"Welcome to our curated list of recommendations for traveling and dining in New York. These suggestions have been gathered from our personal networks. While these recommendations are not personally vetted by us, they come highly recommended by those within our network. Please feel free to add your own favourite spots or share any updates in the comments section below. If you come across any information that may have changed, such as closures or updated details, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. Let's build a community-sourced guide to ensure that everyone can enjoy the best of what New York has to offer." Marco van Embden, Cape Town
1. Tour Operators
2. DINING RECOMMENDATIONS
- Ainsle
- Antica Osteria di pietra
- Aperitivo
- Au Cheval
- Aska (2 stars Scandinavian in Brooklyn)
- Atera
- Atomix (2 michelin star Korean)
- Balthazar - restaurant, a classic
- Bar Italia
- Bemmelmans - good to go early for a drink
- Birds of a Feather
- Blue Ribbon
- Bōm (high end Korean)
- Boulud Sud
- Cafe Fiorellos
- Cafe Select
- Carbone
- Casa Enrique
- Chinese Tuxedo
- Claud - French restaurant on the lower east
- Corner bar
- Cote
- Di and Di
- Double chicken please - ranked best bar in nyc, but there will likely be a line
- Electric Lemon
- Emilio Ballato
- Emily WV
- Fish & Michelin star
- Hidden Leaf
- Illilli
- Jack's Wife Freda
- Juliette
- La Pecora Bianca
- Le Bilboquet
- Le Pavillon (Boulud fish centric)
- Le Vele
- Liberty Bistro
- Lillia
- Llama Inn
- Luciano
- Lure Fishbar
- Maison Close
- Marea - "Fantastic"
- Mission Ceviche
- Monkey Bar
- The East Pole
- Nojo
- Nowon-EV
- Nura
- Oiji-Mi (High-end Korean)
- Ottava
- Oxomoco
- Pebble bar - cocktail bar
- Piccola Cucina
- Planta Queen
- Poppi - "For coffee...pastries"
- Red Farm - Upper West Side & East Side
- Roscioli
- Rosemary's
- Rubirosa
- Rule of Thirds
- Sadelle's
- Saga (2 stars, amazing views, Moroccan influence)
- Shuka
- Sola pasta bar
- Sugar Fish (Japanese)
- Sushi Sen-Nin
- Sushi Yasuda
- Swan Room
- Tanoshi sushi on the upper east side (it’s byob)
- The Loeb Boathouse
- The Sanctuary - Has a nice restaurant
- Wayan
- Wildair - modern American food
- Woo - "Korean BBQ with veg options"
- Zuma
Indian:
- Vatan
- Bhatti
- Spice Symphony - Times Square
- Kailash Parvat
- Saravanaa Bhavan
Middle Eastern:
YPO Owned Restaurants:
- Baba's Pizza
- Bad Roman
- Bango Bowls
- Bar Celona - Café/Pub
- Manolo Tapas - Café/Pub
- Bazaar Bar by Jose Andres - Fine Dining
- Bravas - Casual Dining
- Brooklyn Winery - Wine Bar
- Chez Zou - Mediterranean
- Churros - Casual Dining
- Hill Country Barbecue Market
- Jamon & Queso - Casual Dining
- Kings of Kobe - Casual Dining
- La Barra
- Lola's Greens - Casual Dining
- Lopez - Casual Dining
- MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM
- Nubeluz - The Ritz-Carlton New York
- Pokeworks - Seafood
- Quality Bistro - Brasserie/Bistro
- Quality Italian
- Quality Meats - Steakhouse
- Que Sweet - Bakery
- RGNY - Wine Bar
- Salt Shack
- Smith & Wollensky - Steakhouse
- Spanish Diner
- Tap Room - Casual Dining
- Templeton Landing - Seafood
- The Boat Yard
- The Halal Shack - Mediterranean
- The Kati Roll Company - Fast Food
- Vinos - Wine Bar
- Zaytinya, The Ritz-Carlton New York - Mediterranean
- Zou Zou’s - Mediterranean
Upper East Side:
- JG at the Mark
- Jacques Bar (drinks)
- Avra
- Island
- The East Pole (brunch)
- Amaranth
- Sushi Seki
- JG Melon (burgers)
- Flex Mussels
Midtown:
- Valbella (lunch weekday)
- Nerai (lunch weekday)
- Le Bernardin (dinner celebration)
- Oceana (lunch weekday)
- Bryant Park Grill
- Marea
- Torishin
Flatiron/Gramercy:
- Cosme
- Mari Vanna
- Union square Cafe
- Friend of a Farmer (brunch)
- Casa Mono (tapas and drinks)
- Maialino
- Shuko (omakase)
NoHo:
- Atla (vegetarian and really good)
- Acme (party)
- Il Buco
- The Grey Dog (casual lunch/brunch)
- Vic's
- 310 Bowery Bar (sports bar)
- Tokyo Record Bar (highly recommend for date night)
Chelsea:
West Village:
- Catch Meatpacking (dinner and also rooftop bar/club)
- Le Bain at Standard Hotel (rooftop)
- Paul’s Casablanca (club)
- Standard Grill
- Kosaka (omakase)
- Nakazawa (omakase)
- Via Carota
- Buvette
- Babbo
- L’Artusi
- The Dutch
- Lola Taverna (fun brunch spot on Saturday/Sunday)
- Domodomo (handrolls specialty)
Bars:
- Employees Only
- King Cole
- Bathtub Gin
- Gramercy Tavern
- Bemelmans
- Jacques Bar
- Salon de Ning
- The Wren
- Jimmy at the James Hotel - 'Rooftop!'
- Spring Lounge
Tribeca:
- Brandy Library (cigars and Scotch)
- Odeon
- Locanda Verde
- Frenchette
- Paul's Baby Grand (club)
Tapas:
Lower East Side:
- Bar Belly
- Clinton Street Baking Co. (brunch)
- Joe’s Shanghai (dumpling spot)
- Kiki’s
- Make Believe (rooftop)
- Mr. Purple (rooftop)
- Nakaji (omakase)
- Peasant
- Russ & Daughters (bagels)
- The Flower Shop (dope dive bar)
East Village:
- Pylos
- Death & Co. (drinks)
- Lil' Frankie's
- Joe & Pat's (pizza spot)
- Angel’s Share (drinks)
3. Accommodation Recommendations
- AC Hotel by Marriott New York Downtown
- AutoCamp Catskills
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Schenectady
- Hampton Inn Schenectady
- JW Marriot Essex
- Placemakr Wall Street, New York City
- Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel
- The MC Hotel
- The Michelangelo New York
- The Peninsula
4. Activities Recommendations
Broadway shows:
- Six
- Hades Town
- Wicked
- Hamilton is my favorite…
- Juliet, saw it with my wife and kids and it was non stop singing