Things To Do
Levain Bakery - Amsterdam Avenue
Our favorite place for cookies in the city. They are the size of your hand and feel like the weigh 5 pounds. Worth every bite every time despite the line! Fun fact: We stopped at Levain for cookies on the day we got engaged.
Rubirosa
Our favorite Italian restaurant in all of NYC! Located in the heart of little Italy, we recommend the "Rubirosa Supreme" pizza and just about any entree. Reservations book up very fast. If you can't get a table we recommend putting your name in and walking around the heart of little italy as you wait for your table. Fun Fact: The day we got engaged we couldn't go out to eat due to COVID-19, so we ordered catering from Rubirosa and had them make a heart shaped pizza for us <3
The Gin Mill
One of or favorite bars in NYC! A dive bar with cheap beer and equipped with beer pong tables in the back. 21+ and best for our younger guests (or those young at heart ;))
Tiki Chick
Their food menu is small ($5 sliders only), but their cocktail list is huge. You can order some of the best tiki drinks in the city, usually equipped with a fun umbrella or in a shark shaped tiki glass, along with a wall of adult frozen slushie cocktails! Fun Fact: The day we got engaged we stopped here to enjoy a cocktail with our levain cookie.
Jacob's Pickles
Fried chicken? Meatloaf? Buffalo Mac & Cheese? Homemade root beer and rum? Jacobs Pickles has some of our favorite southern style, guilty pleasure cuisine. Located just 2 doors down from Tiki Chick, they are owned by the same family.
Maison Pickle
Maison Pickle is in the same family as Jacob's Pickles and Tiki Chick. A "fancier" version of Jacob's Pickles, Maison Pickle is known for their cocktails and french dip sandwiches. We love Maison Pickle for their french dip, fried chicken caesar salad, patty melt, and 24 layer chocolate cake.
Pazza Notte
2-for-1 martinis 7 days a week? We love Pazza Notte for happy hour, evening drinks and their pizza. Pazza Notte is an Italian restaurant located right by Carnegie Hall. It is a great spot if you are exploring the Columbus Circle area.
The Donut Pub
Open for donuts and coffee 24/7. Located by Megan's old office, she enjoys the Brooklyn Creme donut.
Bar SixtyFive at Rainbow Room
Located on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center, there is no better view for cocktails. We recommend making a reservation around sunset to ensure you get a table and enjoy sunset from 360 degree views. Currently, the Rainbow Room is closed to the public due to COVID-19, but we are leaving this here in hopes it reopens soon.
Joe's Pizza
The best slice in NYC. Walls are adorned with pictures of famous celebrities enjoying slices. Joe's has locations all over hot spots in the city.
Village Taverna
Located near Washington Square Park and Union Square, Village Taverna is a fantastic greek restaurant with delicious greek cheeses!
Cowgirl
If you're interested in eating southern Texan BBQ food and margaritas in a western themed restaurant, Cowgirl is your place, and it is always a good time.
Katz's Delicatessen
A New York City staple where you can enjoy legendary pastrami, corned beef and Jewish deli classics. Don't let the long line outside fool you, the line moves quick. If you're lucky, you can sit at the table made famous when they filmed "When Harry Met Sally". Located on the Lower East Side, this is a great spot for lunch if you are visiting the lower Manhattan area.
Eataly NYC Flatiron
Eataly has it all. Multiple restaurants (including a rooftop one) with fresh meats and pastas, a gelato window, homemade dessert bar and much, much more. A great spot near Madison Square Park, and walking distance to the wedding block hotels. One of our favorites!
Rice To Riches
Almost 20 flavors of rice pudding? Sign me up. Located in Little Italy, this is a great spot to grab a quick dessert.
The Standard Biergarten
Located right off of the high line, this spot is fun for beers in big steins and german pretzels!
Bocca di Bacco
One of our most favorite date night spots. We went here during our first NYC restaurant week together and enjoyed an incredible meal, complete with a burrata and prosciutto board that Megan still dreams about.
Ess-a-Bagel
There are lots of bagels in NYC but Essa ranks as our top favorite! Conveniently located within walking distance of the wedding block hotels. Megan's favorite? Everything toasted with scallion. Abigail's suggestion? Do it up and get the cream cheese with the lox!
