Esther's Greenwich Village Guidebook

Esther
Esther's Greenwich Village Guidebook

But First, Coffee ☕️

Your ultimate guide to local coffee shops for work, play or simply, for taste.
Good spot across the street Highlights: —outdoor seating on a nice day —iced coffee —smoothies —breakfast sandwiches —the owner and the staff
7 locals recommend
Summers SoHo
169 Thompson St
7 locals recommend
Good spot across the street Highlights: —outdoor seating on a nice day —iced coffee —smoothies —breakfast sandwiches —the owner and the staff
—Fun people watching —Bright open space —Order: Oat milk latte on draft or a Black and Tan —Bring a book and relax. (There’s no WiFi.)
21 locals recommend
La Colombe Noho
400 Lafayette St
21 locals recommend
—Fun people watching —Bright open space —Order: Oat milk latte on draft or a Black and Tan —Bring a book and relax. (There’s no WiFi.)
No-frills Greenwich Village coffee shop with the occasional celeb sighting. Be prepared for a tight space. If it’s packed, the park is a block north.
45 locals recommend
Third Rail Coffee
240 Sullivan St
45 locals recommend
No-frills Greenwich Village coffee shop with the occasional celeb sighting. Be prepared for a tight space. If it’s packed, the park is a block north.
—WiFi —Delicious snacks —Studious environment with many NYU professors and students buzzing about.
44 locals recommend
Think Coffee
73 8th Ave
44 locals recommend
—WiFi —Delicious snacks —Studious environment with many NYU professors and students buzzing about.
—Bright and cute West Village coffee shop —WiFi available (typically)
10 locals recommend
Merriweather Coffee + Kitchen
428 Hudson St
10 locals recommend
—Bright and cute West Village coffee shop —WiFi available (typically)
Convenient and spacious
109 locals recommend
Irving Farm New York
224 W 79th St
109 locals recommend
Convenient and spacious
WiFi is spotty but it’s a good study space when it works!
Gotan TriBeCa
130 Franklin Street
WiFi is spotty but it’s a good study space when it works!
10 locals recommend
JOE & THE JUICE
247 Columbus Ave
10 locals recommend
Gluten free options, smoothies, açaí bowls and savory soups. Highly recommend bringing a laptop or a book and doing work here.
Dr Smood
470 Broome St
Gluten free options, smoothies, açaí bowls and savory soups. Highly recommend bringing a laptop or a book and doing work here.
Large coffee tables downstairs for work. Great environment to focus in.
Ole & Steen
80 W 40th St
Large coffee tables downstairs for work. Great environment to focus in.

