The westernmost part of New York City’s iconic Greenwich Village, the West Village has become a neighborhood all its own. A historic hub for the LGBTQ+ community, the trendy area between 6th Avenue and the Hudson River has transformed into Manhattan’s It neighborhood, revered for its thriving dining, shopping, and nightlife scene.
Attractive twenty- and thirty-something young professionals flock to this neighborhood’s most in-vogue restaurants and cafes vying to see and be seen, making it an ideal spot for prime New York people-watching and celeb sightings. MICHELIN-recognized hotspots like I Sodi and Via Carota fold seamlessly into the aesthetic of the area’s charming brownstones, set along tree-lined streets and picturesque storefronts.
One of the few Manhattan neighborhoods that actually feels like a neighborhood, here you’re more likely to see impeccably dressed young people with work-from-home jobs mingling with models and celebrities than you are to see families with kids (leave that to the Upper East Siders) or Brooklyn-esque hipsters. Not gritty like the Lower East Side or congested like Midtown, the West Village is rather a peaceful oasis in the heart of Manhattan where you can actually hear your own thoughts; probably over an aesthetically-pleasing (if overpriced) matcha latte in a tastefully designed cafe.
If you take a walk along the charming, if otherwise unassuming, Christopher Street, you’ll come upon the legendary Stonewall Inn – an iconic gay bar that set the scene for the historic Stonewall Riots in the 1960s. These riots sparked the wave of awareness and activism that has become the modern-day LGBTQ+ movement. Today the West Village remains a popular center for gay bars and nightlife, though it has expanded to become one of the most of-the-moment neighborhoods in the city, with an artistic and creative spirit that emanates from its idyllic winding streets.
With a suite of MICHELIN-Starred and Guide-approved venues to choose from, no trip to the city would be complete without a jaunt through the West Village.
Where to Eat
While you could spend a lifetime in the city and still never dine at every restaurant in this neighborhood alone, there are a few true standouts that are so iconic they’ve become synonymous with the West Village. Ask any well-dressed New Yorker what their go-to restaurant in the West Village is, and they’ll doubtlessly direct you toward Via Carota. Whether you’re hoping for a celebrity run-in, looking to debut a fabulous new outfit, or scout New York's bachelors and bachelorettes du jour, Via Carota is the place to do it in style. And with a stellar menu and celebrity chef duo to boot, you can rest assured your meal will be one to remember. Owned by the acclaimed restaurateur power couple Jody Williams and Rita Sodi, Bar Pisellino, Via Carota, and I Sodi are among the neighborhood’s (and city’s) hottest tickets.
Another West Village highlight is Don Angie, if you can nab a reservation. The same owners recently opened San Sabino, which immediately became one of the buzziest (and hardest to get) reservations in the city. If you’re dying to try San Sabino or Via Carota but don’t want to wait in line for three hours starting at 4:30 p.m., try your luck at lunch on a weekday.
Many of the West Village’s top eateries don’t take advance reservations which can complicate securing a spot, especially during peak hours. For those that do accept reservations, consider dining early (think 4 p.m. for dinner) or late (try 9 or 10 p.m.) to ensure a booking. Alternatively, many places allow you to put your name on a waiting list while you grab a drink at a vibey bar nearby — like the patio at Bar Pisellino or Dante West Village — until something opens up.
If you’re in the market for a special-occasion dinner or are just in need of a really good meal, head to 4 Charles Prime Rib. Here you can mingle with a well-heeled crowd while salivating over one of the best burgers in the city.
Finally, while it’s situated a bit farther east in Greenwich Village proper, Carbone is another can’t-miss dining establishment you’ll want to tick off your New York bucket list while you’re in the area.
