‘Gaux-To New York City: Our Guide to the Big Apple

‘Gaux-To New York City: Our Guide to the Big Apple (Part 1)

For food and wine lovers worldwide, New York City is one of the top destinations year in and year out. Home to an endless amount of wine bars and restaurants—plus one of the most diverse overall wine selections in the world—drinking around the City That Never Sleeps promises something for every palate preference out there.

While visiting New York isn’t necessarily the cheapest food-and-wine-soaked getaway, the experience is always unforgettable. With three major airports, an Amtrak station, and a slew of local trains, getting to the Big Apple is accessible from pretty much wherever you find yourself in the world.

For those who haven’t experienced the joy of bar-hopping around New York, we can assure you it’s an experience of a lifetime – and for those who’ve already visited, you’ll know exactly what we mean. However, like any big city, New York is swimming with tourist traps – though lucky for you, one of our team members is a born-and-bred New York native.

We’ve solicited the advice of our East Coast camarade to share her list of top places to eat, drink, and stay in New York. Check it out here!

Note: Part I of this New York guide will exclusively highlight bars, restaurants, and hotels in Manhattan. Stay tuned for our Brooklyn-focused Part II guide, coming soon!

The Bigger Picture:

For many, New York City is deemed the center of the world… well, at least to New Yorkers it is. Optimally based between Europe and California, this bustling financial epicenter brings an endless amount of opportunities to eat and drink to the table – literally. Though as always, knowing where to go is key.

In addition to its robust food, wine, and cocktail scene, New York is also home to a slew of additional things to do. From heading to Museum Mile to scope out some art to shopping the streets of SoHo to simply taking a stroll through Central Park and beyond, there are plenty of activities to partake in that don’t involve eating and drinking. Looking for a sun-soaked escape out of the city? Hop the A train to the Rockaways and hit the beach. Looking for a quiet reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city streets? Pop up to Fort Tryon park and take in the soaring views over the Hudson.

Note: New York City is broken down into five boroughs: Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. However, for most locals, the “City” generally refers to just Manhattan.

Breakfast (and Coffee) of Champions:

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and with a long day of walking (and drinking) ahead of you, that might be true. Here are a few places to grab a quintessential NY breakfast:

• Barney Greengrass – Traditional Upper West Side joint for bagels and lox; an institution – be sure to visit Zabar’s while up here, too
• H&H Bagels – Classic Upper East Side bagel joint; Tal Bagels, Pick-a-Bagel, and Ess-A-Bagel are also contenders, though H&H takes the win
• Russ & Daughters – The downtown version of Barney Greengrass : bagels, lox, babka, and more
• Daily Provisions – Incredible pastries and breakfast sandwiches, numerous locations around the city
• Veselka – East Village-based Ukrainian diner beloved for classic Eastern European-inspired fare; also a New York institution
• Lexington Candy Shop – Old school, soda counter type joint on the UES for short order breakfast
• Breakfast carts! – Be sure to grab a donut / breakfast sandwich and a coffee (light and sweet!) from one of New York’s many breakfast carts – Greek-inspired paper cup included

A Lunch to Remember:

By now, you’ve likely worked up an appetite after all of that sightseeing. For those looking to enjoy a leisurely lunch before taking on the afternoon, check out the spots below:

• Chelsea Market – Bustling indoor market featuring food from Luke’s Lobster, Los Tacos No. 1, and more – Corkbuzz Wine Bar also has an outpost here
• Gramercy Tavern – Famed Danny Meyer spot known for their great burger and epic wine list; à la carte and prix-fixé options available
• Mercado Little Spain – Sprawling underground Spanish market by famed chef José Andres
• Cafeteria – Buzzy diner-like spot in Chelsea with late hours; great for people watching and serious 90s /early 2000s vibes
• Marta – Wood-fired pizza and solid Italian-focused wine list
• Cafe Altro Paradiso – Energetic Italian café in great location, helmed by famed chef Ignacio Mattos
• Anton’s – Cozy corner spot with seafood, small plates, and well-curated wine list

Note: Simple hack – For those looking to keep it light and easy, simply grab a breakfast or lunch sandwich (bacon, egg, and cheese, anyone?) at a nearby deli and you’ll be good to go. When in doubt? Grab a dirty water dog or a classic NYC pretzel – you can’t go wrong here.

