NYC Eats: Lower East Side
​Casual & To- Go

August 2021
For anyone that has worked with us, you know we have a special love for New York City's Lower East Side.  Beside the family connection, we think it is one of the best neighborhood's in Manhattan.  It is filled with Independent and vibrant spots you cannot find anywhere else. 
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Depending on who you ask and when they called the Lower East Side home, you will get many different answers about what exactly are the borders of the Lower East Side.  It is truly a historical melting pot.

​We will focus on places East of Forsyth, North of Broome and almost always South of Houston (i.e. East of Chinatown, North of Two Bridge and sometimes South of East Village.  As we created our list, we included a few places north of Houston because they are too good not to include.
If you have questions about a specific restaurant, destination and/or property, please contact us. 
​We do our very best to update this page but cannot guarantee accuracy. 
Zest Sushi
​​Happy Hour Sushi open Tuesday-Sunday
249 Broome St, New York, NY 10002
From 4-7PM Tuesday-Sunday, Zest Sushi offers Happy Hour on traditional sushi rolls, just $5!  Don't forget to round out your order with a Seaweed salad or something crunchy-like a specialty roll!

The Owners have another restaurant around the corner that we have yet to try.  

Offers: Dine-in, Outdoor seating, To-go and Delivery, but we highly recommend dining with them

Booze: Wine and Beer

​https://m.facebook.com/ZestNYC/
We stumbled upon this unassuming spot years ago when we were meeting a friend for sushi but weren't trying to break the bank.  It has become such a staple, we go every few weeks.
Don Ceviche
Best Rotisserie Chicken
Essex Market: 88 Essex St. Essex Market  #11, NY, NY - 10002
If you enjoy Rotisserie Chicken or are caving Peruvian cuisine, Don Ceviche in Essex Market is a must!  The Rotisserie Chicken is our favorite, and we always order extra green salad dressing, with or without a side salad.  Beyond the delicious food, the kind owner, Lenin Costas can be found chatting with guests at Essex Market.  Don Ceviche was born as a weekend passion project in 2017 at the LIC and Queens Food Markets.  In May 2019, he opened his permanent location in Essex Market.  Mr. Costas' dream is to one day open a restaurant in Lima, Peru.

Offers: To-go and Delivery; Essex Market has indoor seating upstairs

Beverages: Chicha Morada and Inka Kola

https://www.doncevicheny.com/about
Local's tip: Get your food to-go and have a picnic along the water at the East River Park (about a 20 minute walk from Essex Market).  Need a boozy beverage to round out your meal?  Craft Beer lovers can check out Top Hops in Essex Market, and Wine drinkers can visit VinVero a short walk down Grand Street.
Sami & Susu
All-day Mediterranean restaurant and specialty store (Tuesday-Sunday)
​190 Orchard, New York, NY 10002
We could not be more excited for this independent spot, that-as of August 2021-has a permanent home in the Lower East Side!  Their ingredients are fresh and all the dishes, inspired by family recipes, are made with love.  

Read more about the Owners and their original pop-up location in Brooklyn, before they called LES home.  Whether you order the perfectly crispy salmon or indulge in a new take on a classic-tongue baguette-you are sure to find something you love on their menu.

Offers: Outdoor seating, Indoor style café Dining, To-go and Delivery-->To-go orders include compostable tableware.

Booze: TBD

​https://www.samiandsusu.com/about
Cheeky Sandwiches
An independent New Orleans inspired, hip Sandwich Shop
35 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Cheeky Sandwiches is the coolest neighborhood spot you didn't know you needed in your life.  While they are best known for their take on New Orlean's favorites, we cannot get enough of their Braised Short Rib sandwich with horseradish sauce, arugula, cherry tomatoes between two pieces of challah bread.  

Owner, Din Yates can be found behind the counter cooking it up (in a black hoodie) while chatting with diners.  If you have a chance to meet him be sure to ask about his road trip between New York and his hometown of New Orleans.

