The ultimate food lover’s guide to New York City

From boutique wine bars to late-night hot dog stands, family-run pizzerias and three-Michelin-star restaurants, it goes without saying that New York City’s dining scene is one of the best in the world. With thousands upon thousands of restaurants to choose from, it can be overwhelming for first-time visitors to know where to start.

If you’ve got a few days in the Big Apple, a healthy appetite and cash to spare (don’t forget a good pair of walking shoes), follow our guide below for the quintessential dining experiences to get the best sampling of the city’s melting pot, from iconic eateries to the best new openings this year. And remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to delicious New York eats — so prepare your appetite and get ready to dig in.

Most-talked-about new openings… 

These highly-anticipated openings stole the show in 2017.

New age pizzeria: Emily

While some will argue that the best slices to be found in the city are still at the nostalgic family-run pizza parlours passed down through generations (think Di Fara, Lombardi’s and Totonno’s), the best thing about New York’s dining scene is that there’s always room for ambitious newcomers. Dough-slinging husband-and-wife-duo Matt and Emily Hyland have proven this by skyrocketing quickly into New York’s pizza hall of fame since debuting their casual pizzeria, Emily in 2014.

In addition to a heartwarming back story (Matt and Emily met in college and their first date was over a pepperoni pizza), the Hylands have shown that they have what it takes to join the running for New York’s best pizza. Making the trek out to Brooklyn has been a regular pilgrimage for every pie lover since Emily opened, and this year Manhattanites finally got their wish: an outlet of the beloved restaurant which opened on Downing Street in the West Village. Emily’s signature pizza will make anyone a grandma pie convert: the browned and bubbly squares are layered with bright tomato sauce, melted mozzarella cheese and various toppings from spicy salami to wild mushrooms — all surrounded by a frico crust of deliciously crispy burnt mozzarella cheese.

Emily, 35 Downing Street, New York, +917 935 6434

Splurge-worthy fine dining: The Grill & The Pool 

The Grill and The Pool were undoubtedly two of the most hotly anticipated restaurant openings of 2017, a reboot of the historic Four Seasons restaurant space in the old Seagram Building in Midtown. A massive undertaking from the Major Food Group (the same trio that brought us New York-Italian restaurant Carbone), The Grill and The Pool form two-thirds of the restaurant trio taking over the iconic space (the third is The Lobster Club, a Japanese brasserie soft-opened last month).

After a star-studded opening night in June, The Grill became a critic pick off the bat for its faultless execution of mid-century glamour combined with theatrical table-side dining. The Grill resurrects some of the best aspects of old-school dining without the kitsch: think rolling trolleys, chefs in tall toques, perfectly shaken martinis, and dishes such as peach melba, prime rib and crab Louie salad. Meanwhile, next door at The Pool, it’s a seafood lover’s paradise, where well-heeled guests are given license to splurge on caviar, lobster and Champagne in a stunning dining room with tables staged around the iridescent pool which gives the restaurant its namesake.

The Grill & The Pool, 99 East 52nd Street, New York, +212 375 9001

Vegetables first: ABCV

Jean-Georges Vongerichten is a name that’s revered around the world (his Hong Kong restaurant, Mercato, is a personal LSA fave), so it’s no surprise that all eyes were on ABCV when it opened at the start of the year as an offshoot to Vongerichten’s ABC Kitchen and ABC Cocina. An all-day vegetarian and vegan temple, ABCV sprouts a menu that’s all about seasonal veggies and fresh produce, from shallot and herb labneh with crispy mushrooms and sunchoke chips, to radicchio with ripe strawberries drizzled in a saffron vinaigrette. Devotees of the locavore movement will swoon over Vongerichten’s rigid dedication to sourcing sustainable ingredients and casting vegetables into the spotlight here, with the “V” for “vegetables” signifying that this is strictly a plant-lover’s paradise.

ABCV, 38 East 19th Street, New York, +212 475 5829

Iconic New York experiences… 

Be prepared to queue for these quintessential New York dining experiences.

Perfect pastrami: Katz’s Delicatessen

While Katz’s is a staple of all New York guidebooks, it’s far from being a tourist trap. For the past 125 years, Katz’s has steadily become one of New York’s most iconic restaurants, slinging its famed pastrami from dawn to dusk to hundreds of eager gourmands a day. The famous deli has become somewhat of a national treasure, spawning countless imitators who can never quite manage to nail Katz’s perfect blend of 30-day-cured corned beef and pastrami. Rubbed with a blend of garlic, pepper, coriander and onion, the meat is smoked in-house for up to three days, sliced and assembled to order and slapped between rye bread for a near-perfect pastrami sandwich. For a truly authentic New York experience, it doesn’t get better than Katz’s.

