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Walking up to Hotel Chelsea, I accidentally stumbled upon rows upon rows of shiny chrome taxis, part of an immersive pop-up put on by Prada. Fitting for a landmark that was once the place to be—and still is. Erected in 1884, the Hotel Chelsea of yore served as an artist's co-op, welcoming the likes of Mark Twain and Isadora Duncan in its early days. And even though it fell into seedy disarray by the 1950s, growing artists still flocked to its doors, with Bob Dylan, Jackson Pollock and Patti Smith among the many who hung their hats. The hotel closed in 2011 and lay in limbo during the change of hands. A massive $30 million renovation later, Hotel Chelsea reopened in 2022 as a luxury hotel. Completing the rebirth is Café Chelsea. Run by the Sunday Hospitality team, the bistro is one of the city's swankiest, as members of the hotel jostle to get inside the art-deco dining room just as much as the New Yorkers who live here. And once they do, they can find a lineup of French classics, including omelets and steak frites, peppered with a few updates, such as the excellent maitake au poivre. The vibe: Café Chelsea is as stunning as they come. Each of its three rooms, the bar and the petite and grand café sections, are defined by Parisian tiled floors, golden scalloped scones and a skylight framed with greenery. Chatter bounces easily off its mirrored halls, making for a bit of a louder dine if that matters to you. But if you can catch a conversation, don't be surprised if the...

How did chef Ayesha Nurdjaja follow up to her wildly popular Shuka? With another banger like Shukette. At her Chelsea locale, Nurdjaja lets it rip, speed running through the Levantine region with an excellent spread of, er, spreads with all the charred and puffed breads to sop it up with. The sizzles of the charcoal fire and smoke remixed with a playlist of Janet and Jackson and T-Pain wafting through the room, only adds to the energy of it all. Some may call it loud. Rather, I'd call it lively, vibrant and simply just part of the exciting delight that is visiting Shukette.  The vibe: You wouldn't guess Shukette has been around for almost five years, as any given day mimics the buzz of opening night. Even a casual weekday visit spawns groups of folks patiently waiting by the hostess stand, eyeing tables inside the sidewalk dining shed and on the purple patio that wraps around the back. But to truly get the full Shukette experience is to be at the counter or at one of the booths that line the back, really anything close to the magnetic energy of the charcoal grill and the chefs who tease dishes from its fire. The food: Ripping and dipping is part of the calling card of Shukette. Pick one (or many) of Nurdjaja's housemade breads, such as the puffed frena with charred pockets and golden garlic cloves to mash in, or the grilled lafa, slick in a greenish garlicky butter. Use them to swoosh through thick swirls of labneh that hold macerated strawberries and pickled pops of...

I am used to being the only Black face in the room. Growing up in the suburbs of California, it was easy to count the amount of Black students who shared a classroom with me. Moving to Colorado, even easier. While I now live in New York and representation is found just a few steps out my door, my career covering food media tells the same story of division. Especially in restaurants, the hierarchy can be clear: people of color are usually relegated to service positions and it’s the white chefs who win awards.  But when you see the opposite—a dining room and kitchen staffed entirely of people of color and women, it’s enough, for me at least, to pause and take notice. This was by design at Hav & Mar. A Marcus Samuelsson restaurant, Hav & Mar tells the story of Samuelsson’s heritage, from the food it serves down to the name itself (“hav” translates to “ocean” in Swedish, while “mar” is Amharic for “honey,” the official language of Ethiopia). But more than that, Samuelsson wanted his latest to pay homage to the women who shaped his career, telling us in 2022 when the restaurant opened, “We thought of people of color and women and decided to focus on female leadership.” Making good on that promise, the kitchen and crew are entirely staffed by women and people of color. And at the helm of it chef Fariyal Abdullahi. A finalist for 2024 “Emerging Chef” from the James Beard Foundation, chef Abdullahi seems perfectly suited to the role, even sharing key similarities with Samuelsson...

This old-school Italian sub shop—a Soho institution since 1986—was known as Melampo before an ownership change in 2001. Of the 40 plus-size grinders, crowd favorites include the Romeo: smoked chicken breast on Italian bread, slathered with Bel Paese (a semisoft Italian cheese) and hot-pepper dressing. Former owner Alessandro Gualandi was famous for his temper, and a bit of Gotham tude still prevails: A posted sign delineates the things you may not ask for (coffee, tomato sauce and bathrooms, among them), and regulars know to order their selections by name.

We really like eating around the city, and we're guessing you do, too. So lucky for all of us, we've packed all our favorite restaurants under one roof at the Time Out Market New York. The DUMBO location in Empire Stores has fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, pizza from Fornino, delicious bagels from Ess-a-bagel and more amazing eateries—all cherry-picked by us. Chow down over two floors with views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.  RECOMMENDED: The best things do in NYC

If you thought getting a table at Per Se was tough, try getting into Rao’s. On second thought, don’t. Rao’s (pronounced “RAY-ohs”) is really a private club without the dues. To eat here, you’ll need a personal invite from one of the heavy hitters who “owns” a table. These CEOs, actors, politicians, news personalities and neighborhood old-timers established a long-standing arrangement with the late, legendary owner Frankie “No” Pellegrino, and that's what ensures a seat at one of the ten tables at the Italian-American icon. In fact, reading this review is probably the closest you’ll get to Rao’s.

