NYC's Best Spots to Eat and Shop by Michelle Li
NYC's Best Spots to Eat and Shop by Michelle Li
Originally from Carmel, Indiana but a true New Yorker in style and tact, Michelle Li, excels as Teen Vogue's Fashion and Beauty editor, as well as a stylist and all-round creative. Her refreshingly sleek and fun combinations of clothes have garnered her more than 70k admirers on Instagram and solidified herself a street-style star. Describing her city as 'dynamic, quick, hard working', Michelle matches her city almost to the tee, except NYC doesn't have polished pink locks. Scroll down for some of Michelle's favourite city spots for a little R&R and a nibble.
In this Guide
Fong On
“The best tofu in town. Growing up I used to eat sweet rice cakes every morning for breakfast, this place takes me back with their bai tang gao. It comes in different flavors but I like to stick to the classic white sugar one!”
More Info
Mala Project
“Bring a spicy friend. You choose your ingredients and they throw it in a Chinese dry pot together for you with the perfect blend of spices. The atmosphere inside is so cozy and nostalgic, as if you were in a Wong Kar Wai movie.”
More Info
Cheeky Sandwiches
“Lil store big bites. I love their chicken biscuit sandwich with gravy and cole slaw, if I'm feeling extra treat-y I'll grab a bag of beignets and eat them at the park on Forsyth Street.”
More Info
Round K
“A nice place to end a day in the Lower East Side. This cute coffee shop is the kind of place you go into for a snack but then see the table beside you eating something yummy so you end up having a whole meal."”
More Info
Szechuan Mountain House
“So many good classic Szechuan plates here. Another spicy spot to bring a friend, Chinese food is for sharing so the bigger the group the better because you can try more dishes.”
More Info
Pi Bakeries
“I used to work retail down the street in college and this was my go-to lunch spot. Their moussaka lunch special is SO special and the baklava is self-serve from tiny drawers that hold sheets of them. It's a light airy cafe that if you can snag a seat, do it and sit for a bit.”
More Info
Ho Foods
“They're famous for their beef noodles but on days that I miss home I like to go in and just get a cucumber salad and lu ro fan, my comfort food.”
More Info
Kopitiam
“Malaysian breakfast! I love to go and get a bunch of snacks, sweets, and cute fancy toasts.”
More Info
Sincerely, Tommy
“This well-curated shop has pieces that are quirky and unique, they inspire you to want to break out of your style comfort zone and try to wear some more color or a new silhouette. It's a very persuasive store.”
More Info
The Frankie Shop
“An LES (Lower East Side) institution at this point. A lot of NYC girls are always shopping here for their oversized wool coats, blanket scarves, and plaid blazers. There are a lot of knick knacks and familiar brands, but you'll always find some new designer from Europe in here.”
More Info
Coming Soon
“My go-to for when I'm in a bind and need to pick up a cute gift for a friend. Also a great place to go if you're looking for special home goods.”
More Info
Café Forgot
“The purveyors of finding great younger brands and designers. I always pop in this store when I'm looking for some inspiration for upcoming shoots, it's a great way to see what is up-and-coming in the fashion world.”
More Info