.png)
.png)
Once upon a time, long before many coolstuff readers lived in New York City, there was a place called the Fat Radish. While the Fat Radish has come and gone, The Orchard Townhouse remains! This chic-yet-casual spot is operated by Cool Friend Nat Freihon, and serves elevated American fare for lunch, dinner, and Saturday brunch.
Sometimes a classic is a classic for a reason. For all the pomp and circumstance that can surround many a Meatpacking restaurant, Pastis invariably has a space for you – even if that means the bar. While the menu is large, the real reason this spot is on the list is the fries. Get whatever you want, but if you go here, promise us you’ll share some with the table.
Right on the edge of Chelsea bordering the West Side Highway, Meatpacking, and Chelsea Market is Mel’s – the genius and swanky pizzeria from chef Melissa Rodriguez. We love their fun and playful combinations of flavors and definitely recommend saving room for desert by executive pastry chef, cool friend Georgia Wodder!
The sleek and modern Ramen Ishida is an expansion of the legendary Lower East Side Ramen Shop of the same name. Alongside inventive combinations of broths and toppings, Ramen Ishida also has some FANTASTIC Japanese beers to enjoy alongside your meal!
This new kid on the block is serving up fresh Italian dishes in a chic & bright space with plates like their farinata bruschetta topped with whipped ricotta and pesto, artichokes alla giudia and shrimp grapanese. Head over to their outdoor winter garden space for weekend lunch on a sunny day.
Coolstuff fave (helmed by recent cool friend Tamara Chubinidze) has been expanding into some of our favorite neighborhoods across the city lately, but the original on 14th street is still going strong! Still the best place in the city for the requisite Khachapuri, as well as orange wines and dozens of Georgian dishes that you NEED to try!
You know these tacos, you love these tacos and we know you can enjoy them at their Chelsea Market stall for a quick bite in the neighborhood. Be weary of lines, but know that it will all be worth it <3 Don't miss their sister spot, Los Mariscos, which is more seafood-focused!
Every neighborhood needs a go-to spot for any meal of the day – and in Chelsea that’s Motel Morris. The 7th ave spot is reliable, delicious, and always a great place to go with a group…wether for brunch, lunch, or dinner!
Yanni’s is a jewel box of a cafe serving up SEY coffee and warm, homemade cookies. Grab a cortado and a chcolate chip with walnut – there’s absolutely nothing more you could ask for from a coffee shop.
Friends of coolstuff and Irish Brooklynites know that the best place in BK for a pint of Guinness is Hartley’s…but do they know that Hartley’s has a sister bar on W 14th Street? Meet Grace’s: where you should go to get a hearty pour of Guinness and classic pub food after a day (or night) of the arts.
While steep on the prices and tough to get into at times, the Lobby Bar’s cocktails and interiors are strong enough to keep it on our list. Our tip? If you find yourself freed up on the westside during a weekday afternoon, pop in and enjoy the gorgeous space to yourself alongside some small bites and a drink!
.png)
One of our favorites thrifts in the city is this longtime Chelsea staple. With an musically aspirational donor base, the City Opera Thrift Shop often has very high end donations at very reasonable prices. If you’re looking for furniture or moving apartments, the downstairs home section is unparalleled.
On the hunt for more of a deal, the Chelsea Flea is your spot. Located a little further east, this is a much more classic, outdoor flea market which pops up year-round. Sift through enough smoke-stained and tattered pieces and you’re sure to come out with some gems: art, home decor, and jewelry are the most consistently found things here by our watch!
Located in Chelsea Market, Pearl River Mart is an expansion of the Chinatown-based legendary importer of East Asian goods. Being inside the market, this location offers more than usual in the way of groceries and goodies, but as always we recommend checking out the home section! Pearl River sells amazing bamboo blinds that are a staple in many NYC apartments of taste.
An institution for a reason, when the Whitney moved downtown in 2015 it helped to shape southern Chelsea and Meatpacking as a neighborhood. This was what helped turn a more commercial area into a destination for those with taste, and a desire to see beauty in the city. As always, we love the ever-rotating exhibits of American art and are big fans of the new-ish Frenchette bakery in the lobby!
Did you know the West Side has a BEACH?! The recently revamped Gansevoort Peninsula just across the West Side Highway from the Whitney has TONS of outdoor spaces to relax, stroll, and exercise.
THE place in NYC to get zines, artbooks, and other various…Printed Matter. In addition to their legendary annual print fair, the organization operates the brick and mortar retail space year round. A great place to find a special readable gift for the designer in your life.
A haven a few floors up in a Chelsea office building lies Greenwich House Pottery. The longstanding ceramics studio is a great place for beginners to take classes across various techniques and being so close to so much makes this a wonderful place to get lost in the clay.
Chelsea's history of galleries goes back to the 80's when Larry Gagosian was one of the first to open an arts space in the neighborhood. Here are some of our favorite new and longtime institutions to visit while gallery hopping:
.png)