New York is one of those cities where there is always somewhere new to eat, grab a coffee, or stop for dessert. During my recent trip, I visited several restaurants, cafés, and tea spots across different neighborhoods, from Midtown and SoHo to Brooklyn and the Upper East Side.

Here are some of the places I tried, what I ordered, and my honest impressions of each one.

Friedman’s— Midtown Manhattan

📍 138 W 31st Street, New York, NY 10001

Friedman was one of our restaurant stops in Midtown. The restaurant has a modern and Instagram-worthy interior, and I found the space to be very clean. I also noticed staff regularly cleaning and sanitizing the restaurant, which was appreciated.

What we ordered

I ordered: Lemon ricotta pancakes  $22

My sister ordered: Buttermilk fried chicken sandwich  $21

Friedman also offers gluten-free options, which is a nice addition for people with dietary restrictions.

Price

Approximately $20–$30 per person for a main dish

Service

8/10

The service was good and the staff was attentive.

Overall impression

I liked the décor and the overall cleanliness of the restaurant. It also has a very photogenic atmosphere, making it a nice option if you're looking for a restaurant that is both enjoyable to eat at and visually appealing.

The Grey Dog — SoHo

📍 SoHo, New York City

The Grey Dog was one of my favorite stops for its atmosphere. The restaurant has a warm, casual feel, with young but professional staff.

What we ordered

I ordered: Egg and cheese croissant $18.50

I also had a hot matcha.

My sister ordered: Avocado toast  $20.45

Service

9/10

The service was one of the highlights for me. The staff was warm, friendly, and professional.

What I liked

• Nice décor
• Warm and welcoming atmosphere
• Good brunch selection
• Friendly and professional staff
• Great SoHo location

Overall impression

The Grey Dog is a great option if you're looking for a casual brunch spot while exploring SoHo. I really enjoyed the neighborhood and the overall ambiance of the restaurant.

Coffee Shop Butler — Brooklyn

Coffee Shop Butler was a nice place to stop and take a break after spending a lot of time walking around Brooklyn.

What we ordered

We ordered an iced single latte — $7.50, which we enjoyed.

We also tried a mango kombucha — $6.75. It had a nice flavor and wasn't overly sweet, which I liked.

Service

 7.5/10

The service was good, and I enjoyed the overall atmosphere.

What I liked

• Nice aesthetic
• Good vibes
• Good service
• A nice place to take a break
• Drinks were enjoyable

What I would change

We found the drinks to be a little overpriced for what we received.

If I went back, I would probably recommend trying one of their freshly prepared drinks rather than choosing the canned kombucha, which is what I did.

Overall impression

Even though I found it a little expensive, I liked the atmosphere and would still recommend stopping by if you're in the area and looking for somewhere to relax after exploring Brooklyn.

Green Kitchen 70 — Upper East Side

Green Kitchen 70 has a nice décor and a diverse menu with plenty of options.

What we ordered

Chicken parmigiana  $26

Buffalo chicken wrap $24

We both enjoyed the food, and the portions and menu variety made it a good option for different tastes.

Service

 7/10

The staff was nice and the service was fast. However, I didn't find the service particularly warm or memorable. It wasn't bad or rude, it just wasn't anything extraordinary.

What I liked

• Nice décor
• Diverse menu
• Good food
• Fast service
• Friendly staff

Overall impression

Green Kitchen 70 is a good option if you're looking for a restaurant with a varied menu and a pleasant atmosphere on the Upper East Side.

Prince Tea House — Koreatown

This was probably one of my best service experiences during the trip.

From the person at the front to the waiters, the staff was consistently caring and attentive throughout our visit.

What we ordered

I ordered an apple crumble served with vanilla ice cream   $13.

For tea, I chose Grand Jasmine Chung Fang green tea   $10.50.

My sister ordered a waffle with strawberries and Nutella $ 12.00

Service

 10/10

The service really stood out.

It was raining heavily during our visit, and the staff went above and beyond. They provided small bags for our umbrellas and towels to help us dry off. They also helped some customers by holding their luggage.

These small gestures made a big difference and made us feel genuinely cared for as customers.

What I liked

• Exceptional service
• Caring and attentive staff
• Beautiful décor
• Good dessert selection
• Great place for tea and dessert
• Thoughtful customer service

Overall impression

Prince Tea House was one of the highlights of my trip, particularly because of the service. The staff's attention to detail made the experience feel special and made what we spent feel worthwhile.

It was also a beautiful and comfortable setting to end the day with tea and dessert.

Sylvia's Restaurant — Harlem

Sylvia's Restaurant was one of the highlights of our New York trip. Located in Harlem, Sylvia's is an iconic soul food restaurant with a strong cultural history and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

From the moment we arrived, the restaurant had a feeling that reminded me of going to my grandmother's house. There was something very warm and familiar about the atmosphere, which made the experience feel much more personal than simply going out for a meal.

What we ordered

We  each ordered:

• Mac and cheese
• Fried chicken
• Vegetarian collard greens
• Grandmother's Punch

Our total bill was approximately $77 for two people.

Food  10/10

The combination of fried chicken, mac and cheese, and vegetarian collard greens gave us a great introduction to soul food.

The Grandmother's Punch was also a nice addition to the meal.

Service  10/10

The staff was wonderful.

We weren't completely sure what to order, but our waiter Andre was  very helpful and took the time to understand what we were looking for and guide us through the menu. Their warmth and attentiveness made the experience even better.

The atmosphere

The restaurant has a warm and welcoming atmosphere that feels almost like being welcomed into someone's home. It reminded me of going to my grandmother's home , comfortable, familiar, and full of warmth.

We also met some wonderful people during our visit, which made the experience even more memorable.

Cultural experience

One of the things that makes Sylvia's special is its deep cultural significance in Harlem. The restaurant has a long history and has welcomed many notable Black figures over the years.

For me, this made visiting Sylvia's about more than just having a meal. It was also an opportunity to experience a small part of Harlem's rich cultural history.

A note about the location

We visited during the daytime and felt comfortable throughout our visit. The restaurant itself is located on a main road, and the area immediately around the restaurant felt fine to us.

However, if you're a tourist unfamiliar with Harlem, you may want to plan your visit according to what makes you feel comfortable, particularly if you're traveling by public transportation or visiting later in the evening. During our daytime visit, we had a positive experience and found the people we encountered to be very friendly and welcoming.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. If you're exploring Harlem and want to experience a restaurant with history, culture, and soul food, Sylvia's is a place I'd be happy to recommend.