Updated April 28, 2025
Here are 25 Fun Things to Do in the East Village!
East Village is one of the best neighborhoods to spend a whole day in because there’s just SO much to do!
From Alphabet City to StuyTown, you can eat at the best restaurants and do some vintage shopping at local small shops.
People fill the streets of the East Village all the time, so you know that the atmosphere will be lively throughout the day.
It’s also close to neighborhoods like Little Italy and Greenwich Village—perfect for exploring once you’ve done everything there is to do in the East Village!
Vibey Things To Do in East Village
Trinkets, Gifts & Collectibles
1. Pageant Print Shop: Vintage NYC Maps & Art Prints
In its previous lives, Pageant was a bookstore in what was known as Book Row on 4th Ave. Though the times have changed, and most bookstores in that area closed down in the 90s due to gentrification.
Pageant is now run by the two daughters of the original co-founder and now sells vintage prints. Think old New Yorker covers, New York maps, and botanical prints.
If you’re assembling a gallery wall and want a timeless addition or want to gift a family member who used to live in the city, there’s some cool finds at a range of prices at Pageant.
New prints are added daily.
📍69 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003
🕑 Mon (Closed), Tue-Sun (12-7pm)
2. niconeco zakkaya: A Whimsical Hole-in-the-Wall
This whimsical stationery shop has fountain pen ink and journaling supplies, like washi tape.
Oh, and of course — purrinted stuff everywhere (get her a cat birthday card!).
📍263 E 10th St, New York, NY 10009
🕑 Mon-Sat (12-7pm), Sun (12-6pm)
3. Random Accessories: Sassy n’ Spicy Gifts
Spice up your life (or your sassy friend’s) with trinkets from Random Accessories.
We’re thinking magnets and even candles with taglines that vibe liberal millennial snowflake (I can say this because I’m kind of one).
There’s cute NYC memorabilia here too, like travel journals and Metrocard-shaped wallets.
📍77 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003
🕑 Mon (12-6pm), Tue-Sun (12-7pm)
4. La Sirena Mexican Folk Art: Teeming With Colorful Culture
La Sirena teems culture from crevice to across the ceiling.
Papel picado to festoon your apartment, lucha libre statement pieces, and sarape blankets to add character to your Ikea couch.
Owner Dina Leor opened shop back in 1999 and buys many crafts directly from artisans.
📍27 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10003
🕑 Mon-Fri (12-6pm), Sun (12-5pm)
5. Crystals Garden NYC: Alluring Crystals, Incense & House Plants
There’s a few plant and crystal shops next door, but this one captured me.
The entrance of plants invites you right into this metaphysical shop.
Plants hang in pretty orbs up above. Incense (figuratively) burns into your nose, as you handle pretty crystals and rocks.
It reminds me of my days collecting as a kid…
📍247 E 10th St, New York, NY 10009
🕑 Mon-Sun (10am-10pm)
6. Pillow-Cat Books: Wondrous Hobbyist Bookstore
Books about scottish terriers and german short-haired pointers. Of Emily Weiss, the Glossier founder’s story.
Then there’s Peanuts comics and adorable Snoopy mugs.
Pillow-Cat’s wondrous collection peaks the interest of kids, niche readers, and those of us who love the gift aisle at bookstores (that would be me 🙋🏻♀️).
7. an.mé: Sonny Angels, Collectibles & Dolls
From Sonny Angels to Miffy and aesthetic af kids’ toys.
Find your next keychain, adorable bedside stuffed animal or find that perfect gift for a collectibles/character fan at an.mé!
New Fit New Me
8. E3RD: Sceney Streetwear Boutique
The personable experience and vibe at E3RD is almost as important as their fresh curation and breadth of brands.
Even if your taste in fashion is.. basic girlie like me, E3RD is definitely worth stepping into. Concrete floors, music on point, high ceilings, and statement pieces that make your eyes linger.
📍47 E 3rd St Ground, New York, NY 10003
🕑 Mon-Sat (12-7pm)
9. Spark Pretty: Sparkles, Glitz & Rock n’ Roll
Find your next party outfit or colorful statement piece from Spark Pretty’s 80s/90s rock n’ roll collection.
The store is spunky and fun, with trolls, a disco ball and borky frenchie.
Founders Amanda Dolan and Meagan Colby both styled for Betsey Johnson.
📍333 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003
🕑 Mon (Closed), Tue-Sun (12-6pm)
10. L Train Vintage: Sifting & Thrifting For Steals
Levi’s jeans, Carhartt jackets ($75) and the odd Kith sweater. Racks upon racks of jean skirts ($10) and Hawaiian shirts.
