NYC for Aussie First Timers

I'm all about the eclairs

Everything is fantastic, particularly the cacio e pepe.

The platonic ideal of a cocktail bar.

Book ahead for perfect pasta in a built-out garage space. Hits include mafaldini, agnolotti and fettuccine with lamb sausage and please, if nothing else, finish with the glorious soft serve.

It's hard to think of a better casual drop-in breakfast than a cheesy egg gougere and a cinnamon cruller.

Worth the hype in so many ways. Pre order a cronut but, also, the New York Brest and DKA are essential.

You'll be overwhelmed by the variety of flavours, but it's very hard to make an incorrect decision here.

If you are looking for a rooftop bar with the best view, here it is. Go up ready for sunset and snap away.

Pizza and wine. A classic Margherita and the clam pie are the go-tos.

An instiution for good reason, stop by for some late night (or anytime!) pierogi. Get some boiled, get some fried. A great decision

Ramen. Delicious ramen.

The cereal milk softserve is truly one of a kind and gets better with every spoonful.

Very good pies by the slice.

A classic Australian - style breakfast / brunch - the scrambled eggs, the benedict with pulled pork and perfect coffee will get you off to a ripper of a day to explore downtown.

Eat in the buzzy, lively Tavern Room that balances old school New York fancy and kinda casual at the same time.

Split a serve of corn and a cubano with your travel companion and thank me later.

Hands down, the best cart food in NYC.

If you are a sourdough lover like I am - Ops delivers on the tangy, chewy crust of your dreams.

Holds a special place because this is where we got doughnuts instead of cake for our wedding. Multiple locations, many favorite doughnuts.

The Kale Salad. The Roast Chicken. The Potatoes. A carbonara or gnocchi = the iconic Barbuto meal.

Outrageously priced beverages, but an iconic NYC experience.

Wine bar with tasty food!

The best bagels around. The BEC on an everything bagel is my pick.

I mean, every burger place that's opened in the past 10 years has taken inspiration from this icon. Obviously, plenty of locations.

Your order here are the epic pancakes and the egg and cheese sandwich, add sausage.

The pancakes are great and you should go eat them.

The drinks are good. The food is good. The vibe is good. Don't skip the Paris Brest or Wildair Tart.

The Adobada especial and the pollo mula are my top picks, but it's very hard to go wrong with anything here.

We come here everytime we visit, generally hoping for a seat at the bar sometime after 9:30pm. Consistently satisfying pasta and sides in the West Village. Get the Brussels sprouts, the mushrooms,a couple of pastas and the olive oil cake.

Our go-to move is a late lunch, timed to the Ikea ferry (a 5 min walk away) that you can catch back to Manhattan. The best 5 dollars you'll ever spend that get's you a ferry ride across the iconic harbour. Get the lamb ribs, the burnt end baked beans and brisket.

Yes, they are as good as everyone tells you, the original and the best. You want to get the walnut chocolate chip, I promise. Nothing like grabbing one to split and taking it for a walk through the park.

On your second cookie stop in the city, head to Maman for the nutty chocolate chip cookie.

Not the only Australian coffee joint in NYC by any means, but certainly the best.

There are endless happy hours in the city but this is my favourite for wine and oyster happy hour.

The perfect slice on the Lower East Side, just be careful not to burn the roof your mouth when it's fresh out of the oven.

The burger, the Emily, the Colony. Sorted.

This is a solid neighbourhood spot to make you feel like a local over brunch

Everything you want in a French Brassiere, particularly the pistachio Paris Brest.

The vodka "pie" is an icon for a reason, another solid Italian joint

Lively pasta joint that is batting overs in the East Village