Rocky’s Guide to New York City

If you followed along my Instagram stories last week, you probably saw that I ate my way through New York City and loved every single bit of it. Hey, someone had to do it to compile the ultimate foodie guide to NYC, right? Happy to take one for the team ;) 

I am lucky enough to have friends that live in New York city or have lived there who helped me compile this guide, plus a few tricks or tips I picked up from my visit, which I am SO excited to share with you guys!
A few details to cover up front: NYC is BIG! Like really big - even areas that look close aren’t that close. I highly recommend saving these places to your Google Maps and planning your days/meals out based on proximity. For example, if you know you’ll be visiting Time Square during the day, swing by Ippudo Westside for ramen. 

At the recommendation of a friend, I stayed in Nolita, right in Lower Manhattan. It was super close to a lot of the restaurants I wanted to try, walking distance from Chinatown and Washington Square Park, with easy metro access to get downtown/to Central Park in 20 minutes. It also felt very safe for walking at night as there were always lots of people on the street. 

Let’s get started! First things first:

EATSSSSS

BRUNCH/LUNCH:

Katz’s Deli: 

This famous Jewish Deli has consistent lines out the door for a reason. Although not typically a pastrami sandwich girl myself, their hot pastrami sandwich had no comparison to any other sandwich I’ve ever eaten. It is LOADED with super tender, thin slices of pastrami with tangy mustard and it’s phenomenal. Order the way it’s intended and don’t you dare ask for mayo or cheese on top. 

If you go at lunch or even dinner sometimes, be ready to wait in line for about an hour. Since my hotel was right next to Katz’s, I went just before 9am and had almost no wait. That way I was able to eat half for breakfast and bring the rest with me on the road for a busy day. 

To help you navigate a bit, when you enter, you’ll get a blue ticket from the man at the front door. There are various counters you will order your food from - the first ones are reserved for the grill/omelette station, the middle counters are for sandwiches (PASTRAMI BABY), and the ones at the end are for desserts or beverages. Each counter you go to will update your ticket with the price of your food. You pay at the exit, so if you choose to eat there, hold onto your ticket and pay at the door on your way out.

Russ & Daughters:

You can’t come to NYC without having 1 or 4 bagels right? This bagel was the most recommended to me from everyone I spoke to. I got the everything bagel toasted with cream cheese and lox and it was delicious. BUT, was it worth the 1 hour waiting in line for it? Honestly probably not. I was also recommended Ess a Bagel and Black Seed, which I would probably opt for next time I am in New York. 

Jing Fong:

I planned my whole day and schedule on Saturday around dim sum and I am not one bit sorry for it. Jing Fong is a banquet hall in Chinatown that fits 700 people (!!!). Rightfully so, it also had quite a wait, but seemed to go quickly (I went alone so got in right away, larger groups had to wait a bit longer). Take advantage of the time by checking out Chinatown or watching the older ladies play Mahjong in the park. 

The quality of dim sum was everything I could ask for. As soon as I sat down, 2 ladies in carts came over and next thing I knew I had 6 bamboo baskets full in front of me to start scarfing my face with. 

Some highlights were:

• Siu Mai - a must every time, the wrapper was quite thin with delicious texture of pork and pops of shrimp

• Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)

• Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings)

• Cheong Fun (Long Rice Noodle Rolls - I love the pork or shrimp)

• Taro Root Dumplings

• Chicken Feet for the more adventurous eaters

• Sesame Balls for dessert

Ippudo (Ramen):

Seriously, BEST RAMEN EVER. Holy moly this was fabulous. Never in my life have I been able to finish a bowl of ramen and I slurped every last bit of broth out of my bowl. The Tonkotsu broth is cooked for 18 hours, which shows in the epic flavor as a result. The spicy ramen and the Akamaru Modern were both delicious, and adding an egg is a must. The cucumber salad appetizer was a great addition for a little freshness + Sapporo on tap was the cherry on top I never knew I needed. You need to go here. 

Rubirosa:

New Yorkers are particular about their pizza, so you will likely get a wide difference of opinions on which place has the best pizza. Rubirosa’s tye dye pizza was a delicious thin crust pizza with vodka sauce, pesto, mozzarella and ricotta and it was BOMB. The wait can be long, so I recommend calling in your to go order and taking it to a nearby park to enjoy, it will save you LOTS of time.

Other pizza places recommended to me were Lucali’s (in Brooklyn - famed to be the best but prepare to spend from 5pm to evening there as the wait is very long), Keste, Manero’s, and Artichoke Pizza.

DINNER:

Pig & Khao (Filipino):

Quirky little Filipino/Thai fusion restaurant - sit at the counter to watch the chefs make the food right in front of you while listening to 2000s hip hop. You can also make a reservation through Open Table.

