the list for when you have no plans on a sunny weekend in nyc
Even the most plan-less day needs a bit of planning in this city.
There's nothing quite like waking up on a weekend morning with the entire day (and night) ahead of you - until you remember you're an adult and have to plan your own fun. And waking up with no plans in NYC means you might find yourself fighting for a seat at a cafe/restaurant. But, I've got you covered - here's my list for a perfect planless day in NYC.
Morning Bakery Run
All good weekends start with a pastry. At the bottom of Ludlow St, Elbow is my go-to bakery. Pretty much every baked good exceeds expectations (I should know, I've tried most of them). Since it's a Saturday, you should go for the challah honey bun. Now also feels like the right time to let you know that a loaf of challah from Elbow will set you back $17 - so you should definitely opt for the $7 honey-drenched, mini version instead. Eat it on the bench outside while you watch Dimes Square spring to life.
Brunch
Ok, now that you're fuelled up, you're ready to take on my favorite activity - a walk over the Williamsburg Bridge. I have been known to cross the bridge 4 times in one day, but you should definitely cross it at least once. When you're on the other side, head over to Three Decker Diner on Manhattan Avenue for brunch/lunch. There's often a bit of a wait, but you can have a coffee across the road at Pueblo Querido while you wait. It's hard to go wrong with your order at Three Decker, but I usually opt for a chicken caesar wrap and it's never the wrong choice to get some curly fries on the side. If you're still hungry, it's only a minute walk to Peter Pan Donuts, an iconic donut shop in Greenpoint serving up some of the best homemade donuts I've ever had.
Shop & Shputz
Okay - you probably need a break from eating by now. Head back over the Williamsburg Bridge and make your way to Chinatown. Once there, stop in at Dahing Plants on Grand Street, for some of the most gorgeous flowers and plants at very reasonable prices. You're surrounded by some of my favorite homewares stalls and vintage stores, so you can spend a bit of time shputzing around and either buying or just window shopping.
Pre-Dinner Drinks
Good news - it's back to Dimes Square! The late afternoon/evening is the best time to hang out here, particularly on a warm day when all the outdoor seating is out. You're guaranteed a pretty good time no matter where you choose to sit, but I recommend Le Dive for some of the best fries and drinks. If it's after 6pm, you can also head to Little Canal, which is a coffee shop by day and a little bar at night. If you can get a seat in the window bar here, you're in a prime position to watch all the action happening on the street.
Dinner
There are plenty of places to have dinner around here, but without a booking, expect to be waiting upwards of 1-2 hours. Instead, head over to the Lower East Side for something a little more relaxed. You're almost always guaranteed a walk-in table at Lil Frankie's on First Ave, and it's the perfect place to relax over dinner after a jam-packed day exploring the city. You can't really go wrong on your order here, but don't go past the calamari and definitely share a pizza and pasta with your dining partner.
The chicken Cesar certainly whets the pallet. Definitely need to walk across more bridges next time in NY!