Note: This trip was taken prior to me becoming fully plant-based.
New York City is one of those places that never disappoints, especially when it comes to food. With an endless variety of culinary experiences, there are a few spots that truly stand out to us. During our recent visit, we made it a mission to return to some of our all-time favorite spots and, of course, discover a few new gems along the way. While there’s always more to explore, these are a few standout places that made our trip memorable—whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned NYC traveler, these food finds are worth a visit.
New York City: Manhattan
Devoción: Devoción is a must-visit Colombian coffee shop with two locations in Manhattan and three in Brooklyn. Known for its strong, flavorful coffee, this spot is beloved by locals and visitors alike. What really sets Devoción apart, though, are their guava croissants—flaky, buttery, and lightly filled with sweet guava jelly. In-cred-ible! Croissant lovers won’t want to miss these! Arrive early in the morning for a fresh batch straight out of the oven, and you’ll understand why it’s worth the trip.
Los Tacos No. 1: Los Tacos No. 1 has earned its place as one of the top taco spots in New York City, with six locations across the city. Their carne asada taco is legendary—tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. It’s honestly one of the best carne asada tacos we’ve tried, and it’s been a favorite stop for years. While there’s usually a line, the wait is well worth it. If you’re visiting NYC, this is one taco spot you can’t miss.
Great Jones Distilling Co.: This spot has been a favorite since they opened in 2021, and it’s definitely worth the visit. The place is stunning—imagine a modern space with a prohibition-era twist. Along with whiskey tours and tastings, there’s also a restaurant serving brunch and dinner, a second-story bar overlooking Broadway, and a private events room on the third floor. On our latest visit, we headed to the upstairs bar for drinks, including a refreshing strawberry mocktail and a small whiskey tasting. Whether you’re there for a meal, a drink, or a tour, Great Jones Distilling Co. has something for everyone.
Second story bar.
Mermaid Inn: This spot has always been a favorite, especially for happy hour, which they offer every day! We think it’s one of the best in the city. We used to frequent their Upper West Side location, which sadly closed, but the good news is they’re opening a new UWS spot by the end of the summer. Until then, you can head to their smaller location down in the Village, where outdoor seating is perfect during warm weather.
During happy hour, we recommend the fish tacos—though on our last visit, they weren’t quite up to par, they’re typically a must-try. Don’t miss out on the spinach artichoke dip, also available during happy hour. It’s the perfect spot to relax with great food and drinks, especially when the weather is nice.
Levain Bakery: If you love cookies, Levain Bakery is a must-visit. Their cookies are some of the best—big, thick, and loaded with chocolate chips if you go for the classic option. The dark chocolate peanut butter chip is another standout, offering a rich, indulgent twist. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any choice here. On my recent visit, I couldn’t resist stopping by twice—once for the cookies, and again for their simple yet delicious butter and jelly baguette, which makes for the perfect snack while wandering around the city.
Butter and jelly on housemade baguette.
Joe and Pat’s: With thousands of pizza spots in New York, everyone has their favorites—and Joe and Pat’s is definitely one of ours. Located in the East Village, this place is known for its tri-pie, featuring vodka sauce, red sauce, and pesto on an ultra-thin crust. It’s a perfect balance of flavors that keeps us coming back, plus this place has such a vibe. This time we snagged a spot at the bar, ordered sangrias, and enjoyed the tri-pie.
Eataly: Eataly is a foodie haven and a must-visit spot in New York. Located in the Flatiron District (with locations in SoHo and the Financial District as well), it’s right across the street from Madison Square Park. This Italian market offers just about everything—fresh pasta, butcher and fish counters, desserts, pizza, sandwiches—you name it. They also have several small restaurants and cafés where you can sit down for a meal and a glass of wine, or head up to Serra, their rooftop restaurant.
On our visit, we stopped at Il Pesce for a glass of wine and some pasta. The meal was simple, fresh, and absolutely delicious!
Tompkins Square Bagels: Bagels are always a hot topic in NYC, and with so many spots to try, it’s tough to choose a favorite. But Tompkins Square Bagels definitely ranks as one of the best. You really can’t go wrong here. We ordered an egg bagel with scallion cream cheese—a perfect start to the day, even though it was just breakfast number one!
John’s of Bleecker: Our other go-to pizza spot is John’s of Bleecker, located in Greenwich Village. Be prepared for a line, because this place is a classic—and for good reason. For us, it’s all about the sauce: light, tangy, and the perfect complement to their delicious pizza. We usually call in to pick up so we can skip the wait, then head to a nearby park or find a quiet side street to enjoy it. If you’re a pizza lover, John’s is a must-try.
