Mel is a bakery on the LES that makes some excellent sourdough bread and chocolate croissants.

Fat Choy serves great vegan, Chinese-inspired dishes on the Lower East Side.

Oola’s Kitchen is a soul food spot on the Lower East Side where you should eat a delicious double smashburger.

Saigon Social serves phenomenal Vietnamese food on the Lower East Side, and it’s one of our favorite new restaurants of 2020.

This casual spot on the LES serves curry goat roti, coconut shrimp bao, and plenty of other Caribbean dishes you want to order tonight.

Skin Contact is an unpretentious natural wine bar on Orchard Street on the LES where you can drink something unusual without paying a ton.

Three Times is a fast-casual Chinese spot on the Lower East Side that serves good pan-fried dumplings.

Arlene’s Grocery is a Lower East Side bar with live music every night.

You can skip the Cajun restaurant on the ground floor of Canary Club on the LES, and head to the jazz club downstairs.

Ernesto’s is a Basque-inspired restaurant on the Lower East Side where you’re going to want to hang out for a while.

Douska is a casual handroll spot on the LES where you’ll want to become a regular.

Peoples is a wine shop and bar in the bottom of Essex Street Market on the LES.

The Grand Delancey is a beer bar in the bottom of Essex Market on the LES and it’s a great place to bring a group.

Hair Of The Dog is a big bar on the Lower East Side where you can play beer pong and watch sports.

Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery makes the best cupcakes and puddings on the Lower East Side.

Las’ Lap is a cocktail bar on the Lower East Side with tropical decor, good music, and a few tables where you can eat a full dinner.