LTV is the quintessential NYC-cool vintage shop with a truly wide number and range of items. You’ll have to dig in to find the piece, but who doesn’t love a $10 steal in this post-covid inflationary era?
L Train Vintage is a family-owned business with multiple secondhand stores across NYC, including in Williamsburg and Bushwick.
New items are stocked at least three times a week.
📍204 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10009
🕑 Mon-Thu + Sun (12-7pm), Fri-Sat (12-8pm)
11. John Varvatos: In Ex-CBGB Punk-Rock Venue
CBGB was a music club established in 1973 by Hilly Kristal—some even dubbing it the “birthplace of punk”.
Iconic artists that have performed at CBGB include: Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, and so many more. The venue shut down in October 2006, but was later recognized as part of the Bowery Historic District in 2013.
Currently, a John Varvatos store occupies the space; people still go visit to see the store’s interior and how it manages to pay homage to CBGB. This is a great stop for music buffs or history enthusiasts!
📍151 Avenue C, Second floor, New York, NY 10009
Where to Eat in East Village
12. Savor Tompkins Square Bagels At The Square
Grab a bagel sandwich or some schmear to pair from the OG Tompkins Square Bagels and savor it at the namesake square just across the street!
I ordered The Salino ($11.50), which had Beyond meat, egg, avocado, tofu scallion spread, and sprouts on an everything bagel. The bagel sandwich was hot and toasty when I got it—let me tell you that my first bite of it was absolutely divine. I usually like a simple bagel with cream cheese, but this sandwich changed the game.
My friend chose the Triple Crown ($12.50), which had Canadian bacon, apple smoked bacon, scallion cream cheese, spiced honey maple glaze, egg, and cheese all on a plain bagel. She said it was hands-down the best bagel she’s had.
On a sunny day, you’ll spot so many people with Tompkins Square Bagels baggies munching at Tompkins Square Park.
The park has two playgrounds, a handball court, chess tables, a dog park, and a basketball court.
But my favorite thing to do there is pop a squat in the small green patch and people watch.
Loving Tompkins Square Bagels? There’s another on Second Avenue and by Union Square.
📍165 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
🕑 Mon-Sun (7am-5pm)
13. Okiboru House of Udon: Wide & Flat Kimokawa Noodles
This is the only place in the United States where you can find Himokawa noodles, a type of wide, flat udon that is chewy. Okiboru House of Udon had its grand opening back in March and the lines then were already insane. A few days after they first opened, I went right at 4pm and there was already a few people ahead of me waiting to be seated.
My friend and I both got the Signature Himokawa Dipping Udon with Tempura Set ($24). It came on a tray with the noodles beside the dipping sauce and five types of tempura: shrimp, purple sweet potato, onion, applewood smoked bacon, and asparagus. The noodles were chewy and silky; the texture made the whole experience of dipping the noodles into the sauce and eating it so fun. The tempura were all also fried to perfection and the perfect compliment to the smooth texture of the udon.
If you can’t make it out to Japan to try these noodles, this is the next best thing. Be prepared to wait for a while during prime dining hours! Totally worth it though.
📍124 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
14. Four Four South Village: Delicious Taiwanese
I went to Four Four South Village on my first trip to New York and since then, it’s become my go-to spot for Taiwanese food. My friends have tried their Braised Beef Noodle Soup ($13.95) and said that it was delicious; the broth was aromatic and full of flavor, the noodles thick and chewy, and the beef tender and savory.
I, on the other hand, had the Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Noodle Soup ($12.95). They put the popcorn chicken on the side so that it wouldn’t get soggy in the soup. It was crispy and perfectly seasoned—reminding me of the popcorn chicken I would order at boba shops at home. The soup was delicious and I also appreciated the addition of bok choy (get your veggies in!).
They have 3 locations in NYC: 7th Street in East Village, 46th Street in Hell’s Kitchen, and Prince Street in Flushing. With large portion sizes and low prices, there is no excuse to not pay them a visit!
📍11 E 7th St New York, NY 10003
15. Noreetuh: Modern Hawaiian
Polaroids of guests are plastered all around the walls (and some above your head), creating a friendly and warm atmosphere.
The scallop musubi was my favorite — chewy and sticky in the most satisfying way.
The mentaiko spaghetti was heavy and hearty with smoked butterfish and a generous, flavorful sprinkling of cured roe.
It’s a great spot for groups of friends or a tasty night out with your S.O!
16. Mountain House: Bring On The Mala
Mountain House is one of the best places to get Sichuan food. It’s located on St Mark’s Place, a street lined with great restaurants (specifically Asian cuisines). Come prepared to enjoy some spicy food since most of their dishes are cooked with chilis!
