new york city
NEW YORK city, CURATED.
Beneath the noise, there’s rhythm. A bagel at 8, a Basquiat at 11, a martini at 6, a rooftop by 10. Everyone’s a local, nobody’s from here. We sift through the chaos for the good stuff—the steakhouse that still seats regulars, the LES bar that doesn’t need a name, the boutique where you actually want everything. Hala’s NYC is sharp, textured, and never obvious.
Whether you’re here for a week or forever, we map out the moments that matter.
Where to go. Where to stay. What to skip. What to savor.
Every moment, considered.
Need to know
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New York works year-round, but May, September, and early December are when it’s at its best. Spring has that first-glass-of-rosé feeling. Fall is golden light and fashion week energy. December is magic before the tourists descend. If you come in summer, lean into it—rooftops, ferry rides, outer borough escapes.
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Downtown, always. SoHo if you want cobblestones and curated everything. The West Village for neighborhood charm and proximity to everything. NoHo for the best restaurants in the city. Uptown works if you’re doing museums and Central Park, but most Hala picks sit below 34th. Brooklyn is having a moment—stay if you’re in the mood to feel like you’ve moved.
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Fast, direct, always a little overbooked. New Yorkers walk fast, talk fast, and expect good coffee. You’ll fit in best if you do your research and act like you’ve been here before. That said, the city’s more relaxed than it once was. Athleisure at dinner isn’t a crime anymore, but bad taste still is. Tip well. Don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk. And remember—cool isn’t loud here, it’s implied.
Hala hit list
A few of our forever favorites.
Low lighting, leather booths, and the best burger in the city (yes, really). Feels like a secret even though everyone wants in. Book a month out—or know someone who can.
Four Charles Prime Rib – West Village
Dr. Clark – Chinatown
Basement-level Hokkaido in a converted mahjong parlor. You sit on tatami mats, drink highballs, and grill lamb at your table. It’s weird, vibey, and somehow always the right move.
More than a newsstand. A cult spot for print lovers, creatives, and anyone craving a dose of analog cool. Flip through rare European issues while eavesdropping on stylists and art directors.
Casa Magazines – West Village
Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s worth it. Live piano, painted walls, real New York romance. Come early or bribe the host. Order something classic and linger.
Bemelmans Bar – Upper East Side
KGB Bar – East Village
Grungy, unpretentious, deeply New York. A Soviet-era speakeasy turned literary hangout with cheap drinks and better readings. Come for the chaos, stay for the poetry.
if you have 48 hours
START DOWNTOWN
Kick things off in SoHo with a flat white from Café Lyria, then walk west toward the Hudson for a gallery stop at The Whitney or David Zwirner. Grab lunch at Balthazar or King, then spend the afternoon shopping Nolita and Bond Street—skip Broadway entirely. As the sun dips, head to Dr. Clark in Chinatown for grilled lamb and highballs on the floor. After dinner, walk to KGB Bar for a poetry reading, a cheap beer, and a hit of East Village grit.
UPTOWN ENERGY, DOWNTOWN VIBE
Sleep in, then brunch at Via Carota (yes, it’s worth the wait). Meander through the West Village, then hop in a cab uptown for an afternoon of quiet luxury: The Met, a walk through Central Park, and cocktails at Bemelmans Bar under the Ludwig Bemelmans murals. Book dinner at Four Charles Prime Rib—order the burger, the martini, the fries. End the night back downtown at The Stranger or Georgia Room if you’re in the mood to dance.
ART, BAGELS, A MOMENT ALONE
Wake up early and walk the High Line before it gets crowded. Grab a bagel and lox from Russ & Daughters, then hit Chelsea Market or Casa Magazines for something tangible to take home. If it’s raining, duck into McNally Jackson for a book and a break. If it’s nice out, ferry to Domino Park in Williamsburg and do absolutely nothing. That’s the point.
LEAVE ROOM FOR SPONTANEITY
This city works best when you don’t plan every minute. Say yes to the friend-of-a-friend dinner. Stop for oysters at 3 p.m. Let the day reroute you. That’s what locals do. That’s how you find your own New York.
The Martini Map
Dante – Greenwich Village
The one that started the trend cycle all over again. Voted World’s Best Bar for a reason. Go for the Martini Hour and order the olive oil martini or a dirty with black truffle salt. Sit outside if the weather allows.
Temple Bar – NoHo
A revived icon. Dark, sexy, just loud enough. The martinis come fast and cold, with serious pours and real bar snacks. No reservations, no nonsense. If you know, you know.
Le Dive – Dimes Square
Yes, it’s a scene. But the martinis are excellent and the crowd is pure voyeuristic pleasure. Order a half dozen oysters and a twist. Pretend you don’t care who’s watching.
Bemelmans Bar – Upper East Side
The old-world classic. Tuxedoed servers, grand piano, and a crowd that knows better than to check their phones. It’s where you go when you want to drink like your grandfather, but better dressed.
Ray’s – Lower East Side
Dive bar energy, surprisingly excellent martini. Dirty, cold, and unapologetically messy. Bring someone cute, or meet them in the corner booth.
Let’s Plan Something Unforgettable
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