Katz’s Delicatessen, 205 East Houston Street, New York, +800 446 8364

A ramen revolution: Momofuku Noodle Bar

Considered to be one of the most influential figures in the modern New York dining scene, David Chang helped kick-start a casual-culinary revolution not just in New York, but around the nation. Although the bright-minded restaurateur manages an international food empire now which includes outlets of Momofuku from Toronto to Sydney, recently rebranded Italian restaurant Momofuku Nishi, fried chicken joint Fuku, and the Instagram-happy bakery Milk Bar, amongst others — Momofuku Noodle Bar is still the most iconic flagship of the brand. Some still hold Momofuku’s roasted pork broth ramen to be the gold standard in a city that’s gone ramen-crazy over the years, while the signature pork buns are as juicy and delicious as day 1. And while you’ll be hard-pressed to find Chang in the kitchen these days, his well-trained kitchen staff make sure each dish is delivered with integrity and attention-to-detail.

Momofuku Noodle Bar, 171 1st Avenue, New York, +212 777 1603

A taste of Paris: Balthazar

While Balthazar may mimic a classic Parisian bistro with its red leather banquettes and Art Deco flourishes, there’s nothing more New York than popping into the bustling brasserie for French onion soup, beef tartare and the twice-fried fries that are some of the best in the Big Apple. Opened in 1997 by prolific restaurateur Keith McNally as an idealistic notion of a seductive Parisian brasserie (in fact, the entire restaurant design was done from some blurry sketches of Paris), Balthazar quickly took on an identity of its own, becoming as entwined with the fabric of New York as yellow taxi cabs and halal carts. These days, Balthazar remains the postcard-perfect Parisian setting in the heart of soho, with the closely-set tables packed each night with regular customers tucking into moules-frites, steak tartare, bouillabaisse and braised short ribs.

Balthazar, 80 Spring Street, New York, +212 965 1414

Burger and fries: Shake Shack 

Hong Kong will soon be getting a heavy dose of famed NY fast-food burger joint Shake Shack, but queuing up for a ShakeBurger and Crinkle Cut Fries at the original Madison Square Park stand is still an experience every first-timer to NY can’t miss. Born from a simple hot dog cart in 2004, Shake Shack is most known these days for its junky burgers, an unapologetically greasy and delicious all-natural Angus patty, seasoned with the proprietary Shake Blend and layered with vibrant, fresh tomatoes, melted American cheese and curly lettuce between a squishy potato bun. You’ll want to pair it with the signature golden crispy crinkle cut fries and a creamy milkshake, to be consumed on the rickety makeshift tables in Madison Park as you partake in a true NY tradition.

Shake Shack, Madison Avenue & East 23rd Street, New York, +212 889 6600

An oyster lover’s paradise: Grand Central Oyster Bar

Grand Central Station’s dining concourse is set to up its profile with a slate of posh restaurants scheduled to open in the next year or so, joining Nordic fine diner Agern, which turned heads late last year when it started serving sophisticated Scandinavian food in a quiet passageway down Vanderbilt Hall. Nonetheless, there’ll always be a spot for the landmark’s most beloved institution: Grand Central Oyster Bar with its selection of premium, jet-fresh oysters from around the world. Opened over a century ago, a recent renovation has business booming at this famed seafood bar, with patrons from all walks of life huddled around the marble long bar and checkered tablecloth tables slurping down dollar oysters and savouring the 70-plus selection of wines by the glass.

Grand Central Oyster Bar, Lower Level, Grand Central Terminal, 107 East 42nd Street, New York, +212 490 6650

New York on a dime…

Whether you’re craving Xinjiang-style noodles, Thai curry or an authentic New York Slice, it’s easy to eat well in the Big Apple on a threadbare budget.

From east to west: Xi’an Famous Foods

Spicy lamb noodles, stewed pork burgers, spicy and sour spinach dumplings, and cumin lamb buns… need we say more? Serving over 30 authentic dishes hailing from the capital of the Shaanxi province of China, Xi’an Famous Foods has grown from a humble father-and-son venture from a tiny stall in Flushing to currently operating 12 chains and counting in New York, with additional openings planned for Boston and Washington D.C.

