The "City That Never Sleeps" is known for its ever-changing culinary scene and world-class attractions, showcasing the talents of the world's best artists, chefs, and performers. New York City visitors have no shortage of internationally-acclaimed restaurants and unique activities to choose from.
Evelyn's Kitchen
Evelyn's Kitchen has been acclaimed as one of Oprah Winfrey's favorite New York City dining destinations by O Magazine, featured on the Food Network for its delicious pastries and dessert offerings. The East Harlem bakery and cafe was opened in 2009 by pastry chef Ayala Donchin, named in honor of her godmother, Evelyn Satinoff. Visitors can stop in at one of East Harlem's best-kept secrets six days a week and enjoy delectable signature goodies like banana pudding pudgies, salted dulce de leche alfajores, lemon pound cake, and the bakery's famed toffee blondies. A full menu of made-to-order cafe fare is served up at lunch and dinner, including entrees like skirt steak dinners, Jamaican jerk shrimp, homestyle baked ziti, and vegetarian dinner specials.
2317 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10035, Phone: 646-476-7906
UNIX Gallery
UNIX Gallery was originally founded in London in 2003 by gallerists Alex Cesaria and Daniela Mercuri before moving to Miami's vibrant Wynwood neighborhood in 2010. After several successful seasons in Miami, the gallery transferred to New York's elegant Chelsea neighborhood and has become one of the neighborhood's most acclaimed gallery spaces. Exhibitions showcase a rotating roster of internationally-renowned emerging and established artists, including Ellen de Meijer, Hisao Hanafusa, Marcello lo Giudice, and KwangHo Shin. In addition to annual exhibition and art fair programming, the gallery also collaborates with regional nonprofit organizations to craft special exhibitions meant to give back to the community and showcase regional artistic voices.
UNIX Gallery, 513 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001, Phone: 212-209-1572
Word Up Community Bookshop
Word Up Community Bookshop was originally opened in 2011 as a pop-up shop at the corner of Manhattan's Broadway and 176th Streets, expanded to a permanent location in Washington Heights in 2013 after a successful fundraising campaign. The volunteer-operated community bookshop and arts space specializes in multilingual works, striving to create an inclusive neighborhood bookstore experience and use books as a reciprocal method of cultural exchange and education. Visitors can peruse the bookshop's diverse collections, which span a range of general interest adult and children's topics. Special events hosted at the bookstore throughout the year include readings, film screenings, art exhibitions, lectures, and live music performances.
2113 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10032, Phone: 347-688-4456
Little Pie Company
Little Pie Company is a charming bakery in Manhattan's Theater District, owned and operated since 1985 by former Broadway actor Arnold Wilkerson. The inviting bakery features large-format windows along its exterior, showcasing the delicious goodies and pastries inside for visitors walking by. Diners can enjoy a wide selection of delicious homemade pies, cakes, and desserts, including fruit and sweet pies stuffed with fillings like apple, key lime, coconut cream, and Mississippi mud chocolate. Oven-fresh muffins are also available throughout the day, along with savory fare like fresh-baked breads and piping-hot chicken pot pies. Bassett's Ice Cream is served in several flavors by the scoop or in hand-spun homestyle milkshakes.
424 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036, Phone: 212-736-4780
310 Bowery Bar
310 Bowery Bar is a hip cocktail bar offering from Corkbuzz's Rick Aurigemma and Gansevoort Market's Chris Reda, housed within the former 310 Lounge space in Manhattan's NoHo neighborhood. The industrial-chic bar features decor elements salvaged from a Brooklyn junkyard, including steam radiators and reclaimed Pennsylvania wood. Diners can enjoy a rotating selection of 14 regional and national draft beers, paired alongside fine wine offerings and a selection of fun cocktails, including twists on popular drinks like Old Fashioneds and hot toddys. Food is served up from Williamsburg Pizza executive chef Nino Coniglio, renowned as the 2016 Pizza Maker of the Year.
310 Bowery, New York, NY 10012, Phone: 646-609-3238
Jun-Men Ramen Bar
Jun-Men Ramen Bar is a hip Chelsea ramen bar opened in 2015 by Korean immigrant Jun Park, known for its delicious modernized Japanese fare and noodle bowls. The lively 9th Avenue joint serves up excellent ramen options throughout the week, including spicy miso bowls, kimchi bowls, pork bone bowls, and uni mushroom bowls. Pan-Asian small plates include barbecue pork belly buns, karaage chicken buns, poke bowls, double-fried chicken wings, and signature Jun-Men fried rice entrees prepared with Chinese sausage, fried eggs, and tobiko. For dessert, diners can select from unique options like matcha cheesecake or green tea-infused creme brulee. A selection of imported Japanese premium beers are available to complement all meals, along with a menu of fine sake.
249 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001, Phone: 646-852-6787
Dear Irving
Dear Irving is a glamorous cocktail parlor offering two locations throughout Manhattan, including a Times Square rooftop bar location and a location atop the Aliz Hotel on 40th Street. The bar, which opened its first location in 2014, is inspired by the classic Woody Allen film Midnight in Paris, showcasing rooms representing historical eras ranging from Renaissance Europe through 20th-century America. A Marie Antoinette-themed parlor is offered, along with a 1960s-themed JFK Room, a 1920-styled Great Gatsby room, and an Abraham Lincoln-themed room. Clever seasonal cocktails include the Dancing Rabbit, which features jalapeno and ancho verde peppers, and the Golden Hour, which infuses bergamot and white grape botanicals into Manzanilla sherry. A limited list of wines and beers are also available, along with curated elevated bar bites such as chicken liver mousse and lemon bars.
55 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003
Kesté Pizza and Vino
Kesté Pizza and Vino is a delightful Bleecker Street joint serving up Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas since 2009. The restaurant is helmed by restaurateur and Naples immigrant Roberto Caporuscio, who has received a number of major accolades from national and international food critics for his perfectly-cooked traditional pizzas. All pizzas are prepared within the restaurant's 950-degree oven, including signature Montanara fried pizzas crafted with ingredients like smoked buffalo mozzarella, cream of pork onions, and truffle cream. Specialty pizzas include pistachio pesto pizzas, walnut cream and zucchini pizzas, and margherita varieties prepared with sausage, mushrooms, or Italian-cooked ham.
271 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014, Phone: 212-243-1500
Slate
Slate is one of Chelsea's most iconic nightlife destinations, known as a veritable adult playground for its oversized games and playground equipment. The hip Manhattan bar lets visitors ages 21 and older let loose and play in clever spaces such as a 20-foot slide, a ping-pong court, 33 pool tables, a bowling alley, and an arcade room featuring favorites like skee-ball. The fun stretches over two floors, offering 16,000 square feet of gaming fun. DJ sets run late into the night, complemented by a state-of-the-art audiovisual system and New York City's largest high-definition video screen. An upscale menu of bar fare highlights inventive pizzas, burgers, and shareable appetizers.
54 W 21st St, New York, NY 10010, Phone: 212-989-0096