Highlights included:

• Sizzling Sisig

• Pad See Cheong Ew (crispy rolled noodles with pork belly)

• Cocktails - the Hibiscus Thai Chili Tequila cocktail was my personal favorite.
  

Uncle Boon’s (Thai):

I’ll be honest, I almost didn’t make it here because I thought “oh I have good Thai food at home”. BOY AM I SO GLAD I DIDN’T MISS THIS. By far the highlight of my trip, this unlikely Michelin starred restaurant was one I could have spent every night in. It is very dimly lit and the walls are decorated with what looks like garage sale finds from Thailand. It is an awesome feeling sitting in a hole in the wall restaurant with such absolutely stellar food. The most challenging part was narrowing down which menu items to order. I recommend coming with a few friends for more variety in the food ordering, just be prepared to wait a bit. There’s a few good cocktail bars around to have a drink while you wait.

Highlights Included:

• Crab Fried Rice

• Duck Pineapple Curry

• Khao Soi

• Meng Kum (Betel Leaf appetizer they brought on the house)

• Coconut Sundae

• Roasted bone marrow, Massaman Curry, Yum Kai, Plaa Yang (didn’t get to try these, but many raved about them)

Miss Lily’s (Jamaican):

If you have plans to go out on the town while you’re in NYC, do me a favor and have Miss Lily’s be your pregame. Super cute restaurant with caribbean music playing and the strongest drinks you’ll find in the city, this place was just great vibes all around. Also that Pickapeppa sauce that comes on the table I could drink. While you wait for your table, walk a block down the way to Empellon Al Pastor for the best Spicy Cucumber Marg you’ll ever have. 

Highlights Included:

• Rum Punch

• Coco Lily Cocktail

• Jerk Corn (Jamaican style Elote)

• Jerk Wings

• Goat Curry

Other Restaurants Recommended I did not make it to:

• Her Name is Han (Korean)

• Bar Hugo (Cuban bar on the water)

• Lucali’s (Pizza - Brooklyn)

• Keste (Pizza)

• Manero’s (Pizza)

• Casa Adela

• Margon (Cubano sandwiches)

• Sisters (Soul food in Harlem)

• Lolo’s Seafood Shack (Harlem)

• Chama Mama (Georgian)

• Night Cap (Cocktails)

• 886 (Taiwanese)

• Angkor Cambodian Bistro

DESSERT:

Junior’s (Brooklyn)

There’s only one place on this list for a reason, because you will want to continue going back for slice after slice of this deliciously creamy cheesecake. Seriously the best NY style cheesecake I have every had - the classic strawberry is a must. I loved it so much I even took a whole one back on the plane with me - no shame in my game.

ROOFTOPS/BARS:

Top of the Rock: 

Yes, this is extremely touristy and I’m not usually about that, but it is true that there’s no better view of the city. It is a bit pricey (I think close to $40) to go up and you have to reserve in advance to get a time, but the views were absolutely breathtaking. Try and select a time an hour from sunset so you can see the view during the day, during sunset, and at night.

Mr Purple:

Rooftop Bar in Nolita, usually pretty busy but not outrageous lines.

Empellon Al Pastor:

If you are going to Miss Lily’s, this place is a must for their Spicy Cucumber Margaritas. They have two locations - one by Nolita and the other closer to midtown. The midtown location is a rooftop bar and has great views of the city, especially at sunset.

Bar Hugo:

Cuban bar/restaurant with beautiful views on the water.

TO DO:

• Comedy Cellar - famous for a reason as many of the great comedians have performed here. Easy to reserve a table online as there’s a plethora of shows to choose from. 

• Times Square - it will take you 5 million hours to walk a block but there’s something about visiting Times Square that gives you that “I’m in NYC feeling”. I loved seeing it at night but just as awe-striking during the day too.

• Central Park - I navigated the south part by Wollman Rink and the lake and loved enjoying the stroll with a bagel in hand ;) 

• Brooklyn Bridge/Brooklyn Bridge Park - one of my favorite parts of the trip was strolling around Brooklyn and admiring the views from the Brooklyn Bridge. For a great Instragrammable view of the Manhattan Bridge, check out the cross at Washington/Water St in Dumbo. 

• Broadway Shows - there’s a myriad of Broadway Shows that will make your experience in New York that much better. Some highly recommended are Hamilton (a bit pricey), Wicked, Lion King, and Come from Away

• 9/11 Memorial/Museum - highly recommend carving out about 2 hours and checking out the 9/11 museum - extremely powerful story

• Art between Mulberry and Mott St on Prince St

• Statue of Liberty/Empire State/Charging Bull - seriously don’t waste your time, not worth the time investment in my opinion