Zoë's is the coolest restaurant in New York. You'll find locals and regulars and celebrities all coming for one thing: the good, quality food.

245 Eldridge Street in New York City on the Lower Eastside at Houston Street

(646) 559-5962.

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It's a cafe, restaurant and bar with a terrace with great views facing the Hudson.

www.boatbasincafe.com/
West 79th Street, New York, NY, United States
+1 212 496 5542
Google map: bit.ly/Jr3mlC
It's where W79 St meets the Hudson. Take a 1 train to 79 St and walk west (downhill), or take the M79 bus a block or so. Walk under the West Side Highway and keep going. You don't see it till you're there.

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A Mexican/Asian/American restaurant with the absolutely best view of southern Manhattan, especially after dark. Worth the effort getting to it in Brooklyn. Chances are you'll need a reservation and make sure you eat on the roof terrace!

almarestaurant.com/
187 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
+1 718.643.5400
Google map: bit.ly/w5qIxd

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Momofuku is one of the "it" Japanese restaurants in NYC, but it also has a sweeter, more accessible offshoot called Momofuku Milk Bar. There are locations around the city, and they specialize in interesting yogurt, pies, and cookies. Two famed desserts are the crack pie, which has an addictive cookie crumb crust, and the compost cookie containing chocolate and butterscotch chips, potato chips, and pretzels. You can also order hot pork buns or pastrami croissants.

www.momofuku.com/restaurants/milk-bar/
The newest Momofuku Milk Bar is:
561 Columbus Avenue, 10024
Google map: bit.ly/r9u7zV

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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I don't make it to Brooklyn that often, but I always find something good when I do. One recent discovery: the best sandwich of my life at Smith Canteen. Seriously. The best sandwich. Of my life. It's comprised of buttermilk-brined turkey, sage mayonnaise, bacon, and veggies on an "everything" croissant. (Familiar with the salty, peppery splendor of an "everything" bagel? This is a flakier, buttery take.) I'll probably never buy any other food item at Smith Canteen now that I'm committed to the turkey sandwich, but everything on the menu looks amazing. Smith Canteen is at 343 Smith Street and is open from 7-7 every day. Take the F train to Smith Street and bring your appetite.

smithcanteen.com/
343 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY, United States
+1 718 422 0444
Google map: bit.ly/q7QCdN

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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In a city as well-trodden as New York, it's always fun to do something off the beaten path. Hudson Clearwater is a hidden gem of a restaurant at 447 Hudson Street on the corner of Morton Street in the West Village. On the outside, it appears to be an insurance/tax office. But open the unmarked green door and walk straight ahead. You'll know you're in the right place if you find yourself in a garden greeted by attractive waitstaff. And if you don't find that, exit and look for another green door. I hear the traditional fare's so good, that it's worth the hunt.

hudsonclearwater.com/
447 Hudson Street, NYC, 10014
+12129893255
Google map: bit.ly/nrrWBV

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/

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Twelve-year-olds aren't the only ones who giggle when ordering a plate of balls at a restaurant. We can all do it at Meatball Shop, a restaurant devoted to... Meatballs! Diners get a dry erase menu and marker and can pick and choose from an array of meatballs and sauces. I suggest ordering a handful of different meatball sliders -- my favorite are beef with spicy meat sauce. (I'm boring I know.) You can also order sides and desserts with your balls. There are two Meatball Shop locations -- one on the Lower East Side at 84 Stanton Street and another new location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at 170 Bedford Avenue. Be prepared for a wait. It's worth it.

www.themeatballshop.com
84 Stanton Street 10002-1420
+1212 982-8895
Google map: bit.ly/oRaGpb

170 Bedford Avenue
Google map: bit.ly/oKqH5L

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New York is expensive and I'll say it, often overrated. When you go to a bar or restaurant, you pay for the scene. But if you just want to get silly drunk on fruity, crazy-colored margaritas, consider the chain Dallas BBQ. There are locations all over, but I tend to stick to the ones in Chelsea or the East Village. I wouldn't advise ordering the food, unless you're trying something small to stave off a hangover. (There are much better, pricier places for barbecue. The offerings at Dallas BBQ are mediocre at best.) The restaurant staff won't rush you if you decide to drink a Texas-sized margarita and hang out with your friends. They won't even get annoyed when you can barely leave the place once you're done, either. I may or may not speak from personal experience(s).

www.dallasbbq.com/
261 8th Avenue
+1 212 462 0001
Google map: bit.ly/lZcGPQ

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No need to extol to Guardian readers the virtues of hummus, but this small New York chain might turn it into your favourite food.

