Post - ALIVE+WELL Nutrition

Whether you’re a native New Yorker like me or just visiting for vacation, figuring out where to eat in NYC can be intensely overwhelming.

To help you sort through the infinite options, I’m sharing a few of my favorite spots to eat in New York City.

FYI: I'm only including eateries I’ve actually been to myself. There are about a million places on my must-try list — at the top right now: Lucali for pizza and Laser Wolf for next-level Israeli — but since I haven’t hit them just yet, I’m keeping them off the list (for now). I’ll update this post as I continue to find + fall for new places.

Below, my updated NYC food guide. Eat up!

Almondine Bakery pastries — Almondine Bakery goods — the classic + chocolate croissants as well as the killer bran muffin are musts.

Breakfasts + brunches:

Almondine Bakery - This classic French bakery sits dangerously close to my apartment, but it’s not only neighborly bias that has me listing this spot first. The bakery sells one of the better croissants I’ve found in NY (and doesn’t have ridiculous lines like the oh-so buzzy bakery L’Appartement 4F). The bran muffin is also stellar.
Vinegar Hill House - This cozy spot is tucked on an otherwise very quiet street. In fact, you’ll probably check your Maps app to make sure you entered the right address as you approach the restaurant, but don’t give up. You’re in the right spot and you’re about to get a great brunch. Order one of their signature sourdough pancakes for the table. The massive, pillowy treat is more bread pudding than pancake. Because every brunch requires dessert, right?
Absolute Bagels - For some of the best bagels in NYC, head to Absolute Bagels on the upper west side. I grew up going to this no-frills shop that bakes quality bagels that make H&H look less-than. Expect a line out the door if you’re showing up on a weekend morning.
Gertie - Like your Bubbe’s favorite Jewish deli, only cooler. While there’s a full menu on offer, I’m partial to the baked goods here. The buttery-on-the-inside, crunchy-on-the-outside corn muffin made me deeply nostalgic for childhood diner breakfasts.
Citizens of… - With locations in different neighborhoods around the city, Citizens of Chelsea (or Gramercy or Soho) does your basic Aussie brunch. Head here for overloaded avocado toast and an oat cappuccino to match. Snap a pic of your plate. Add it your Instagram Story. You get the idea.

FAST CASUAL + LUNCHes:

Sweetgreen - A great way to get tons of veg in on a busy workday. I usually go for the Harvest Bowl or create a custom salad.
Cava - Like a Mediterranean version of Chipotle, only better.
Taboonette - Taboonette is a gem of a fast casual spot that offers delicious, hearty Mediterranean fare right off Union Square. I love their salmon pan, the Kruveet (vegetarian) pan, and the arugula salad that’s studded with fresh herbs, sweet currants, and crunchy almonds.
Le Botaniste - Pricey but different, Le Botaniste offers hearty, vegan meals that are 100% organic. Cozy up with a Tibetan peanut curry or chili ‘sin carne’ that’s good for you + the environment (yes, their menu lists CO2 emissions for each dish).
Bombay Sandwich Co. - Don’t let this little-known hole in the wall deter you — the food is delicious, the portions are generous + the prices are good. My favorites: the chana masala bowl, the kale salad, and all the sides (especially the French lentils, the turmeric tofu salad, and the vegan palek paneer). Plan to pick up, it’s not a sit-in spot.
Peacefood - All vegan everything. I love the Peacefood bowl + the soy nuggets.

A not-very-good photo of the very good cheeseburger at Fairfax in the West Village.

Dinners:

Colonie - Though not in my immediate neighborhood, Colonie is my answer to the question: “What’s your favorite spot to eat near you?” It’s just reliably delicious. Expect uniquely layered flavors + textures thanks to the chef’s liberal use of fresh herbs, toasted nuts, crunchy puffed rice, and the like in every dish.
Taverna Kyclades - Head to the Astoria location for the better version of this authentic Greek taverna. Order the classics, like tzatziki, horta (cooked greens), horiatiki (a real Greek salad—no lettuce!), grilled octopus, fresh-as-can-be branzino + lemon roasted potatoes.
Cosme - A special-occasion (read: $$$) spot, the Mexican fare + margaritas here are top notch.
Fiaschetteria Pistoia - Wish you were in Italy? Head to Fiaschetteria Pistoia in Alphabet City. It's a small, slightly chaotic spot where the waiters speak Italian to each other and you can see the pasta being made by hand in the kitchen. FYI: Don’t expect big portions. Or the friendliest service. Consider yourself warned.

ATLA - A solid spot for a date night, ATLA offers Mexican fare with an upscale twist. I loved the striped bass aguachile, the arctic char + farmer’s cheese tostada, and the cauliflower taco al pastor. The dessert was missable.
Fairfax - I head here quarterly for one of my favorite burgers in the city. Their sister restaurant Jolene also serves up an impeccable burg.
Casa Enrique - Authentic Mexican food in Long Island City. Worth the trip for the mole.
12 Chairs - A plant-forward Israeli joint that’s always lively. The herby beets with goat cheese and pine nuts, as well as the pita sabich (fried eggplant, hard boiled eggs, veg + more in a plushy pita) shouldn’t be missed.
Di an Di - Wildly good Vietnamese in Greenpoint, BK.
Momoya - A great pick for quality sushi that doesn’t break the bank. Order the tuna on crispy rice no matter what.
Sugarfish - Another pick for tasty sushi, Sugarfish is best for walk-ins at off times as they don’t take reservations. I recently went for a late lunch around 3:30pm and ordered their lunch special: $37 for nine omakase-like courses. The hand rolls were particularly delish.
Shuka - IMO, most ~ trendy ~ Mediterranean places are just plain disappointing. But not Shuka. It’s Instagram-y, yes, but the food is actually good (unlike Lola Taverna across the street — just awful). Shuka’s chicken shawarma is full of flavor and the za’atar fries are hard to beat.
Miss Ada - Also trendy, also great Mediterranean. This time in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.