NYC favorites - restaurants, activities & more

Finally, I got to live out my dream of visiting New York and let me tell you, it was extra special. I've been talking about and dreaming of this trip since I was 13, so spending 10 days in the Big Apple was a dream come true. I fell in love with the city—from its vibrant energy to the endless array of restaurants and cultural activities. In my opinion, it's a city that has something for everyone! In this post, I've rounded up my favorites from the trip, steering clear of the city's classics like Central Park that most people already know about. I hope you find these recommendations useful and enjoy them as much as I did!

---

1. Los Tacos n°1

Definitely one of the standout restaurants from my stay! I've been hearing about this taco spot for years, and it totally lived up to the hype! This spot is perfect for a quick, on-the-go bite. We headed to their Summit location for dinner, and despite the long line, the service was speedy, so the wait wasn't too bad. I tasted both their "nopale" (cactus) and chicken tacos, and they were both fantastic. You can choose between corn or wheat and add various toppings. But a heads up! If, like me, you're not a fan of cilantro, steer clear of "con todo" (with everything), as it's an essential herb in their tacos. I also treated myself to their horchata, and it was absolutely divine.

Address: 125 Park Ave, New York, NY 10017

2. Summit

We went to the Summit before digging into our tacos, and it did not disappoint! Summit One Vanderbilt is one of the five observatories in New York City, and the view was absolutely breathtaking. We paid an extra $10 since we visited during sunset ($48 pp + $10 for the sunset supplement), which might sound a bit steep, I'll give you that. However, the view from this observatory was nothing short of stunning. From the top, you could gaze out over the city, enjoying a magnificent sight of the Empire State Building and the rest of Manhattan. As you ascend the few flights of stairs, you also get a glimpse of the other side of the city. But take your time on each floor because once you're up, the only way down is to exit the observatory!

Address: 45 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017

3. L Train vintage

If you happen to be in Brooklyn and have a soft spot for all things vintage, I've got a thrift store recommendation for you! I stumbled upon it thanks to TikTok, and it's absolutely worth checking out. They've got a range of clothes, shoes, and accessories at super affordable prices (I snagged my Levi's jeans for $10 and T-shirts between $6 and $8). However, due to the sheer volume of clothes and the store's size, plan to take your time! You'll want to leisurely explore and dig around to uncover those hidden gems.

Address: 1 St Nicholas Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237

4. Whole Foods

As a health food enthusiast, this place was like paradise for me. I've heard about this chain for years, and it lived up to the hype. They offer a vast array of healthy products (for my Swiss friends, think of it as an Alnatura store but with better marketing and a trendier design 😜). Plus, there's a hot buffet and fresh produce! If you're following a particular diet and in need of snacks, it's worth checking out. Just a heads up on the prices though—I spent around $100 for a small shopping bag that wasn't even packed to the top.

Brands worth trying: Siete (chips, tortillas), Olipop (soda) and Seven Sundays (cereals)

Address: various locations around the city

5. Levain and Magnolia Bakery

Once again, these spots are well-known, but they totally live up to the hype! Levain Bakery specializes in cookies but also has a variety of other pastries and drinks. I gave their gluten-free chocolate chip cookie and the "double chocolate chip" cookie a try, and both were heavenly. I have to confess, though, that the gluten and double chocolate chip version stole my heart. It's good to know they cater to gluten-free needs too.

Address: 1484 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028 (there are other locations in the city!)

Then there's Magnolia Bakery, a definite must-visit. Renowned for their banana puddings, they also whip up other delectable treats like cheesecake, cupcakes, and cakes. We swung by for their famous banana pudding (Even though I hesitated about the seasonal pumpkin version 😜), and my friend went for their lime cheesecake—both pastries were absolutely divine. These two bakeries totally deserve their reputation!

Address: various locations in the city

6. Yankees game

Hands down, one of the absolute highlights of my trip! I was determined to catch a National League sports game, and it did not disappoint. Actually, it was the moment when I truly felt the essence of the "real" American experience. The energy was amazing! In the stadium, you can snag snacks, drinks, and even grab some merch, including hats and those iconic foam gloves you see in the movies 😉. When it comes to tickets, I highly recommend checking out the "Ticketmaster" website; it's one of the official resellers. As for seating, you don't necessarily have to be right up front, but aim to be on the shooter's side for a closer view of the action!

