5 must-try cuisines on your NYC trip (& our 3 faves for each) 🍽️

+ a Japanese-style speakeasy with sake & vinyl records 🎚️

Author

Ashley & Devin from Better Together Here
July 16th, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Hello there,

Continuing with last week’s trend, more New York City FOOOOOOOOD insights.

In this week’s newsletter:

🍰 5 Must-Try NYC Cuisines - It’s not just pizza and bagels that you’ve gotta try..

💿 New York Know How - That CD? It isn’t free!

🎫 Events We Love This Week: July 16-23 - Queens Day this weekend & more

🍶 You’ll Have to Check It Out - Japanese-style speakeasy with immaculate vibes

Grab a seat and let’s do it! 👇

cosmo kramer nyc GIF

Note: As always, this email was written by an actual human who lives in NYC, not artificial intelligence. 🥸

5 Must-Try NYC Cuisines

New York City boasts thousands of top-quality restaurants from a variety of culinary types and countries of origin.

If you're coming to NYC for the first (or fifth) time, there are five cuisines you must try as part of your explorations!

The five must-try cuisines are:

  1. Pizza

  2. Bagels

  3. Sandwiches

  4. Italian

For number 5, you’ll have to listen and find out. 😁 

Plus, for each cuisine, we’ll share our three favorite spots. Don’t miss this one!

New York Know How: Those CDs Ain’t Free

Anyone offering you a CD, beaded jewelry, or a rose on the street has an ulterior motive other than just handing you something for free, even if they say it’s free..

The second you take it, they’ll ask for money. This happens most frequently in places like Times Square, Battery Park, and other tourist hot spots.

So, what should you do when someone tries to give you something on the streets of New York? Don’t engage, or politely say no and keep walking.

It’s the NYC way. ✌️

Events We Love This Week: July 16-23, 2025

In the city this week? Here are some fun events we’re keeping an eye on.

Free Silent Disco at Lincoln Center - July 18 @ 9 pm

Ten-foot disco ball? ✅

NYC’s largest outdoor dance floor? ✅

Music only in your headphones? ✅

These silent discos are a hell of a time!

Queens Day - July 20 from 10 am - 8 pm

Queens is one of the most vibrant slices of New York City. And on July 20, you can head to Corona Park for a full day of free events and activities celebrating all things Queens, including:

  • Zumba class at 10 am

  • Jazz concert at 2 pm

  • Free mini golf for kids from 9 am - 2 pm

  • Skate jam from 12 pm - 4 pm

  • And SO much more..

You’ll Have to Check It Out - StEight

There are plenty of overhyped speakeasies in NYC, usually just in it for the Instagram & TikTok clout..

And then there is StEight on Eldridge Street.

Located behind a hair salon, this dimly lit 12-seater bar has the perfect vibe for a date night out. They boast an astonishing collection of sakes, and all their cocktails are unique, delicious, and well-balanced.

Additionally, the unique decor and vinyl records spinning in the background create a truly cozy and intimate atmosphere.

Thanks,

Ashley & Devin from Better Together Here 🍶

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Weekly Dog Tax

Sunny (RIP) and Scout taking in all the NYC smells before heading out of the city.