Offers: Quirky indoor seating, To-go and Delivery

Beverages: Chicory Coffee, Ginger Tea

https://www.cheekysandwiches.com/​
V-Nam Cafe
Unassuming local spot serving up Vietnamese classics like Pho, Bahn Mi, Vermicelli Noodles and more
20 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009
Back in 2015 we stumbled upon this place when one of our team members was craving Pho.  What became our favorite place to order from on Snow days-they always seem to be open-has become a spot we recommend year-round.

The Owner, Hoang Lieng was born in South Vietnam to a family of rice merchants.  Before opening V-Nam Cafe in 2010, he spent time working in restaurants around the city to learn the business.  We are so glad he did.

Offers: Simple Indoor seating, To-go and Delivery

Beverages: Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Mash, Natural Fruit Essense, Mash, Natural Fruit Essense

https://vnamcafe.com/
Good Thanks Cafe
Easygoing Brunch
131a Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Recently we were chatting with some other locals who would not stop raving about this easygoing spot for brunch.  As brunch lovers who are always seeking something more down to earth, we thought we would give it a try.  And oh my!  The Kimchi Scrambled Eggs with scallion labne was everything we did not know we needed and the large plate size was the perfect serving for one. 

Offers: Dine-in, Outdoor seating, To-go and Delivery

Booze: Liquor, Wine and Beer

https://www.goodthanksnyc.com
Divya's Kitchen
Global approach to Ayurvedic cuisine
25 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
Offers: Dine-in, Outdoor seating, To-go and Delivery

Beverages: Sodas, Teas, Coffee, Shakes and Fresh Juices

Local's tip: ALWAYS order a Juice (listed as Limeades on the menu)

https://divyaskitchen.com/
If you are seeking a Vegetarian and/or Ayurvedic focused dining experience in New York City, Divya's Kitchen MUST be on your list.  The restaraunt's owner Divya Alter believes that food is much more than a means of sustenance.  Her cooking is based on the ancient principles of Shaka Vansiya (SV) Ayurveda, which teaches people how to link their physical and mental needs with the foods and seasonings that will balance us accordingly.  Beyond operating her restaurant and online store, she offers cooking classes.
Punjabi Deli
No-frills counter-service spot for Indian take-out Food (Vegetarian)
114 E 1st St, New York, NY 10009
One of the few cash-only places we frequent is a Vegetarian, Indian place that pre-pandemic was open 24/7.  The reasonably priced, bigger meals are large enough for two people, sometimes three.  It is a true to-go spot. There’s no seating inside and sometimes the benches out front don’t look as welcoming as they actually are.

Make it a picnic: Weather permitting, take your meal to the park along the water (maybe about a ten minute walk) for an impromptu casual picnic!  Should you be committed to eating animal protein at every meal, Punjabi is a few doors down from a Union Market which offers a deli counter with cooked chicken.  Further down the block from this is a liquor store (East Houston Wines & Liquor) with quite a selection of beverages. 

Offers: To-go and Delivery

https://m.facebook.com/PunjabiGroceryDeli/
Beverage Connoisseurs
While there are many places in the city to get a quality cocktail-with a view-keep in mind that many places on our list only serve Wine and Beer, no liquor.  
Book through Vosant Meetings + Travel to secure VIP courtesies, amenities and access to special promotions. 
​Contact us with your dates and destination for more information.

Honorable Mention

S'MAC East Village
Customizable, small batch mac ’n’ cheese made from scratch, with meat, vegan and gluten-free options
197 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
While this list is devoted to our favorite spots in the Lower East Side, we must highlight S'Mac!  Beyond their famous Mac and Cheese, through the Pandemic they have continued to keep the neighborhood's local community fridge operational.  They offer both local and nation-wide shipping.  Should you seek to support their efforts.

Offers: Dine-in, Outdoor seating, To-go + Local and Nation-wide Delivery

Booze: Beer and Wine

​https://www.eatsmac.com/​
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