Besides Chinatown and Little Italy, NYC also boasts Little Tokyo, a compact area in East Village that houses several Japanese tea rooms, restaurants, and bars. Unlike its Italian and Chinese counterparts, Little Tokyo is less well-known and more authentic.
My favorite place, Sake Bar Decibel, is hidden down a nondescript flight of stairs. You can find over a hundred varieties of sake to choose from such as sparkling, hot etc. from different areas of Japan, as well as regional food specialties like okonomiyaki (which is a popular savory pancake from Osaka.)
Hipsters, students, and working professionals abound in this dark and quaint underground bar. Come early, but expect to wait a little, especially if you come over the weekend. In this neighborhood you can also find Angel’s Share, which is a popular Japanese speakeasy one block over, and Cha-An, a Japanese tea house with many varieties of tea and Japanese desserts.
Find your way with 302 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
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.
by
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.
by
There are three houses not far from each other in NYC of three icons: James Dean, James Baldwin, and Dorothy Parker...
by
"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.
by
Juilliard dazzles NYC with stunning free recitals, world-class talents, and a legacy that echoes through every note played within its storied halls.
by
Among its offerings are a $10 breakfast special and its enormous $15 lunchtime hamburger, a price unobtainable anywhere else within walking distance.
by
This sun soaked park bench is a destination neighborhood residents know, spending time there in observation. It’s one of the more fabulous NYC stages.
by
"Monumental Women" has erected this monument in Central Park, NYC to especially important figures in the United States women's equality movement...
by
"Der Krung" in Hell's Kitchen in New York City is by far my favorite Thai place around. One of the best things about it is the $9.75 lunch special...
by
"Apthorp Cleaners" in NYC is different from the dozens of other neighborhood cleaners by its permanent but ever-changing window display of Barbie dolls...
by
Taco toppings include cheese (Cotijam, oaxaca and mozzarella), pineapple, jalapeños and pico de gallo. Norteñas & Cubanos sandwiches are not to be missed.
by
"Dinastia" is a great Cuban-Chinese restaurant in New York City. They definitely make soul food here. Consider the squid and rice: it's always good...
by
302 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 302 Insider Tips