We curated every last detail at the Time Out Market: the food, the cultural experiences, the drinks, the space—everything including the breathtaking view, which is the perfect backdrop for the “best in New York City” experience. At The Rooftop at Time Out Market you can discover impressive bites from culinary rockstars while relaxing on sea foam seats on the outdoor terrace. Post up for acts selected by our team, complementing the entertainment of the breathtaking, sweeping views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline, perfectly framed by the grand windows. Signature Cocktails ($14) New York SourAmador Double Barrel Whiskey, Lemon, Simple, Aquafaba and Reserve Port Hibiscus ChillCasamigos Reposado, Combier Orange, Lime and Hibiscus Syrup Sangria SpritzBertoux Brandy, Mulling Spice, Red Wine Blend and Club Soda Smokin' Cherry MuleAgave De Cortes Mezcal, Black Cherry, Amaro, Lemon and Ginger Beer SouthsiderSpring 44 Vodka, Aloe, Mint and Cucumber My Kind of Old FashionedHigh West Double Rye, Bertoux Brandy, Maple and Bitters Coconut CarouselOwney's Rum, Dark Rum, Orange, Pineapple, Coconut and Nutmeg Strawberry BelliniGrey Goose Vodka, Strawberry, Basil and ProseccoBeer Selection ($8) Brooklyn Brewery, Bronx Brewery, Stella Artois ($9), Modelo Especial ($9), Asahi Brewery, Estrella Damm, Mikkeller Brewery ($12), Five Boroughs Brewery Wine List SparklingLambrusco, Otello Ceci, Emilia, Italy ($12, $54)Mumm Napa, Blanc De Blancs, Napa, CA ($13, $56)Bedell Sparkling...

Beyond the iconic, show-stopping displays—the grizzly bear in the Hall of North American Mammals, the 94-feet long blue whale, the prehistoric Barosaurus skeleton rearing up as if to scare the adjacent Allosaurus skeleton—is an expertly curated, 150-year-old museum that fills visitors of all ages with a curiosity about the universe. Whether you’re interested in the world below our feet or the cultures of faraway lands or the stars light-years beyond our reach, your visit is bound to teach you a few things you never knew. With four floors filled to the brim with artifacts, you could spend a whole day just looking at the taxidermied animals that hail from North America, Asia, Africa, rain forests and the ocean. Or, conversely, spend a day like an anthropologist and study indigenous Americans, Asian cultures, African peoples, Pacific tribes, and, before these rich cultures existed, the evolutionary origins of humans and our near (now extinct) cousins, like neanderthals. Also don't miss the new wing called the Gilder Center, which houses a butterfly vivarium, an insectarium and a 360-degree immersive experience, in an architectural masterpiece.

Some things get better with age. The Empire State Building—now approaching its 100th birthday—is definitely one of them.  The Empire State Building became an icon when it opened in 1931 as the world's tallest building. Though the landmark may have lost its No. 1 height status, it's remained a beloved destination with incredible views of the city. Thanks to recent updates, it's not just about the views anymore. The building now spotlights art, architecture, and history; plus, it offers a slew of cool events and excellent dining options.  Tourists tend to make the Empire State Building their first stop upon arriving in New York City, and they're onto something—it's worth a visit, no matter if you're a lifelong New Yorker or just passing through town. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your trip to this essential gem of the Manhattan skyline. RECOMMENDED: 101 best things do in NYC Why is the Empire State Building so famous? This building was a Very Big Deal since day one. It was the world’s first building to soar higher than 100 stories, and it was completed in a record-breaking 1 year and 45 days thanks to seven million man-hours of hard work. The 102-story skyscraper opened to plenty of fanfare. On May 1, 1931, President Herbert Hoover pressed a button in Washington, D.C., officially opening the building and turning on the Empire State Building’s lights for the first time. The building quickly became a tourist hotspot, even more so when it became the...

I was drawn to the Upper West Side solely for a slice of pizza that had a whole mess of corn on it. But when I made my way past the threshold of the door, I was soon tempted by the full lineup just beyond the glass partition: squares showered with pecorino and Parmigiano, crumbles of fried chicken on another and slices of poached pear on the next. This is the decision you make when visiting Mama's Too. All pies are courtesy of owner Frank Tuttolomondo. Made the way he likes to eat pizza, the pizzas here toe the line at NYC- and Detroit-style. But regardless of how you want to label them, New Yorkers enjoy them all the same.   The vibe: The original shop in the UWS seems like a standard slice shop, one with few chairs, wooden counters for eating over and gold ceilings. Beyond the glass, you can also observe the kitchen operations, where staff roll out dough and adorn pies with a variety of creations. There is always a chance for a bit of line, but more often than not, you can be on your way in 20 minutes or less.   The food: The first decision you'll have to make is triangle or square. The triangle slices share commonalities with the New York style—it has a good charred bottom, crispy crust and folds the way it should. The square slice isn't quite Detroit either, though it does share the same shape and wonderfully caramelized exterior. No matter what configuration you choose, just know it is going to be a good one. One of their most famous slices (and for good reason) is...