Chain, Milk Bar Mini has everything you could want from a world-renowned bakery. TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
The William Vale
08
hotels
Located in Brooklyn, this hotel is known for its rooftop pool and jaw-dropping view of Manhattan. The place to be on a summer's afternoon!
The Mercer Kitchen
09
food
Jean Georges' Mercer Kitchen is located in the chic and trendy Mercer Hotel in Soho. It is a warm neighborhood hangout with consistently incredible food.
Beacon's Closet
10
shopping
This place isn’t a secret. But if you’re the patient and curious type, and willing to endure hordes of people, Beacon’s Closet is for you. With its large surface and endless racks, it’s a méli-mélo of clothes.
The Uncommons
11
food
A cafe that specializes in coffee and board games. It’s always crowded and you will find a lot of 19 year olds from NYU but it has every board game under the sun!
Ed's Lobster Bar
12
food
The best lobster roll in NYC.... and that’s saying something. Tip: Get there early and go alone or with a partner. The tiny eatery has about 4 tables and a tiny bar you can sit at.
Jack's Wife Freda
13
food
Best for breakfast or brunch with friends. Eggs galore on their delicious menu and it’s a very chilled atmosphere. The type of place you can show up in your PJ’s.
Gemma
14
food
A wonderful downtown restaurant, housed in The Bowery Hotel. There is outdoor seating, too, so it's perfect for a summer evening.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
15
culture
Throughout my childhood I loved visiting various wings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Egyptian mummies and the Medieval Knights' armor keep children delighted for hours; while some adults prefer the outstanding European and American painting collections.
Lombardi's Pizza
16
food
The great debate: New York City’s best pizza. Lomardi’s has my vote, and is inarguably an institution in its own right. This Little Italy haunt has been serving its delicious thin crusted Neapolitan pizza since 1905
Bemelmans Bar
17
food
Bemelmans Bar in the Carlyle hotel has featured jazz and cabaret stars for over 70 years. The bar takes its name from the artist who painted the exquisite wall murals, Ludwig Bemelman, of Madeline in Paris fame.
American Museum of Natural History
18
culture
This may stem from when I was a child, but I truly love The Natural History Museum. It just never gets old for me.
Balthazar
19
food
Created by the McNally brothers a couple of decades ago, it is fair to say that Balthazar has earned the right to be labeled a New York City institution. While it is popular for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, my favorite time to go is in the early morning—when I can plop myself into one of their cozy and iconic bistro booths and enjoy that irresistible smell of freshly baked goods wafting throughout the entire restaurant, as their bread and croissants are just coming out of the wood burning oven. TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
Chelsea Market
20
food
It is an indoor food haven with dozens of little stalls that all specialize in different foods and beverages: the perfect coffee, fresh warm doughnuts, handmade pasta, gourmet cheeses from near and far, oysters … I could keep going, but I think the point is made.
En Japanese Brasserie
21
food
This delicious Japanese restaurant has incredible, unique, dishes, and pays attention to absolutely every little detail from the bathroom lighting (a pet peeve of mine), to their cutlery and elaborate art-like food displays.
MoMA
22
culture
MoMa is a New York must, housing some of the world's best modern art. It is curated perfectly, and is a masterpiece in itself.
The Mercer
23
hotels
The Mercer is one of my favorite hotels, and not just because it has the best room service from Jean George's Mercer Kitchen. It is sleek chic and has the largest bathtubs in NYC. The lobby, filled with people from the design and film worlds, is a reprieve from the SoHo bustle.
Il Buco
24
food
This is one of my favorites. The food, the atmosphere, the vibe: all of it is amazing.
Momofuku
25
food
David Chang’s Momofuku: An Asian-American dumpling bar that doesn’t take reservations ahead of time is another must try, for lunch or dinner. My only advice is to arrive early so you avoid a long wait time to be seated.
ACME
26
food
Incredible restaurant and downstairs in the basement is where all of my friends and I go to let loose and just dance. Tip: befriend the bouncer to let you in. TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
The Museum at FIT
27
culture
The Museum at FIT calls itself 'The Most Fashionable Museum in NYC'. And it really is. Discover everything from leather jackets to costumes worn in the ballet. It's also home to the Couture Council. What more could you want? TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
Awoke Vintage
29
shopping
Stylish secondhand clothing store offering retro apparel and accessories for men and women.
Pier 25 Mini Golf
30
activities
Now that we’re over the fact that I’m a loser, may I just say that you should not underestimate the fun you can have playing a good, clean game of nighttime mini golf!
Wythe Hotel
31
hotels
The Wythe is old school Brooklyn. Think exposed brick walls and floor-to-ceiling steel windows. Housed in a factory built in 1901, it is industrial-chic to the max.
Liberty Science Center
32
culture
The Science Museum, officially known as the Liberty Science Center, is in New Jersey but still, if you have kids, or you still are a kid like me, it is worth the journey.
The Mark Hotel
33
hotels
Located on the Upper East Side, Jacque Grange's fun design makes this hotel a delight. The over the top bar is a good place to meet for drinks.
Bond St
34
food
Bond St is a large, modern Japanese restaurant, serving the most superb sushi in a fun, vibey atmosphere. It's the place to go on Friday nights, sip on sake and dine in style.
