Food. Coffee. Gram. Repeat. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Food. Coffee. Gram. Repeat.

A non-native Manhattanite’s guide to 17 downtown New York treasures.

17
Food. Coffee. Gram. Repeat.
Chloe Bradburn

Welcome to New York! NO… not that New York you see in every damn rom-com. Run away from those Elmo hugs in Times Square (ew, you don’t know how many people he’s touched) as fast as you possibly can. Then hop on the Downtown A train and get off at W 4th Street. NOW, welcome to New York. It’s been waiting for you.

After visiting my brother in The City a few times this year, we have compiled a running list of places we love. Although much of this masterpiece spawned from his failed attempts at wooing a female counterpart, I’ll take the opportunity to use his loss for my (and your) personal gain. Thanks, brother.

This is not a list of just coffee shops or restaurants, but a potpourri of places that are pleasing to the tastebuds, eyeballs, and Instagram feed. So eat up, drink up, and gram away, friends.

1. Black Seed Bagels

Want a bagel with a side of literally anything ever? Stop into Black Seed in SoHo and try their # anything. I personally recommend the #17, ricotta with apple and honey. In addition to a quick NYC bagel, you can listen to your dad’s favorite hits from 1978 while watching the employees jam out. Bound to start your day off right.

2. The Butcher’s Daughter

Put on your #BasicBetch Best and head over to this SoHo hotspot. Waiters wearing witty shirts like “Beet It” and “We Sell Designer Kale” while sharing communal tables because they “never know how busy they might get,” and wearing your holiest jeans and floppiest floppy hat will prepare you for the most organic, free range experience. That said, the avocado toast is out of this world. Suck up your hanger and prepare to wait too long to eat brunch.

3. Buvette

BEST. CROISSANT. EVER. No really, enchanté. You will know you have found Buvette when you see the rusted bike parked outside with a wicker basket full of wine corks. How do we know this is legit? The only other location is in Paris. Honestly, if you don't get the croissant we can’t be friends.

4. by CHLOE.

She’s like, vegan, right? Put your guilt to ease for any meal of the day with this retro joint   of vegan options that taste out of this world. Plan ahead because the line is absurd.

5. Cafe Gitane

Get the mocha and ask for the paw print on it. You're welcome. Avocado toast is always a go. (Cash only, no need to Venmo me.)

6. Dimes

Are you in Manhattan or San Fran? Dimes' angular geometry and primary colors as well as the "chill vibes" and hipster dress-code of the waiters will have you thinking you are somewhere along the California coast.

7. Dudleys

Want a breakfast where you love every item on the plate but never thought to throw it all together? Try Dudleys for a chic-American all day café with a pinch of Australian flare. Prepare yourself to be blown away by The Big Breakie with its compilation of baked beans, mushrooms, a hash brown, roasted tomatoes and two eggs with a side of toast. Wow.

8. The Fat Radish

Walk in. Stare. Keep staring. You might think "How perfect is this place?" From the white subway tiles with the pastel faded map hanging over them, to the plants and bicycle at the entrance, immerse yourself in the white exposed brick and dreamy aesthetic. The avocado toast has become a hipster's staple, but seriously... The Fat Radish has the BEST avo toast. Ask for an extra napkin.

9. The Grey Dog

Caution: Don’t let the University of Michigan swag deter you from this spunky little spot. With three solid downtown locations (Chelsea, West Village, SoHo), you can’t go wrong because you’re not in Times Square. The Grey Dog is a random hodgepodge of good coffee, good food, and good vibes. Enough said.

10. Happy Bones NYC

The tiny minimalist coffeehouse decor meshes well with the Yin Yang sticker on the to-go cup. For the perfect Insta, search for the colorful wall near the door and wear your favorite light neutral nail polish to top off the “casual but cute coffee in hand peace and love” photo for your feed (not that I would know, or anything).

11. Irving Farm Coffee Roasters

Need a refreshing iced coffee on that hot summer day? You’ve found your place. The mason jars pair perfectly with the overhanging lights and neutral wood seating. Your hipster aesthetic will rejoice in the farm in its Lower East Side location.

12. Jack’s Wife Freda

Basic as hell but so worth it. Breakfast, brunch, or dinner, Jack's Wife has the food that would make even your Jewish grandmother jealous. Just go.

13. Joe Coffee

If you are one of those crazy dog watchers like me, the West Village location is the neighborhood to be. Grab the best cup ‘o joe, snag a bench outside, and meet the friendly locals and their furry, fun-loving friends.

14. Marm Cafe

Good luck finding it on a map. It is legitimately a corner cafe you cannot find unless you walk by it. (Hint: southwest corner of Clinton St. and Rivington St.)

15. Sadelle’s

A photo posted by Dan Schawbel (@danschawbel) on

Make an 8 AM reservation and get there at 7:45. It may seem empty when you arrive, but trust me, you’ll thank me later. Don’t even think about going on the weekend unless you feel like waiting until dinnertime for breakfast. DID SOMEBODY SAY ENDLESS BAGELS? Get a tower with smoked Scottish salmon, and you never know what New York Times Bestselling author might stroll on in. P.S. Their iced coffee is STRONG.

16. Speedy Romeo

If you’re like me and rate your pizza joints based on the quality of their Margherita, this is perfection. The ratio of mozz-bas-sau….I can’t. Trust me, on a scale of 1-10, you just need to go. The original is in Brooklyn, but they opened a literal hole in the wall in the Lower East Side. It’s loud, dark, small, crowded, and worth it.

17. Two Hands Cafe

Side note: if you want to stare at hot Australian surfer men who serve you delicious food and make the most beautiful mocha, I 10/10 recommend the Nolita Two Hands. (Acaí bowl and avocado toast aren't bad, either).

Give these hotspots a shot, sip, gram and enjoy!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

543
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

350
Aubrey Plaza
Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.

1. When your advisor tells you that you should declare a major soon.

2. Seeing the lost and confused freshmen and remembering that was you a short year ago, and now being grateful you know the ins and outs of the campus.

3. Going to the involvement fair to sign up for more clubs knowing that you are already too involved.

4. When you actually do the reading required for the first class.

5. Seeing your friends for the first time since last semester.

6. When you're already drowning in homework during syllabus week.

7. Realizing you don't have the same excitement for classes as you did as a freshman.

8. Going home and seeing people from high school gets weirder the older you get.

Keep Reading...Show less
graduation

Things you may not realize are different between high school and college:

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

20 Things You Forgot To Thank Your Mom For

Moms are super heroes dressed in yesterday's clothing and they deserve an award for that.

1616
family
Facebook

Dear Mom,

You took care of me and my brothers our entire lives and you still continue to! I will not be able to truly grasp all of the hard work that you put into this family until I create my own one day. But, I know that there are plenty of times I forgot to give you a simple thank you or an appreciative smile. I thank you for everything that you have done for me and will continue to do for me. Here are some examples of those times where you had my back and I forgot to pat your back for saving me:

Keep Reading...Show less
pumpkin
Holytaco.com

College is hard. As people ages 18-22, we’re just trying to figure out what we’re doing with our lives, our careers, our eating habits, exercise routines, sleep patterns, and other necessities for adult life. We definitely don’t take proper care of ourselves; it’s basically impossible when we have essays, tests and readings due and somehow we’re supposed to eat right, exercise and sleep. We’re doomed to get sick. I have zero experience in science but when I get sick there are certain things I do to make myself better.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments