The Lower East Side remains full of character and local gems. With recently opening Partybus Bakeshop I don't have as much time to host friends as I used to but when I do I start the day with them at Russ & Daughters, take in the Tenement Museum and a coffee break at Kopitiam and enjoy dinner and drinks at Eastwood.
Russ & Daughters is one of the best places to start your morning on the Lower East Side. The cafe opened in 2014, on the 100th anniversary of Russ & Daughters - the original appetizing store and New York City institution. Appetizing classics served up a comfortable timeless setting. You'll find smoked salmon being sliced in the open kitchen and a soda fountain turning out homemade sodas, egg creams and cocktails.
The Tenement Museum is consistently highlighted as one of the more unique museums in the city. The mission is to celebrate the stories of immigrants that came to the United States including the many that settled in New York City and particularly on the Lower East Side. The museum offers tours of apartments that have been preserved and staged to represent different time periods and experiences.
Additionally the museum also offers neighborhood walking tours. If you love history and love the feeling of stepping into the past they offer a great experience.
Tours do book up so if you’re interested I’d suggest picking out the day and time and reserving some tickets ahead of time. You can do so here: https://www.tenement.org/tours/
Partybus Bakeshop is an artisan bakery and cafe located on Manhattan's Lower East Side. With a rotating seasonal menu of new riffs on old classics - like breads, pies, cookies and even one of the best pizza's around as well as classes where you can learn the best techniques in bread making - it pushes the boundaries of what you expect from your neighborhood bakery.
Whether you need a little caffeine or a something hearty Kopitiam is the perfect spot, try their bek-kopi "white coffee". Kopitiam (meaning coffee shop in Hokkien) is a fast casual eatery home to Nyonya cuisine. The restaurant is the creation of Kyo Pang (a James Beard Semifinalist) and Moonlynn Tsai. Their goal is to carry on Pang’s family recipes in New York City and preserve a traditional style of cooking - no additives, no artificial coloring, just fresh ingredients sourced directly from Malaysia or nearby markets.
Beer and wine bar serving up a delicious mix of Middle Eastern and Scottish fare. You can enjoy everything from a Mezze platter to fish & chips while catching up with friends over a drink.
