Best restaurants in Central Park, including to-go options 🙌

Hi there,

The Knicks are through to the Eastern Conference finals, and there’s a palpable buzz throughout the city. Hope you get to experience it in person. 🏀

In this week’s newsletter:

🛒 NYC’s Iconic Grocery Store - Worth visiting, even if you don’t need a grocery run

🚶 New York Know-How: Sidewalks Are for Walking - Leave some space and everyone wins

🧑‍🍳 Best Restaurants in Central Park - Picturesque lunches, fancy dinners, and to-go options galore

🎫 Events We Love This Week: May 21-28 - 2 for 1 doughnuts + Knicks games

🥃 You’ll Have to Check It Out - Touring and tasting NYC’s first post-Prohibition whiskey distillery in NoHo

Let’s explore the greatest city on Earth!👇

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

Zabar’s - Add It to Your UWS Must-See List

Recommending a grocery store to travelers who don’t need a full grocery run during a NYC visit may seem counterintuitive, until you step inside..

Zabar’s on the Upper West Side of Manhattan was founded in 1934 and has become a central part of NYC lore ever since.

Tightly packed aisles, like all NYC grocery stores, are filled with all the essentials. But you don’t come to Zabar’s just for the essentials!

You come for the artisan cheeses, the Jewish appetizer counter, and the top-notch black and white cookies, amongst many worthwhile finds.

Zabar’s has enough clout to have partnered with Coach (they offered a $550 tote bag), Vans shoes, the MTA, and even was the shooting location for an infamous Vampire Weekend music video.

So, do yourself and pop into Zabar’s for a bakery treat and a slice of history during your trip! Check out Zabar’s here.

Best Restaurants in Central Park 🌳

Sprawling, beautiful Central Park must be part of your New York City explorations.

When checking out Gapstow Bridge or the Balto Statue and an I've-been-walking-all-day hunger strikes, know there are some GREAT food options right in the park.

So, let's check out the best restaurants in Central Park!

We'll dive into some cheap(er) options, a couple of fancy places, and even a great sandwich spot to bring into the park for a picnic.

Plus, our favorite sunny skies turned pouring rain moment at the Boathouse. 😅

Events We Love This Week: May 21-28, 2025

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

Dough 2 for 1 Doughnuts + Free Sampling - Until May 29

Near Flatiron on 19th Street, Dough has extended their hours and offers some sweeeeeet deals to celebrate.

From 7 - 8 pm each day until May 29, they’re offering free tastings of some new doughnut flavors AND 2-for-1 doughnuts. 🍩

Learn more here.

Knicks Playoff Run - Games All Week

If you’re a Celtics or Pacers fan, keep scrolling. 😜

For all the other wonderful people (that’s you), the Knicks are making a deep playoff run and the city is HYPED!

Whether you’re a casual sports viewer or an NBA enthusiast, cheering on the Knicks at a local bar is a hell of a fun time right now. Or, if you’ve got the cash, seeing them at MSG would be an unmatched memory.

Games this week:

• Wednesday, May 21 @ 8 pm at MSG

• Friday, May 23 @ 8 pm at MSG

• Sunday, May 25 @ 8 pm in Indy

• Tuesday, May 27 @ 8 pm in Indy

Find a sports bar, cheer for the home team, and have a fantastic time. Let’s go Knicks!!

You’ll Have to Check It Out - Great Jones Distillery

New York City has a rich history. Buildings, businesses, and people all around you have amazing stories to tell.

Great Jones Distilling Co., aka Great Jones Distillery, is no exception.

Great Jones Distillery is the first whiskey distillery in Manhattan since Prohibition in the 1920s.

The space, in NoHo, is a massive 28,000 square foot area with four levels, 3+ bars, a restaurant, and, of course, a fully functioning distillery.

For about $35 per ticket, you can experience an expert-led distillery tour. It allows you to try all of their whiskeys, learn whiskey tasting best practices, and even see Prohibition-era pieces of history, including a hidden area used by bootleggers for running alcohol.

Or, just wanna check out the space and snag a drink? Head to one of the multiple bars or restaurants within Great Jones for delicious food and craft cocktails made with Great Jones Whiskey.

Learn more about Great Jones in a quick 12-minute episode here.

Or, book your tour ticket here. 👈

Catch ya next week,

Ashley & Devin from Better Together Here

PS- Next week’s email? Your guide to all things Hell’s Kitchen 💫