Food & Attractions in Greenwich Village
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Visit Greenwich Village to experience the best neighborhood in NYC. As a native New Yorker, I can unequivocally state this is my favorite neighborhood in the City of New York. There are many reasons why I love it, and I’m sure if you come down here for a visit, you’ll most certainly want to return too.
The neighborhood is residential with no large office buildings or mega-hotels clogging up its sky, giving you a sunnier and open feel as you walk its streets. Even on a weekend when many visitors frequent the area, the side streets feel quiet and peaceful, not crowded and overwhelming like Times Square and SoHo.
There is much to do so I will break it down into categories of places to see, shopping areas to visit, and eateries and bars for consumption.
A cup of Coffee – Stumptown
Stumptown Coffee Roasters serves the highest quality fresh roasted coffee. A great cup of the coffee newest location in New York City for the Portland roaster.
30 West 8th St, corner Macdougal St.
Shopping – Bleecker Street
Bleecker Street, which runs from the very edge of the Meatpacking District to the Bowery in Manhattan, is by no means exclusively about retail. You won’t find chain stores here but individually-owned smaller shops offering exclusive fashions. It’s an 8 block stretch from 7th Avenue to Eighth Avenue.
Sightseeing – Washington Square Park
Pass beneath the Washington Arch and you’ll find yourself in one of the City’s most recognizable public spaces A small urban city park, getting a mix of locals, New York University students, and tourists. Very good for people watching, and always have entertaining musicians,
dancers, artists, and jugglers to amuse. Lots of benches good resting spot.
Enter on Fifth Avenue and Waverly Place, 1 block south of 8th St.
Highline Park
NYC’s elevated park is certainly one of the more popular New York attractions everyone needs to check off their list, and Highline Park is the perfect activity to take visitors from out of town. A very cool site to visit was an elevated freight train line that was closed down and reopened as a park 3 years ago. Great views of the Hudson River, plus food carts.
Enter on West 14th St bet. 9-10 Avenue.
Glass of Wine/Cocktail
Café Reggio, great little outdoor café, with limited seating. Lively block excellent people watching. While strong coffee drinks from macchiatos to hazelnut cappuccinos are what crowd the tables most, the café also serves satisfying crepes and omelets, unremarkable pasta like penne in pesto, and serviceable sandwiches like warmed-over panini stuffed with good-quality mozzarella, pesto, and sweet red peppers.
119 Macdougal St, bet. Bleecker & West 3 St.
Fat Black Pussycat Bar – Great spot for happy hour crowd and late nite nightcap. This was a great experience! Easy to get reservations, the two-item minimum is easy to fulfill, and the show was fantastic. Bar food and drinks were all excellent and the decor is hilarious.
130 W 3rd St, bet. 6th Avenue & Macdougal St.
Sunday Brunch
Sunday Brunch – Blue Note Jazz Club
Great spot to enjoy brunch with live jazz.
131 West 3rd St, bet. 6th Ave. & Macdougal St.
Sunday Brunch – Tavern on Jane
Local crowd offering an excellent brunch
31 8th Avenue, corner of Jane St.
Cheap Bite to Eat
Joe’s Pizza – In the neighborhood since 1975, thin-crust, fresh sauce, fuhgetabouit.
7 Carmine Street, off 6th Avenue.
Burger Joint – Newest location of the famed spot in the Parker Meridian Hotel.
33 W 8th St, corner Macdougal St.
Mid-priced Cafes
Westville – Fresh ingredients American/comfort food.
210 West 10 St, bet. Bleecker & West 4th St.
Da Silvano – Very good Italian with outdoor seating.
260 6th Ave. bet. Bleecker & West Houston St.
Expensive Food
Minetta Tavern – Former speakeasy now serving excellent food, very comfortable surroundings, and helpful staff. Tough reservation to secure, check the menu first.
113 MacDougal St, corner of Minetta Lane
Blue Hill – Very small and charming, President Obama took Michelle here for their evening out.
75 Washington Place, bet. 6th Ave, & MacDougal St.
Dessert
Payard Bakery – I saved the best for last. Great French pastry chef shows his stuff.
116 West Houston St, bet. Thompson & Sullivan.
Final Word
Visit Greenwich Village NYC for the best neighborhood. Everything you want is here, make sure you include it on your next trip.
New York City food tours are a perfect way to walk around great neighborhoods like the Brooklyn Bridge, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown and eat in iconic New York shops and restaurants. All tours include a full meal and visit famous historic points of interest.