nyc diaries: you're the west village, you still do it for me.
✨things to do, places to eat, coffee to drink and streets to walk.
WELCOME TO THE NEW YORK CITY DIARIES ON SUBSTACK.
I’ve been trying to think of a way to have all my New York City itineraries and recommendations in one place and though my Instagram stories and TikTok videos exist, I think this might be the best way to tie it all together. So, as the city is huge and each neighbourhood has a million things to do, I’ll break it all down and start with the West Village.
The West Village is my favourite neighbourhood in New York City and feels like a great escape from the city whilst being in the heat of it all. There is something about walking down Bleeker St whilst the sun is out and taking in the variety of restaurants and stores that pop up, both on Bleecker St and off.
☕️: COFFEE SHOPS.
As a self proclaimed coffee enthusiast who will always try to avoid coffee chains like the plague, I do have to say that La Colombe does a oat milk draft latte like no other. To my knowledge, there isn’t a La Colombe in the West Village but there is one in SoHo so start there and walk up to the West Village.
Do Not Feed The Alligators, on Bleecker St, is just one of the adorable coffee shops in the West Village that is both cute and still has good coffee. Yes, that is a dig at 787 Coffee… cute but bad coffee. Alas, Do Not Feed The Alligators has a great draft cold brew and they also serve Aperol Spritz’. Kind of perfect, actually.
As a British person, of course I was drawn to the coffee shop named Banter and thank god I was. Banter is an Australian coffee shop and if you don’t know by now, Australians do coffee best. On the multiple trips I’ve made to the various Banter stores across New York, I have never had a bad experience. The coffee is above perfect and the staff always put a smile on my face when I walk in first thing in the morning.
🥯: BREAKFAST.
Do I have at least 10 breakfast stomping grounds in the West Village? Yeah, sure. But none of them will ever come close to how amazing The Elk is. Until I went to The Elk, I thought the only place that could ever hold the title for best breakfast burrito was hidden on the West Coast but no, the West Village had something to say. The breakfast burrito from The Elk may have changed my life and that is not hyperbolic whatsoever. And don’t forget to grab a fresh pressed orange juice too!
🧇: LUNCH.
Buvette is always in the chicest neighbourhoods. From Notting Hill in London to the West Village in New York City, this gorgeous French restaurant is a must. Though you’re in New York, the Belgian Waffles are a must. Call it culture if you will, eating Belgian Waffles in a French restaurant situated in New York. If you’re with somebody else, I would recommend getting the pastries to share along with a bottle of Resiling to share… or if you’re anything like me, to chug by yourself. Don’t worry if alcohol is not your vibe, the Ginger Soda is also to die for.
🍷: DRINKS:
I’m not typically one to just go to a bar in New York, normally because I’m by myself and I can’t stand the idea of being alone in a bar. But Fairfax is an amazing little spot in the West Village with an awesome cocktail menu. ‘In a Barbie World’ and ‘Blame It On The Internet’ are my favourite cocktails on the menu, so start with those and make your way through the rest.
🌮: DINNER.
One of many amazing things New York City has to offer is the variety of cuisine. If Mexican food is what you’re craving, Tacombi on Bleeker St is hands down some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. Start by ordering the Guacamole con Totopos and a Spicy Margarita to consume whilst you wait for the best Beef Birria Taco of your life.
I love Mexican food so bare with the over-saturation of Mexican restaurants in these recommendations. Agave is another one of my favourites in the village. The quesadillas go crazy, especially the shrimp quesadillas, and they have a happy hour with $8 Margaritas. A lot of places, if not most, have outdoor dining but I would especially recommend sitting outside in the sun at Agave.
If you’re feeling basic, and there’s no judgement for that, then Jack’s Wife Freda on Carmine St has got you covered. My go to order will always be the Chicken Prego Sandwich with a side of Fried Zucchini Fries and of course, a Margarita Rock to drink. I will say, they do not go lightly on the salt all around that rim rim rim but it is still divine.
Even though we stand in solidarity Miss Swift and her mission to never walk Cornelia St again… Palma is on Cornelia St and you need to walk to it, okay? Start with the Focaccia, obviously. Followed by the Ravioli Cacio E Pepe with a carafe of white wine.