City Guides

Christopher Abbott’s Local’s Guide to New York City

There’s really nothing quite like New York this time of year. And, if you haven’t heard, the city is as alive as it’s ever been. We asked long-time resident and all-around cool guy (and one of our favorite actors) Christopher Abbott for the local’s guide to some of his go-to spots and hidden gems—be it his pick of hotel lounges, late night speakeasies,  family-owned bookshop, florist and long-time boxing gym.

BEST HOTELS TO HANG

More than just places to lay your head, the city’s hotels make for some of the best places to lounge, get a late night drink with friends, or meet up for a work meeting.

THE BEEKMAN HOTEL

“Next to City Hall. Gorgeous lobby and bar.”

Photo Courtesy of The Beekman Hotel
Photo Courtesy of The Beekman Hotel

123 Nassau St / Financial District / 212.233.2300 

THE BOWERY HOTEL

“Always run into someone, for better or worse, but great energy and vibe.”

Photo Courtesy of The Bowery Hotel
Photo Courtesy of The Bowery Hotel

335 Bowery / East Village / 212.505.9100

RESTAURANTS

“I like trying new things all the time, and there’s so much in New York, but here are my go-tos.”

ALTRO PARADISO

“My favorite all around, food, wine, people, energy, second home.”

Photo Courtesy of Altro Paradiso

234 Spring St / SoHo / 646.952.0828

CAFE MOGADOR

“A staple; wildly consistent for years; has never been bad; always great. Great vibe inside, also you don’t feel weird eating alone there for whatever reason.”

Photo Courtesy of Cafe Mogador

133 Wythe Place Ave/ East Village / 718.486.9222

I SODI

“One of my favorite Italian places in the city. It’s special.”

Photo Courtesy of I Sodi

105 Christopher St / West Village / 212.414.5774

SHU JIAO FU ZHOU CUISINE

Simple Chinese cafe. Try the handmade dumplings!

Photo Courtesy of Shu Jiao Fu Zhou Cuisine

295 Grand St / Lower East Side / 212.625.2532

F&F PIZZERIA

“Classic NY slice shop from the people behind long-time favorites Frankie’s and Frank’s Wine Bar.”

Photo By Alex Lau

459 Court St / Brooklyn / 718.407.6575

LOS TACOS NO. 1

“Best tacos in NYC. Yes, LA has more great taco places, but these are fucking good, so whatever.”

Photo Courtesy of Los Tacos No. 1

75 9th Ave / Chelsea Market / 212.256.0343 + Multiple locations

PING’S

A taste of China without having to leave the states; good for traditional dim sum and seafood specialties.

Photo Courtesy of Ping’s

22 Mott St / Chinatown / 212.602.9988

ESTELA

Chef Ignacio Mattos’ small-scale restaurant is a spirited alcove serving American small plates alongside an extensive wine list.

Photo Courtesy of Estela

47 E Houston St / SoHo / 212.219.7693

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Owners Yiming and Xian have done it again. Their third restaurant features Sichuan cuisine with a modern twist suitable for 21st century Brooklyn.

Photo Courtesy of Birds of a Feather

191 Grand St / Williamsburg / 718.969.6800

ONJIUM

Michelin-starred Onjium, located in Genesis House, serves Seoul cuisine with dishes dating back to the 1300s, and its space is equally unique. With a Genesis car showroom on the ground floor and a Korean-inspired second floor featuring: a tea pavilion, library, and a garden terrace, the atmosphere alone is worth visiting.

Photo Courtesy of Genesis House
Photo Courtesy of Genesis House

40 10th Ave / West Village / 855.444.0836

BARS

“This is hard because there are so many. But here are a few. The common thread is natural wine, which is pretty much all I drink. And Negronis. And mezcal. Natural wine, mezcal, Negronis—get on it.”

WILDAIR

An American restaurant and bar serving everything from oysters and chicken wings to panna cotta and natural wine.

Photo Courtesy of Wildair

142 Orchard St / Lower East Side / 646.964.5624

HOTEL DELMANO

“They have something for everybody. If you want to be outside, or if you want to be candlelit inside with awesome craft cocktails and a tequila bar upstairs; it’s great. You can check a lot of boxes in one place.”

Photo Courtesy of Hotel Delmano

82 Berry St / Williamsburg / 718.387.1945

BROOKLYN INN

Everything from the bar top, which is carved-wood imported from 1870’s Germany, to the beautiful architecture will transport you to another time period: 1885 to be exact—making it one of the oldest bars in Brooklyn.

Photo Courtesy of Brooklyn Inn

148 Hoyt St / Brooklyn / 718.522.2525

FANELLI CAFE

Another oldie, Fanelli’s is a simple pub with simple grub that dates back to 1847.

94 Prince St / SoHo / 212.226.9412

TOMI JAZZ

Japanese cuisine meets intimate jazz bar for a unique, speakeasy-esque atmosphere.