Wine Bars Everywhere:

New York is home to some of the greatest wine bars—and wine selections—in the world. While hard to narrow it down to just a few, here are a few go-to picks beloved by casual consumers and industry folk alike:

• La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels – French-inspired wine bar with Bible-like list and delicious small plates; one of the best wine bars in the city
• Aldo Sohm Wine Bar – Eponymous Midtown wine bar of famed sommelier Aldo Sohm; great wine list and diamond in the rough for the location (Midtown)
• Corkbuzz – Well-located, female-owned wine bar with many BTG and wine flight options (do not miss the homemade ricotta!)
• Ruffian – East Village wine spot with natural wine focused, particularly from the Caucasus area of the world
• Vinateria – Black-owned wine bar in Harlem with a focus on Spanish and Italian wines
• Temperance Wine Bar – Newly opened West Village wine bar with over 100 wines BTG and a sprawling backyard garden
• Air’s Champagne Parlor – Greenwich Village-based lounge with a focus on bubbles and snacks
• Soda Club – Newly opened East Village spot with a focus on natural / organic wine and vegan pasta dishes
• Terroir Tribeca – Long-standing NYC wine bar staple helmed by Paul Grieco, large BTG menu and tons of Riesling by the bottle

….And Cocktail Bars, Too

• Amor y Amargo – Cozy East Village bar with emphasis on Italian amari and bitters
• Dante – Italian-inspired café best known for small plates, craft cocktails, and its Negroni list
• Katana Kitten – Two-story bar with izakaya-meets-American bites and vibrant cocktails; featured in World’s 50 Best
• Double Chicken Please – Newly opened Lower East Side spot with cocktails, small snacks, and chicken sandwiches
• Dear Irving – Classy, speakeasy-style cocktail bar in centrally-located Union Square area
• The Dead Rabbit – Multi-story downtown cocktail parlor featuring Irish Whiskey, pub grub, and the city’s best Irish Coffee
• Bemelmans – Elegant piano bar located on the UES; a classic (don’t skip on the Manhattan or Martini)
• Overstory – 64th floor cocktail bar with breathtaking panoramic views of the city
• The Campbell – 1920s-inspired cocktail lounge located within Grand Central Station – Gossip Girl fans, you’ll know what we’re referring to…

Supper In the City:

The only thing better than eating in New York? Drinking and dining at the same time, especially over a long dinner laden with delicious wine. Here are a few of our go-to places to dine in Manhattan – reservations encouraged:

• Charlie Bird (Italian / New American)
• Estela (New American)
• Via Carota (Italian)
• Casa Mono (Spanish)
• Tribeca Grill (New American)
• The Modern (Michelin-star Contemporary American)
• Pinch Chinese (Chinese)
• Dirty Candy (Vegetarian)
• Crown Shy (New American)
• Cosme (Contemporary Mexican)
• Wu’s Wonton King (BYOB Chinese)
• Cote (Michelin-star Korean Barbecue)
• Le Bernardin (Splurge!)

Additional Things to Do (beyond eating and drinking):

• Stroll through Central Park and hit all of the major spots (Boathouse, Jackie Onassis Reservoir, etc.)
• Hit the High Line and explore New York from above
• Pop through a museum (or few) that strike your fancy – The Met, the MoMa, the Whitney, the Guggenheim… the list goes on
• Hop a Circle Line cruise and see New York by boat
• Walk over the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and/or Williamsburg Bridge
• Head uptown and hit the Cloisters to escape the crowds and noise
• Forget Fifth Avenue – stroll through SoHo and enjoy smaller boutique shopping
• See a Broadway Show – this is touristy, but absolutely worth it (should you prefer the Ballet or the Opera, that works too!)

Our Favorite Hotels:

The amount of great hotels in New York is seemingly endless, though as with many cities, we recommend choosing your lodgement with neighborhood in mind first. Here are a few of our go-to neighborhoods (with hotel recs) to check out :

• SoHo (NOMO SoHo, Soho Grand, Arlo Soho, Soho House)
• Chelsea (Selina, The High Line Hotel)
• Central Park South (The Plaza, The Méridien, The Pierre)
• Flatiron (Freehand, Kimpton Hotel Eventi, Arlo NoMad)
• Greenwich Village (Walker Hotel)
• East Village / Lower East Side (The Standard, PUBLIC Hotel, The Jane)
• Upper East Side (The Carlyle)

Remember, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. Cheers!