A few weeks ago I made my way back to the city that never sleeps aka New York. I've been there a lot in the last few years so I figured I should obviously put together a post rounding up my recommendations on places to visit, shop, eat, and explore! I will continue to update this the more I explore the city over the years :)

New York is a huge city so I would recommend organizing your days and exploring specific neighbourhoods...because cabs are expensive. It's a great city for walking so take your time and you'll be sure to always find something new.



FOOD & DRINK

• The Butchers Daughter: My go-to for solid vegan food, fresh juices, and yummy hot drinks.
• Fornino Pizza: The best gluten-free pizza I have ever eaten in my entire life...I am not exaggerating. The location in Brooklyn is my fave.
• Brooklyn Diner: Anytime I head to Times Square and need a place to eat, I hit up this spot. I've been going here for 4 years and have yet to be a disappointment. Old school classy diner vibes & amazing comfort food.
• Bochape: A tight squeeze but worth it for amazing and fresh Vietnamese food and unique drinks.
• Matchaful: Pretty obvious...it's a matcha cafe in Soho; with delicious drinks and decor.
• Martha's Country Bakery: A Brooklyn classic, the eat-in bakery has vegan and gluten-free options and delicious drinks. Get the Chai tea.
• Allswell: This intimate little restaurant in Brooklyn, has great food, a cool atmosphere, and friendly staff.
• Saraghina Restaurant: A pizza (gf options) and tapas restaurant in Brooklyn with delicious food specials and good music.
• Bagel Point: Bagels....do I need to say more? Gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free options are available.

SHOPPING

• Glossier: The flagship store for the brand and worth a visit. There are only 2 shops in the US so you may as well stop by.
• Dover Street Market: Museum meets store, a great shopping experience.
• The Real Real: Designer consignment + a cool patio and cafe in the basement!
• Harney & Sons: A tea shop that looks like a library; great tea selection and decent prices.
• Beacon's Closet: Thrifting gold mine located all over the city. The shop in Brooklyn on 5th Avenue is a good place to start.
• Flying Tiger Copenhagen: Cool little Danish store with knick-knacks and household gadgets. Kind of like the marketplace in Ikea.
• Lou & Grey: The SOFTEST clothing you will ever buy. Simple shapes, fun colours, and cozy sets of loungewear.
• Catbird: Great spot in Brooklyn for beautiful jewellery.
• Awoke Vintage: Cook vintage store with a curated collection of goods from clothing to jewellery to art and shoes!

TO DO

• Chelsea Market: Your one-stop shop for food, artist markets, groceries, and drinks. An indoor haven for the city explorer.
• The High Line: Grad a coffee and go for a walk in this manmade park above the city.
• MoMa: Museum of Modern Art, cool art and good for a rainy day.
• Central Park: A zoo, cool statues, nice trees, and peace, love, and understanding. The park is massive and it's great for an afternoon stroll.
• DUMBO: The entire Dumbo area is very cool and unique. It's worth a day trip to explore and grab some delicious food
• MET: A huge museum with cool exhibits...but also just cool to sit on the steps and people watch
• Broadway: Go see a show! NYC has hundreds of shows playing every single night. I use this app called TodayTix to see what's playing and the best price for tickets.
• Smorgasburg Market: Indoor/Outdoor market depending on the season. Great vintage goods, thrifting, food, and handmade goods. Located in Williamsburg.
• Bedford Ave: An iconic street in Brooklyn for cool shopping and food experiences.