Lower East Side Guidebook
Food Scene
Russ & Daughters Cafe
127 Orchard StHas the best smoked salmon in the city.
Mostly a hangout for taxi drivers, this is a super cheap and decent quality Indian food spot. Not the best Indian food, but it has a very unique NYC vibe.
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Punjabi Deli
114 E 1st StMostly a hangout for taxi drivers, this is a super cheap and decent quality Indian food spot. Not the best Indian food, but it has a very unique NYC vibe.
Economy Candy
108 Rivington StA classic candy spot. Worth just looking around.
Bacaro
136 Division StTasty and tastfull Italian spot.
Dimes
49 Canal StArtsy and sort of fancy.
My favorite takeout spot. I always get the arepa. Super tasty and reasonably priced.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Patacon Pisao
139 Essex StMy favorite takeout spot. I always get the arepa. Super tasty and reasonably priced.
This a new spot, so they are still figuring a lot of stuff out, but very good and reasonably priced.
Zyara NY
57 Clinton StThis a new spot, so they are still figuring a lot of stuff out, but very good and reasonably priced.
Not fancy, but tasty and a very good value. I think their happy hour ends at 7pm and during that time the sushi is ridiculously cheap (for NYC).
28 abantu bendawo batusa
Zest Sushi
249 Broome StNot fancy, but tasty and a very good value. I think their happy hour ends at 7pm and during that time the sushi is ridiculously cheap (for NYC).
I used to think I didn't really like donuts, then I came here. These donuts are next level, tasty, but not fancy.
313 abantu bendawo batusa
Doughnut Plant
379 Grand StI used to think I didn't really like donuts, then I came here. These donuts are next level, tasty, but not fancy.
This place is the real deal, a hold over from when this neighborhood was predominantly Jewish. As a local, I actually go out of my way to buy pickles from here.
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The Pickle Guys
357 Grand StThis place is the real deal, a hold over from when this neighborhood was predominantly Jewish. As a local, I actually go out of my way to buy pickles from here.
Lil Charlie's NYC
19 Kenmare StReally thoughtful quality meals with a neighborhood vibe.
Cafe Himalaya
78 E 1st StMy favorite cheap sit down meal.
Really solid casual sit down restaurant with great Australian style burgers and reasonable prices.
Benson's NYC
181 Essex StReally solid casual sit down restaurant with great Australian style burgers and reasonable prices.
An above average food hall with lots of authentic local flavors
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Essex Market
88 Essex StAn above average food hall with lots of authentic local flavors
This place is a tourist trap, but for good reason. If you go after midnight it does slow down and you can the best pastrami sandwich of your life.
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Katz's Delicatessen
205 E Houston StThis place is a tourist trap, but for good reason. If you go after midnight it does slow down and you can the best pastrami sandwich of your life.
This regular place for a lot of locals and might be the only restaurant where you can get Michelin starred sushi without paying an arm and a leg.
26 abantu bendawo batusa
Kanoyama
175 2nd AveThis regular place for a lot of locals and might be the only restaurant where you can get Michelin starred sushi without paying an arm and a leg.
Arts & Culture
Tenement Museum
103 Orchard StAwesome museum with super interesting walking tours.
One of the best contemporary art galleries/museums. Free on Thursday nights.
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IMuziyamu wezobuciko wezokwakha okuphela
235 BoweryOne of the best contemporary art galleries/museums. Free on Thursday nights.
This is a great institution with a huge variety of shows (lots of good photo journalism). Not every show is for every taste, but it worth googling to see what is currently being exhibited.
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International Center of Photography Museum
79 Essex StThis is a great institution with a huge variety of shows (lots of good photo journalism). Not every show is for every taste, but it worth googling to see what is currently being exhibited.
I'm hesitant to recommend galleries because they are so hit or miss. Perrotin is an exception to that, they consistently have world renown artists with work that is both entertaining and accessible.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Perrotin New York
130 Orchard StI'm hesitant to recommend galleries because they are so hit or miss. Perrotin is an exception to that, they consistently have world renown artists with work that is both entertaining and accessible.
Nyc has a really strong improv comedy scene and UCB comedy is the top dog in that scene. Pretty much any weekend show here is going to be hilarious.
124 abantu bendawo batusa
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre East Village
45 Bleecker StNyc has a really strong improv comedy scene and UCB comedy is the top dog in that scene. Pretty much any weekend show here is going to be hilarious.
Parks & Nature
This park has a great outdoor exercise park. Lots of energy in the park and a real scene on the weekends.
18 abantu bendawo batusa
Tompkins Square Park Basketball Courts
335 E 10th StThis park has a great outdoor exercise park. Lots of energy in the park and a real scene on the weekends.
John V. Lindsay East River Park
1234 East 6th StreetA great place to go running.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Library
7 Avenue ABest dive bar in NYC.
Pianos
158 Ludlow StBest dance spot in LES.
Some bro culture here, but I would still recommend it for the views and general nightlife vibes.
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Mr. Purple
180 Orchard StSome bro culture here, but I would still recommend it for the views and general nightlife vibes.
Very entertaining and authentic burlesque shows. This place can be a fun addition to a night out in the city.
47 abantu bendawo batusa
The Slipper Room
167 Orchard St Very entertaining and authentic burlesque shows. This place can be a fun addition to a night out in the city.
Idk how this place stays open because I’ve never seen it busy, but that is exactly why I’m recommending it as a good local bar to just chill at.
11 abantu bendawo batusa
The Magician
118 Rivington StIdk how this place stays open because I’ve never seen it busy, but that is exactly why I’m recommending it as a good local bar to just chill at.
The Library
7 Avenue ABest place to drink cocktails by a fire place in NYC.
Recommending a standup comedy club is def a little risky, but I really dig this bar and it’s probably the best comedy deal in the city. It is essentially a hallway with a bar and a small stage crammed in it. They bring in a ton of really great talent and manage to do a lot with there humble space.
11 abantu bendawo batusa
Old Man Hustle Comedy Bar
39 Essex StRecommending a standup comedy club is def a little risky, but I really dig this bar and it’s probably the best comedy deal in the city. It is essentially a hallway with a bar and a small stage crammed in it. They bring in a ton of really great talent and manage to do a lot with there humble space.
Getting Around
When I have friends or family in town I often rent citi-bikes. It is a great way to experience the city. You will be surprised how close everything is via bicycle (subways make distances seem a lot farther then they are). I think this is the nearest citi-bike station.
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Citi Bike
When I have friends or family in town I often rent citi-bikes. It is a great way to experience the city. You will be surprised how close everything is via bicycle (subways make distances seem a lot farther then they are). I think this is the nearest citi-bike station.
Entertainment & Activities
Metrograph
7 Ludlow StCool weird movies. Great restaurant and bar.
Essentials
It's a bit of a walk, but this grocery store is the best! Has all the essentials and lots of China Town specials.
34 abantu bendawo batusa
Hong Kong Store
239 Grand StIt's a bit of a walk, but this grocery store is the best! Has all the essentials and lots of China Town specials.
This is a great New York market chain. The selection is top notch, they always good tasters, and the prices aren't too bad.
522 abantu bendawo batusa
Union Market
240 E Houston StThis is a great New York market chain. The selection is top notch, they always good tasters, and the prices aren't too bad.
I've tried all the laundry places around here, this seems to have the best service with the best prices.
The Laundry Room of Essex, Inc.
121 Rivington StI've tried all the laundry places around here, this seems to have the best service with the best prices.