East Village Guidebook
Food scene
A family-owned Moroccan cafe, Cafe Mogador has been a part of the East Village since the early 80s. The food is reliably great and it is also a perfect spot to work. Couldn't love it more
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Cafe Mogador
133 Wythe AveA family-owned Moroccan cafe, Cafe Mogador has been a part of the East Village since the early 80s. The food is reliably great and it is also a perfect spot to work. Couldn't love it more
The famous Tompkins Square Bagels is just around the corner. If it's a Saturday or a Sunday, try to get there early. The lines have only gotten longer since Timothee Chalamet said in an interview that this is is favorite bagel in NYC. But rightfully so! Our personal favorite bagel is Absolute Bagels on the Upper West Side, but Tompkins is a close second.
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Tompkins Square Bagels
165 Avenue AThe famous Tompkins Square Bagels is just around the corner. If it's a Saturday or a Sunday, try to get there early. The lines have only gotten longer since Timothee Chalamet said in an interview that this is is favorite bagel in NYC. But rightfully so! Our personal favorite bagel is Absolute Bagels on the Upper West Side, but Tompkins is a close second.
The best local slice shop, in our opinion. They do both traditional slices and Detroit-style. Grab a vodka sauce slice and a grandma slice and head across the street into the park for some epic people watching.
Village Square Pizza
147 Avenue AThe best local slice shop, in our opinion. They do both traditional slices and Detroit-style. Grab a vodka sauce slice and a grandma slice and head across the street into the park for some epic people watching.
The East Village has historically been home to a large Ukrainian population, and since 1954 Veselka has been a key institution in the neighborhood. They are famous for their delicious pierogis, and on a cold day their matzo ball soup is the ultimate comfort. It's always busy, but it's worth a wait. A true cornerstone of East Village history.
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Veselka
144 2nd AveThe East Village has historically been home to a large Ukrainian population, and since 1954 Veselka has been a key institution in the neighborhood. They are famous for their delicious pierogis, and on a cold day their matzo ball soup is the ultimate comfort. It's always busy, but it's worth a wait. A true cornerstone of East Village history.
Au Za'atar is a meat lover's dream. Head here with a group and order one of their famous tableside shawarma towers and some Lebanese wine.
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Au Za'atar
188 Avenue AAu Za'atar is a meat lover's dream. Head here with a group and order one of their famous tableside shawarma towers and some Lebanese wine.
Veniero's is an Italian bakery that has been owned and operated by the Veniero family for almost 130 years—and it still has many of its original interior details. You'll see tourists taking pictures outside its famous neon sign—but for good reason. Their cannolis are not to be missed.
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Veniero's
342 E 11th StVeniero's is an Italian bakery that has been owned and operated by the Veniero family for almost 130 years—and it still has many of its original interior details. You'll see tourists taking pictures outside its famous neon sign—but for good reason. Their cannolis are not to be missed.
If you're a fan of smashed burgers, look no further than 7th Street. They keep it simples: burgers, fries, and soda. Really, really good.
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7th Street Burger
91 East 7th StreetIf you're a fan of smashed burgers, look no further than 7th Street. They keep it simples: burgers, fries, and soda. Really, really good.
Somtum Der
85 Avenue AClassic local Thai spot. Our favorite pad kee mao in the city.
La Cabra takes coffee very seriously. A little new age-y, but their coffee is truly phenomenal and their cardamom buns are an absolute must.
La Cabra
152 2nd AvenueLa Cabra takes coffee very seriously. A little new age-y, but their coffee is truly phenomenal and their cardamom buns are an absolute must.
Abraço has our favorite coffee in the area, and they are very traditional about it; alternative milk users will be disappointed to learn that they do not offer any non-dairy accompaniment to your coffee. But if you can stomach lactose, it's a real treat. All of their pastries are also superb, and know that they don't allow any laptops. Quit your job—and make a friend instead!
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Abraço
81 E 7th StAbraço has our favorite coffee in the area, and they are very traditional about it; alternative milk users will be disappointed to learn that they do not offer any non-dairy accompaniment to your coffee. But if you can stomach lactose, it's a real treat. All of their pastries are also superb, and know that they don't allow any laptops. Quit your job—and make a friend instead!
Bars
Lucy's is a super divey bar on Ave A with a great pool table in the back. Cheap drinks, cash only.
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Lucy's
135 Avenue ALucy's is a super divey bar on Ave A with a great pool table in the back. Cheap drinks, cash only.
Joyface is a nearby bar with great dancey, 70s disco vibes. Expect a line, and don't be offended if you get turned away.
Joyface
104 Loisaida AveJoyface is a nearby bar with great dancey, 70s disco vibes. Expect a line, and don't be offended if you get turned away.
Sightseeing
Tompkins Square Park
East 10th StreetThe center of life in the East Village.
Historic, gorgeous movie theater that is always playing something good.
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Village East Cinema
181-189 2nd AveHistoric, gorgeous movie theater that is always playing something good.
Not far from the apartment, Union Square has the best farmer's market in the city every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between 8am and 6pm. They have hot food vendors as well as an abundance of local produce and craftsmanship. If no pastries there strike your fancy, head one block west to Breads bakery and don't leave until and unless you have a loaf of chocolate babka in hand.
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Union Square
Not far from the apartment, Union Square has the best farmer's market in the city every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between 8am and 6pm. They have hot food vendors as well as an abundance of local produce and craftsmanship. If no pastries there strike your fancy, head one block west to Breads bakery and don't leave until and unless you have a loaf of chocolate babka in hand.
Shops
Wonderfully curated local book store with frequent readings and beer/wine at night. Wander in on a rainy night!
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Book Club
197 E 3rd StWonderfully curated local book store with frequent readings and beer/wine at night. Wander in on a rainy night!
Casey's is magical. John Casey, the owner, sits in the back of the store and has handmade every stamp you see in it. He sells every imaginable color inkpad, and also does custom stamps. The most special souvenir with which to leave the city.
Casey Rubber Stamps
322 E 11th StCasey's is magical. John Casey, the owner, sits in the back of the store and has handmade every stamp you see in it. He sells every imaginable color inkpad, and also does custom stamps. The most special souvenir with which to leave the city.
Miscellaneous
This bathouse/spa has been in operation since 1892, offering a variety of spa treatments/massages/etc. as well as 5 saunas/steam rooms, a cold plunge pool, a roof deck, and a restaurant. Legend has it the Russian owner and Turkish owner hate each other so much that one can't be on the premises if the other is, so they switch off which days they go into work.
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Russian & Turkish Baths
268 E 10th StThis bathouse/spa has been in operation since 1892, offering a variety of spa treatments/massages/etc. as well as 5 saunas/steam rooms, a cold plunge pool, a roof deck, and a restaurant. Legend has it the Russian owner and Turkish owner hate each other so much that one can't be on the premises if the other is, so they switch off which days they go into work.