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Discover NYC – Your Guide to Indie Businesses

Discover the local, independent businesses that are the heart and soul of NYC in Shoot New York City’s guide to the best of indie New York!

Discover the real NYC in Shoot New York City’s Discover Guide

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of the businesses listed are temporarily or permanently closed. I do suggest that you verify if they are open before visiting them. With many of them, it is probably best to call them as they may not have had the opportunity to update the information on their website.

I love the independent businesses in New York, they are the heart and soul of the city! In this section you will find bookstores, cafés, restaurants, arts & crafts markets and more. This is an ongoing project to list the best of indie New York so visit often to discover the real New York City. Experience the hidden gems and places that New Yorkers frequent. For more information on many of NYC’s vibrant neighborhoods, have a read of my Neighborhood Guides. I am not compensated for writing these reviews and I'm only writing about the places that I like.

Sadly, far too many of these unique, independent businesses close every year. When I learn of one closing I will move it to the category Vanishing NYC. They may be gone but they’ll never be forgotten!

 

Lexington Candy Shop Luncheonette, Upper East Side, Manhattan

The Lexington Candy Shop Luncheonette is a real treasure! They call themselves a luncheonette rather than a diner and they even have an old soda fountain. A real throwback to a different era. Lexington Candy Shop opened it's doors in 1925!!! The food is standard American cuisine and you can't go wrong with breakfast, sandwiches and burgers. Oh they also have homemade pies, ice cream sundaes and egg creams. Restaurants in NYC don't stick around for over 90 years out of luck. You gotta be really good to make here. They have a collection of Coca-Cola bottles from around the world and throughout the ages in the front window. This is a definite favorite.

Lexington Candy Shop Luncheonette, 1226 Lexington Avenue at 83rd Street 

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