Billy and I just took a trip to NYC for a long Valentines weekend, and let me tell you, it was just so much fun! I adore the energy of the city and the endless options for food and things to do. It’s true what they say- there’s just nothing like it! Below are some of my recommendations from our most recent trip to the city.
Coffee/Breakfast
1. Maman
This breakfast spot was completely adorable! We had a delicious breakfast complete with the most beautiful latte art. My advice- get a bag of pastries to go. The chocolate croissant and peppermint chocolate cookie were my personal faves. Best news? They have a bunch of locations throughout the city, so you can pick one convenient to you.
2. Matchaful
I’ve been dying to try Matchaful. I’ve heard about them from several food bloggers and fitness influencers I follow on Instagram, and it did not disappoint. I’m typically an iced matcha latte gal, but I wanted to try something different here. I got their iced Cacao Dream and it was incredible! Like Maman, they have several locations throughout the city. Since visiting, I ordered matcha powder from them and have been using it to make my at-home matcha lattes!
Lunch/Dinner
1. Valerie
If you’re looking for a menu with good variety, Valerie is a great spot! It’s located in Midtown Manhattan. I would recommend this place for dinner over lunch. They have a really cool, dark and glowy vibe with a full gin & tonic menu (my cocktail of choice lately). I also had a fantastic salad here, so it’s a good place to get something with redeeming health value between all the decadent food stops.
2. Roey’s
Roey’s is a cute Italian spot in the West Village I discovered by the recommendation of the hosts of one of my favorite podcasts, Mostly Balanced. Billy and I had the most amazing pizzas with burrata- I mean the picture speaks for itself.
3. The Smith
We went to The Smith on our last day in the city. It’s in Midtown and has a large menu- great to please a group. They serve brunch on Sunday, but as we had already eaten breakfast, we ordered off the lunch menu. I also ate a really fantastic kale salad here, and had leftovers for dinner on the plane.
Drinks
1. Daintree
Daintree is a really cool bar in Midtown with great views of the city. The cocktails are a bit pricey, but I would highly recommend for post-dinner drinks if you want a lounge vs. table and to take in the nighttime views.
2. Peak
Peak is another restaurant with amazing views. We ate there for lunch and the food was good, but to be completely honest it was quite pricey for the portions. I would recommend skipping the meal and going for a drink at the bar instead, so you don’t have to miss the breathtaking views. Peak is in Hudson Yards on the 101st floor, overlooking Chelsea/the West Village and the Hudson River.
Exercise
It’s no secret that NYC has endless boutique fitness options. I tried a Soul Cycle class and really enjoyed it! Of course, you know I have to plug Pure Barre always, and if you don’t want to commit to a group fitness class, there’s always a good ole fashioned walk in Central Park. We were lucky enough to stroll through the park in the snow. Talk about dreamy!
1. Central Park
2. Soul Cycle
3. Pure Barre
Attractions
1. High line
This was a stop Billy really wanted to make during our trip. The High Line is on the West Side/Chelsea. It used to be a train track, but it’s been repurposed into an elevated walking path over the city. Highly recommend for a stroll!
2. Chelsea Market
While you’re in Chelsea, be sure to make a stop at Chelsea Market. It’s a renovated train station, now full of shops and restaurants!
3. The Vessel
The Vessel is a bit of a touristy area, but still a really cool piece of architecture to check out if you’re on the West side of Manhattan.
4. Top of the Rock
This one is quite touristy too, but it was still one of my favorite stops of the trip. We rode the elevator to the top of Rockefeller Center at sunset and it was stunning watching the views turn from golden hour to the nighttime skyline.
I hope you guys enjoyed a peek into our weekend in NYC. Hopefully some of these recommendations will come in handy next time you travel there! What are some of your favorite food stops and attractions in the city? Let me know in the comments below or over on Instagram at @haven_quinlan.