Known best for its thick and wide biangbiang noodles (Shaanxi’s traditional flat, hand-pulled noodles), Xi’an Famous Foods serves 15 different varieties of the “ripped” noodles both dry and in soup, with favourites including stewed oxtail noodles in soup, pork zha jiang noodles with ground pork meat sauce, and the signature spicy cumin lamb noodles. Other specialties worth ordering include the paomo, a lamb-based stew with shredded flatbread; spicy and sour lamb dumplings; and the fragrant liang pi cold skin noodles tossed with bean sprouts, cucumber and cilantro.

Xi’an Famous Foods, 24 West 45th Street, New York; more locations here

Healthy fast-food: Superiority Burger

There’s something magical that happens when an ex fine-dining veteran goes to flipping patties or slinging handmade noodles from scratch at a hole-in-the-wall joint for the sheer passion and love of the food. Such is the story at Superiority Burger, where ex Del Posto head chef Brooks Headley has proven his genius with a range of vegetarian burgers (the signature was a recipe decades in the making), creative seasonal veggie sides and quirky desserts, from a Neapolitan mess with strawberry sludge to irresistible sorbets such as prickly pear and labne.

Nothing more than a white-tiled hole-in-the-wall with hand-written blackboard menus, Superiority Burger has become a game-changing fast-food outfit, with wonderful out-of-the-box creations such as the Philly Cheesesteak made with strips of yuba and cashew cheese; the “TFT”, or tofu fried tofu; and the Superiority Burger (just $6 bucks), with a juicy quinoa patty pressed between a Martin’s potato roll bun with mustard, pickles, Muenster cheese and a slow-roasted tomato jam that bursts of umami.

Superiority Burger, 430 East 9th Street, New York, +212 256 1192

Oodles of noodles: Great NY Noodletown

There are countless gems to be found in New York’s tasty Chinatown district, not least of which is Great NY Noodletown, a favourite late-night haunt amongst chefs and industry people. On the corner of Bowery and Bayard, this is a strictly no-frills place, but like the best hole-in-the-wall spots, the faded upholstery and grittiness and largely indifferent staff are a large part of its charm. Take a seat at the communal round tables and feast on roasted pork on rice, crispy salt-baked crabs, Chinese sausage fried rice, and of course, the famed ginger scallion noodles — a favourite of chefs such as Anthony Bourdain and David Chang. Drenched in a pungent and garlicky ginger and soy sauce, the stringy mess of noodles are interspersed with bright ribbons of green onion for a satisfying late-night carb hit.

Great NY Noodletown, 28 Bowery, New York, +212 349 0923

An authentic New York Slice

Nothing riles up New Yorkers more than a heated debate over the best pizza slice in the city, which is why we’re not even going to attempt to crown the best of the best. Instead, here’s a place of old-school pizza joints you shouldn’t miss for a real New York slice: Prince St. Pizza (27 Prince Street) wins us over with their thick, Sicilian-style slices surrounded by a caramelised crust and crispy chalices of pepperoni; while Di Fara has been going strong for more than 40 years with its thin crust pizza slices blanketed in tangy tomato sauce and stringy mozzarella cheese. Patsy’s offers one of the best value-for-money slices at just a little under two bucks, and Sal and Carmine (2671 Broadway) has long been the benchmark for a thin, crisp and foldable slice for just USD$3. Finally, don’t forget Artichoke (321 East 14th Street), where the creamy artichoke spinach pizza (picture above) costs just $4 bucks and will tide you over for the remainder of the day.

Best overall… 

These are some of the hottest restaurants in New York right now that you simply shouldn’t miss.

Farm-to-table dining: Olmsted

Olmsted has piled on the accolades since throwing open the doors to its cosy neighbourhood spot in Brooklyn a year and a half ago — and rightfully so. A veteran of Blue Hill Farm, it’s no wonder that head chef Greg Baxtrom has turned Olmsted’s menu into one of the most covetable garden-inspired gastronomic experiences in NYC, giving the city’s most hipster-leaning borough another notch on its culinary belt.

Dishes seem to be plucked straight from the garden and effortlessly arranged on the plate, from the roasted quail blanketed in a flurry of fresh dill, to the carrot crepe that’s starred in many an Insta feed over the past year. Then there’s the actual garden, of course: Olmsted’s cosy backyard where overgrown herbs sprout up between the benches loaded with patrons eagerly awaiting their tables or settling in for a post-dinner nightcap, watched over by a pair of quail who jot jauntily around the coop. For New York dining at its best without pretense or fuss, Olmsted is undoubtedly the ‘it’ restaurant of the moment.

