New York City’s Best Restaurants, Bars, and Places to Stay

In episode 63, the Travel Brats learn what’s hot and what’s not in the Big Apple. Renowned actor by day, bartender by night, Matt Michael, shares his insight on the best bars, highly recommended restaurants, and where to stay in New York City. Whether you’re looking for a classy rooftop or a dive spot with pizza pies, Matt knows all the ins and outs of the city that never sleeps. 

Matt is a born and raised New Yorker, but moved down to the city in 2014 to pursue his artistic career. He has shared great recommendations on bars he enjoys and some DE-RECOMMENDATIONS so you can avoid overpriced drinks, mediocre service, and questionable times. 

Best Bars in New York City

New York City’s bars are some of the best in the world. Classy bars on the HOT LIST include John Doe, Rye House, and Dear Irving/Rooftop Bar. A classy night club to add to your list should be 230 Fifth Rooftop. For a mix between classy and trashy with a specific vibe and “artsy” shows, visit the Box. 

Also on the hot list, for cheap drinks and wilder night, check out The 13th Step. To enjoy mini pizza pies with every drinks and a dive bar environment, you will have options like the Crocodile Lounge and the Alligator Lounge. For a speakeasy spot, the Bathtub Gin is highly regarded. To hear which bars to avoid – tune into the 63rd episode of the Travel Brats. 

Best Restaurants in New York City

Since Matt is a bartender, he is often asked where the best place to have dinner is. Matt makes sure not to steer us wrong by recommending his favorite restaurants in the city. The top dinner spots with seasonal menus include Tribeca Kitchen, Rag Trader, and Esther and Carol. 

Best Places To Stay in New York City

If you don’t live in the city, there are amazing, diverse places to call home during your stay. For classy hotel recommendations, look to Expedia for Langham Place, Baccarat Hotel, The MADE Hotel, Soho Grand Hotel, and The Pierre A Taj Hotel. To enjoy budget friendly options and to get a feel of how New Yorkers live, Airbnb in NYC has great options for boutique hotels and other neighborhoods. I recommend staying with a superhost and exploring Airbnb Experiences to make the most of your trip. 

To wrap up your New York adventures, treat yourself to delicious goodies. Two bakeries worth visiting are Carlo’s Bakery from Cake Boss and Veniero’s Italian Bakery for cannolis. 

Thank you for tuning into our New York city podcast episode and blog. We appreciate Matt taking the time to share his experience and indulge us with his stories from brighter days. Enjoy our NYC recommendations and share some of your favorites with us. Please like, subscribe, and connect with us on social media.