East Village NY Guide

While originally part of the Lower East Side, an immigrant neighborhood, the East Village NY, has separated itself and become home to some of the City’s best restaurants, shops and nightlife. It is full of character, fine dining, shops and live music, and includes a subsection named “Alphabet City.” East Village culture ranges from tattoo parlors and “dive bars” to some of New York City’s nicest hip and trendy hotels.

Things to Do

Blue Man Group (Astor Place Theater) or STOMP (Orpheum Theatre, 126 2nd Ave, 7th/ St. Marks Place/ 8th Street) – both interactive off-Broadway shows, Stomp better for kids, both fun and creative music.

St. Mark's Place (E 8th Street) - souvenirs, tattoo shops, clothing, nightlife, college NYU crowd.

Curry Lane – east 6th St. NYC’s Little India, with dozens of Indian Restaurants.

Tompkins Square Park (9th St at Ave B)

Alphabet City

East Village Visitors Center (61 E.4th, Bowery/2nd Ave) – Tues-Sat, 1:00 - 6:00pm. Walking Tour is Tuesday – Sunday 11 am, Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. (check for prices, abt $15 pp)

Recommended Restaurants

S’MAC Sarita's Macaroni & Cheese (345 East 12th, 1st /2nd Aves) All about Mac and Cheese. Casual, great for kids and students.

Veniero's Pasticceria and Cafe - (342 E 11th St at 1st Ave, )- Italian bakery/cafe famous for pastries and desserts.

Momofuku Noodle Bar (171 1st Ave, 10th/11th Sts)- David Chang. Next to Milk Bar, famous Asian dessert place and his “impossible to get into” Momofuku Ko. All celebrity favorites.

Pommes Frites (123 2nd Ave, 7th/ St Marks) – grab and go Belgian Fries, served in paper cones, with a choice of 30 sauces.

Jewel Bako (239 E. 5th St, 3rd Ave) – Sushi. Personally not my fave, but major award winner and very highly ranked. Reservations recommended, about $100 pp.

Cacio e Pepe (182 2nd Ave (11th/12th Sts) ) - Sicilian food, great outdoor garden, excellent service, romantic.

Winebar (65 2nd Ave, 3rd/4th Sts) - huge wine list, great Flatbreads (ever had a Chocolate Pizza? Yum!). Lovely outdoor patio, very cozy indoors!

Death and Co (433 E 6th St, 1st/A Aves) – dark, cozy with unique and exotic cocktails, some served for groups in Punch bowls. Eclectic food and small plates.

Bourgeois Pig (111 E 7th St) – dark, cozy, velvet sofas. Wine list and fondue plates (no meals).

Joe’s Pub (425 Lafayette St., at Astor Pl) – awesome for live music fans, one of the city’s top spots.

More East Village Restaurants

Shopping

Khiel’s Flagship Store (109 3rd Ave, 13th St) – known for their lotions and potions sold in stores and boutiques globally, this is the original “chemist lab” opened in 1851

Lots of little boutiques on the numbered streets carrying clothing, vintage and accessories. Great place for the shopping "hipster."

Toy Tokyo (121 2nd Ave at 7th St) – specializing in Japanese imports and collectibles: Samurai guys, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars; hand-painted porcelain miniatures of the Simpsons, Smurfs, and the Pink Panther; Transformers; Muppets; Totoro figures; Japanese "candy toys,"

Hotels

Bowery Hotel– use their free bicycles, outdoor garden and cozy indoor lobby with leather club chairs and fireplaces. Gemma Restaurant is very nice and authentic Italian.