Where to Go in NYC - 2025 Edition

80+ favorite spots to eat, drink, shop, and more

Hi friends,

One of the most-frequent, non-book-related questions I’m asked online is something along the lines of “I’m visiting New York, what should I eat/drink/do/see?” Honestly, I get wary of answering because I’m probably not the best person to advise to out-of-towners, since I (like most self-respecting New Yorkers) do my level best to avoid anything that might be considered touristy (unless it’s really, really worth it).

But maybe you’re looking for some “travel like a local” recs. Usually, I point askers to this 2023 newsletter with favorite spots. But then, last week I went to Vic’s—one of my go-to recs—for the first time in a while, and it had become… shockingly mediocre. So, I figure it’s time to update said recs. I wouldn’t want you to get the wrong impression of my city.

Below, I have 80+ favorite spots, plus an annotated Google Map you can save to your phone to use while you’re here.

If you’re anything like me, you’re planning your trip around meals, so let’s start there.

For breakfast/lunch: When you think New York, you probably think bagels, right? My two all-time faves are Ess-a-Bagel and Tompkins Square Bagels, which sadly for me are nowhere near my current apartment, but maybe they’re near where you’re staying. By me (I’m in Williamsburg), I’d send you to Black Seed (which actually has Montreal-style bagels) or Bagelsmith (on Bedford). My actual go-to is Have-a-Bagel, but truthfully it’s a vibeless dive—albeit with great bagels—that I can’t imagine you wanting to visit on vacation.