Since the dishes are served family style, I recommend coming with a group of people to be able to try everything. I went with three other people and we started off with the Swing Pork Belly ($14), which is meant to be eaten by swinging it over your chopsticks.
We also got the Ma-Po Tofu ($16), La-Zi Chicken ($20), Spicy Fish Stew ($33), and Sauteed Chinese Long Beans with Eggplant ($15). Every dish was so delicious and flavorful. The garlicky sauce covered the eggplants and cooked them to perfection. I enjoyed the Spicy Fish Stew the most; the fish absorbed the flavor of the broth as it boiled in it.
If you’re looking for some homey, authentic Sichuan food, Mountain House is the place to go!
📍23 St Mark’s Place, New York, NY 10003
17. Soothr: Michelin Thai
Soothr is one of the city’s most popular Thai restaurants—and for good reason. They’ve been on the Michelin Guide in 2021, 2022, and 2023. It’s a great place to grab a meal and catch up with a friend!
We tried the Chicken Khao Soi ($21), a Northern-style chicken curry with egg noodles. The chicken was juicy and full of curry flavor, while the noodles were chewy and eggy. One of my favorite things there had to be the Crab Fried Rice ($26). I kid you not when I tell you that this is one of the best crab fried rices I’ve ever had—and I’ve tried a lot. I loved the sauces that it came with: a green seafood one and a spicy, umami fish sauce one. The sauces really elevated the dish and kept me eating spoonful after spoonful.
Definitely try to make a reservation in advance if you plan on coming here! If not, I believe they do take walk-ins—though it might be a longer wait.
📍204 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003
18. Veselka: Ukrainian Soul Food Mainstay Since 1954
Veselka has been a beloved institution in the Little Ukraine neighborhood of East Village since 1954. As a third-generation family-owned business, they’re serving up Ukrainian soul food like pierogi and borscht. Pierogi are filled dumplings; a classic pierogi is usually filled with potato or cheese, but Veselka offers a variety of different fillings!
I’ve never tried dumplings that weren’t Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, so I was excited to dig into some Ukrainian-styled ones!
I tried the classic ones: Potato Pierogi ($9 for 4) and Cheese Pierogi ($9 for 4). The dumpling skin wasn’t too thick, which allowed the filling flavors to really shine through. The potato filling was reminiscent of a mashed potato, while the cheese filling was creamy and tangy. I really enjoyed it!
I didn’t get a chance to try their Matzo Ball Soup ($6 for a cup) this time, so I’ll have to come back since I’ve never had anything like that before.
📍144 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
19. Mala Project: Dry Hot Pot
You’ve heard of hot pot, but have you had dry hot pot? It’s practically the same concept where you have a variety of meats, seafoods, and vegetables, but instead of cooking the ingredients in soup, it’s stir-fried with a spicy and fragrant sauce. There’s this restaurant in KTown LA that makes the best dry hot pot, but I found that Mala Project is a great alternative that’s in New York City.
You have the option to choose as many ingredients as you want to go into your dry pot. I don’t remember exactly what we got, but I know we added things like tofu skin, potato noodles, rice cake, wood ear mushroom, lotus root, and fish fillet! I would highly recommend getting potato noodles and lotus root because they both have unique textures that enhance the dry pot experience. The potato noodles soak up the sauce and have a chew to them, while the lotus root gives that crunch.
Mala Project is my personal favorite place to bring people that are visiting because it’s shareable and reasonably priced. They also have great deals at lunch with their lunch specials, so try coming then!
📍122 First Avenue, New York, NY 10009
Best Cafes & Dessert in East Village
20. Tokuyamatcha & Onigirazu Bar: Matcha & Onigiri
Tokuyamatcha & Onigirazu Bar is a small shop that specializes in matcha drinks and onigiris. The space inside is very limited (just a counter to order), so I would recommend grabbing your food and drinks and going to eat somewhere else!
My friend ordered the Salmon and Avocado Onigiri ($9.75) and a Matcha Latte ($7.75), while I got a regular Matcha Tea ($7). They have different grades of matcha that you can choose from. We got the Tokuyamatcha, which was the highest ceremonial grade matcha that they offered. I could definitely taste the difference in quality with this matcha, as it was earthy and very fresh. The color of the tea was also a deep, rich green.
The onigiri was the perfect size for sharing, as we each grabbed a half. Salmon and avocado as a combination never misses, so this was delicious. I can’t wait to come back and try all the other onigiris!
