Welcome back to another Topology tour guide – this time we’re whisking you off to the Big Apple, good old New York! If you’ve been following our travel guide series on Instagram, you’ll know that these guides are centred around people who love anything interiors related. Be it design related shops, restaurant with good food and good interior vibes or stunning architecture to lust over. And what’s more is that all these sites and sounds have been tested out by at least one of our Team and we’re being quite strict with what we put in here – only the best recommendations for you guys!
Manhattan Recommendations
PLACES TO EXPLORE:
Greenwich Village, Chelsea Market & Central Park
First up, Greenwich Village. Yes, notoriously the location where F.R.I.E.N.D.S was set, but it’s so much more than that. Greenwich Village is an ideally located spot in Manhattan worth mooching around for an afternoon. Filled with eateries, bars, boutique shops and narrow streets, it an ideal people watching and walking location. Try Carbonne for lunch an amazing Italian restaurant perfect for any time of the year – try the Oysters!
If you’re wanting an evening activity, head to the Comedy Cellar for a must do show. This place is where all the famous comedians you know and love have at one point done stand up (think Robin Williams or Aziz Ansari). Buy tickets in advance though and be prepared for intimate seating with strangers. Oh and no access to your phone (they make you zip them up in a sealed bag!).
Next Chelsea Market – an amazing indoor food market with heaps of stalls selling all sorts of incredible food genres. The Los Tacos place is my firm favourite – you won’t miss it as there is always a queue! It’s a must do and please…go hungry as you’ll want to test out some of the other stalls. After your done walk around the various shops in the Chelsea area and try the high up walk across a former-subway train line now a beautiful walkway (best enjoyed on a spring or summer evening as the sun sets!).
Two shops worth going to in this area are ‘Dashwood Books’ – great photography books that sit nicely on a coffee table and Soho Studio to lust over the very expensive Soho Home range.
Lastly the iconic Central Park. An absolute must for a long walk exploring the famous green spot surrounded by concrete buildings everywhere. Try renting a “City Bike” in order to see the park in its entirety. My favourite sky scraper is the ‘Coffee Stirrer’, known for making residence feel sick as it sways ever so slightly, despite the million dollar price tag for a property there. It’s also a great spot to celeb watch, we saw Kate McCinnon & Teri Hatcher!
Restaurants
Katz Diner – an institution and a great place for brunch / lunch. Where the iconic moment ‘I’ll have what she’s having’ was filmed in ‘When Harry Met Sally’
Altro Paradiso – good vibes, good food but not the cheapest
Carbonne – good for lunch or dinner, not cheap but worth it!
Ess-a-bagel – great if you’re on the run for a quick bagel. Opt for the ‘everything’ bagel
Joe’s Pizza – Time Square for a bit of touristy fun
Jack’s Wife Freida – pretty breakfast or brunch spot
Russ & Daughters – amazing take-away deli for lunch, expect queues
Hotels
MADE Hotel https://www.madehotels.com/
Brooklyn
PLACES TO EXPLORE:
Greenpoint, Williamsburg & Dumbo
Brooklyn and Greenpoint. These two locations are the trendy parts of NYC, reached easily by the subway or taxi over the Brooklyn bridge. Start off at Greenpoint and head to ‘Pies’n’Thighs’ diner for a truly indulgent spin on Southern food (think grits, bacon pancakes and waffles, dirty burgers etc) – ideal for brunch. Then wander down the equivalent of their high street and you’ll find all the familiar shops like Whole Foods, Sephora, Diptyque plus all the smaller independent boutique shops and lunch spots worth stopping at. Not hugely interior focused but a must for a scenic route into Brooklyn.
Two must go to shops for interior lovers are ‘Feng Sway’ and ‘Dobbin St Vintage‘ on Norman Avenue. Both offer absolutely amazing homeware, accessories and furniture – only downside is that you’ll want to take it all home…Around this area in general it’s really lovely for a walk as there are lots of other shops to explore too from fashion to food.
For amazing city views, especially of the iconic Brooklyn bridge, head to the area of Dumbo. A great spot to explore shops, bars and restaurants in a trendy part of town (including the Soho House there, which is an interior designers dream hangout with roof top bar and view of The Statue of Liberty).
Restaurants
Oxomoco – a must book Michelin star Mexican hot-spot with affordable pricing
Five Leaves – must do brunch or lunch spot
Roberta’s Pizza – expect queues!
Cecconi’s – decent food with even more decent interiors to swoon over
Dumbo House – if you’re a Soho House member the views of the NYC skyline are amazing
Pauliee Gee’s – THE New York Pizza hot spot
Hotels
The Hoxton https://thehoxton.com/williamsburg/
