Lower East Side NYC: Restaurants, Bars & More
One of my favorite neighborhoods in New York is Lower East Side. With its unique restaurants, awesome bars, and amazing vintage stores and clothing boutiques, the LES is a great place to spend an afternoon. Best of all, it’s mostly a locals hangout, so you won’t find many tourists. Check out my list of places you shouldn’t miss while in Lower East Side NYC.
Lower East Side Restaurants
Hidden at the end of an alley, the gem of a restaurant/tavern is definitely loved by New Yorkers. It has a little bit for everyone, from delicious salads to signature dishes like steak and chicken. The great brunch cocktails are definitely a draw!
What we love here: Cacio e Pepe! A very versatile Italian restaurant, it’s home-like vibe with bookshelves and open kitchen make it inviting to stop by after a long day of shopping with your friends on the LES. It also works well for a date or post-work outing during the week if you want to treat yourself to a good pasta and a delicious wine after a long day.
It is the neighbor of Epistrophy, serving delicious Mediterranean food with great wine to go along. They have a rustic, laid back feel, which makes it a great atmosphere for a date. My favorite: the Tavern Chicken and the meatballs!
It is a very upbeat, fun restaurant! It’s the perfect spot for a good birthday dinner before heading downstairs to the lounge area to dance and get loose with your friends, especially if you are single and ready to mingle. Don’t forget to end your meal with one of their amazing LES doughnuts!
You can get this girl out of Habana, but you can’t never get Habana out of this girl! So when those Habana blues hit, you’ll always find me at Cafe Habana. If you have yet to visit Cuba, but would love to try some delicious Cuban-Mexican eats while planning that dream Cuban vacation, Cafe Habana is the perfect place to go. Don’t forget to grab a good mojito!
It recently earned a Michelin Star, and contrary to many other places where locals and Michelin Star critics don’t seem to agree, almost everyone is obsessed with Uncle Boons’ exceptionally good Thai food. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Lower East Side NYC! Just remember: They only accept a limited amount of reservations and keep most of the tables for walk-ins, so expect to wait a bit during peak hours.
Lower East Side Bars
The bar has a welcoming feel to it. In addition to its high-end yet cozy vibes, the selection of classic cocktails layered with a twist of Korean flavor makes us straight-up obsessed with this place. Perfect to catch up with friends or to come on a date! To check our Most Romantic Restaurants in NYC blog click here
If you’re a whiskey lover like me who is always up to sample new spirits, then this is the perfect destination for you! Not only will you get the ultimate whiskey experience without visiting the Jameson distillery in Dublin but you can also take some classes and improve your whiskey knowledge.
This amazingly fun rooftop is a must visit, especially during the hot summer months. The upbeat party atmosphere, great views, and cold drinks will turn any regular Saturday into one for the books. Expect long lines, but don’t get discouraged: bouncers are pretty friendly (for NYC club standards!) and will let you in as long as you wait in line.
Wine Bars Lower East Side
La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels:
It offers great happy hour deals, and the curated wine selection is second to none. What we really love to do here: It’s guessing the mystery glass of wine (you can win the bottle if you’re right!). Don’t leave without checking the Sommelier Short List for bottles!
Ten Bells:
It is a self-described “wine bar” that doesn’t come with any of the pretentiousness that you might associate with wine tasting. It has a welcoming, relaxing vibe that will make you want to stay and chill while sampling wines that you actually love (not ones that you have to pretend to like to impress a sommelier). Daily $1 oysters Happy Hour.
Lower Manhattan Shops
Warm (clothing store):
This effortless, eclectic and just plain cool store offers a selection of clothing, home decor (some AMAZING candles and pillows), and accessories. Both guys and girls will love this place, it’s one of my favorites and I always stop in to check out the new items they have. What we love: We found some awesome pillows that rival those we bought in the Istanbul bazaar.(To know more about my travel diaries and bazaar adventures click here)
Lower East Side Attractions
International Center of Photography Museum:
If they say a picture is worth a thousands words, then what are a few thousand pictures worth? The only way to find out is by visiting the Photography Museum. Check it out for yourself, and don’t forget to send me a picture!
Besitos from the Lower East Side NYC,
Laura
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