New York: Gotham city. The big apple. The concrete jungle. The city that never sleeps. The capital of... well you get my point. Whether you're an NYC virgin or a seasoned New York regular, the city can be an immensely daunting place with its never ending array of skyscrapers, shops, and restaurants. To further compound this confusion, the hundreds of different travel guides available online either compile lists with very touristy attractions, provide unrealistically packed itineraries, or are simply outdated. With all this, one can easily find himself/herself overwhelmed in the chaos, not knowing where to concentrate their energy, what to see, and where to eat, especially if their time in this city of 8 million people is only limited to a day. Thankfully, we, at Dapper New York, are here to help (our name maybe a hint, but we're based in New York City).
If you only have 1 day in New York, don't spend it wasting your limited time waiting in line for tourist attractions or museums, because that alone can easily eat up a few hours. I would recommend leaving those items for a longer trip, where you can compress them into a couple of days and be done with them (really, how many times do you actually need to take a selfie with someone dressed as the Statue of Liberty). Instead, opt for eating and exploring like the locals do, veering away from the tourist traps and more to the cool 'in the know' scenes. We, at DNY, have compiled a list that will help you make the most of your 1 day in New York, making sure you're having good food and coffee along the way.
Breakfast
Shake off that morning grogginess (and possible jet lag) by waking up early and embracing the abundant New York sun, and head to Cafe Clover in the West Village. Opened in early 2015 by partners and an executive chef with exquisite pedigree, Cafe Clover instantly makes you feel at home with it's chic, summery vibe, even when it's blizzard weather outside. But hopefully, if you time your visit for the Fall, considered by many to be the best season for New York, you'll be able to snag a seat outside and enjoy the delicious healthy American menu while basking in the perfect sun and warm breeze. Their brunch menu might be filled with classics, but they are certainly far from ordinary. You certainly won't go wrong with any of their selections.
Post-Breakfast Stroll
After your splendid healthy breakfast, why not stick around the area, and explore the beautiful tree-lined streets of the West Village. Walk up Bedford street, one of the most beautiful streets in New York, until you get to Hudson street, then cross over and make your way down W 4th street. Be sure to check out some of the small quiet shops there, including Burberry, the Monocle shop, GANT Rugger, and Brunello Cucinelli (a DNY favorite). Once you're done there, head down to SoHo, one of the most lively areas of New York, where you'll find an array of big brand names, small boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes. Word of warning, try to stay away from the main street, Broadway, where you will find yourself suffocated by all the tourists and street vendors. Instead, explore the side streets which are much less packed, and boast many DNY-approved shops including Barbour, Cutler and Gross, Drake's, Suit Supply, and Slowear (an Italian company that has been making beautiful clothes the old slow way).
Lunch and Refueling stop
By now, you should start feeling the effects of your walk, and will be welcoming the idea of a small break and some nourishment to fuel your next adventure. Thankfully, being in New York, especially SoHo, means that you're never too far away from a cozy lunch spot to relax and recover. So head over to Two Hands cafe in the adjacent Little Italy, grab yourself a juice and an Avocado Smash, and plop down on one of their many cushioned chairs. One of the many Australian imports that have hit NYC in the past few years, Two Hands is easily one of the best, delivering a relaxed ambiance, friendly service, and delicious food.Coffee
You would be forgiven if your next thoughts were of you on your hotel bed enjoying a much deserved power nap. However, if you do choose to rally instead, you will most certainly need the aid of a good cup of Joe, and lucky for you, the best coffee joint in town is not too far away. Walk up Lafayette until you hit E 4th street where you'll find La Colombe Torrefaction, home of the best coffee, most beautiful cups and excellent sitting space (don't be confused by the other La Colombe on Lafayette & Prince street, the coffee is just as good, but the space is much smaller). If the weather has been particularly warm and you fancy an iced beverage for yourself, then pick either a Black & Tan or Draft Latte, two of La Colombe's creations that are, simply put, divine. Otherwise, their hot espresso drinks are delicious and quite possibly the best in the city.
Post-Coffee/Caffeine-Energy Walk
Once the caffeine has started to run through your veins, you should put your renewed energy into more walking. Wander around Union Square and Chelsea before making your way down to Washington Square Park to spend some time laying on the grass, watching people frolic around, and admiring the marble arch that forms the base of 5th avenue. The 77 foot arch was built in 1892 to commemorate the centennial of George Washington's inauguration as the first president of the United States, and stands majestically overlooking the great fountain in the middle of the park. New renovations have made the area more sitting friendly (think: no more wet mud stains on the seat of your pants), so take a seat and soak in the smell of trees, flowers and birds. Let's face it, between Washington Square Park and Central Park, these are as close to the outdoors as New Yorkers get to.
Pre-Dinner Aperitif
Once you're done being in touch with your outdoors self, well your park self at least, head over to Dante NYC for the best negroni in the city. We at DNY strongly consider the negroni to be an extension of ourselves in drink form, and there's no better place to grab one in New York than at Dante in Greenwich Village. If possible, snag a table outside so you can sip your negroni while watching the beautiful people of the Village come and go on this tree-lined, colorful house-filled street. With their selection of 6 different negronis, your choice is only limited by how adventurous your heart is. It also doesn't hurt that negronis are known to increase your appetite for food, which segues perfectly into our next tip.Dinner
It might be tempting to spend all night at Cafe Dante, and while their dinner and ambiance is very good, head up to the meatpacking district for a truly fantastic dinner in one of the hottest spots in town. Santina, opened in January 2015 by Chef Mario Carbone, quickly had celebrities and A-listers waiting anxiously to get a table as the reservation wait period stretched a few months. Luckily, the hype has died down a bit (thankfully nothing else there has), and you should be able to reserve a table there with only a couple of week's notice.
Once you're in, though, expect a very Mediterranean feel to the restaurant with its bold color palette, wood furnishings, and exotic flowers. Santina, named after Carbone's Sicilian grandmother, features a southern/coastal Italian cuisine heavily focused on seafood, vegetables and equally exotic but delicious drinks. Whatever you decide to pick from their salivating menu, make sure you get the squash carpaccio and the Cecina, which is a chickpea-flour pancake concoction served in a cast iron skillet along with some sauces and fillings. Trust me, you will not regret it.
Nightcap
If, after your food coma-inducing dinner, you're still alive enough to go out, make your way uptown
to the Flatiron Lounge in Flatiron for some delicious drinks and music. With it's 25 page menu (front and back!), Flatiron Lounge is sure to have any drink your boozy heart desires, and if it's not listed, then their talented mixologists will certainly be able to make it for you. However, what really brings people here is their extensive whiskey list, which makes up 20 pages out of the 25, organized by country, region and manufacturer. Why get a dram when you can get the entire bottle, and have the Flatiron Lounge staff store it for you in one of their liquor cabinets so that you can enjoy it time and time again whenever you come back, until it's empty of course, which just means you deserve another one. Whether you opt for one of their delicious cocktails, a dram of Scotch, a flight of whiskey, or simply an entire bottle, sit back in your chair with your drink of choice, admire the 1920s themed decor and enjoy the excellent jazz band playing live in front of you.
