John’s Coffee Shop is an old school New York City diner. I was delighted to see that they’re still open. Very cosy atmosphere and the food is wonderful and not expensive. They’ve been in business for over 50 years!

The grilled cheese and French fries was really good. I’ve eaten there over the years and it has always been really good. However, I don’t often go as far east as Second Avenue when I’m in Midtown. I’ll have to change that more often.

John’s Coffee Shop 823 Second Avenue at 45th Street 212-867-4955

Update: I ate here a few weeks ago and they were open and the food was fabulous. They were however a little short staffed but well worth the wait. Long live NYC diners! Updated 13 July 2021

I've discovered a new favorite diner! They aren't new. But I don't know how long they've been around. The breakfast was fabulous. They were really nice and very efficient I might add. That is not always true of other diners. Also, I found that their quality and prices were really good. I will be returning there soon. It has a very traditional diner look as well!

Comfort Diner - 214 East 45th Street near Third Avenue

Murray Hill Diner is another fabulous diner. Murray Hill is a neighborhood next to Midtown. This diner like others is great for breakfast. They have brunch specials on the weekends and they serve breakfast all day. They opened in 2005 and they are open 7 days a week till midnight. As well as breakfast they serve burgers, sandwiches, salads and dinners. When you eat here you are surrounded for the most part by locals.

Murray Hill Diner, 222 Lexington Ave at 33rd Street

People often confuse steam with smoke. But it would be a challenge to think that street photos with steam were taken anywhere aside from New York City. This photo was taken during a street photography workshop in Hell’s Kitchen on a cold day.

Good News - The Bryant Park location of Joe Coffee is open. And what a beautiful place to sit down and have a coffee as I did recently. Updated 8 February 2021

Joe is perhaps my most favorite café in New York City. They have about a dozen locations around the city. I mention this location in Bryant Park as I love this park and they have the best coffee in the area. You can sit in the park and enjoy the free wifi with a great café latte.

Joe Coffee Company, 55 West 40th Street near Sixth Avenue

Yes, they’re open and they are open on Christmas Day. (Updated 11 December 2021.)

Marseille has been a favorite restaurant for many years and it is where my family often has celebration dinners. The majority of the restaurants that you will find on my site are less expensive. Marseille is a French bistro and there dinner prices for a main course range from $20-36. The atmosphere is very French without the stuffiness of many of the top French restaurants in NYC and also the prices. I have always been very pleased with everything about this restaurant, Fabulous food. If you're looking for a nice French meal this is the place.

Marseille - 630 Ninth Avenue near 44th Street

Good News - Zucker’s is open. Normally it would’ve been really crowded on a Saturday midday when I was there. I understand that they have a GoFundMe for their employees who are hopefully only temporarily unemployed.

Zucker's Bagels makes hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels. You can get bagels at any corner deli. But, they won't be fresh and you won't be able to get them hot out of the oven. At Zucker's you can! The owner of Zucker's Bagels left a job on Wall Street and opened his first shop in 1994. Their bagels are seriously good! I wish I had one now! Just a stone's throw from Grand Central Terminal.

Zucker's Bagels, 370 Lexington Avenue near 41st Street

The American Kennel Club first opened their Museum of the Dog in 1982 in New York City. They have changed locations a few times outside of New York City and they recently returned.

In their own words “The AKC Museum of the Dog preserves, interprets and celebrates the role of dogs in society and educates the public about the human-canine bond through its collection of art and exhibits that inspire engagement with dogs.”

A must see for dog lovers and it’s a stone’s throw from Grand Central.

The AKC Museum of the Dog - 101 Park Avenue at 40th Street

Tick Tock Diner specializes in comfort food. They’ve been in business since 1997. They are a stone’s throw from Penn Station and Madison Square Garde and they are one of the few independently owned restaurants in the neighborhood.

I typically order breakfast and it’s always been really good. I haven’t tried the waffles or pancakes, but they look amazing. If you’re going to B&H, they’re one block away.

They don’t have their hours listed on their website. They might actually be open 24/7. I’d check beforehand.

Tick Tock Diner 481 Eighth Avenue at 34th Street