A Foodie’s Paradise 🍽

There are so many wonderful places to dine in this neighborhood alone. From top takeout options to world class dining establishments (no, really—those Michelin stars are twinkling), the West Village has something for every type of foodie.
—Directly downstairs —Quality sushi that’s relatively inexpensive —Cash Or Amex only —Be ready to wait or come at 5 on the dot
59 locals recommend
TOTO Sushi
216 Thompson St
59 locals recommend
—Directly downstairs —Quality sushi that’s relatively inexpensive —Cash Or Amex only —Be ready to wait or come at 5 on the dot
—No frills transplant from San Francisco. —Healthy but savory and delicious dishes. —I recommend the Classic salmon or fried chicken, mashed potatoes and Caesar salad
Tender Greens
900 Broadway
—No frills transplant from San Francisco. —Healthy but savory and delicious dishes. —I recommend the Classic salmon or fried chicken, mashed potatoes and Caesar salad
—Top Italian in the city steps from the place — $$$$ establishment — Comes with the occasional celeb sighting —White table cloths, impeccable service and privacy if you need it.
71 locals recommend
Carbone
181 Thompson St
71 locals recommend
—Top Italian in the city steps from the place — $$$$ establishment — Comes with the occasional celeb sighting —White table cloths, impeccable service and privacy if you need it.
—Directly downstairs —Get the cacio e pepe —And the prosciutto —Grab a table semi-outside if you can and watch the world go by
45 locals recommend
Lupa
170 Thompson St
45 locals recommend
—Directly downstairs —Get the cacio e pepe —And the prosciutto —Grab a table semi-outside if you can and watch the world go by
—Bottles of wine for $20 —Delicious dishes —Fresh homemade tiramisu —One of my neighborhood favorites
13 locals recommend
II Corallo Trattoria
176 Prince St
13 locals recommend
—Bottles of wine for $20 —Delicious dishes —Fresh homemade tiramisu —One of my neighborhood favorites
—Delicious French cuisine —Cozy atmosphere —Shhh it’s a secret spot and a gem 💎
21 locals recommend
Cocotte
110 Thompson St
21 locals recommend
—Delicious French cuisine —Cozy atmosphere —Shhh it’s a secret spot and a gem 💎
—Udon that warms the soul
33 locals recommend
Raku
342 E 6th St
33 locals recommend
—Udon that warms the soul
—Savory ramen flavors —Lively and bustling NYC feel —Sit at the bar for the real experience
Karakatta
230 Thompson St
—Savory ramen flavors —Lively and bustling NYC feel —Sit at the bar for the real experience
—Good food —Local establishment —Consistent —Get the cocktails
35 locals recommend
Jane
100 W Houston St
35 locals recommend
—Good food —Local establishment —Consistent —Get the cocktails
—The burger is all you need
135 locals recommend
Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St
135 locals recommend
—The burger is all you need
—If you prefer a marg, an outdoor space and a mean quesadilla, this is the spot for you.
89 locals recommend
Dos Caminos
675 Hudson St
89 locals recommend
—If you prefer a marg, an outdoor space and a mean quesadilla, this is the spot for you.
Cute and cozy French spot
188 locals recommend
Buvette
42 Grove St
188 locals recommend
Cute and cozy French spot
Come with an appetite. And anticipate a wait after 6.
7 locals recommend
Hometown Hotpot & BBQ
194 Grand St
7 locals recommend
Come with an appetite. And anticipate a wait after 6.
Go next door to Joe’s Ginger for the exact same bites if you want to avoid the wait. Must order the soup dumplings.
196 locals recommend
Joe's Shanghai
46 Bowery
196 locals recommend
Go next door to Joe’s Ginger for the exact same bites if you want to avoid the wait. Must order the soup dumplings.
Trendy new spot that’s fun for groups. Very Meatpacking. Bring sunglasses and expect to people watch.
12 locals recommend
Coco
68 Greenpoint Ave
12 locals recommend
Trendy new spot that’s fun for groups. Very Meatpacking. Bring sunglasses and expect to people watch.
993 locals recommend
Shake Shack
Madison Avenue
993 locals recommend
131 locals recommend
Jack's Wife Freda
226 Lafayette St
131 locals recommend
73 locals recommend
Shuka
38 MacDougal St
73 locals recommend
138 locals recommend
Rosemary's
18 Greenwich Ave
138 locals recommend
Dan Barber’s famed restaurant as seen on Chef’s Table
39 locals recommend
Blue Hill
75 Washington Pl
39 locals recommend
Dan Barber’s famed restaurant as seen on Chef’s Table
18 locals recommend
Mimi Cheng's Dumplings
179 2nd Ave
18 locals recommend
Order the dan dan noodles and the double cooked fish
58 locals recommend
Han Dynasty
90 3rd Ave
58 locals recommend
Order the dan dan noodles and the double cooked fish

Grocery Store 🛒

—Local grocery store 7 mins away by foot
1296 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
130 Court St
1296 locals recommend
—Local grocery store 7 mins away by foot
—three minute walk away
142 locals recommend
Morton Williams Supermarkets
130 Bleecker St
142 locals recommend
—three minute walk away
—All convenience needs —Medicine —Water —Snacks
329 locals recommend
CVS
156 Henry St
329 locals recommend
—All convenience needs —Medicine —Water —Snacks
1895 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
95 E Houston St
1895 locals recommend
New even to New York! Need Korean and Asian groceries? Want a quick bite? Get to this spot ASAP.
22 locals recommend
H Mart
38 W 32nd St
22 locals recommend
New even to New York! Need Korean and Asian groceries? Want a quick bite? Get to this spot ASAP.

Boba or Tea 🍵

Bubble tea has its own culture in NYC.
Trendy spot from SF
Boba Guys
11 Waverly Place
Trendy spot from SF
—Bring cash (there’s a minimum), but their boba milk tea (Bubble tea and tapioca) is amazing!
Debutea, tea and coffee
217 Thompson St
—Bring cash (there’s a minimum), but their boba milk tea (Bubble tea and tapioca) is amazing!