Photo Courtesy of Tomi Jazz

239 E 53rd St / Midtown / 646.497.1254

ACTIVITIES

“I consider eating and drinking an activity, but this is also difficult because there are endless things to do in New York City. Pre-quarantine, I’ll sum it up by just saying—the arts. Movies, theater, opera, ballet, galleries, etc. During the pandemic, what transpired for me in a city so rooted in doing things socially, and not having that is—I took up biking in the city. I always biked, but more as a commute than enjoyment, and in a way, I rediscovered New York recently by taking long bike rides, anywhere, but especially all the way up the West Wide bike path. It’s truly beautiful.”

HUDSON RIVER WATERFRONT GREENWAY

“This is probably my favorite. It’s outdoors. It’s chill. It’s not a hoopla to get into. It’s an old school place.”

New York State Reference Route 907V / Manhattan

VILLAGE VANGUARD

As one of the oldest jazz clubs in the world, the Village Vanguard is known for its amazing acoustics that jazz legends like John Coltrane and Miles Davis could attest to.

Photo Courtesy of Village Vanguard

178 7th Ave S / Greenwich Village / 212.255.4037

SHOPS

KAI D. UTILITY

“Kai makes some of the most beautiful pieces out there.”

Photo Courtesy of Kai D. Utility

230 Grand St / Williamsburg / 718.384.4057

FRONT GENERAL STORE

“A recent discovery. Great for clothing and gifts.”

Photo Courtesy of Front General Store

143 Front St / Brooklyn / 646.573.0123

180 THE STORE

180 The Store is 5,000 sq. ft of bright, clean atmosphere, always showcasing different designers and brands.

Photo Courtesy of 180 The Store

180 Duane St / TriBeCa / 212.226.5506

GYMS & TRAINERS

MENDEZ BOXING

“My homie John Rosado. Been training with him out of Mendez Boxing for a long time. Best teacher and dear friend. Mendez is a second home. Rest in peace Francisco Mendez.” Also at Mendez, check out trainer Jason Lee.

Photo Courtesy of Mendez Boxing

23 E 26th St / Manhattan / 212.689.5255

WORK TRAIN FIGHT

Boxing and strength training gym in Lower Manhattan.

Photo Courtesy of Work Train Fight

636 Broadway #204 / NoHo / 646.727.4660

ED NAPPER

As part of his training methodologies, Ed Napper takes a holistic approach to wellness through meditation, social connection, injury rehabilitation, and conscious eating including his program’s meal plans.

ednapper.com

Photo Courtesy of Ed Napper

FLORISTS

GREEN FINGERS MARKET

“Favorite plant store.”

Photo Courtesy of Green Fingers Market

5 Rivington St / Lower East Side / 646.964.4420

FOX FODDER FARM

“Taylor Patterson does incredible design for events, restaurants, etc.”

Photo Courtesy of Fox Fodder Farm

45 S 4th Street / Brooklyn / 845.617.6802

BOOKS & RECORDS

STRAND BOOK STORE

“Independent & iconic book shop, specializing in new, used, and rare books.”

Photo Courtesy of Strand Bookstore

828 Broadway / NOHO / 212.473.1452

JOANNE HENDRICKS COOKBOOKS

Selling both rare and out-of-print books, this boutique bookstore is a go-to—especially if you’re in the market for antique cookbooks.

488 Greenwich St / Greenwich / 212.920.9324

THREE LIVES AND COMPANY

Quaint bookstore with a focus on creating and maintaining a local community of fellow book lovers.

Photo Courtesy of Three Lives and Company

238 W 10th St / Greenwich / 212.741.2069

MCNALLY JACKSON BOOKS

Family-owned bookstore with four locations including NoLita, Seaport, Williamsburg, and Downtown Brooklyn.

Photo Courtesy of McNally Jackson Books

52 Prince St / NoLita / 212.274.1160 + Multiple locations

BROOKLYN RECORD EXCHANGE

“New and used vinyl records, books, films. The staff is very knowledgeable about vinyl.”

Photo Courtesy of Brooklyn Record Exchange

599 Johnson Ave #1 / East Williamsburg / 646.969.2030

BLACK GOLD RECORDS

“Cozy coffee shop with a vintage feel and antique records across a wide variety of genres.”

Photo Courtesy of Black Gold Records

461 Court St / Brooklyn / 347.227.8227

ROUGH TRADE NYC

Take your time to peruse Rough Trade’s CDs and records; they have a wide variety of artists to choose from, and while you’re at it, enjoy the live music and bar!

Photo Courtesy of Rough Trade NYC

30 Rockefeller Plaza / Midtown / 212.664.1110

Editor’s Note: Some of the activities, hotels, and restaurants listed on our website may be currently closed due to Covid health restrictions. We urge you to check before visiting and to exercise caution and follow CDC guidelines if traveling or visiting any of our recommendations.

CHECK OUT CHRISTOPHER

COMING SOON

In director Yorgos Lanthimos upcoming Sci-Fi Poor Things

In Sanctuary alongside Margaret Qualley

BEST OF

As Gabe in Black Bear

As Yossarian in the George Clooney-produced Hulu series Catch-22

As the title role in director Josh Mond’s James White

As Max in Martha Marcy May Marlene

As Charlie Dattolo on HBO’s Girls