Tacombi
After leaving her job at The New School, Megan briefly worked for the Tacombi HR team-- Tacombi is one of the best Mexican food spots in the city! One of the best work perks? Trying everything on the menu for free. Megan recommends the corn esquites (yum!!) and the al pastor taco. The Tacombi flatiron location is within walking distance to the wedding block hotels.
Rolf's
Rolf's looks like a Christmas winter wonderland 24/7. There are bulbs and decorations hung and draped over every literal inch of this restaurant. Though we know they serve food, people do not go there to eat (and we've never tried the food), they go to have a holiday themed cocktail at the bar. Rolf's is a hot spot and there may be a wait, but it is worth it when you're looking to get in the holiday spirit.
The Rockettes
The Rockettes are back this year! Lucky for you, opening weekend happens to be our wedding weekend. This is one of our favorite shows and we cannot recommend it enough. It is a true NYC Christmas staple.
Via Carota
Homemade pasta heaven. Though it can be a bit hard to get a reservation here (be sure to check the Resy app), you may have luck walking in, especially during an off-peak time. Pasta + cocktail heaven.
Scampi
Scampi is known for well... their scampi! Also their homemade mafaldini noodles. A great hip spot for dinner nearby the wedding block hotels.
L'Amico
A very NYC chic Italian spot nearby our wedding hotels. Dine outside and you will have an incredible view of the empire state building! Don't forget to try the meatball appetizer.
Tony's Di Napoli
Times Square isn't exactly known for it's food... more so it's bright lights and billboards. Tony di Napoli is a gem in he area. It is a fun, family friendly restaurant located in the heart of Times Square with BIG portions all served family style. The Tiramisu slice is so big it comes with a steak knife (and is taste test approved by Megan).
Rosemary's
A fantastic Italian restaurant located in the heart of Greenwich village. They take online reservations and have private outdoor dining booths. The focaccia is a crowd favorite!
Dominique Ansel Bakery
In the heart of SoHo, this is a great bakery stop while you are exploring the area. This shop claims to be the creator of the "cronut". While we have never tried the cronut, due to it selling out early in the day, we have tried MANY of their other desserts. The milk and cookie shot is a must try!
Dear Irving on Hudson Rooftop
A swanky rooftop cocktail bar located just 13 blocks from the wedding block hotels in midtown. This cocktail bar can be a great spot for a nightcap to end your day in NYC with stellar views from the 40th floor.
456 New Shanghai
If you find yourself exploring the streets of China Town, 456 Shanghai is our favorite spot in the neighborhood. Fast, tasty and very affordable. Nearby there are many outdoor vendors/markets, bubble tea houses and shops.
COTE Korean Steakhouse
Cote is an upscale Korean BBQ restaurant with 1 MICHELIN star. Conveniently located near the Harry Potter store and our wedding block hotels. We recommend "the feast" which has 4 cuts of meat and many accompaniments.
Coppelia
Coppelia is a 24/7 luncheonette dishing out Pan-Latin comfort fare in a casual, colorful setting. This place is a hidden gem and is conveniently located near Union Square, and approximately 13 blocks from our wedding block hotels.
Dig
Dig is our FAVORITE fast casual restaurant in the city. You will order from the counter, like at a Chipotle, but your choices will be fresh grains, vegetables and meats. Our favorite side is the Mac & Cheese! There is a Dig location 2 blocks away from our wedding block hotel area.
Other Activities
- See a Broadway show - Explore Times Square - Visit Mulberry Street in Little Italy - Take a walk on the High Line in Chelsea (near the hotels) - Watch the world famous NYC Marathon (taking place the morning of our wedding) - Travel to the top of the Empire State Building (within walking distance of wedding hotels) - Visit the "edge" the largest open air observation deck - Ride the double decker red tour bus (a must do!) - Catch a ride on the NYC water taxi hop-on-off tour - Visit the Harry Potter Story -- enjoy a butter beer and have a magical time! - Walk through The Met Museum - a true NYC classic - Explore The Museum of Natural History - guaranteed fun for all ages!