The sheer variety of cheap, nourishing and delicious meals that they make out of the gloopy stuff is incredible. Plus, the restaurants tend to be in trendy places so you won't be short of fun things to do after dinner.

www.hummusplace.com
109 St Mark's Place, East Village, NY 10009
+1 212 529 9198
Google map: bit.ly/ehccXh

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Walk across the bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn, stay on the left path off the bridge, turn left and left again then right to get to Grimaldi's pizza place under the bridge. If you get there about 11.30, there'll be a queue, but only a shortish one. Queue, eat great pizza, pay in cash, walk to waterfront, eat ice-cream - fab way to spend a morning. Yes it's touristy but if you are a tourist in New York why not eh?

www.grimaldis.com
1 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
+1 718 858 4300
Google map: bit.ly/f58Few

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Cute, family friendly retro diner with amazing sponge cakes, oozing fruit pies, yummy cupcakes and cookies. There is an extensive savoury menu, with a 'home style cooking' flavour. Get the pancakes - thick and spongy with fruit baked in the middle. Delicious!

www.kitchenetterestaurant.com/home.html
156 Chambers Street, NYC 10007
+1 (212) 267-6740
Google map: bit.ly/9vLVfR

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Elegant art deco bar diner with superb cocktails, all-day food and Sunday brunches.

8th avenue and 23rd

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A superb restaurant and bar, The crowd which frequent it are lively and friendly, the food is reasonably priced and very good, not to mention the authentic European tin bar. After finding it by accident it turns out that it's known city wide with the locals as THE place to hang out. Travelling alone? Then go and eat at the bar, you're bound to end up befriending some regulars.

80 Spring Street between Broadway and Lafeyette, Soho.

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A great place for some really tasty and interesting drinks in Manhattan is the Flatiron Lounge on 19th Street. It's a small, cozy, dimly lit, laid-back Art Deco lounge where you can get mixed drinks that you won't find anywhere else. Then for dinner, walk a few blocks over to Mesa Grill on Fifth Avenue for some terrific southwestern US cuisine and great desserts. But just make sure you call for a dinner reservation as far in advance as possible.

www.flatironlounge.com/
www.mesagrill.com/newyorkcity/

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The best (and biggest!) Manhattans are at Quality Meats. It's a chic and buzzing basement hangout that is always packed. Glamorous clientele, classic decor; stay for dinner, which is also a great idea as the food is fantastic.

Quality Meats, 57 W. 58th Street just at the south end of Central Park

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I'm a Brit living in NYC, and for cocktails I can highly recommend one of the secrets of New York that many native New Yorkers don't know about. I would try The Beacon. They have a special deal during their 'happy hour' that gets you two classic New York cocktails of your choice and an appetiser-style small pizza made by Waldy Maloof (one of the best chefs in NYC) for $20. Or you can skip the small pizza and dive straight in the cocktails.

This would only whet your appetite for one of my favourite restaurants in the city: Gramercy Tavern. It is still one of the highest rated restaurants in the city. Food, service and wine list, are all superb. You won't be disappointed.

The Beacon (25 West 56th Street between 6th and 5th Avenues)
Gramercy Tavern (2 East 20th Street, near Park Avenue South)

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A great place for cocktails is Ava Lounge which overlooks Times Square. The drinks they make up are really good - true American cocktails, and the views can be amazing if it's a clear evening and you get a good sunset!

Also nearby for an interesting meal is the fun Benihana. Although if you are more interested in food rather than entertainment then The Red Cat in the heat of Chelsea is a great spot - very intimate but not too stuffy. The food is wonderful but affordable.

www.avaloungenyc.com/
www.benihana.co.uk/
www.theredcat.co.uk/

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The Jazz Standard is an amazing night out with good cocktails and great jazz. If you book the early showing you can catch dinner upstairs too, which is yummy.

The River Cafe has great views of Manhattan being on the other side of Brooklyn bridge – again, they do good cocktails and good food. It is very pricey though so definitely one for a treat!

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Little Branch in the Village is great for drinks – it's much like visiting a speakeasy with classic and innovative cocktails in a strangely enticing basement space.

For dinner: You can’t go wrong with 11 Madison. It’s a wonderful, adult place to eat which exemplifies a certain sort of American and New York high cuisine. It’s an utter pleasure.

Little Branch: corner of St. Luke’s and 7th Avenue

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Kick off with cocktails in the bar at the Rainbow Grill for a heart-stopping view of the Empire State and downtown skyscrapers. I’ve been living here for over a year and this place still gives me that ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ feeling when I walk in. Another good option would be the bar at the top of the Mandarin Oriental on 59th Street, Columbus Circle. If you go at sunset, you get the most wonderful view of the southern end of Central Park. Dinner – well, yes it’s hokey, but for an authentic New York experience, try Smith & Wollensky – the cathedral of steak (and pretty wonderful seafood too). You’ll feel your arteries furring up, but it’s a blissful way to go.

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