MoMA Design Store
35
shopping
It’s not just a gallery, they have an incredible concept store in Soho that has everything from prints, to funky furniture, notebooks, and books that turn into lights. It is definitely worth going even if you already have, as they are constantly changing up what they showcase.
The High Line
36
activities
Whenever I am in NYC, I take my dog for a walk there every weekend. The view, fresh breeze from the river, and the vibrant energy as you walk through the park, never gets old.
New York Public Library
37
culture
The New York Public Library is breathtaking, and if you haven’t been, you should
Nomad Vintage
38
shopping
Readers with an eclectic style will find a slice of heaven in this East Village gem. The name gives it away: the store sells an abundance of unique pieces, carefully curated from around the globe.
Shuko
39
food
Shuko is spectacular. It parades sushi in front of its guests like each piece is a jewel, and to be quite honest, it has every right to do so. Each mouthful is a gourmet delight, and looks pretty too. It's omakase menu is quite possibly one of the best in The City, so it is an absolute must for any sushi lover.
Photo: Evan Sung
Arturo's
40
food
Arturo's is an institution, with al fresco seating and live music every night. Tip: you can't make reservations during the weekend.
Bar Pitti
41
food
A casual trattoria with plenty of outdoor seating, Bar Pitti is tightly packed and always full. There's a good reason for this though: it's so good, everyone wants to be there.
Café Select
42
food
Café Select is a small, super cozy, Swedish-ish, café-restaurant, where you can comfortably hide away in a corner, or if you prefer, take one of their three outdoor tables or a banquet table by the window.
Photo: Nadav Havakook
The Inn at Irving Place
43
hotels
Located near Union Square and Gramercy Park, this 12 room townhouse has eclectic furniture and old world charm.
The New York Edition
44
hotels
In the Flatiron District, the New York Edition has fun, design-heavy public spaces. Its restaurant, The Clocktower, has great food and is very romantic - perfect for a date. TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
Tomoe Sushi
45
food
Inexpensive sushi of the highest quality. Casual excellence.
Photo: Dennis and Luba
230 Fifth Rooptop Bar
46
food
New York's largest rooftop garden is great in both summer and winter. Enjoy the sun with a busy and vibey drinks session, or huddle up in igloos during the winter months.
Buvette
47
food
Buvette is a quintessential Parisian cafe, with a particularly impressive wine list. The food is good, the atmosphere is great, and you will want to go back again and again.
The Lowell
48
hotels
This small, elegant hotel on the Upper East side is the favorite of many who prefer a quiet uptown setting. Its charming breakfast room is perfect for one-on-one meetings or getting work done.
The Downtown Boathouse at Pier 26
49
activities
Kayak on the Hudson for free, from May to October. TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
Fonda
50
food
Go here for excellent food and some of the best drinks in the City. Every visit to Fonda is a fiesta, literally.
The Bowery Hotel
51
hotels
Located in NoHo, the rooms have expansive views of the city. You can cozy up on the velvet sofas by the fireplace with a hot toddy after having dinner at Gemma's which is located on the ground floor.
Smorgasburg
52
food
A Brooklyn food truck market that will satisfy your cravings with countless foodie yet budget-friendly options.
The Crosby Street Hotel
53
hotels
Each room has a unique design, with fun bold prints, and warehouse-style windows. The service is very accommodating, especially for the little pooch.
Global Table
54
shopping
Global Table has the most amazing curation of tableware and ceramics. Kitchen inspo at its finest.
Sara Japanese Pottery
55
shopping
Sara displays the most beautiful collections of ceramics and tableware, with a rotating door of exhibitions and Japanese delights. You'll want to buy everything.
The Curated NYC
56
shopping
The Curated is everything you could wish for in a store. Curated by Christian Siriano, it is an endless fairytale array of fashion, gifts and art. The shop is as beautiful as its wares: it is picture perfect.
The Noguchi Museum
57
culture
The magnificent Isamu Noguchi founded and designed this Queens museum, which perpetuates his legacy of majestic design. It's bewitching and brilliant.
Brooklyn Museum and Botanical Garden
58
culture
The Brooklyn Museum is everything a museum should be. It's big, bustling and bursting at the seams. It houses 1.5 million works of art, so there's always a reason to come back. The Botanical Garden is sensational.
Morgan's Library
59
culture
The Morgan Library and Museum is spectacular. It is historical, opulent and full of character. Its charm is wondrous; it's the library of dreams. It has excellent exhibitions of all types.
The Asia Society
60
culture
A cultural hub of the finest degree, The Asia Society hosts everything from art exhibitions to literary festivals.
The Children's Museum of Manhattan
61
culture
The Children's Museum is exactly what it should be: five floors of absolute fun, and nothing else. Every child - and inner child - will be delighted.
Wollman's Skating Rink
62
activities
The heart of every Christmas movie ever made (or set in New York, at least), the skating rink is a wintry must. Romance at its very best.
Lincoln Center
63
culture
Home of the best ballet, classical music and opera in the world. A must.
Blue Note
64
culture
Blue Note is the quintessential jazz club. It is chic, sophisticated, and the epitome of New York after dark.
