This post is all about things to do in the East Village.
New York’s East Village is a quintessential bohemian neighborhood. It’s home to artists, musicians, students, skaters, and hippies. It’s even the birthplace of punk music! Add in students from NYU and the large Ukrainian presence and this neighborhood has forged a vibrant culture and identity within “the Village.”
There is so much to explore here and you could spend days, weeks, months – even years immersing yourself in the culture of this neighborhood.
But I’m guessing you don’t have that much time to spare so I’ll show you the best things to do in the East Village if you’ve only got a day to spare.
Things to Do in the East Village in a Day
Start with Breakfast
Starting your day with a bagel is a must!
Tompkins Square Bagels is a staple in East Village. The bagels are delicious and they have seemingly endless options whether you’re going a classic or adventurous route. They make an amazing Bacon Egg and Cheese, but the Weezer is a crowd favorite (BEC + chorizo and cream cheese). They also have 40+ cream cheese flavor options that allow you to make some pretty wild creations (like Birthday Cake cream cheese on a French Toast bagel). Also, this is a favorite spot of Timothee Chalamet. So much so that he brought a bag of their bagels to a movie premiere.
New to the scene is Apollo Bagels which has taken the bagel scene by storm. Their menu is simple with just a handful of options including cream cheese, salmon, whitefish salad, or heirloom tomato.
After you grab your bagel, head across the street to Tompkins Square Park. I always say that parks are the heartbeat of a city or neighborhood, and that is absolutely true here. There’s always something happening – from dog parades to picnics to rallies.
And for a good cup of coffee, I’d recommend Abraço.
Head to a Museum
There is so much history and culture packed into the museums of the East Village.
Did you know the East Village is home to one of the largest Ukrainian communities in the country? The area between 6th and 7th Street between 1st and 4rd Avenues is referred to as Ukrainian Village and has Ukrainian shops, restaurants, churches, a school, and a museum. Visit the Ukrainian Museum, which is the largest Ukrainian heritage museum in the US.
If art is more your vibe, head to New Museum, which is a towering stacked building on Bowery. This is the leading collection of contemporary and new art. The exhibitions are constantly changing as the museum seeks to be at the forefront of conversations around art and the role it plays. It’s truly a fascinating place to visit!
I always love to visit the Brant Foundation if there’s an exhibit on – I’ve never been let down!
Grab Some Lunch
By now, you’re probably ready to grab some lunch.
If you want to continue your exploration of Ukrainian culture, head to Veselka, a popular Ukrainian restaurant. You can try traditional Ukrainian food like borscht (beet soup), pierogi, stuffed cabbage, and potato pancakes. Their menu has plenty of other options for those looking for something more familiar.
For a taste of the Mediterranean, Café Mogador is a must. This East Village institution has been serving incredible Moroccan and Middle Eastern dishes since the 1980s. Their lamb tagine is a favorite, but you can’t go wrong with a mezze spread or their famous eggs benedict with halloumi.
I have a soft spot for Scandinavian food, if you’re the same Smør is the perfect stop. This Scandi-inspired café specializes in open-faced sandwiches (smørrebrød), Danish hot dogs, bowls, and salads.
Hit Some Shops
There are a lot of great shops to peruse throughout the East Village.
Of course there’s Strand Bookstore which is arguably New York’s most popular bookstore and home to 2.5 million used, new, and rare books. For smaller bookstores, check out Mast Books and Book Club (which is a great place to spend an afternoon).
Record collectors will want to check out A-1 Records, Good Records and Other Music.
For vintage shopping, check out L Train Vintage for a variety of styles, Mr. Throwback for vintage sportswear, or Cure Thrift Shop for a high-end selection.
For gift shops and quirky/specialty shops, don’t miss:
- John Derian (3 neighboring stores of home goods and whimsical magic)
- Casey Rubber Stamps (rubber stamp store)
- Nico Neco Zakkaya (Japanese stationery and craft supply store)
- Sustainable NYC (a zero-waste and refill store)
- Pink Olive (gift shop)
- East Village Postal (a darling post office and stationery store crossover).
Enjoy a Sweet Treat
After an afternoon of shopping, I’m sure you’ll be ready for a sweet treat.
For a delicious slice of cake, head to From Lucie, a charming little bakery known for its beautifully decorated, made-from-scratch cakes. Each slice is light, fluffy, and topped with fresh fruit or edible flowers. The flavors are constantly changing, but some flavors I was tempted by during my most recent visit were the citrus cake with elderflower icing and raspberry jam and the chocolate cake with salted dark chocolate espresso buttercream. Yum!
If you’re in the mood for a pastry and a coffee, La Cabra is the spot. Their cardamom buns have a bit of a cult following, and they definitely live up to the hype! Fun fact: I spent a month living in Copenhagen last year, and these rival the cardamom buns of Danish bakeries. If you’ve never tried a cardamom bun, it’s like a cinnamon bun but with a bit of lemony peppery spice from the cardamom seed. Pair it with one of their expertly brewed coffees, and you’ve got the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
A Very East Village Dinner
When you’ve worked up an appetite for dinner, here are some of my must-visit dinner spots in the East Village.
Lucien is a neighborhood favorite. This French restaurant attracts artists and celebrities for good food and a great atmosphere. Nobody will rush you out of Lucien, and you could easily spend hours over dinner here.
Momofuku is David Chang’s famous ramen restaurant. Everything on the menu here is delicious but if you don’t believe us, maybe you’ll believe the two Michelin stars. The interior is cozy and warm as everyone crowds around bowls of piping hot ramen and buns.
Lil Frankie’s is the go-to place for pizzas, pastas, and salads. It’s perfect for any occasion and any size of group. Try one of their Neapolitan pizza, made exactly the same way as they’re made in Naples!
End the Night With a Concert
If you’ve still got some energy in you, check out what’s going on at Webster Hall, which almost always has a concert or other exciting event happening.
That wraps up this guide about things to do in the East Village.
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