Best cafes and restaurants in New York City - an NYC Guide

(Cabbie hat from Windsor, shirt from Forever 21, shorts thrifted but originally from Gap, the stretch ones, and necklace from moonglow.com)

Hello, hello everyone! New York City is a pretty big destination trip for most people, being one of the most popular, biggest cities in the U.S.. There's a reason why people say it's one of the greatest cities in the world. It's a city of opportunity, history, the fast-paced life, and seriously, how many movies are set here? I think everyone needs to take a visit to the Big Apple at least once in their life.

With that being said, hopefully this blog will be helpful to some of you who may be planning a trip here soon. Unfortunately for me, I had planned out this blog purposely because of a trip I had planned for NYC this week, but there was an car accident with my mom (she actually got hit by a car in a parking lot, BUT she's okay, for the most part) she just can't walk on her right leg, her knee is swollen and after an MRI was done, they came to the conclusion that she has a hairline fracture. We had to cancel, so instead of having an NYC blog about my step-by-step days in the city, I may just do a blog post about what to do in Florida, since it looks like I'll be having a stay-cation.

Anyways, I will be talking about the best cafes and restaurants in New York City. Some of these I have personally experienced, and some I did a bit of research on. I wanted to make sure I found the BEST of the best, with not just great food and drinks but places with an awesome atmosphere. So here ya go;

Disclaimer: These pictures are not mine unless otherwise stated.

Cafes;

1. Remi Flower and Coffee - 906 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10017

This was a place I was planning to check out on our trip. Can you say, aesthetic as heck? This place is filled with a beautiful display of flowers and plants. It functions as a flower shop to buy bouquets but also as a coffee shop and it has THE most unique lattes I've ever seen. Among others, they're most popular lattes are the rose and lavender lattes. They apparently put real flowers in your drink. They also do sell some pastries if you're in need of a snack. You most definitely need to take a picture while you're here.

2. Devocion - 25 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003 (near the Flat Iron building)

This is another one that's incredibly pleasing to the eye yet has amazing coffee. There is another cool location in Brooklyn, but this one is in Manhattan near the Flat Iron building. The cappuccinos are apparently made to perfection. Enjoy sipping delicious coffee underneath a skylight and hanging greenery. (The skylight isn't pictured) 

3. Ferrara Bakery & Cafe - (Little Italy) 195 Grand St, New York, NY 10013

If you're in Little Italy, you have GOT to go here! The most authentic Italian pastries and other specialties you will ever have (besides in Italy). In the picture below, I'm eating sfogliatelle with some espresso and my dads sambuca (an Italian liquor usually had with dessert). A cool fact is that this place has been around since 1892. So it's survived the Great Depression and both World Wars. 

(my picture ^)

4.  Serendipity's 3 - 225 E 60th St., New York, NY 10022

Now this place you definitely need a reservation for. This is probably one of the most popular places in NYC for dessert. They also sell coffee, lunch, and dinner, but most people come here for the dessert. If you're just dropping by for dessert, I don't believe you're allowed to make a reservation so you could be waiting 40 minutes or more. Kinda worth it though. They have a famous frozen hot chocolate, crazy looking banana splits, and literally the biggest desserts you have ever seen. Their cool atmosphere is also a bonus; it's super chic and funky. 

(Me in front of Serendipity's. This was probably five years ago now. Jeez, I'm old.)

5. Cha Cha Matcha - 1158 Broadway, New York, NY & 373 Broome St, New York, NY

This is a place I only know about because of Instagram but apparently, they have amazing matcha lattes here and plus, how cute is the inside with all of that pink? If you don't know what matcha is, it's a vibrant green powder made from green tea leaves, most familiar with Japanese culture. It delivers way more antioxidants than regular green tea, not to mention, it has caffeine, of course. You can also get some pastries while you're here.

Restaurants;

1. Pig n'Whistle - 922 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10022

This is a great pub for some Irish food, like corn beef and cabbage or shepherds pie. The space is a bit tight, but it's honestly just such a New York City cool, cozy vibe. There are a few other locations around the city but this is the one I always visit. If you're looking for a cozy, filling Irish meal, this is the place to go. (Also, it's great food to eat if it's cold outside; the perfect winter meal).
Here's a picture of my boyfriend and I here in a booth, two years ago during Christmas :)

2. While We Were Young Kitchen & Cocktails - 183 W 10th St., New York, NY 10014

Now, this place is widely popular on Instagram, mostly for the airy, chic,  aesthetically pleasing setting but the food here is apparently really good as well. They sell cocktails, brunch, and dinner. They have healthy-ish food options such as; Salmon with kale, chickpeas, and pistachio, winter squash pasta with walnuts and dates, but then they also have chicken and waffles and a truffle omelette for brunch (among other things of course). I heard the cauliflower tater tots are AMAZING. If you're going to New York City with a girlfriend, I have a feeling this would be a great place to hang out.

