New York Eats for Epik High
Lady M Cake Boutique
Bakery · Midtown West
This, because you never forget Lady M and their crepe cakes. You can enjoy them in the park after taking them out from the Bryant Park location.
TsuruTonTan
Udon Restaurant · Midtown West
This place has really good udon in really huge bowls -- I have enjoyed the curry and uni bowls in the past, but I'm sure the other ones are just as good!
Soju Haus
Korean Restaurant · Midtown West
So I've been to Korea to study abroad and to travel, and I get it -- Korean food is so overpriced here...but this place is still good. The vibe is awesome and the food is always good. It's a bit pricey, yes. But really good. I also think Eric Nam stopped here with his crew after his performance in New York. I always make it a point to go here and bring friends here cause I love this place so much -- just beware of wait times. I once waited like 2 hours and they felt bad for me so they gave me a $5 coupon, lol.
Ruby’s Cafe
Australian Restaurant · East Village
If you have never been to an Australian cafe, this is one to go to. They have really good burger sandwiches, paninis, and pasta -- there's always a wait but it's worth it.
Chelsea Market
Market · Chelsea
We all know Chelsea Market has everything good from Los Tacos No 1 to whatever else is in those cute shops - the last time I went, I had a really good burger from a new burger place there called CREAMLINE. Their bacon jam was SO GOOD. Like what even is bacon jam?? Just remember to add everything to your burger when you order.
5ive Spice
Vietnamese Restaurant · Nolita
Don't get me wrong, there's LOTS of good Vietnamese pho places around -- this place just has a really good spare rib pho and the meat just fALLs off the bone. It's so good. Also, this place has a bathroom that's hidden in a bookshelf wall. It's great to watch everyone confused while trying to go to the bathroom.
Ess-a-Bagel
Bagel Shop · Midtown East
You gotta get your famous NYC bagel sandwiches -- really good Lox sandwiches here!! Be prepared for a line if it's a weekend and a morning...or a weekday morning. It's a little pricier than the street bagel sandwiches, but they do stuff it.
Bel-Fries
Fast Food Restaurant · Lower East Side
This place has really good fresh hot tossed fries -- with different flavors and sauces!! I stopped here around 1am after a drink at a nearby hotel and the fries were bomb. I got the black truffle fries :)
Banh Mi Saigon
Sandwich Place · Little Italy
Best Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches in town -- I always get #1, the BBQ Pork Sandwich -- extra spicy meaning they give you extra spicy green peppers! They have option of toasting it and making the sandwich for you there, or you can take it away and they'll package the ingredients separately so you can toast it on your own later.
Bocca Restaurant
Italian Restaurant · Gramercy
Went here for dinner and it was a nice vibe -- they have drinks and fresh pasta + other dishes. Highly recommend the FETTUCCINE CON FUNGHI E CREMA DI TARTUFO / $29 House-made fettuccine, wild mushrooms, black truffle sauce. That shit is the bomb.
Raclette
Swiss Restaurant
A good spot for burgers or pasta if you're looking for the melting cheese wheel experience 😊 depending on what dish you order, you can choose what cheese you want and they'll melt the cheese from the wheel for you and scrape it onto your dish.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
Bakery · SoHo
They have good cronuts that can be ordered for pickup 2 weeks in advance, or you can stand in line early in the morning when they open. They also have other good pastries like cookie milk shots, etc.
Sushi By Bou
Permanently Closed
Good hole in the wall spot for omakase sushi -- reservations required for either 30 minute omakase $50 or an hour omakase. I tried the $50 one and it was pretty good -- it's an "underground" sushi bar that blasts music and it's a pretty hip vibe!
Misi
Italian restaurant · Williamsburg
Best pasta ever! Reservations are needed though, way in advance. Better to check Resy at 12am or 1am EST to get them when they release. The best dishes are the spinach and mascarpone tortelli, and the fettuccine with parmesan and black pepper 😋