60 Places in New York I'll Always Go Back To

My favorite coffees, meals, parks, museums and shops in NYC

Hi there!

New York has been heavy on my mind, and after my most recent visit at the beginning of October - it feels like a good time to refresh my recs and give the TTS community a new guide!

I published a topline guide focused around mini itineraries throughout the city along with a map of my top recs back in March - see HERE ICYMI!

Today, I’m sharing 60 (!) places that I adore and will visit again & again in the city. I’ve broken into a few different categories for ease, but hit me with a reply or drop a comment if you want recs in a specific neighborhood etc!

Coffee

1. Cafe Lyria - freddo cappuccino always hits

2. Abraco Espresso - they take coffee SO seriously here and I SO appreciate it

3. Ludlow Coffee Supply - Dua Lipa’s favorite coffee - maple latte yumm

4. Rhythm Zero - very good coffee and the shop is awesome for getting some work done. Also a very close walk to the water for a nice stroll!

Pastries & Dessert

1. Librae Bakery - best pastries in the city. No contest

2. L’Appartment 4F - best croissant in the city. Recommend Le Framboise!

3. From Lucie - absolutely unreal, unique cake creations

4. Softside - soft serve goodness. Recommend the olive oil + sea salt combo or a classic swirl <3

5. Frenchette Bakery - amazing pastries. The Church St location is stunning

6. Brooklyn Kolache - I <3 kolaches - tons sweet and savory options!

7. Win Son Bakery - you’re not gonna believe it but incredible pastries! Also recco the fried chicken milk bun sando YUM

8. La Cabra - amazing coffee & pastry shop hailing from Denmark. Highly recommend the cardamom bun!

9. Lafayette - viral bakery known for their circular croissants - worth the hype but time your visit strategically to avoid lines

Parks & Places to Have a Nice Walk or Sit

1. Little Island - the coolest park perched on the water

2. Prospect Park - Brooklyn’s finest, and it’s huge - I still haven’t covered it all!

3. Central Park - maybe… the most iconic thing on this list? Never gets old

4. Washington Square Park - excellent people watching

5. The High Line - love grabbing a coffee at Chelsea Market & walking here in the AM

6. Two Bridges - one of the best places to watch the sunset, with views of the Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge (~hence the name~)

7. PUBLIC Hotel - the second floor lounge is sooo cozy. I love grabbing a bagel and sitting there to journal or get some work done

Cocktails & Wine Bars

1. Eavesdrop - a stunning listening bar with equally wonderful drinks!

2. Hotel Delmano - one of my favorite sidewalks to sit on and people watch. A glass of vino + oysters here for happy hour is chef’s kiss

3. Sauced - this place is damn near perfect. Recommend splitting a bottle with friends and posting up on the back patio

4. Hotel Chelsea - amazing cocktail bar and perfect for a solo drink before dinner. *Also recommend the hotel’s spa which just opened this past spring!

5. Public Records - another wonderful listening bar & restaurant

6. Temperance - great natty wine bar!

7. Moonflower - great natty wine bar!

8. St. Jardim - great natty wine bar!

9. Ear Inn - an excellent dive! One of the oldest bars in the country

10. Twins Lounge - true to it’s name, this Greenpoint spot is super laid back and an easy hang with pals

11. Tokyo Record Bar - one more listening bar pls!

Food Food

1. Madame Vo - Sarah Jessica Parker’s favorite pho and mine too. I ask for a cup when I go here so I can drink the broth straight up!!!

2. Bonnie’s - The Cha Siu McRib will, in fact, change your life

3. Joe’s Pizza - hit ‘em with a classic - my favorite slice

4. JG Melon - an institution! No frills burger sit-down goodness

5. Russ & Daughters - another institution & great for a bagel with the works

6. Pop Up Bagels - feels controversial to put this one next to R&D - this new-age rip & dip bagel situation is worth the hype

7. The Fly - this place has such a special place in my heart and I go every single time I visit the city. Natty wine & the best damn chicken sandwich of your life!

8. Thai Diner - delicious and honestly convinced you can’t go wrong with your order here

9. Dinner Party - a lovely, unique dinner experience! Love the community feel this place generates

10. Bernie’s - chicky parm & martinis pls!

11. Arthur & Sons - a very solid Italian spot

12. Buvette - I love a morning walk in the West Village + a nice sit on the sidewalk with a capp + waffle at Buvette

Museums & Activities

1. The Met - most specifically, the Temple of Dendur. Could sit there for hours!!

2. The Whitney - a humongous museum filled with modern art

3. Happy Medium - an art cafe that I adore so so much! You can order an arts & crafts project and sit and create and make friends and it’s so lovely!

4. Brooklyn Museum - check their rotating exhibits and coordinate your visit from there! Loved their Virgil Abloh exhibit last year

5. American Museum of Natural History - a classic! I need to go back and check out the new wing

6. MOMA - iconic. More modern art

7. Brooklyn Botanic Garden - a beautiful place to stroll and get a dose of nature in the city

Vintage & Boutique Shopping

1. Isalis - the best curation of women’s clothing

2. Female Form - stellar accessories

3. Aimé Leon Dore - the prettiest store! No one does it like ALD

4. Funny Pretty Nice - Y2K-skewing vintage

5. Clic - a pretty perfect home goods store. I always get ideas for art & decor here (and often order things on the spot to ship home…)

6. Coming Soon - another great home store

7. Sweet Pickle Books - pickles & books. Perfect

8. Colbo - curated clothing selection & coffee

9. 10 ft Single by Stella Dallas - one of my favorite vintage stores in the city. You could be here for hours

10. New York or Nowhere - great for souvenirs. Currently writing this while wearing my NYON sweatshirt!

Aww man and here I go missing New York again. Reply to this newsletter on email or drop a comment on Substack with your favorite NYC spots! Xoxo talk soon ily