1
New Museum
1
235 Bowery
The New Museum, which looks like a stack of boxes towering over the Bowery, is New York’s fresh face of contemporary art. The building itself is as much a work of contemporary art as the pieces inside. It has a chip on its shoulder but wears its heart on its sleeve. In addition to its novel exhibitions, the New Museum also hosts readings, performances, trivia nights and other events and programs that defy definition.
2
Katz's Delicatessen
2
205 E. Houston St.
Send a salami to your boy in the Army, reads the worn sign hanging in Katz's, the cacophonous, confusing but delectable deli on the Lower East Side. Not much has changed here since the turn of the century: Grab a ticket at the door, wait in the scrum of lines to place your order with the gruff countermen—and please don’t try to eat the whole pastrami sandwich in one sitting.
3
Freemans
3
End of Freemans Alley (off Rivington St.
It might be a little tricky to find Freemans—there’s no street address as it’s located at the end of an alley. But once there, you’ll find a restaurant with hunting lodge–inspired decor, a hip scene and comforting meals. Taavo Somer and William Tigertt happened upon the cozy space just off the Bowery back in 2004, and envisioned a rugged clandestine colonial tavern serving early American cuisine: simple, rustic and inspired by Old World traditions.
4
Kossar's Bagels and Bialys
4
367 Grand St
Kossar's has been producing bialys—traditional Polish rolls with diced onions in the depressed center—since the 1930s, but it's only been making bagels since 1998. Despite being a late bloomer, Kossar's manages to craft bagels with the same TLC it puts into its bialys. The dough is hand-rolled and proofed for 24 hours before boiling and baking. The pumpernickel is almost black, while other flavors—poppy, sesame, everything—are dense and rich with a glossy sheen. A renovation a few years back brightened up the shop and added bialy and bagel sandwiches to the mix; there are additional baked goods as well as coffee and juice.
5
Essex Market
5
88 Essex St.
Essex Market is a public market located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. With a brand new facility and 30+ unique small businesses, Essex Market has been serving local residents and tourists alike with fresh produce, prepared food, and gourmet and specialty items for over 100 years. Throughout its history, Essex Market has acted as a community gathering place for the neighborhood's diverse immigrant groups, which is reflected in its rich array of food offerings.
6
Public, an Ian Schrager Hotel
6
215 Chrystie St.
Located on the Lower East Side, the 367-room Public hotel has two Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurants, an all-day market, an a la carte restaurant and three bars including an 18th floor rooftop with amazing City views. Other amenities include outdoor gardens, communal lobby work spaces and a nightclub. The hotel also offers self-check-in and check-out assisted by “public advisors,” and guests can control all in-room lights, shades and room climate via bedside devices. The Public also has free WiFi.
7
Davelle
7
102 Suffolk St.
With its chic scratched mirror, marble tables, chipped-paint window frames and floral bouquets, this tiny, elegant Japanese café looks camera-ready for a high-end design magazine. Open all day, it’s a place for precisely made matcha and cold brew, as well as stunning spaghetti with cod roe. Fried chicken—whether as a cutlet in curry or as karaage—is another winner. At breakfast, get the amazing toast with sweet red bean paste and butter.
8
Kopitiam
8
151 East Broadway
Adventurous eaters should head to Kopitiam, a colorful, all-day Malaysian café on the edge of Chinatown. Fish ball soup and thick toast with butter and floral-scented pandan coconut jam are among the must-try breakfast items. Later in the day, look for chilled, spicy sesame noodles and nasi lemak, a bowl of coconut rice with fried anchovies, cucumber, peanuts and sliced hard-boiled egg. Order at the counter, slip into a table and await friendly servers who swiftly deliver dishes.
9
Loreley Beer Garden
9
7 Rivington St.
Modelled after the "Brauhaus" in Cologne (Köln), Germany, Loreley is the first of its kind biergarten in New York City. The largest heated outdoor beer garden in Manhattan's Lower East Side, it has a great selection of imported beers, wines and spirits. Loreley hosts seasonal events and festivals, with rotating decor, seasonal beers and food items, as well as seasonal cocktails. The kitchen offers a delicious German-inspired food menu.