New York City Guide.
New York is the only place where getting lost feels productive.
Bars & Pubs
PLEASE DON'T TELL (PDT), EAST VILLAGE
A hidden speakeasy bar behind a phone booth, right in the middle of a hot dog joint. They serve craft cocktails, but no entry without a reservation, and the bartenders take their craft very seriously. This spot actually kicked off the entire speakeasy trend in New York.
INSIDER:
Reservations are possible seven days in advance and often book up quickly. It's best to call exactly at 3 PM for the best chance. After your reserved time, there's a 15-minute grace period, after which the table will be forfeited. Punctuality here isn't an option, it's mandatory. Without a reservation, you still have a chance, but only if you arrive before opening at 6 PM and are prepared to wait.
EMPLOYEES ONLY (EO), TRIBECA
An unassuming door, with only a small neon sign bearing the letters EO to guide the way. From the outside, it looks like a simple dive bar, but inside awaits an excellent cocktail bar. This place helped pioneer the entire "hidden bar" trend in New York.
INSIDER:
Opens at 6 PM, but doesn't truly come alive until after 1 AM, when bartenders from across the city stop by for a nightcap. On weekends, you can almost always expect a wait, unless you have a reservation. However, the Steak Tartare, prepared tableside, is definitely worth it. The kitchen is open until 3:30 AM, which is absolutely unusual for New York bars.
ANGEL'S SHARE, Flatiron
An unmarked bar inside the Japanese restaurant Masa. The focus is on whiskey, and the atmosphere is intimate. Even if you know where the bar is, it still feels like a secret.
MCSORLEY'S OLD ALE HOUSE, East Village
New York's oldest continuously operating bar, in business since 1854. There's no menu, and certainly no lengthy discussions: here, you get ale and lager, and that's what you drink. Payment is cash only. The floor is covered with sawdust, and you won't find any pretentiousness here.
APOTHEKE, Lower East Side
A genuine 19th-century apothecary that now serves cocktails. Old medicine bottles, apothecary jars, and historical pharmaceutical tools are everywhere. The drinks are named after old remedies. You're practically drinking in a museum that also serves alcohol.
KATANA KITTEN, West Village
A blend of Japanese izakaya and New York cocktail bar, hidden beneath Hudson Street. Since opening, this bar has regularly been ranked among North America's best, with a drink menu centered around Japanese spirits, highballs, and original creations. Be sure to order the Mortadella Katsu Sando with your drink.
Restaurants & Cafes
KATZ'S DELICATESSEN, Lower East Side
Open since 1888 on the same corner of Houston and Ludlow. The pastrami sandwiches are hand-sliced and prepared fresh to order, served with rye bread and mustard, with approximately 6,800 kilos of pastrami served here each week. This is where the famous orgasm scene from "When Harry Met Sally" was filmed, and the table is still marked with a sign today. The walls are covered with photographs of decades of regulars, from politicians to movie stars. Anthony Bourdain called this his favorite spot for pastrami in New York, especially late at night. It's loud, cramped, and crowded, and it's best to bring cash. This place is one of the few in the city that truly hasn't changed.
INSIDER:
You pull a ticket at the door, and you'd better not lose it, because you'll be charged based on your tickets when you leave. It's worth asking the slicer for a sample before ordering. The line moves faster than it looks. If you want to avoid the biggest crowds, it's best to go on a weekday before noon.
ATOBOY, Flatiron
The smaller, more accessible sibling restaurant to the two-Michelin-starred Atomix, from the same chef and with the same Korean precision, but at a fraction of the price. The menu consists of three courses, with several options to choose from for each. For what you get here, this dinner offers some of the best value in the city.
VIA CAROTA, West Village
A Tuscan trattoria by Jody Williams and Rita Sodi. There are no reservations; you just show up and wait. Cacio e Pepe and seasonal vegetables are prepared better here than almost anywhere else in the city. The space is small, and no one here is in a hurry.
PETER LUGER, Williamsburg
Cash only, since 1887. There's only one cut, the Porterhouse, ordered for the entire table. There's no menu, no music, and the lighting isn't designed for a perfect Instagram photo. The steak arrives when it's ready, not a second sooner. Tables should be reserved weeks in advance.
RUSS & DAUGHTERS, Lower East Side
An "Appetizing Shop" since 1914: a store for smoked fish, caviar, bagels, cream cheese, and herring. It's not a restaurant, not a café, but something in between that only exists in New York. The classic order is a bagel with Nova Lox and scallion cream cheese.
Art & Galleries
Permanent, rotating, outdoors.
