East Village has long been a 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, this neighborhood has forged a vibrant culture and identity within “the Village.” There is much to explore here, so we’re sharing our plan for how to spend a day in New York’s East Village neighborhood.
Start With Breakfast
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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 that he brought a bag of their bagels to his movie premiere.
After you grab your bagel, head across the street to Tompkins Square Park. There’s always something happening here – from sports to picnics to rallies.
Head to a Museum
There is so much history and culture packed into the museums of East Village.
Did you know 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 quirky 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!
Grab Some Lunch
By now, you may be 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.
Cutlets is a new sandwich shop bringing a modern take to the classic tri-state chicken cutlet sandwiches. They’re committed to using high-quality meat for these deli sandwiches and they’re absolutely delicious.
Scarrs is a retro-style pizza place which is definitely the best in East Village and many would argue it could take the spot for best in the whole city too. Their slices are a perfect combination of thin crust and stretchy cheese. They also have vegan options on the menu.
If you want to try a bit of everything, Essex Market is for you! This market has been in the East Village for over 100 years but has majorly leveled up with its recent renovation. There are dozens of vendors with food from all over the world. Dominican, Thai, Ukrainian, Mexican, Korean, Turkish, and Italian are just a few of the many cuisines you can try.
Hit Some Shops
There are a lot of great shops to peruse throughout 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 Pink Olive (gift shop), Casey Rubber Stamps (rubber stamp store), The March Hare (toy store), SHW (jewelry shop), and NICONECO ZAKKAYA (Japanese stationery and craft supply store).
For a darling post office and stationery store crossover, check out East Village Postal.
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A Very East Village Dinner
East Village is vibrant and full of life no matter the time or day, but evenings are particularly fun in this neighborhood. Here are some of our must-visit dinner spots.
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!
After Dinner Drinks
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After dinner, head to Citizen M and check out their rooftop bar. They have an interior space with glass walls or an outdoor deck making this a great spot to catch the sunset over Manhattan and Brooklyn year round.
Alternatively, check out the Bowery Lobby which is the hotel’s lobby and bar. The dim lighting, deep leather couches, and vintage Persian rugs give it a luxury vibe. This is a great place to hang out after dinner!
And of course, there’s McSorley’s Old Ale House which is not fancy but always a good time. It’s the oldest pub in New York City and has the original wooden floors and bar.
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, rave, and other event happening.
That concludes a very packed day exploring New York’s very vibrant East Village neighborhood.
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