Brunch 🥞

The tower of bagels and lox are quite the experience
28 locals recommend
Sadelle's
463 W Broadway
28 locals recommend
The tower of bagels and lox are quite the experience
—Did somebody say macarons? —Cute brunch spot. Dress up and be ready to pose for some pics.
68 locals recommend
Ladurée
398 W Broadway
68 locals recommend
—Did somebody say macarons? —Cute brunch spot. Dress up and be ready to pose for some pics.
Trendy and good!
96 locals recommend
Joseph Leonard
170 Waverly Pl
96 locals recommend
Trendy and good!
A West Village spot
106 locals recommend
Cafe Cluny
284 W 12th St
106 locals recommend
A West Village spot
Cute for avocado toast and an Australian-style latte. Swing by later for an evening aperol spritz.
17 locals recommend
Banter NYC
169 Sullivan St
17 locals recommend
Cute for avocado toast and an Australian-style latte. Swing by later for an evening aperol spritz.
This is in TriBeCa but, by far, my favorite brunch spot in the city. Of note: it was also JFK Jr.’s go-to breakfast establishment. (Pro tip: get the biscuits!)
106 locals recommend
Bubby's
120 Hudson St
106 locals recommend
This is in TriBeCa but, by far, my favorite brunch spot in the city. Of note: it was also JFK Jr.’s go-to breakfast establishment. (Pro tip: get the biscuits!)
Oh so cute and French! Come for the ambiance. Stay for the authentic French breakfast options.
61 locals recommend
Maman
239 Centre St
61 locals recommend
Oh so cute and French! Come for the ambiance. Stay for the authentic French breakfast options.
198 locals recommend
The Butcher's Daughter
19 Kenmare St
198 locals recommend
251 locals recommend
Russ & Daughters
179 E Houston St
251 locals recommend

Wine Shop 🍷

If you need a bottle or three
—helpful staff
La Vid Wine and Spirits
315 6th Ave
—helpful staff
So much inventory; plus, tastings
37 locals recommend
Astor Wines & Spirits
399 Lafayette St
37 locals recommend
So much inventory; plus, tastings
An experience to be had, especially if you’re a TJs loyalist.
62 locals recommend
Trader Joe's Wine Shop
138 E 14th St
62 locals recommend
An experience to be had, especially if you’re a TJs loyalist.

Sightseeing 🏙

Parks, local sights, museums and exhibits. Historic sights and heavy ones too.
This magical place. Bring a book and a coffee. Watch. Learn something new.
946 locals recommend
Washington Square Park
Washington Square
946 locals recommend
This magical place. Bring a book and a coffee. Watch. Learn something new.
24 locals recommend
9/11 Memorial & Museum
180 Greenwich Street
24 locals recommend
Go for a run!
155 locals recommend
Hudson River Park
155 locals recommend
Go for a run!
Farmers market open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
987 locals recommend
Union Square
987 locals recommend
Farmers market open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
The exterior of the Friends apartment. “An apartment of the same above-average size at that same location could actually cost between $7,000 and $8,000 per month... The building the “Friends” apartment is supposed to be located in is a pre-war walk-up (in other words, no elevator), but it would still fetch such a lofty price because of its above-average size. “In the [West Village] we call it ‘massive.’” (CNBC)
25 locals recommend
Friends Apartment
90 Bedford St
25 locals recommend
The exterior of the Friends apartment. “An apartment of the same above-average size at that same location could actually cost between $7,000 and $8,000 per month... The building the “Friends” apartment is supposed to be located in is a pre-war walk-up (in other words, no elevator), but it would still fetch such a lofty price because of its above-average size. “In the [West Village] we call it ‘massive.’” (CNBC)
A six-minute walk from the Friends apartment. Beware the owners aren’t very happy with tourists who pose on the stoop, but go and enjoy the block.
12 locals recommend
Carrie Bradshaw's Apartment
66 Perry St
12 locals recommend
A six-minute walk from the Friends apartment. Beware the owners aren’t very happy with tourists who pose on the stoop, but go and enjoy the block.
Order oysters and a drink and take in the views of downtown Manhattan
38 locals recommend
Grand Banks
38 locals recommend
Order oysters and a drink and take in the views of downtown Manhattan
Shhh it’s a secret, but go and pose with your loved ones.
Washington Mews
Washington Mews
Shhh it’s a secret, but go and pose with your loved ones.
10 locals recommend
Color Factory
251 Spring St
10 locals recommend
One of my favorite spots in all of NYC. Stacks and stacks of books old and new.
207 locals recommend
The Strand Bookstore
828 Broadway
207 locals recommend
One of my favorite spots in all of NYC. Stacks and stacks of books old and new.
Just in time for the 25th anniversary. Order tickets.
Friends NYC Pop-Up
300 Mercer St
Just in time for the 25th anniversary. Order tickets.
As made famous by Taylor Swift’s namesake song. Check out the adorable block where she once lived and fell in love with Joe Alwyn.
Cornelia Street
Cornelia Street
As made famous by Taylor Swift’s namesake song. Check out the adorable block where she once lived and fell in love with Joe Alwyn.
91 locals recommend
Hudson Yards
20 Hudson Yards
91 locals recommend