Updated: January 16, 2020 (updated: eateries and places to go)
Updated: January 2, 2018 (updated: “favorites” and “list of other places we’ve been”)
Updated: September 19, 2017 (added: “list of other places we’ve been”)
THINGS TO DO AND EAT IN NEW YORK CITY
Below is a list of my current favorites! (This is subject to change.) I’ve also included a couple of tips that I thought would be helpful during your visit.
Tips:
MetroCard ($32) – Even if you’re not staying for the whole 7 days, I recommend getting the 7-day unlimited ride pass, especially if you plan on going to a lot of places. It pays for itself when you ride the bus/subway in 11 rides. You won’t have to worry about going to the ticket machine every time you go down to the subway station either!
If you plan on getting cronuts from Dominique Ansel Bakery, you can pre-order it online from their website (two weeks in advance)! It guarantees your order and you won’t have to wait in the long lines. These sell out pretty early.
Food:
Sushi on Jones – One of the most affordable omakase’s you’ll find in the city! They offer 12-piece sushi tastings for $58 with the option of ordering other items for extra. Everything was delicious and the service is A1!
Artichoke Basille Pizza – The artichoke pie is so good, we always order extra to bring home. If you usually prefer white pizzas, instead of tomato-based ones, THIS. IS. THE. ONE! The other selections are pretty good too. Be sure you try one there so they can warm it up for you.
Clinton St Baking Co – Their blueberry pancakes are a must! The hash browns are pretty good too. Tip: Get in line in advance by using the “NoWait” app. That way, you can see an estimated wait/queue time before you even get there.
Abiko Curry – If you’re craving for Japanese curry, this place is pretty good. We came across them again in Seoul! Wish we weren’t so full at the time… I’ve been wanting to get it again!
Jongro BBQ – It isn’t all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ, but the quality is better! The beef platter and pork belly was so good, the guys kept ordering extra servings.
Pokeworks – I haven’t tried many poke places in NYC yet, but this is my favorite so far. The amount of fish you get just surpasses the other locations I tried.
Tim Ho Wan Dim Sum Specialists: They’re known for receiving 1 Michelin star. I had my first taste of THW when I was in Hong Kong! It was so good we had to go back again before we left. Although the Manhattan location didn’t taste the same to me, I still liked their Baked BBQ Pork Buns. It seemed a little sweeter here than at the original location in HK, but it’s still good! It was also newly opened, so maybe they’ve improved since then? Expect a long wait.
Mermaid Inn – If you like raw oysters and raw clams, I recommend coming here during happy hour! Between 5-7 PM, they offer chef’s choice oysters and littleneck clams for $1 each. There’s also other items on the happy hour menu as well.
Bao Tea House – When I first heard that Tim Ho Wan was coming to NYC, I had to go! I tried the baked bbq pork buns in Hong Kong and was addicted. After trying it at the NYC location, I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t the same and noticed that it was much sweeter than the ones I previously had. When I tried the ones at Bao Tea House, all was forgotten! The baked bbq pork buns here were one of the best ones I had in the states.
Katsuhama – This was one of my favorite spots during my last visit to Manhattan. When I stepped in, I felt like I was transported back to Japan. I ordered the Berkshire pork loin cutlet, and it was soo tender, juicy, and crispy. You’re given a bowl of seseme seeds, and a pestle to grind them. Pour in the tonkatsu sauce, and begin eating!
Dessert:
Supermoon Bakehouse – If you’ve heard of Mr. Holmes Bakehouse (home of the half-croissant and half-muffin hybrid, cruffins) then you should have an idea of what Supermoon Bakehouse has to offer. You can’t go wrong with any of the pastries here! My favorite was the pistachio rose croissant and the cruffin was just as amazing. The flavors change frequently but you can find what their current offerings are through IG or FB.
Sundaes & Cones – My favorite ice cream place when I’m in Manhattan. Taro and black sesame are my go to flavors
Soft Swerve – Ube and black sesame soft serve? Can’t go wrong with that
Levain Bakery – I loveeee their cookies! Ask them to warm it up when you order it because it’s delishhhh fresh
Spot Dessert Bar – Prix fixe desserts! The matcha lava cake and golden toast is among some of the popular items.
Bibble & Sip – The earl grey cream puff is one of my favorites!
Dominique Ansel Kitchen – They’re known for their matcha beignets, burrata soft serve (during the summer) and so much more! My favorite item on their menu is the egg-clipse.
City Cakes: If I had to choose another place other than Levain, City Cakes would probably be my next choice. I loveee their red velvet cookies (w/ cream cheese filling) because it’s mildly sweet. Can you believe this cookie is half a pound?
Sweet Moment NYC – They have the cutest lattes and desserts! Our favorite was the red velvet cream latte. We didn’t get to try any of the desserts but hopefully next time!
