The best of the best in the East Village including restaurants, bars, parks, art galleries and more.
Check out our full neighborhood guide here: urbancompass.com/neighborhood_guides/east_village
171 1st Ave (btwn E 10th & E 11th St), New York, NY
Restaurant servant des ramen · East Village · 849 conseils et avis
Compass: David Chang’s mecca for noodles draws crowds and long wait times, but the pork buns and Momofuku Ramen are worth every minute spent waiting to dine at this casual eatery.
Restaurant arepa · East Village · 361 conseils et avis
Compass: Caracas is the go-to destination for affordable arepas — Venezuelan pita pockets stuffed with meats, cheeses, and sauces. Guacamole, plantain chips, and fried bits of cheese make excellent starters.
86 Allen St (btwn Grand St & Broome St), New York, NY
Restaurant végétaliens et végétariens · Lower East Side · 152 conseils et avis
Compass: Chef Amanda Cohen turns vegetables into the food of the Vegetarian Gods at her restaurant on 9th Street. Expect to be wowed by what she can do with tomatoes, eggplant, and a little cheese.
Compass: Ear thin-crust Neapolitan pizza like it was intended to be eaten - with a light, airy crust, bubbling warm cheese, and simple yet innovative topping combinations.
113 Saint Marks Pl (btwn 1st & Ave A), New York, NY
Stand de hot-dogs · East Village · 472 conseils et avis
Compass: Creatively-adorned hot dogs are this late-night spot’s jam. Branch out from the usual ketchup and mustard routine into fried eggs, cream cheese and even Jalapeno peppers.
Restaurant ukrainien · East Village · 653 conseils et avis
Compass: The classic Ukrainian diner has served kielbasa, stuffed cabbage, and matzoh ball soup since 1954. It’s open 24 hours a day to fulfill your next pierogi craving, whenever that may strike.
Restaurant thaïlandais · East Village · 122 conseils et avis
Compass: You won’t find Pad Thai or drunken noodles at this traditional Isan Thai restaurant, but dishes are spicy and rich in flavor. It’s better than the average Thai joint, and just as affordable.
Pizzeria · Stuyvesant Town - Peter Cooper Village · 569 conseils et avis
Compass: Artichoke is known for its slices of pizza smothered in creamy artichoke dip and rich cheeses, but their Margherita slices are just as divine.
Compass: Choose from over 60 beers, 60 single-malt scotches, and 40 tequilas. But the best part about this First Avenue bar is their dog-friendly beer garden.
Bar à cocktail · East Village · 204 conseils et avis
Compass: The bar only has a handful of seats, and they're always packed with cocktail connoisseurs sampling the creations of the top-notch bartending staff.
Compass: A projection screen and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves make this hip dive a respite from Houston Street chaos. The clientele drink PBR for just a few bucks, and locals wouldn’t have it any other way.
Bar clandestin · East Village · 38 conseils et avis
Compass: It’s one of the oldest speakeasies in the city. The dapper-dressed owner is known to regale customers with tales of the Prohibition Era and Irish mythology.
Compass: Find obscure items of jewelry at the whimsical Verameat. Look for peculiar designs like a spinal cord turned into a bracelet, or tiny wrenches fastened into earrings.
Boutique vintage et friperie · East Village · 17 conseils et avis
Compass: Bespectacle yourself in outrageous eyewear dating all the way back to the 18th century. Vintage sunglasses, monocles, and Sally Jessie Raphael spectacles can transform you into a trendy East Villager.
Boutique vintage et friperie · East Village · 40 conseils et avis
Compass: The ultimate thrift store is full of Nike Dunks, fur vests, flannel shirts, and sequined dresses. Sell half your wardrobe to the place and cull through treasures to re-outfit your closet.
Boutique de cadeaux · East Village · 25 conseils et avis
Compass: Find everything you need for a baby or wedding shower at this stationery store. Pick through handmade cards, Japanese washi tape, and glittered banners.
Salon de tatouage · East Village · 46 conseils et avis
Compass: Get pierced or tattooed at this jewelry store. The designers have a cult following of locals who lust after the stylized rose gold, silver, and gold studs.
Astor Pl (btwn Lafayette St & 4th Ave), New York, NY
Place · NoHo · 56 conseils et avis
Compass: Although it’s no park, Astor Place is famous for its giant cube, an iron rotating sculpture that sits on a island set apart from the traffic rushing by.
12 Saint Marks Pl (btwn 2nd & 3rd Ave.), New York, NY
Salle de yoga · East Village · 140 conseils et avis
Compass: This free studio makes Vinyasa yoga accessible to everyone. Even though classes can be crowded, the come-one-come-all spirit puts everyone in a good mood.
Salle de sport · Gramercy Park · 17 conseils et avis
Compass: The 14th Street Y is known as a community gathering space with basketball courts, family swim time, and 40 fitness classes a week. Summer and weekend camps for kids are popular.
Salle de sport en extérieur · Alphabet City · 5 conseils et avis
Compass: Right by 6th Street, local runners and fitness buffs head to the East River Outdoor Gym, which is essentially a fitness playground for adults.
216 E 6th St (btw 2nd Ave & Cooper Sq), New York, NY
Barbier · East Village · 27 conseils et avis
Compass: With some of the most affordable prices in Lower Manhattan, customers might be wary of the outcome. But the barbers here are absolute pros, as proven by the diehard regulars that fill the seats.
Lieu servant des desserts · East Village · 711 conseils et avis
Compass: David Chang’s bakery is best known for its “crack pies” and “compost cookies”. While those are simply exquisite, it’s the offbeat flavors of frozen yogurt that set it apart from other sweet eateries.
Compass: The quintessential Jewish bakery sells Hamentaschen, challah, macaroons, and babka all year round. Stop by during Purim, Hanukkah, and Rosh Hashanah for seasonal treats.
Marchand de glaces · East Village · 418 conseils et avis
Compass: It’s a crime to stop by Big Gay Ice Cream without ordering the best-selling “Salty Pimp,” but sundaes topped with dulce de leche, peanut brittle, pretzels, and sea salt are excellent choices too.
123 2nd Ave (btwn E 7th St & St. Mark's Pl), New York, NY
Restaurant belge · East Village · 340 conseils et avis
Compass: Fries are better with one of the dozen sauces at this late-night snack stand. Be prepared to wait if it’s late in the night, but going to bed with a belly full of fries has never been so satisfying.
Salle de concert · Greenwich Village · 316 conseils et avis
Compass: The two-story venue has a wrap-around balcony and huge floor space that provides great views from every angle. Dance parties dominate the basement, while bigger names take over the main stage.
Bâtiment universitaire · NoHo · 25 conseils et avis
Compass: As one of the most selective arts schools in the world, Cooper Union is a historical landmark that produces the world’s next great architects and artisans.
Compass: Alphabet City’s legendary slam poetry venue harkens back to the East Village's 1970s artistic scene. Witness venerable stars and up-and-coming poets every night of the week.
Cinéma indépendant · East Village · 35 conseils et avis
Compass: This legendary percussion-driven show has been open for years. Witness musicians slap on everything from matchboxes to trash can lids, and sometimes even swinging from harnesses.
Complexe des arts de la scène · East Village · 27 conseils et avis
Compass: Billy Crystal allegedly got his start at this tiny East Village theater. It’s a landmark for old-school comedians and performers, and now hosts the next generation of stand-up legends.
Compass: The Ukranian folk museum is a repository for Ukraine’s greatest folk traditions and a symbol of the East Village’s rich Ukrainian immigrant cultural heritage.