MOMA, Midtown
The Museum of Modern Art houses one of the most significant collections of modern and contemporary art worldwide. Warhol, Picasso, Monet, Pollock: they are all part of the permanent exhibition, and you can return anytime with the same ticket. On Friday evenings from 5:30 PM, admission is free, and visitor numbers are only a fraction of what you can expect during the day.
NEW MUSEUM, Lower East Side
The only museum in Manhattan dedicated exclusively to contemporary art is located on the Bowery. Exhibitions here are rotating, focusing on emerging international artists, and there is no permanent collection, making every visit different. Smaller and more focused than MoMA, it's definitely worth an hour before or after lunch on the Lower East Side.
THE HIGH LINE, Chelsea
A disused elevated railway line that now serves as a public park, stretching 2.4 kilometers over the streets of Chelsea and the Meatpacking District. Commissioned art installations change throughout the year. Admission is free, and it's open daily. The most beautiful time for a stroll is in the morning before the crowds arrive, or at dusk when the city lights begin to change.
Hotels
NINE ORCHARD, Lower East Side $$$
Housed in the restored 1912 Jarmulowsky Bank, a Neo-Renaissance landmark featuring an imposing vaulted lobby, pink marble, and a domed tempietto on the roof. There are 113 rooms, each meticulously designed with white walls, a subdued color palette, and Mid-Century Modern influences. The Swan Room, a spacious all-day restaurant and evening cocktail bar, is located in the bank's former teller hall. Orchard Street itself, voted one of the coolest streets in the world, is right outside the door, lined with independent boutiques and cafes.
INSIDER:
Each room comes with an old-fashioned key on a ceramic chain in addition to the key card – purely decorative, but certainly worth keeping. The retro speakers play curated radio stations, and housekeeping sets a different station for check-in and evening service, a small detail few guests ever notice. The second-floor lounge offers complimentary coffee and madeleines from 5:30 AM, handy for early flights or jet lag.
UNTITLED, Lower East Side $
A new hotel on the Lower East Side with a minimalist aesthetic and offerings that extend far beyond the room itself. These include a rooftop bar, street art tours, and a lending library for cameras and musical instruments. There are 200 compact rooms, a co-working café on the ground floor, and the neighborhood itself keeps you busy without any special occasion needed. Katz's, the New Museum, and Russ & Daughters are just steps away.
THE LUDLOW, Lower East Side $$
One of the more visually appealing hotels on the Lower East Side, with rooms unusually well-designed for this price range. The rooftop bar offers unobstructed views over Manhattan. The neighborhood takes care of the rest: Katz's, PDT, and Russ & Daughters are all just a few minutes' walk away. A solid mid-range choice with no obvious compromises.
Hidden Gems
Three ways to see the city differently.
GOVERNORS ISLAND, New York Harbor
A 70-hectare island in New York Harbor, accessible by ferry in just seven minutes from Lower Manhattan. No cars, no traffic, no noise. A former military base has been transformed into a public park with art installations, food stalls, bike paths, and unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty. The island is no longer a secret tip, but it's still one of those places where you can truly spend a quiet hour in New York. The ferry operates seasonally from May to October.
LITTLE ISLAND, West Village
A public park built on 132 concrete, tulip-shaped pillars in the Hudson River, designed by Heatherwick Studio and opened in 2021. Everything here feels different from anywhere else in the city: elevated pathways, an amphitheater, wildflower meadows, and skyline views in every direction. Admission is free, and no reservation is required. It's just a five-minute walk from the Jane Hotel, and Via Carota and Don Angie are also nearby.
GREENACRE PARK, Midtown East
A small park, squeezed between two office buildings on 51st Street, which is easy to walk past without even noticing. At the back, a seven-meter-high waterfall roars, loud enough to completely drown out the city. In winter, the park is heated; in summer, it's shady, and it's open daily. One of those places that makes Midtown bearable for a brief moment.
Before you land: USA ESTA
What you need to know before entering the United States.
ESTA: Key Facts
- Who needs it: EU, Great Britain, Australia, Japan, and over 40 other countries under the Visa Waiver Program
- Validity: 2 years or until passport expiration
- Length of stay per entry: up to 90 days
- Purpose: Tourism, business travel, transit
- Required document: biometric passport with chip
- Processing time: usually within 72 hours
No ESTA possible?
If your country does not participate in the Visa Waiver Program, you will need a B-1/B-2 tourist visa. The application is made at the US Embassy and requires a personal interview. Allow several weeks for this.
For longer stays:
- Work Visa: requires a job offer and employer sponsorship
- Student Visa (F-1): requires admission to a university
- Family Visa: for reunification with family members in the USA
Your USA ESTA in 4 simple steps
Apply for your Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for the United States. Valid for 2 years and for all your trips during this period. We handle the entire process for you, optionally with a visa guarantee.