📍627 E 6th St New York, NY 10009
21. Mango Mango Dessert: Mango Sago, Anyone?!
My favorite fruit is mango, so this was the perfect place to satisfy my cravings. Mango Mango has unique desserts—everything from crepe cakes to sago desserts to fruit teas. We tried two of their classic desserts: the Strawberry Mango Juice Sago & Lychee Jelly with Mango Ice Cream ($8.95) and the Snow White Juice with Red Bean & Lychee Jelly ($8.95).
Their classic desserts are like “soup desserts,” where there is a juice that acts as a base and toppings to go along with it. I really enjoyed all the different toppings because it provides a mix of textures and flavors. I liked the Snow White Juice a little more than the Strawberry Mango because it was milkier, but they were both delicious—the ultimate post-dinner snack.
The best things in life are desserts and Mango Mango really knows how to do dessert!
📍23 St. Marks Place New York, NY 10003
22. Butterdose: Cream Puffies
If you’re looking for a cute, family-owned cafe in the East Village, Butterdose is it. Their cream puffs have such fun flavors as their signature dessert! It reminded me of Beard Papa’s (but in a more aesthetic, small business type of way!).
We got three cream puffs to try: Rose Lychee, Strawberry Sakura, and Tiramisu ($3.75 each). The rose lychee was filled with rose jelly and cream and topped with a lychee cream. The strawberry sakura was filled with a sakura paste and strawberry and topped with a strawberry cream with mochi. The tiramisu was filled with mascarpone and a ladyfinger and topped with a mocha cream and chocolate covered espresso bean.
The best one (in my opinion) was the Rose Lychee because the two paired so well together and I’m just a sucker for light floral flavors. I also really loved the attention to detail here, as the interior was covered in this butter yellow color—a nod to its namesake!
📍236 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003
At Night in the East Village
23. Studio 151: Omakase & Music
I added this as a recommendation from a friend who called Studio 151 “one of the best bars she’s been to in a while”. She said that it was a perfect place to grab a drink and listen to music. What’s cool about this particular place was that the DJ was spinning vinyl records. Vibes? Immaculate.
They also offer omakase, so you have the option to grab some sushi to enhance your listening experience. Check Studio 151 out for a speakeasy with a chill ambiance and great music.
📍151 Avenue C, Second floor, New York, NY 10009
24. Craft + Carry Saint Marks: Kickback With Unique & Local Craft Beers
From New York fruity sours to Tampa lagers, there’s a wide and tasty selection of craft beers available on tap.
The indoor seating is cozy, but what I love most is their patio seating in the back in good weather.
It’s a great spot to hang with a group of friends for a while.
📍116 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
🕑 Mon-Thu + Sun (12pm-1am), Fri-Sat (12pm-2am)
25. Go to a show at Webster Hall
Webster Hall is a music venue near Astor Place that is known for its grand ballroom. It’s a legendary establishment in the New York City nightlife scene. If you’re looking for something to do at night, why not get tickets to a show?
Some artists that are performing at Webster Hall in the near future are Zara Larsson, The Dip, John Vincent III, Sinead Harnett, and Duck Sauce—to name a few! They also host themed nights as well (Taylor Swift night, I’m looking at you)!
📍125 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003
Things to Do in East Village
Don’t miss out on these 25 fun things to do in East Village!
- Pageant Print Shop: Vintage NYC Maps & Art Prints
- niconeco zakkaya: A Whimsical Hole-in-the-Wall
- Random Accessories: Sassy n’ Spicy Gifts
- La Sirena Mexican Folk Art: Teeming With Colorful Culture
- Crystals Garden NYC: Alluring Crystals, Incense & House Plants
- Pillow-Cat Books: Wondrous Hobbyist Bookstore
- an.mé: Sonny Angels, Collectibles & Dolls
- E3RD: Sceney Streetwear Boutique
- Spark Pretty: Sparkles, Glitz & Rock n’ Roll
- L Train Vintage: Sifting & Thrifting For Steals
- John Varvatos: In Ex-CBGB Punk-Rock Venue
- Savor Tompkins Square Bagels At The Square
- Okiboru House of Udon: Wide & Flat Kimokawa Noodles
- Four Four South Village: Delicious Taiwanese
- Noreetuh: Modern Hawaiian
- Mountain House: Bring On The Mala
- Soothr: Michelin Thai
- Veselka: Ukrainian Soul Food Mainstay Since 1954
- Mala Project: Dry Hot Pot
- Tokuyamatcha & Onigirazu Bar: Matcha & Onigiri
- Mango Mango: Mango Sago, Anyone?!
- Butterdose: Cream Puffies
- Studio 151: Omakase & Music
- Craft + Carry Saint Marks: Kickback With Unique & Local Craft Beers
- Go to a show at Webster Hall
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