So I love diners and Waverly is no exception. It is often packed when I go. They have a basic diner menu with breakfast being the specialty as well as burgers. I've been eating here off and on for years and I'm always happy to see their big neon signs on the corner. Long live diners. By the way, they're open 24 hours 7 days a week! They are cash only and they don't accept reservations.
Waverly Diner - 385 6th Avenue at Waverly Place
I love NYC diners and Washington Square Diner is one that I've eaten at many times. Like most NYC diners it carries not only typical American cuisine including breakfasts and burgers, it also has some Greek food on the menu. I've been told that they've been in business in that location for more than 40 years now! That's really saying something in New York City.
Oh, they're open 24 hours a day! They are located just around the corner from the famous West 4th Street basketball courts and one block away from Washington Square Park.
Washington Square Diner, 150 West 4th Street
Open since the 1970s. I love NYC diners! Most of them are owned by Greeks. So not only can you get standard American fare. They also serve some Greek food. I've eaten at Cozy Soup 'n' Burger many times over the years and they don't disappoint. They are open 24 hours a day and you'll see a few photographs of famous people on the wall.
Cozy Soup 'n' Burger, 739 Broadway Near East 8th Street. 212-477-5566
Mercer Street Books has been in business for 25 years! It's a mostly used and rare bookstore though they do carry some new books as well. They carry books in just about every genre and apparently all the clerks are writers as well. So they know something about books! They buy and sell and they carry vinyl records as well.
So it's a bit of chaotic mess. But most of the books are in sections that make sense. I have found books there they I don't see in other bookstores and their collection is impressive. They are located next to the NYU campus and just next to Soho. They are in an area that is going through much gentrification. I do hope that they will be there for another 25 years!
Mercer Street Books, 206 Mercer Street
Good News - Tacombi has heated outdoor dining! Updated 8 February 2021
I haven't eaten at this location of Tacombi yet. You can see my review of the location in Nolita here in the Discover NYC blog. The food is fabulous as is the atmosphere and the servers are very friendly. This is beach style Mexican cuisine with an emphasis on local and organic ingredients while maintaining the culinary traditions of Mexico. This is not the heavy cuisine of so many Tex-Mex style restaurants. I know that I will be returning to Tacombi.
Tacombi, 255 Bleecker Street
Good News - beginning on Friday 12 February they will be open for indoor dining at 25% capacity. They also have outdoor dining. Both are first come, first served. During normal times the wait might be long. But apparently wait times are not long these days. The pizza is worth it either way. And you can place orders for pick up and delivery online! Updated 8 February 2021
There's pizza and there's pizza. For me the best pizza in NYC is John's OF Bleecker Street. They've been in business since 1929. Although the owners have changed a few times over the years it is still a family owned and run business.
There are big debates about who make the best pie in the city. Everyone has an opinion! A word of warning! They don't take reservations and they're cash only!
John's of Bleecker Street, 278 Bleecker Street
Caffe Dante opened in 1915. At the time the neighborhood was mostly Italian and it was a meeting place for Italian immigrants where they could feel like they were at home. Recently it was bought by a New York based Australian family while staying true to the heritage of the cafe. Caffe Dante is a registered New York City Historic landmark. People who have been known to frequent it in the past include Al Pacino, Ernest Hemingway, Patti Smith, Bob Dylan and many more. I haven't been there in a few years though I'm due for a visit sometime soon.
Caffe Dante - 79-81 MacDougal Street
McNulty's is a very cool shop and I was surprised to see that it's still open! I used to shop there in the 1980s! Actually McNulty's has been selling rare teas and choice coffees since 1895!!! That is really something in this city where the turnover of businesses is off the charts. I am very happy that they are still there. So if you're looking to buy coffee or tea I definitely recommend McNulty's.
McNulty's 109 Christopher Street
Three Lives & Company is a fabulous little bookstore in Greenwich Village. I will let them describe their store!
"Three Lives is our living room, and a living place. It is a work in progress. We (the store and our customers) have grown up and evolved together. People come here to see and buy what we consider to be some of the best books available today. They also come to discuss books, culture, and events of the moment. They meet for a sense of community in times of national tragedy and personal celebration. Intrinsically, books extend a graciousness that provokes discourse.
In 1991, the Greenwich Village Historical Society cited us for being "a pocket of civility." With the advent of the big chains and more recently the internet, there is little room to be competitive by having more or costing less. Our survival has been due to our commitment to being that "pocket" - and embracing our client's wish, for a bookstore that they have helped create.
A knowledgeable staff that reads prodigiously has been a key to our success, as has a theatrical and artistic display of the books we carry. Special orders remain a significant area of service, and we are meticulous about our follow through. We thrive on discovering literary books that might otherwise be overlooked, and thrill to give them to our customers."
Three Lives & Company 154 West 10th Street