Olmsted, 659 Vanderbilt Avenue (Park Place), Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, New York, +718 552 2610

Pasta perfection: Lilia

At Lilia in Brooklyn, chef Missy Robbins is once again doing what she does best: wowing New Yorkers with her stunningly simplistic yet elegant pasta creations. There’s so much to love on Robbins’ menu that our best advice is to bring a handful of friends so you can try most, if not all, of the brilliant pastas on the menu: from parcels of soft sheep’s milk ricotta and feta stuffed in a supple yellow saffron-tinted dough; to the ribbons of ruffled mafaldini tinged with pink peppercorns; and the ricotta and tuscan kale-filled cappelleti spruced up with fennel pollen. If you have stomach space to spare, round out the carb-fuelled affair with sardines on grilled toast scattered with fresh dill, and the whole artichoke with garlic, mint, parmigiano and breadcrumbs.

Lilia, 567 Union Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, +718 576 3095

Boutique wine bar: Wildair

Wildair made quite a splash when it touched down in the Lower East Side in late 2015; two years on, it still hasn’t lost any of its novelty. The little sister to fine dining restaurant, Contra, just two doors down, Wildair proves to be one of the most exciting places in New York to discover new wines while simultaneously savouring fine dining-level food at affordable price points. There are few places in New York that nail the blend of both: a spot where you can learn about rare, biodynamic wines for the first time while feasting on lightly fried squid dipped in a garlicky squid ink aioli, long strips of crunchy radishes strewn on a bed of seaweed butter, and Korean-inspired yellowfin tuna with chilli flakes, sesame and scallion.

Wildair, 142 Orchard Street, Lower East Side, New York, +646 964 5624

Mexican takeover: Cosme

Enrique Olvera is a well-known name to anyone acquainted with the Mexican food scene, and his Mexico City restaurant, Pujol, is currently ranked #20 on World’s 50 Best Restaurants. The brilliant young chef has been instrumental in pushing Mexico’s cuisine to the forefront of the food world, replacing notions of cheap tequila and enchiladas with refined and sophisticated dishes showcasing the nuances of local ingredients such as pulverised corn husks and 100-year-old mole. If you’re not sure where to start, you can’t go wrong with the duck carnitas to share — an elevated version of a familiar dish where duck is stewed with orange and Mexican Coca-Cola until it’s meltingly tender, all wrapped in fresh, supple tortillas made from various strains of blue, yellow and purple corn.

Cosme, 35 East 21st Street, Flatiron, New York, +212 913 9659

The art of sushi: Shuko

There’s no shortage of places to throw money down the drain in the playground that is New York City, but if you want to put your money towards something that counts, look no further than a sushi omakase at Japanese fine dining counter, Shuko. For about USD$135, you can expect around 20 pieces of exquisite sushi across three hours of utter gastronomic bliss, running the gamut from innovative creations such as toro sinew sprinkled with bird’s eye chilli, to a single piece of perfect otoro full of juicy fat marbling (sourced from sustainable farm-raised fish from Spain). The kaiseki menu is also worth splurging your paycheck on: USD$175 for an artful symphony of dishes ranging from uni topped with shirako tempura to finely shredded Japanese yam, burdock, carrot and scallop beard formed into a crisp latke.

Shuko, 47 East 12th Street, Greenwich Village, New York, +212 228 6088

For a post-dinner drink…

Whether you’re in need of an after-work pick-me-up or a soothing nightcap, don’t miss some of New York’s most popular drinking spots.

Loopy Doopy

This rooftop spot is always a hit with the after-work crowd looking to unwind after a long day with its stunning views across the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty in the background. One of New York’s top-rated rooftop bars (open only during warm weather months), Loopy Doopy gets packed most days starting from 6pm, so make sure you get there early if you want to be guaranteed a seat at one of the plush communal lounges or high-top bar tables. The signature draw here is the Boozy Icepop — your choice of fruity People’s Pop ice pop dipped in chilled Prosecco or rose on tap. Sip on the Blueberry Peach or Strawberry Lemongrass flavour — served in a giant wine goblet — as you snack on finger foods from homemade pickled chips to rosemary aged manchego and Italian charcuterie platters piled high with cold cuts and cheeses.

