For lunch, you can find incredible Japanese snacks and groceries at Yamadaya. Murray’s Cheese (no relation, but both are delicious) is one of the city’s most well-regarded cheese shops with a staff that knows literally everything about dairy. Or, wait in line at Murray’s Bagels it’s worth it for their pillowy-soft versions. Start your morning with a coffee and cruller from the newest location of Daily Provisions, on Bedford Street. Noodle lovers: head to Jeju Noodle Bar for Korean ramyun and more, or Hao Noodle for everything from dan dan to cold soba.Īnd if you’re looking for food to grab before hanging in Washington Square Park or a wander down to Hudson River Park, there’s plenty to choose from.
For fish lovers, don’t miss the seafood at Pearl Oyster Bar (especially the lobster roll), the popular new kid Dame, and Mary’s Fish Camp, plus sushi at the critically acclaimed Nakazawa and handrolls at Nami Nori. Other destination-worthy meals here run the gamut from the stellar farm-to-table cuisine at Loring Place and newcomer The Mary Lane, to fast-casual African options at Berber Street Food and vegan Mexican at Jajaja. Nami Nori | Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist The former specializes in more classic flavors like Piedmont hazelnut or Sicilian lemon sorbet, while the latter gets creative with options like cheddar cheese, avocado, or poppyseed. For dessert, swing by the corner of University Place and 10th St., where gelaterias Amorino and Il Laboratorio del Gelato sit on opposing corners. Some of our favorites include I Sodi (don’t miss the lasagna), “gastroteca” Via Carota, and the perpetually packed Don Angie (which, yes, also has a lasagna you must try). Some of the best spots for scouting A-listers that actually have delicious food include sister restaurants American Bar and newcomer Saint Theo’s, ultra-charming French cafe Buvette, Keith McNally’s burger haven Minetta Tavern, and venerated pasta spot Morandi.īoth neighborhoods have a huge number of superb Italian spots, in fact. Many of the city’s most in-demand tables are located here if you are lucky enough to snag an 8 pm dinner reservation, you’ll probably be rewarded with a star sighting or two, plus a taste of whatever (actually good) entree is making the rounds on Instagram. If you’re looking to spot celebrities, or flex your restaurant reservation skills, there are no neighborhoods better than these two for dining out.
Sample some of the city’s buzziest and most well-regarded restaurants Jeju Noodle Bar | Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist Read on for the best things to do, plus places to eat, drink, and stay in the West Village and Greenwich Village.
But even if you can’t afford your own brownstone on Perry Street, this stretch of downtown Manhattan is one of the best to visit for a full day of shopping, eating, drinking, and picture taking. Regardless of boundaries, both are, to put it mildly, some of the most expensive parts of town in which to live. You may hear some people refer to the whole area as Greenwich or the West Village, but we put the dividing line at Seventh Avenue anything west of that is proper West Village. The West Village can be divided into two halves as well: you have the quiet, curvy, off-grid streets like Commerce or Grove, and then the more lively avenues, especially Hudson, Seventh, and Greenwich. While the stretch north of Washington Square Park is very elegant (and home to some of the city’s priciest real estate), especially near Fifth Avenue, south of the Park has a youthful vibe, particularly on student-heavy streets like Sullivan, Thompson, and MacDougal.
Greenwich Village, once home to many musicians, artists, and poets, has retained some of that bohemian vibe (the huge contingent of NYU students helps with that as well).
While these adjoining neighborhoods have a lot in common, as any resident of one or the other can tell you, they are far from the same. Old-school jazz spots or music venues where Bob Dylan once played? Check and check. Comedy clubs where major acts might pop in on a whim? Check. And, once you’re done with dinner, the nighttime options here are plentiful: subterranean beer bar? Check. In addition to charming, turn-of-the-century brownstones and cobblestone tree-lined streets, the Village is also home to some of the city’s most historic, buzziest, and tastiest restaurants. There are few areas in NYC dreamier than Greenwich Village and the West Village ( just ask Taylor Swift).