Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Things to Do in NYC/ Brooklyn!
40
items Some places that I’ve gathered over the last few years I’ve been living here! (Will be continually updated when I find cool things since I don’t gate-keep 🌚)
If you’re visiting NYC or Brooklyn for the First time, here are some more non-touristy sp...
Map
Sections
9
Local Favorites
Outdoor Activities
Restaurants
Coffee / Tea shops
Arts & Entertainment
Cool Bookstores
Local Favorites
These are my 5 Star recs!
Best chai latte in Brooklyn imo - love going there for the gothic vibes. Also a great place to WFH since there’s a bunch of seating 👏🏻
No filter coffee
Such a fun place! It’s not a coffee shop. It’s a non-profit rescue, the cafe is where the adoptable cats are on the floor to get to know and love!
They have comedy nights and other events too for adults only, but if you’re looking to go on a weeken...
The Brooklyn Cat Cafe
My favorite bookstore (although I have a few others on the list) - it’s romance themed but there’s a ton of different genres and I love going in and browsing! One of the best indie bookstores around Brooklyn imo
The Ripped Bodice
Their noodle dishes and fried rice are so good! A must go to if you’re in the dumbo area 👏🏻
Lucky Rabbit Noodles: Home
If you’re looking for cheap bubble tea, this used to be my go to! They have 32FL options which Is kind of insane but if you love bubble tea, would highly recommend. Pretty basic flavors but their taro milk tea trastes like ice cream and so does their...
TEA MAGIC - Updated October 2025 - 197 Photos & 247 Reviews
One of my favorite cafes in the city. They are definitely not lacking for business but the floral shop combined with the coffee shop is a great way to have stunning visuals all year long - their decor is top notch and the seating makes it a great pla...
Ariston Flowers
Outdoor Activities
Always good to get some fresh air while we have good weather :)
Much prettier than Central Park imo! Also the botanical gardens are beautiful, just buy tix ahead of time 👍🏻
Prospect Park
This farmer’s market has sooooo many cool small businesses! During the fall if you’re walking through don’t forget to get the apple cider donuts 👏🏻
Union Square Greenmarket
So pretty!! Went during cherry blossom season and it was packed, but otherwise if it’s during the week it’s chill and a nice walk! Buy tickets in advance if you don’t want to wait in line 👍🏻
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
If you’re looking for a fun walk/bike path, this is a great spot! I put it on the map right by the cafe that’s down there, but it’s all up and down riverside blvd, huge walk/bike trail with greenery. A lot of people who live on the UWS go here to wal...
Hudson River Greenway
Such a beautiful park on the UES! If you’re in the area, the gardens are beautiful especially in the spring. There’s also a great view of the water, to sit on the grass or a bench and read or meditate.
Carl Schurz Park
Restaurants
My favorite eats! I love all types of food so this is a long list in the making 👀
Their vegan pizza is delish! Highly recommend for the lactose intolerant folk in the area.
Brooklyn DOP
Really fresh sushi and the gyoza is a must for apps!
Ten
If you’ve never been to a timeout, it’s a great way to have dinner with other people if you can’t decide on cuisine options! There’s a bunch of different restaurants inside and you can either go up and order or find a seat and order through the QR co...
Time Out Market New York
If you’ve been to Time Out Market, you’ll love city point! The downstairs has a bunch of little restaurants to try and I love going there for a sweet treat or a quick bite. 💓
City Point BKLYN
Great Thai place in midtown! I’ve tried a lot of their different dishes, and I haven’t gotten something I don’t like yet 👏🏻
Wondee Siam - Midtown New York
Brunch / lunch menu is just as fun and it won’t be as crowded during the day so make that res for Sunday if you’re in town!
Oscar Wilde
Really great place to share meals with your friends / date! I would order a bunch of different apps / entrees and share since the portions are tapas sized imo. But either way a great place to go and I love the vibes inside.
Her Name is Han
Coffee / Tea shops
Some places are known for their baked goods here, but I still included them in the “coffee” section. Know that they might not all have seating, especially in Manhattan, but I can guarantee you’ll have a pleasant experience at these cute shops :)
Their baked goods are amazing! I try and stop in when I can since they opened about a year ago.
