Hell’s Kitchen Local

When I lived in Hell’s Kitchen, I loved coming to Clinton Cove for a picnic, to read, or just take in the river. It reminds me of the beauty of our city.

I love catching up with friends or stopping by alone and taking in the vibrant energy of midtown at Worldwide Plaza on a warm summer day.

I try to visit once a month for live music. The second you walk in, it feels like you’ve stepped into a new scene, a different era, and completely out of the city. It draws a great crowd of all ages hanging out, dancing and enjoying music. Plus, Butch Phelps has been playing there since 2021 and always puts on a great show.

In 1978, a group of neighbors on W48th Street looked at a lot that had been a garbage heap for 28 years and decided to build something better. When the city moved to auction the land out from under them in the early 1980s, they fought back. They formed the Committee to Save Clinton Community Garden, ran a “Square Inch Campaign” selling pieces of the garden for five dollars apiece, and in 1984 made it the first community garden in New York City protected as permanent parkland.

The drinks are great, and their fried pickles are out of this world. On sunny days, I love hanging out with my dog. The staff is super friendly, making it such a wonderful place to chill and enjoy the vibes!

This pizzeria is anything but ordinary. Claudio’s and its staff feel like family to me. They know exactly how I like my Sicilians and have catered many pizza parties for us over the years. They’ve gone above and beyond for us time and time again, which is why I’ll always be grateful for their friendship and support.

Rain or shine, late night or early morning, this food truck has been a reliable affordable food option. With incredibly friendly habibis (Issam and Sa’id) and the three brothers (Saleh, Mo and Abdul) whose family have run business for generations, they serve what I think is some of the best halal food in NYC.

I LOVE THIS STORE. They have so many cute trinkets. You can always find a cute little gift here or a fun card. This store is so cute and the staff is always so nice.

Baking is something I genuinely enjoy, so I love walking into Amy’s Bread and smelling the freshly baked bread and pastries. It often inspires me to go home, get back into my own kitchen and try making something new.

The most quietly radical restaurant in the neighborhood. Fully plant-based and donates 100% of its profits to charitable partners addressing food insecurity, restorative justice, and community wellbeing. As someone who does not eat dairy or pork, I appreciate a place where every dish is thoughtful and abundant, and I can eat anything on the menu. The bar seat is my preferred spot for a full meal on my own.