Keki’s Modern Cakes – If you’ve had Uncle Tetsu’s japanese cheesecakes before, this is pretty similar. There’s other flavors to choose from, as well as tarts, cream puffs, and more goodies.
Other places we’ve been:
Food: New World Food Court (asian food hall), *Los Tacos No. 1 (adobada tacos), *Boka (Korean fried chicken & watermelon soju), *Wah Fung No.1 Fast Food (cheap Chinese box lunch, roasted pork and bbq), Tea & Sympathy (afternoon tea), *Kazunori (sushi handrolls), White Bear (chili wontons), The Mermaid Inn (raw oyster/clam HH), Kang Hodong Baekjeong (KBBQ), Xian’s Famous Food (hand pulled noodles), The Poke Spot, The Bagel Store (rainbow bagels), Nan Xiang Xiao XLB (soup dumplings), Joe’s Shanghai (soup dumplings), Luke’s Lobster (lobster rolls), Red Hook Lobster Pound (lobster rolls), Cafe Habana (elote – roasted corn), Katz Deli (pastrami sandwich), Bosie Tea Parlor (afternoon tea), Shake Shack, Halal Guys, Baohaus, Momofuku Noodle Bar, Otto’s Tacos, Dim Sum Go Go, Wasabi Sushi & Bento, Gotham West Market (Food hall), Mei Li Wah (bbq pork buns), The Pennsy Food Court (Pat Lafrieda), Food Gallery 32, Urbanspace Vanderbilt (Red Hook, Delaney’s Chicken, Roberta’s Pizza), Alice’s Tea Cup (afternoon tea), Rice & Gold (pho soup dumplings), Tsurotontan (udon & tuna tartare cones), Russ & Daughters (lox and cream cheese bagels), Wisefish Poke, Wagamama (ramen from London), Sweetcatch Poke, Sushi by Bou (sushi omakase), Red Poke,
Drinks: City Bakery (hot chocolate), Boba Guys, Prince Tea House (potted tea & crepe cakes), Gong Cha, Vivi Bubble Tea (cotton candy float milk tea), *Sweet Moment NYC, Sweet Time Desserts, Project Cozy (mint coffee),
Desserts:Cafe Zaiya (matcha/black sesame soft serve), (Magnolia Bakery (banana pudding), *Kith Treats (cereal soft serve), Taiyaki NYC, 10Below Ice Cream (rolled ice cream), Juicy Spot Cafe (rolled ice cream), Eight Turn Crepe, Amorino Gelato, Chikalicious (churro ice cream cone), Milk Bar (cookies & soft serve), Ben’s Cookies (England cookies), New Flushing Bakery (egg tarts), Drop the Mic Ice Cream Factory, Doughnut Plant, Chi Snack Shop, Kam Hing Coffee Shop (sponge cake), Tai Pan Bakery (egg tarts), Oddfellows (brioche bun ice cream), Ice & Pan (taiyaki), *Bingbox Snow Cream (taro & milk tea soft serve), Besfren (taro/matcha swirl soft serve),
Places to go:
Angel’s Share – This was one of my absolute favorite speakeasies to go to! Tucked away in Village Yokocho, you can find the best cocktails and ambiance. My go-to was “The Flirtibird,” which is barley shochu and yuzu juice, with a plum salt rim. It’s soo addicting! Be careful, it’s definitely a creeper.
NoMo SoHo – A cute place to go for brunch! Loved the ambiance.
230 Fifth Rooftop Bar: You can enjoy the city light views from this rooftop! During the winter, they even have heated igloos and adult hot cocoa for you to keep warm! Or try to anyway…
Brooklyn Bridge Park – If you have time, get out of Manhattan for awhile and head to the other side of the bridge! This is where you can take in the views of the city skyline.
The High Line – If you’re needing to kill time or just enjoy people watching, you can do that here. There are plenty of benches and seats to take a break at.
Top of the Rock – Views of Central Park on one side, and the Empire State Building on the other!
Other places we’ve been:
Chelsea Market, Broadway Bites, Smorgasburg, Gershwin Theater (*Wicked: broadway show), One World Observatory, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, Central Park, Times Square, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Chinatown, Japan Block Fair, Koreatown, Grand Central Terminal, Samsung 837 (Instagram infinity room), Love sculpture, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Louis Vuitton NYC VVV Exhibit, David Zwirner Gallery (Yayoi Kusama Exhibit), Fairy Island Pop-Up, WonderWorld Space, Color Factory,
For more photos or places I haven’t listed, you can find it on IG under the hashtag #sherrytravelsnyc
2 comments
Oh my gosh your food recommendations are look heavenly! Can’t wait to try some!!
I hope you like some of them! 🙂 I just updated the list with a few of my favorites from the last trip I went on.