Whether you are a local looking to discover new neighborhoods for a relaxing staycation or are a first-time visitor to New York City, there are seemingly endless places to eat, drink, and play in the city that never sleeps. With a place as large and busy as the Big Apple, it can be overwhelming to decide what to do with the limited time you may have. So, we here at the Four Seasons Downtown have taken two of our beloved local neighborhoods to share our favorite things to do in each. From Brunch to late-night drinks, we’ve rounded up the best places to visit for the perfect long weekend.
Tribeca
Brunch: Bubby’s
120 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013
Chef and Owner Ron Silver has been creating comfort food since Bubby’s first opened as a small pie vendor on Thanksgiving day in 1990. Now a go-to brunch spot, this classic American cuisine shares the beauty and diversity of American dining. Some particular standouts on the menu include the crabcake benedict, turkey pastrami reuben, and fried chicken and pancakes.
Coffee/Bakery: Five & Dime
8 Park Pl, New York, NY 10007
Located right next to the Four Seasons Downtown this distinguished cafe is located in the historic Woolworth building. With the turn of the turn-of-the-century details, wooden paneled walls, and a great selection of tea and coffee drinks this is a great place to grab some caffeine. The cafe also serves a delicious offering of cocktails in the afternoon and early evening.
Art: Hall des Lumières
49 Chambers St, New York, NY 10007
The immersive art experience Hall des Lumières will be bringing several new exhibitions to its stunning displays. The first coming just in time for the end of summer is a Hip Hop till Infinity which will be artfully showcasing the history of the musical genre over the past 50 years. The exhibition will also feature interactive programming, including virtual concerts, live panels & conversations, listening parties, artist meet & greets, and more. The second coming in October will be a retrospective of famed Russian-French artist Marc Chagall and will specifically focus on his time spent both in Paris and New York and how both cultural powerhouses shaped the painter’s artwork.
Lunch: The Odeon
145 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013
The Odeon is as authentically New York as you can get. Opened in the 1980s before Tribeca was the bustling area that it is today. This restaurant has been a beloved fixture in the neighborhood delighting patrons with classic bistro food and stiff drinks since the days when Andy Warhol and John Belushi were patrons. If you want to experience a little piece of old-school New York this is a must-visit lunch spot.
Shopping: Clic
140 W Broadway New York, NY 10013
Home decor and lifestyle brand Clic was initially opened in St. Barth’s in 2008 by former stylist and Calypso founder Christiane Celle. Starting initially as a bookstore and art gallery this chic store has grown to offer a truly covetable treasure trove of photography, art, books, home goods, fashion, and giftables. Celle travels the globe to hand select the most desirable and unique products to bring to the Clic clients.
Dinner: Grand Banks
Pier 25 Hudson River, New York, NY 10013
For a truly memorable dining experience during the warmer months in the city hit up the acclaimed oyster bar Grand Banks. Located on a charming wooden schooner along Manhattan’s waterfront. The restaurant presents a concise menu of ingredient-driven seasonal plates by nationally acclaimed chef, Kerry Heffernan and helmed by restauranter Mark Firth. With a wide selection of both East and West Coast oysters, a delicious offering of small plates, and a wonderful craft cocktail menu, you are sure to be wined and dined with a killer view of the skyline.
Drinks: Holywater
112 Reade St, New York, NY 10013
Continuing with your Nautical adventure a stop by Hollywater is a must. Originated in New Orleans this watering hole is a maximalist subterranean paradise that serves jazz-age prohibition-inspired cocktails, caviare, and delicious seafood bites.
SOHO
Brunch: Sadelle’s
463 W Broadway, New York, NY 10012
Sadelles is a homage to the New York classic Jewish delis but with a glamorous twist. With arguably some of the best bagels in the city, not to mention an incredible $100 lox plateau de fruits de mer, and fresh squeezed orange juice served in glass stemware everything about the restaurant is meant to impress. Designed to elevate one of the city’s great gastronomic traditions: the ethnic cuisine of the Ashkenazi Jews who settled in Manhattan in the late 1800s and early 1900s this brunch destination is not one to miss.
Shopping: The Webster
29 Greene St, New York, NY 10013
Friend of the hotel – The Webster – is one of the premier shopping boutiques located in the heart of Soho. Launched by French entrepreneur Laure Hériard Dubreuil in 2017 as the first New York foray by the Miami-based company, the boutique has become an epicenter in the city’s style scene. With a plethora of boutique designers and big luxury labels, there is no shortage of sartorial styles to add to your wardrobe.
Coffee/Bakery: Maman
Center St 239 Centre St, New York, NY 10013
These days you are just as likely to find a Maman cafe as you are a Starbucks on any corner in the city. The original flagship location – right in the heart of Soho on Center St. – however, is not one to miss. Located on one of the cutest streets in Manhattan aptly named Little France the charming brick walls and wood-beamed location is like taking a step back in time. With a variety of stunning pastry options and delicious cafe drinks, Maman on Center St. is the perfect place to while away a couple of hours with a good book or to have a fun chat with a friend. Also located in the space is a cute giftable shop perfect for grabbing a couple of souvenirs to remember your stay.
Lunch: La Mercerie
53 Howard St, New York, NY 10013
Continuing for a Parisian-inspired day head over to La Mercerie for lunch. The brainchild of chef Marie-Aude Rose and her husband star restauranter Daniel Rose La Mercerie offers delicious French provincial style cooking with an elevated twist. Some standouts in the lunch menu include the quiche and the oulet fermier croustillant. Also, the restaurant shares a space with a homeware and interior store – Roman and Williams Guild. Most cutlery and dishware used at the restaurant can also be purchased at the guild if you want to take a little piece of La Mercerie home with you. If you happen to be here on a weekday instead of the weekend stop by between the hours of 3 pm to 5 pm for the French tradition of Apéro featuring refreshing aperitifs, petit plats, and extended lunch hours.
Dinner: Wayan
20 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
What happens when you mix Indonesian cuisine with French flair – that would be Wayan – the latest creation for culinary powerhouse Cédric Vongerichten. The atmosphere is warm and lush with sleek teak wood paneling and lots of plants. The menu is a mixture of authentic Southeast Asian flavors and seasonal cooking. Some highlights off the menu include most of the small plates on the menu as well as the crescent duck with stonefruits, calamansi gulai, and lotus and the lobster noodles in a Thai basil and black pepper butter sauce.
Drinks: Champers Social Club
39 1/2 Crosby St, New York, NY 10012
For a celebration of all things fizzy head over to Champers Social Club – with a plethora of wines to choose from as well as a stunning assortment of spritz cocktails, this is the perfect place to while away the late afternoon into the night. You can also pop by early in the day for coffee as well and there is a great selection of light bites to nibble on throughout the day.
Art: Angelika Film Center
18 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012
If you happen to be a film aficionado then head on over to the independent theater the Angelika Film Center. Showcases the latest in small boutique cinema and art house style productions there are endless viewing opportunities at the storied theater. Also, be sure to check out the theater’s calendar they regularly will do special screenings with directors or stars of the film speaking on a panel and taking questions after the viewing.
