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
81 Division StreetNew York, NY 10002United States of America
+1 917 261 7222
“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!”
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Mala Project
122 1st AvenueNew York, NY 10009United States of America
+1 212 353 8880
“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.”
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Cheeky Sandwiches
35 Orchard StreetNew York, NY 10002United States of America
+1 646 504 8132
“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.”
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Round K
78 Canal StreetNew York, NY 10002United States of America
+1 347 471 1601
“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."”
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Szechuan Mountain House
23 Saint Marks PlaceNew York, NY 10003United States of America
+1 917 388 3866
“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.”
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Pi Bakeries
512 Broome StreetNew York, NY 10013United States of America
+1 212 226 2701
“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.”
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Ho Foods
110 East 7th StreetNew York, NY 10009United States of America
+1 347 788 0682
“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.”
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Kopitiam
151 East BroadwayNew York, NY 10002United States of America
+1 646 609 3785
“Malaysian breakfast! I love to go and get a bunch of snacks, sweets, and cute fancy toasts.”
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Sincerely, Tommy
343 Tompkins AvenueBrooklyn, NY 11216United States of America
+1 718 484 8484
“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.”
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The Frankie Shop
100 Stanton StreetNew York, NY 10002United States of America
+1 212 253 0953
“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.”
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Coming Soon
53 Canal StreetNew York, NY 10002United States of America
+1 212 226 4548
“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.”
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Café Forgot
29 Ludlow StreetNew York, NY 10002United States of America
+1 917 750 8147
“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.”
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