Bar Pisellino: Bar Pisellino is a small, charming Italian bar nestled on a corner in the West Village. Inside, you’ll find cozy bench seating with just a few cafe tables, but the real gem is grabbing one of the outdoor tables where you can sit back, enjoy a coffee or cocktail, and soak in the city’s energy through some prime people-watching. It’s always bustling, with people constantly coming and going. On our visit, we settled in with a latte and a cocktail.
The owners of Bar Pisellino also run two other highly regarded spots in the Village: Via Carota just across the street and I Sodi nearby.
Rudy’s: Rudy’s is a classic dive bar known for cheap beer, affordable drinks, and a great vibe. With a rich history dating back to 1933 (definitely worth reading up on!), this spot has been a staple for decades. I discovered Rudy’s years ago, and it’s always a fun stop. Plus, they’ve got free hotdogs behind the counter with every drink. If you’re in the neighborhood, it’s a must-visit for a laid-back time.
Miss Korea: If you’re craving Korean BBQ in the heart of K-town, Miss Korea is a solid choice. While there are plenty of options around K-town, after trying several spots when I lived there, we always found ourselves coming back to Miss Korea. For the best experience, I recommend sitting on the first floor—though you’ll probably need a reservation on the weekend. If not, they have upstairs seating as well. Beyond the BBQ, don’t miss their veggie japchae (glass noodles) and egg souffle—both are incredible!
Ambo: A new discovery for me, Ambo has quickly become one of my favorite fast-casual Indian spots in the city. I’ve tried several similar places before, but this one stands out—homey, delicious, and full of endless combinations. On my visit, I had turmeric rice with lentil falafels, batata bhaaji (potatoes), black dal, pickled onion, and yogurt sauce, paired with a perfectly refreshing mango lassi. It was honestly the best fast-casual Indian food I’ve ever had.
At Ambo, the process is simple but packed with options. First, choose between a bowl or plate, then pick your base (rice, yellow rice, or mung sprouts). For the main, you can select from options like chicken or paneer tikka, falafel, chana masala, or bhindi (okra). Add a side, toppings, and a sauce drizzle, and you’re all set. Yum!
Bo Peep: I can’t recommend Bo Peep enough—it’s easily one of my favorite places in the city. This cozy lounge has a vintage library vibe, with plush red velvet couches and a dark, intimate ambiance. The real magic happens with their pianist (usually the ever-talented Skip) taking requests from the audience, while the servers join in and sing along. The cocktails and food are excellent, and the whole experience is so fun that we always took out-of-town visitors here. Naturally, I had to go back when I was in town.
During this visit, I ordered the Charleston Smash—honestly the best mocktail I’ve had to date. If you’re planning a trip to NYC, definitely book a reservation online before you go.
Stand in musician for the night (meaning no Skip this night).
Tin Building: For any foodie, the Tin Building by Jean-Georges is a must-visit. Located on the waterfront in FiDi, this two-story open-air space is a paradise for food lovers. With twelve restaurants, four bars, and two gourmet grocery stores, you can easily spend hours exploring. From a French bakery to tacos, an Asian gourmet grocery store, a candy shop, and even a vegan restaurant—this place has it all.
During my visit, I stopped by a few times. Below is the carrot-ginger dressing salad from Sandwich & Salad and a dosa from Crepes & Dosas, filled with avocado, sprouts, and lemon dressing.
Smoothie Cart (Broadway & Beaver, FiDi): “This cart is a hidden gem! The vendor is incredibly kind, and the prices are unbeatable—just $5 for a 16oz fresh fruit smoothie, which is the best deal I’ve found in the city. He also sells a lot of fruit salads, and after stumbling upon him, I went three days in a row. Even if you don’t make it to this exact cart, smoothie carts around the city are a favorite of mine. They’re delicious and typically reasonably priced (though $5 is definitely a steal).
Note: Many street vendors only accept cash or Zelle, so plan accordingly.
Taim: New York City has no shortage of fast-casual dining options, but Taim was a new discovery for me this trip when I was craving falafel. It was so good and reasonably priced that I went twice! As a big fan of falafel, I found myself eating it at any time of day during this trip. At Taim, I got a basmati rice and salad mix with falafel, loaded with toppings and sauce, but there are plenty of ways to mix it up. They offer bowls, salads, and pitas filled with falafel, eggplant, chicken, steak, or cauliflower shawarma. You can top it off with hummus, Israeli salad, tomatoes, pickled cabbage—the list goes on.
If you’re looking for budget-friendly bites or something quick and delicious, Taim is definitely worth a stop.
Well, those were my foodie highlights from this trip to New York. The food scene in this city is unbeatable, with endless places to explore at any hour of the day or night.
Thanks for reading, and until the next trip!