Loopy Doopy, 16/F, Conrad New York Hotel, 102 North End Avenue, New York, +646 769 4250

Death + Co

A key player in the modern craft cocktail revival in New York City, Death + Company has stood the test of time after more than 10 years with its exemplary pursuit of cutting-edge, world-class mixology. Opened by David Kaplan and Ravi DeRossi, the bar references Prohibition-era classics with a modern, refined twist. Responsible for spawning dozens of drinks that have now become modern classics in their own right, Death + Co has been influential with bartenders and drinkers alike, redefining drinks like the classic martini and the old-fashioned for a new era. Settle in to one of the suede banquettes or take a seat at the black-granite bar counter as you savour the Oaxaca old-fashioned, finished off with a flamed orange twist; or the Aviation, a classic gin cocktail shaken with maraschino, lemon juice, and crème de violette.

Death + Co, 433 East 6th Street, New York, +212 388 0882

Attaboy

Set in a nondescript location somewhere between Chinatown and the Lower East Side, Attaboy has all the makings of a run-of-the-mill speakeasy, with its hidden, hard-to-find address, and intimate space lit only by the flickering candlelight against exposed brick walls. But look a little closer, and you’ll realise why Attaboy has become such a cult favourite in New York: the savvy crew of mixologists (led by Sam and Michael McIlroy, formerly of the beloved bar Milk & Honey in the same spot) are serious about their craft — confident to the point where the bar continues to retain its no-menu format, where drinks are guided simply by your preferences of spirit and your mood for the day. Give yourself up to the bartender’s expertise and you won’t be disappointed, with top-shelf liquors used in every cocktail and a quality and level of skill that’s discernible in every sip.

Attaboy, 134 Eldridge Street, New York, +855 877 9900

Where to Stay 

After a day spent navigating the city’s dense metropolis, retreat to comfort and relaxation at these luxury accommodations.

Midtown luxury: Langham Place 

For a slice of luxury in the heart of Manhattan, look no further than Langham Place, conveniently located on Fifth Avenue near landmarks such as Times Square, Grand Central Station and Empire State Tower (ask for a tower-facing room for a brilliant nighttime view).

For a city as densely packed as NYC, the size of Langham Place’s rooms and suites are a breadth of fresh air, average 750 square feet per suite. Decorated with a neutral colour palette with shades of beige and warm Italian walnut, the Langham’s plush suites will make you feel right at home, with options for in-suite kitchens and connecting rooms for families and larger groups. State-of-the-art amenities include large marble bathrooms, 32-inch flat-screen televisions, Swedish Duxiana bedding, a rainfall shower with deep soaking tub, and most impressively, floor-to-ceiling windows to give you panoramic views of Manhattan.

Renovated just last year, the expansive lobby at Langham Place is home to Ai Fiori, the highly-lauded fine dining Italian restaurant from lauded chef Michael White. A chic escape to the Italian Riviera, Ai Fiori offers fantastic Mediterranean cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with two private dining rooms for dinners for up to 32 guests. Here you can grab a quick continental breakfast or settle in for a prix-fixe dinner degustation incorporating fine ingredients such as lobster, caviar and truffle.

Finally, if your feet are aching from running around the city all day, retreat to Langham’s signature Chuan Spa, a tranquil haven amidst the city’s noisy hustle and bustle. Inspired by Chinese culture and healing practices, Chuan offers practices based on traditional Chinese medicine and the five elements of fire, earth, water, metal and wood. Opt for the Chuan Signature Spa for a relaxing all-around treatment, with trained therapists using a blend of private label oils to work out your kinks; or try the Himalayan Salt Sauna for something more out-of-the-ordinary, said to offer numerous benefits of respiratory healing, stress reduction and increased energy.

Rates starting from USD$425 per night. Langham Place, 400 5th Avenue, New York, +212 695 4005

Five-star glitz: Four Seasons Hotel New York

The Four Seasons is often the last word in luxury when it comes to luxury five-star hotels, and the Four Seasons Hotel New York on East 57th street does not disappoint. A stomping ground for the city’s elite, the Four Seasons is not just another splendid five-star hotel — it’s become one of the city’s most quintessential meeting spots for well-heeled socialites to wealthy businessmen.

