Discover our locals' 308 hidden gems in New York

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City Guide made by Locals from New York.

Let's uncover New York's hidden treasures with Spotted by Locals! From underground jazz clubs in Brooklyn to hidden art in lower Manhattan, our Spotters bring you the city's best-kept secrets. Discover New York through the eyes of true locals.

Our Spotters from New York:

Our New York Cityguide - Made by Locals

Know your way in New York like a local.

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✓ Hidden gems that can’t be found in traditional guidebooks

✓ Our locals share their personal favorite spots in New York

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308 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

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Heading to New York?

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

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... for just €9.99

Check out our latest hidden gems in New York

Our latest Spots in New York

Sea & Sea

Fried fish takeout

"Sea & Sea " in NYC is a traditional-looking fish shop with wet, tiled floors, cool air, grated ice on every hand, busy with customers from near and far...

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Restaurants
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Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 22, 2025

Modern Bread and Bagel

Extreme gluten-free bagels

"Modern Bread and Bagel" in NYC has surfaced as exemplary, using criteria such as size and texture, seed and salt density. Here are some more top picks...

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Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 21, 2025

Pain d’ Epices

French / American patisserie

"Pain d' Epices" is a French bakery in NYC that makes croissants so flaky & buttery, the only way to avoid the crumbs is to 'put your back to the wind...'

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Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 20, 2025

Django

Tribeca jazz boîte

"Django" in NYC is proof that the city's jazz club world is recovering. I celler/cavern is intimate enough that after performances I walk over to engage...

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Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 20, 2025

The Dublin House

Irish Bar Centenarian

"The Dublin House" in NYC has been around since Prohibition and it still is neighborhood-sized. By the end of the night, everyone speaks Irish here...

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Bars

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 20, 2025

Pastrami Queen

Traditional kosher Jewish deli

"Pastrami Queen" in NYC has if not the best, among the very best pastrami sandwiches in the city. It's the kind of American excess you just can't miss...

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Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 20, 2025

Sisters Uptown Bookstore

African diaspora hub

"Sisters Uptown Bookstore" in NYC is a hidden shop/cultural center w/ an eye-opening trove of books by African diaspora authors. A true neighborhood spot!

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Art & culture
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Shopping

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 18, 2025

Grandma's Place

Inclusive Books and Toys

I stumbled across a store about which I had read but never visited—the very inviting and colourful playground of Dawn Harris-Martine), retired teacher, now famous—named Grandma’s Place.

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Art & culture
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Shopping

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 18, 2025

Color World

Curb Side BBQ

Color World sets up on the corner of 116th and 2nd Avenue, rain or shine. There they serve beef, pork, goat, oxtail, and chicken for $10 a plate.

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Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 17, 2025

Don Alejo Coffee

Coffee, toasts and burritos

Their prices are in keeping with the neighborhood: a plate of two eggs, two pancakes, 'home' fried potatoes and your choice of sausages or bacon, is $12.

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Coffee & tea
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Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 16, 2025

Icons' Homes

James, James & Dorothy

There are three houses not far from each other in NYC of three icons: James Dean, James Baldwin, and Dorothy Parker...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 16, 2025

Heckscher Field/Central Park

Broadway show league

"Heckscher Field" in Central Park, New York, is used for softball. Here you can see games played for the Broadway Show League. Celebrity stars may be seen.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 16, 2025

Heading to New York?

308 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

New York app Home
New York app Map
New York app Home

Going to New York?

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

What to expect?

Authentic & Unbiased Content

Our local Spotters share personal tips and secrets about their city. Nothing sponsored! These unique insights can’t be found in traditional guidebooks. Discover the city through the eyes of a local!

Go off the Beaten Path Gems

We focus on hidden gems and unique places that aren’t crowded with tourists. Our Spotters’ tips help you avoid the crowds and have truly special experiences, far from the tourist masses.

Responsible Travel

By visiting our locals’ favorites and lesser-known places, you contribute to a more sustainable way of traveling. You support the local economy and reduce the pressure on popular tourist spots. And in the end, those are the best places right?

Hi! Nice to meet you.

We are Spotted by Locals. An online travel community publishing city guides in 80+ cities. Our hand-picked local writers and photographers create all the content.

Our 488 Spotters (and counting) live in the cities they write about, speak the local language, and regularly update their tips. Their insights help around 1.4 million travelers each year discover the hidden gems of cities.

With insider advice from locals, we offer a unique, sustainable travel experience, allowing travelers to slow down and immerse themselves in the local culture, beyond the tourist hotspots.

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Made with the 💚 of 496 Spotters.
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