I've lived in New York since 2011, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that the city never runs out of new places to try. So much of my early years here was spent trying to tick through so many spots. Then in my 30s it was all about trying out all the spots I was saving from social media.
But as the years have passed and as I’ve settled into my routines and cherished my time in the city (because I am so often not here!) I more so find myself going back to the same handful of spots over and over. I cherish the familiarity of them.
This post is dedicated to those places. The ones I recommend without hesitation, the ones I bring visiting friends to, the ones I'd order exactly the same way every single time (usually!)
Consider this your shortcut to eating and drinking like me - a 15 year New Yorker who loves and appreciates really good food and drinks. No scrolling through 400 saved Google Maps pins or the upteen amount of reels you’ve saved of the next great spot in the city.
L’Appartement 4F — A Parisian bakery tucked into Brooklyn Heights (with a newer West Village outpost too). Bright, airy, and full of the kind of pastry case you have to walk past twice. MUST ORDER: the raspberry croissant and the everything croissant. The cookies and baguettes are also worthwhile.
Buvette — A tiny, romantic French bistro in the West Village that feels like it was airlifted straight from Paris — marble tables, low light, always a little crowded. I’ve been coming here for 15 years and never tire of it. MUST ORDER: the soft scrambled eggs with prosciutto and the Belgian waffle.
Daily Provisions — Danny Meyer’s all-day counter-service cafe. Casual, fast, and reliably good for a coffee and a breakfast sandwich on the go. MUST ORDER: the everything croissant (it’s stuffed delightfully with cream cheese!) and the crueller.
Ess-a-Bagel — Old-school New York bagel institution in Midtown East/Gramercy that was a religious experience the first week I lived in New York and realized I had never had such a good bagel in my life. Go for a classic everything bagel piled high with scallion cream cheese.
Tompkins Square Bagels — This East Village staple with a cult following offers an enormous menu of custom cream cheese combinations. It was my go-to when I lived in the East Village and now I pop into the Union Square location from time to time.
Pop Up Bagels — The newer bagel darling with locations scattered across the city (SoHo, UWS, UES, Midtown East, and expanding). Warm, doughy bagels sold in packs of three with rotating schmears. MUST ORDER: everything bagel with scallion cream cheese. Also love the salt bagel.
Poppy’s — My favorite cozy neighborhood cafe with two Brooklyn locations (the original is in Cobble Hill and the newer one in Brooklyn Heights). Great coffee, great pastries. MUST ORDER: the seasonal scone and the fig leaf cardamom bun. Also worthwhile: the frozen cookie dough to bring and make home!!
Edith’s — This all-day cafe and market in Williamsburg is great for a relaxed morning with good coffee and a menu that goes well beyond the basics. The sandwiches are next level good.
Arabica — I actually rarely go out for coffee when I am in NYC but when I do - I come to Arabica in DUMBO. They have the best Americanos in the city IMO.
Brunch rule of thumb: always order a table pancake to share!!!
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