3. Jacks Wife Freda - 224 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012

A very popular place in Soho, but there are also two other locations in NYC. (The others being West Village and Chelsea) They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails. You can check off points for a cute atmosphere and delicious food for this one. They have very interesting foods that they present beautifully. Their ideas come from Israeli and South African culture. For breakfast you can try out "Maya's breakfast bowl" made with scrambled or poached eggs, red quinoa, kale, spaghetti squash, avocado, and grilled tomato. For lunch you can get a "Madame Freda" which is a pressed sandwich with duck prosciutto, cheddar bechamel, gruyere, and a sunny side up egg. And for dinner try out the Ground Lamb and Eggplant "Lasagna". 

4. Cafe Medi - 107 Rivington St., New York, NY 10002

Serving Mediterranean seafood and vegetarian friendly dishes, this place lights up with their sky lit atmosphere and floor to ceiling murals. Their food represents France, Spain, and Italy. Just some examples of the dishes they serve are seared scallops, sweet pea risotto pasta, and lamb souvlaki. 

5. Emilio's Ballato - 55 E Houston St., New York, NY 10012

If you're visiting Soho, definitely stop by and eat at Emilio's. This family owned Italian restaurant is probably the most popular one among all the authentic Italian spots around New York. There are pictures on the wall from all the famous people who have eaten here, from Barack Obama to Jimmy Fallon and other movie stars. Of course it's a bit pricey, like most places in NYC, but that's to be expected. Come here to experience a little taste of Italy. Only downside is they don't take reservations so you may want to put your name on the wait list then do some walking around town.

6. Via Carota - 51 Grove St., New York, NY 10014

Another great Italian spot, this one is nestled in Greenwich village and has a rustic, warm, and cozy charm to it (Obviously I love cozy places so I had to add this in). It'll make you feel like you're actually eating in a small Italian village up on the mountains in cobble-stoned streets. It's inspired by a 17th century Florence villa. The food is out of this world, or well, out of this country and straight from Italy, I should say. Definitely try it out. 

7. Max Brenner Chocolate Bar - 841 Broadway, New York, NY 10003

Okay, this place is crazy. They have chocolate EVERYTHING (yes that is a chocolate marshmellow-covered pizza in the picture). So if you're a chocolate lover, you have got to try this place out. I didn't list it under cafes because they really serve everything, from (of course) desserts, to pizza, burgers, soy-glazed salmon, pasta primavera, pub steak and potatoes, and then everything you can think of with chocolate added to it. There are Cocoa Spiced Waffle Fries, Belgium Hot Chocolate, Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate, an 80s Milkshake, all different types of Fondue and Waffles and Crepes AND chocolate covered pizzas. I can literally go on. There is so much food at this place, chocolate and non-chocolate related. But you obviously need to come here and get SOMETHING chocolate related at some point. This place is just pure awesome.

8. L&B Spumoni Gardens - 2725 86th St., Brooklyn, NY 11223

This is another famous location, although I still don't feel like many people know about it. Established in 1938, this family-owned restaurant got made famous for their Sicilian square pizza, spumoni and Italian ices. You can be served inside their cozy restaurant or eat outside like a true New Yorker on the go. They also have regular, round pies and you can order any of their pizzas by the slice. If you want to eat inside their restaurant, they offer much more than pizza as well. Even though it's in Brooklyn, it's worth the trip.

9. Last but not least..... get AUTHENTIC RAMEN! Anywhere, seriously, because they're all over the place.

I couldn't pick a specific location for this, because almost all of the ones around the city are authentic and family owned. To name a few, here are some in the heart of NYC:

Totto Ramen - 248 E 52nd St

Momosan Ramen & Sake - 342 Lexington Ave

Nakamura - 172 Delancey St

Ivan Ramen - 25 Clinton St

(Picture from Ivan Ramen, NYC)

(Picture from Totto Ramen, NYC)


Hope you enjoyed this blog post! I'm sure there are many more amazing cafes and restaurants I haven't heard of in NYC. If you'd like, suggest some down below for any fellow viewers! 
Have a wonderful weekend,

Lots of love,
Sammi