Designed by I.M. Pei, the Four Seasons Hotel New York is a picture of classic elegance, from its soaring Art Deco lobby and onyx ceiling, to the lush greenery that pervades the common spaces of the hotel, and the newly renovated suites offering some of the most spacious rooms in Manhattan. With 368 rooms soaring up to 52 floors, you’ll be soaking in stunning views of the city skyline (most rooms offer unobstructed views across Central Park). Nestled between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue on what’s been labelled as “Billionaire’s Row”, the hotel is also a quick hop and a step away from the city’s most luxe shopping.

As for rooms, they’re equipped with LED TV’s, minibars, high-speed Wi-Fi, separate bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and brand-name toiletries. For ultimate relaxation, slip down to the L.RAPHAEL Beauty Spa, where you’ll find the latest cutting-edge treatments in anti-aging skincare and relaxation. The 3,800 square foot space is inclusive of ten treatment rooms including two couples’ suites, a hair and nail salon, saunas and whirlpools, and a retail boutique. Also on the same floor is the 1,200 square foot gym with state-of-the-art Artis Equipment by Technogym for a complete wellness offering.

Whether or not you’re splurging for a room at the Four Seasons, it’s worth checking out the two F&B outlets on offer. Grab a power breakfast alongside Midtown professionals at the Garden, where you can energise with power smoothies and tuck into the kitchen’s famous lemon ricotta hotcakes — all surrounded by live African acacia trees in a lush oasis. For happy hour or a late-night drink, the crimson-splashed Ty Bar is an iconic after-work watering hole, with a bespoke cocktail menu focusing on classic drinks from the 1920s and 30s. A full range of whiskies and bourbons are on offer here, paired with a menu of tantalising bar snacks. On cold weather nights, the fireplace sofa is the place to be, a cosy nook to warm up while sipping a glass of whisky.

Rates starting from USD$850 per night. Four Seasons Hotel New York, 57 East 57th Street, New York City, +212 758 5700

Downtown comfort: AKA Wall Street

For exploring Manhattan’s lower neighbourhoods from the West Village to Wall Street and the Lower East Side, head to AKA Wall Street, a fully serviced extended stay hotel in the heart of the Financial District. A model of luxury and sophistication, travellers can choose to stay here simply over the weekend or take advantage of the amenities designed around the needs of the longer stay traveller, including a state-of-the-art Technogym Fitness Center, rooftop terrace lounge, business and conference center, on-site restaurant and even a private cinema.

A total of 132 luxury furnished apartments are suited for anyone from leisure travellers to corporate young professionals, with a sleek design combining classic architecture and a heavy emphasis on natural light. Brought to life by Edward Asfour of Asfour Guzy Architect, the clean and bright design is complemented by multi-textured materials set in shades of grey, white and light brown. All rooms are finished with hardwood flooring, plasma TV’s, and plush bedding and bathroom amenities. And as AKA Wall Street also houses many long-term residents and young professionals in the area, you’ll also find additional serviced apartment-type perks, from an in-suite fully equipped stainless steel kitchen to a friendly concierge able to accommodate special requests to make you feel right at home.

Whether you’re taking a walk down memory lane at the historic Delmonico’s, or savouring a world-class cocktail at Dead Rabbit, there’s plenty of great restaurants and bars within walking distance from AKA Wall Street. For a casual and convenient dinner, you’ll want to pop into the Blue Ribbon Federal Grill right on the ground floor of the hotel, opened by the Bromberg Brothers. The chophouse specialises in everything from fresh seafood to hearty steaks, and serves up an excellent menu of classic cocktails (stop by for happy hour daily for discounted prices). Start with the crab cakes and jumbo shrimp cocktail, followed by the juicy “Fed” burger with thick-cut bacon and stilton blue cheese or the New York strip steak with smoked onions and mushrooms, and end the night with a slice of the delicious almond cake.

It’s true that each neighbourhood in New York offers its own distinct character, and AKA Wall Street’s prime location and accessibility makes it easy to explore the charms of lower Manhattan. With a shifting culture, food and shopping scene, our recommendation is to grab a Citi Bike and pedal your way from the east bank to the west, stopping to browse the shops and listen to live music at the Seaport District, do a bit of people-watching at Battery Bark, visit the may museums in the area including Ground Zero and the 9/11 memorial, and end the day with a sunset ride across Brooklyn Bridge.

Rates start from USD$195 per night. AKA Wall Street, 84 William Street, New York, +212 252-9090

Main image credit: iStock/phillyskater