Where to Sip
If you’re looking to imbibe, you’ve come to the right place. On a sunny day, everyone will be outside on one of the West Village’s chic patios drinking an aperol spritz or espresso martini, donning their trendiest outfits complete with comically small sunglasses à la Y2K. On any weeknight, you’ll find finance bros filling the tables at regular date-night haunts including Do Not Disturb and Employees Only. For similar vibes, head to Cecchi’s for craft cocktails in a moody, romantic space, or opt for a more lighthearted feel at Marie’s Crisis Café, a popular cash-only piano bar.
For drinks without the hangover, the West Village is home to some of the city’s most inviting coffee shops. PlantShed, a beautiful space at the corner of West 4th and 8th Ave, features outdoor seating reminiscent of sexy Parisian cafes and a bright, airy coffee shop that doubles as a plant boutique. Perfect for catching up with friends or getting some work done, St. George Coffee (of Brandy Melville acclaim) boasts an all-American aesthetic, with a spacious top floor featuring shared tables and a convivial ground level where you can sip a coffee while you listen to American classic rock hits.
What to Do
Earning its title as one of the trendiest neighborhoods in New York City, at its heart, the West Village is just that: a neighborhood. After years of living there, I still never tired of simply walking through the winding streets and losing myself in the maze of brownstones broken up by upscale eateries and high-end boutiques. Between interludes at coffee shops and cafes, stroll over to 66 Perry Street, the picturesque brownstone that was the filming location of Carrie’s apartment on “Sex and the City.”
And when you’re ready for dessert, Magnolia Bakery is the obvious choice. Another SATC hotspot located just down the street from Sarah Jessica Parker’s real-life apartment, Magnolia is a New York icon, famed for its heavenly cupcakes and legendary banana pudding.
The West Village location is the original and is certainly among the most charming. Bleecker street has some of the hottest names in fashion, from Il Bisonte to Anine Bing, alongside vintage shops, bookstores, and art galleries that could easily occupy an entire day.
Once you’re all shopped out, take a stroll along the West Side Highway, where you’re sure to see former D1 athletes out for a run, mobs of mixed-gender run clubs, and athleisure-clad women gossiping with friends while sipping iced coffee.
Where to Stay
Known more for its restaurants, bars, and cafes than its hotel scene, there are a few noteworthy West Village-adjacent hotels that will get you at least within walking distance of this highly coveted neighborhood.
Just north of West Village in the on-trend Meatpacking District, The Standard, Highline is a stone’s throw from everything the area has to offer, as is The Jane, with its surprisingly affordable rooms. Another excellent choice, The Marlton Hotel is located in Greenwich Village proper just north of Washington Square Park and features an intimate bar that makes for the perfect jumping off point for a foray into the West Village.
And if you’re hoping to try a MICHELIN-Starred restaurant while you’re in the neighborhood, make a reservation at One MICHELIN Star Shmoné, just down the street.
Hero image: espiegle / Adobe stock - Aerial view of Washington square park in Greenwich village
Address book
Restaurants
San Sabino - 113 Greenwich Ave, 10014
L’Artusi - 228 W 10th St, 10014
Sant Ambroeus - 259 W 4th St, 10014
Cafeteria - 119 7th Ave, 10010
Carbone - 181 Thompson St., 10003
Bars
The Stonewall Inn - 53 Christopher St, 10014
Bar Pisellino - 52 Grove Street, 7th Ave S 10014
Dante West Village - 551 Hudson St, 10014
Do Not Disturb - 285 W 12th St, 10014
Employees Only - 510 Hudson St, 10014
Cecchi’s - 105 W 13th St, 10011
Marie’s Crisis Café - 59 Grove St, 10014
Other
Magnolia Bakery - 401 Bleecker St, 10014
PlantShed - 46 8th Ave, 10014
St. George Coffee - 74 7th Ave S, 10014
Carrie Bradshaw’s “Sex and the City” Apartment - 66 Perry Street, 10014
Il Bisonte - 381 Bleecker St, 10014
Anine Bing - 330 Bleecker St, 10014
West Side Highway - Gansevoort St and the Hudson River