Their gluten free and vegan treats are also baked separately from the other goods so there’s no cross contamination.
They do custom orders too for eve...
Little Red Kitchen Bake Shop
Such a cute coffee shop! Their pastries are so good. Get there in the morning to snag one 💓
octavia | coffee (@octaviacoffeebk) • Instagram photos and videos
Cute boba shop by Japan village in Industry City! You have to look for the side entrance since it’s behind another building but it’s super cute inside and the tapioca is fresh 👏🏻
Uluhuluh - Brooklyn, NY
Really cute coffee shop that also has vintage / thrifted pins, plates and glassware for purchase! Also has a whole section of old playbills, records and stationary. Really cool + the coffee and babkas are delish too 🌚
Yardsale cafe
Decent chai! Seating is plenty, and the to-go window is such a fun touch! Great WFH place or to grab a cupa with a friend.
Postmark Cafe
If you’re looking for a “Classic UES Experience”, come here for a latte and a croissant in the morning! Just be warned: there will be a line. If you come during the week it may be shorter.
Ralph's Coffee
Really cute cafe! Enjoyed my chai latte and the pastries looked delish - I was in a rush so I didn’t grab one but next time I’ll update this caption :)
Dawn’s Til Dusk
Arts & Entertainment
This is reserved for cool crafty things to do! I know everyone does dinner and a show, but I love thinking outside the box 🥳
An art cafe with a menu for crafts - what could be better? Great place for a solo date 🌞
Happy Medium
Really cool venue for concerts - also has a cafe and record store if visiting during the day :)
Public Records
Who doesn’t love minigolf! Plus this is a little more adult - themed so it’s fun, albeit a little pricey. If you’re visiting it’s a great activity for a rainy day :)
Swingers NoMad
I still have my necklace here from 2 years ago! I might go to get the chain updated but worth going to Williamsburg for especially if you’re looking for a cute custom jewelry piece :)
Brooklyn Charm - Brooklyn, NY
Cool Bookstores
I love a good bookstore. There’s many in this list that I love, I don’t think I can pick an absolute favorite. Ripped bodice comes close tho :)
This is one of my favorite indie bookstores! If you’re in park slope, it’s a must go - to if you’ve ever read a romance novel 🌹
The Ripped Bodice
Fun little place! Also has a cafe that you can sit and read in.
The Center for Fiction
Shopping
Thrifting, shopping, etc? Here’s my go-tos
Great little thrift store - can find gems especially for home decor if you look for them 👏🏻
Housing Works Thrift Shops - Park Slope
This is a non-profit thrift store but they’re all over the city! Check the link to search for your area. They usually have pretty good curated items. The soho location is very pretty on the inside too 🌚
Housing Works Thrift Store - other locations
Great finds here! It’s thrifting but also has some cool vintage purses and designer clothes if you’re into that 💖
This is also a chain thrift store - there’s places in Manhattan and Brooklyn all over.
2nd STREET Smith St
So this is definitely the *tourist spot* to go to. But if you’re looking for that “classic” New York Feel, then I would recommend going down Broadway and just looking at all the shops/browzing. You’re also really close to Little Italy/Chinatown, Wash...
SoHo NYC | Where Arts and Luxury Shopping Converge
Nightlife / Bars
This is such a fun place to go, it’s themed based on the season so it can be Halloween spooky themed or Alice In Wonderland during the spring! Their brunch menu is great, but I love going taking friends and family there that are visiting New York for...
Oscar Wilde
Such a fun bar, inspired by Andy Worhol - If you like fun dive bar music but hate crowded bars, I would recommend coming here. Can usually get a table for 4 even on a Friday night. Also right next door is Tara Rose which is a classy wine bar/dinner s...
The Factory 380
Highly recommend the pornstar martini - but this bar/ dinner spot is pretty chill! Love the vibes. It’s also giving wine-bar chic imo
Tara Rose
Sweet Treats
Their baked goods are divine. I really loved the miso apple bar that I got last time I was there, so yummy!
Red Gate Bakery
Honestly, I wish I could say that this was overhyped… but the dairy free cupcakes are really good. I’m a sucker for an actually good dairy free buttercream frosting dupe. Lol 😂
Little Cupcake Bakeshop