Address: 1 E 161 St, Bronx, NY 10451

7. Sipping a drink on a rooftop

I highly recommend spending an evening on a rooftop; it's an incredible experience that truly gives you a sense of the immensity of the city. While we didn't hit many rooftops during our stay in New York, the Monarch stood out among the ones we visited for a drink. The view was absolutely breathtaking, especially the view of the Empire State Building! The music had a great vibe too (they played 2000s music the night we were there). However, I must admit that the cocktails didn't quite match the overall experience. Nonetheless, I'd still recommend this rooftop, purely for the incredible view!

Address: 71 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001

8. MJ Broadway show

I'd make another trip to New York just to watch another Broadway show! Our Broadway experience led us to the Michael Jackson play. The production unfolds the story of Michael Jackson's life, presented as an interview between a journalist and Michael during his Dangerous album tour. Throughout the interview, Michael shares his life, from childhood to the present. It was an outstanding show, both for the narrative and the impressive costumes and music. If you're a Michael Jackson fan, this show is a must-see. Regarding tickets, we secured ours (via Ticketmaster) about a month ahead to ensure we got our preferred seats!

---

Some restaurants we tried

Breakfast and brunch

• Friedman's, Chelsea - Amazing brunch spot! We tried the Nova Benny (potato latkes with salmon and poached eggs) along with the berry French toast, and both dishes were phenomenal! Great service too

• Playa Bowls, Manhattan - Amazing place for a good and filling smoothie. Their matcha smoothie was delicious, but beware of the prices! 13$ for a 20oz smoothie

• Maman Bakery, Manhattan - We actually were disappointed! We ordered from the menu (Mediterranean bowl for me and the Croque Madame for my friend) and the dishes weren't that special. We both regretted not tasting any fresh pastries! The banoffee cruffins and Pina Colada croissants looked especially incredible

Drinks and snacks

• Alimama, Chinatown - A nice spot to quench your thirst! Their drinks and boba cream puff were delicious! The taro munchkins and mochi donuts weren't worth the hype though

• Ralph Lauren Cart, Manhattan - I wanted to like it so bad but it was not that great, to be honest. We both find the drinks (iced latte and iced matcha latte) to be a bit bland...But the vibe and aesthetic were cute!

• Cha Cha Matcha, Manhattan - A nice spot for a good iced matcha latte!

• Dear Irving on Hudson, Manhattan - Beautiful rooftop for a drink at night! The view is breathtaking, the interior is cozy, and the owner super friendly! Would 100% recommend

Lunch spots

• Sweetgreen, various locations - One of my favorite lunch spots! They offer a great variety of choices, and the portions are generous. The bowls are especially delicious (the Harvest Bowl is my favorite). If you're going to the Bryant Park location, avoid going at noon as it gets extremely crowded

• CAVA, various locations - Similar vibes to Sweetgreen and same comment about going at noon

• Pause Café, Lower Manhattan - My favorite lunch spot for its variety of choices. They offer bowls, sandwiches, and fresh pastries, with plenty of gluten-free options and fresh juices. The only downside is that it's quite expensive.

• L'industrie Pizza, Brooklyn - A really good NYC pizza made with fresh ingredients! We tried the Margherita and the burrata slices and found that the burrata one was not worth it for the price. Both of them were still delicious though!

• Modern Bread & Bagel, Upper Manhattan - We came for lunch and tasted the lox bagel! Delicious and gluten-free! They also had a lot of bread and pastries! A bit on the pricier side though :)

Dinner spots

• Thaï Villa, Manhattan - We were strolling around looking for a dinner spot and stumbled upon Thaï Villa, and we’re so glad we did! The restaurant's decor is on point, and the pad thaï was delicious!

• Royal Grill Halal Food (food cart), Manhattan - Flavorful and cheap! I tried the vegetarian option and it was delicious. Be careful if you really can't handle spicy food though :)!

• Izakaya MEW, Manhattan - A great sushi spot with fair prices! We tried it because I saw Kristin Johns mentioning it on Instagram, and we were not disappointed! Their sushis and dumplings were delicious (especially the shrimp dumplings)