Neighborhood Guide
Welcome to Alphabet City! Our little corner of the East Village is packed with stuff. In case you’re unfamiliar with the area, we’ve put together an idiosyncratic and totally haphazard guide to point you toward some of the stuff that you might find useful. We don't pretend this is a comprehensive collection of everything cool in the neighborhood, just enough to give you a starting place.
Please free to share this page with anyone working on your show—cast, crew, and staff.
And if you’ve found a place you love that you think should be included, drop us a line and let us know.
Gaia Italian Café
226 E. 3rd St. btw. Ave. B & C [map] [website]
Some of the best down-to-earth, non-touristy and surprisingly affordable Italian food in the city. After the original location on Houston St. closed, Gaia moved to this new location, which unfortunately is take-out only, but still just as delicious. Run by Gaia Bagnasacco, a Milanese ex-pat, this is a don’t miss.
V-Nam Café
20 1st Ave. btw Houston and E. 2nd St. [map] [website]
Delicious menu of standard Vietnamese fare, including some of the best bahn-mi around (they have particularly good vegetarian bahn-mi, which is hard to find). Fast and affordable.
Two Boots Pizza
42 Ave A btw. 3rd & 4th Sts. [map] [website]
A classic. Unique pies and slices influenced by New Orleans flavors (the two boots are Italy and Louisiana) and named after cult classic movies and pop culture figures. A New York institution and open late enough for a post-show bite.
Davidovitch Bakery
36 Ave A btw 2nd & 3rd Sts. [map] [website]
The nearest decent bagels, plus coffee, pastries, etc. Open for Breakfast and lunch.
Union Market
240 E. Houston St. btw Aves A & B [map] [website]
Upscale grocery store with a prepared foods counter.
Remedy Diner
245 E. Houston St. at Norfolk St. [map] [website]
It’s a diner. Open 24/7.
Quick Places to Eat
Good, reasonably affordable places to get lunch or a quick dinner while working at the theater. In no particular order:
Minca Ramen
536 E. 5th St. btw Aves A & B [map] [website]
Some of the most authentic ramen in the city, according to our sources. Massive portions.
Punjabi Deli
114 E. 1st St. and Houston btw Aves A & B [map]
Absurdly cheap and delicious all-vegetarian Indian counter service. This East Village staple caters primary to taxi drivers.
Desi Gali
172 Ave. B btw. E. 10th & E. 11th Sts. [map] [website]
Fast Indian street food with a good lunch special.
Downtown Bakery Cocina Mexicana
69 1st. Ave. btw E. 4th and E. 5th Sts. [map] [website]
Hole-in-the-wall Mexican counter with some of the best burritos around. Their homemade salsas and sauces stand out. Try a burrito with mole on it.
Sunny & Annie’s
608 E. 9th St. btw E. 6th & E. 7th Sts. [map]
Deli with enormous and entirely unique sandwiches.
Russ & Daughters
179 E. Houston St. btw Allen & Orchard St.s [map] [website]
Classic Jewish “appetizer” shop carrying smoked fish, babka, bagels, pickles, all the things. There’s usually a line. They also have a new-ish sit-down establishment a few blocks away on Orchard St.
Sit-Down Dinner
There are way too many good places for dinner in the East Village. Here are a few that we like.
Westville East
173 Avenue A, at E. 11th St. [map] [website]
New American with a focus on market veggies.
Freemans
Freeman Alley, off of Rivington St. btw. Chrystie St. and the Bowery [map] [website]
New American with craft cocktails, hidden in a rare New York alley.
Gruppo
98 Ave. B btw E. 6th & E. 7th Sts. [map] [website]
Thin crust pies at a sit-down pizzeria.
Superiority Burger
119 Ave. A btw E. 7th St. and St. Marks Pl. [map] [website]
Buzzy vegetarian spot that lives up to the hype. Get your name on the list and get a drink nearby while you wait.
Hub Thai
50 Ave. A btw. 3rd & 4th Sts. [map] [website]
Tasty and inexpensive Thai with a standard menu.
Málà Project
122 1st Ave. btw. 7th St. & St. Marks’s Pl. [map] [website]
Hip Chinese specializing in dry pot.
Van Đa
234 E. 4th St. btw. Aves A & B [map] [website]
Upscale Vietnamese, with cocktails, right next to the theater. Reservations recommended.
Veselka
144 2nd Ave. at E. 9th St. [map] [website]
New York’s most famous Ukrainian restaurant. Particularly good for a post-show late-night nosh.
Decent Coffee
Obviously, you can get a cup of coffee at any bodega or deli in the neighborhood. If you’re looking for something slightly fancier, check out the options below.
Bars
Likewise to dining, there are way too many decent bars in the area to begin to list them here. A few of our faves:
Bibi Wine Bar
211 E. 4th St. btw Aves. A & B [map] [website]
Wine and snacks, right across the street.
Bibi is available for opening night parties and other events. Email Bonny (the owner) to arrange.
The Cabin NYC
205 E. 4th St. btw Aves A & B [map] [website]
New American food and cocktails with rustic/woodsy decor. 15% discount available for your company members, and for your patrons (with ticket stub).
The Cabin is available for opening night parties and other events, up to 60 people. Email to arrange.
Tile Bar
115 1st Ave. at 7th St. [map] [website]
The perfect neighborhood dive. Maybe the cheapest happy hour in the neighborhood.
Death & Co.
433 E. 6th St. btw Ave A and 1st Ave. [map] [website]
One of the O.G. neo-speakeasy cocktail spots. About as good as it gets, cocktailwise, with prices to match. Expect a wait.
The York
186 Ave. B between 11th & 12th Sts. [map] [website]
Cute, low-key, vaguely British. Relatively inexpensive pub food with a focus on burgers.
Necessities
Wine & Liquor
Discovery Wines
16 Ave. B. at 2nd St. [map] [website]
Good wine store with decent hard alcohol selection. If you’re buy here regularly, talk to the manager and tell them you’re working at the theater. They will sometimes arrange a discount, and may even wheel a few cases over if you can’t carry everything yourself.
Printer (Vinyl Banners and Signs)
We highly recommend Daniel at PIE Printing for all your printing needs, especially vinyl banners and signs. He has competitive prices, does great work, and will hand-deliver. Email pieprinting@gmail.com and let him know we recommended him.
Pharmacy
Walgreens
194 E. 2nd St. at 2nd St. [map]