Things to Do in Lower East Side

Best-sounding room in New York. 575 capacity. No bad sightline in the building.

575 capacity in a 1929 building. Musicians call it the best-sounding room in the city and they're not wrong. Good sightlines from the floor, mezzanine, and balcony. Indie rock, hip-hop, electronic, everything. The downstairs bar is solid for pre-show.

6 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002 · Doors typically 7–8pm on show nights · indoor

Mills his own flour. The slice tastes different because it literally is.

Scarr Pimentel mills his own grain in-house, which sounds precious until you taste the slice -- it has a depth and chew that mass-produced flour can't touch. Regular slice around $4. The vibe is old-school LES with a hip-hop soundtrack. Open late on weekends. This is the pizza nerds' pizza, but you don't need to be a nerd to appreciate it.

35 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002 · Sun-Thu 11:30am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-1am · (212) 334-3481 · indoor

Four pork dumplings for $3. The sesame pancake sandwich is $4. You will not find a cheaper full meal in Manhattan.

Cash only. The menu is on the wall, the line moves fast, and four fried or boiled dumplings cost about $3. The sesame pancake with duck or beef is $4 and absurdly filling. This is not a sit-down experience -- there are a few stools but most people eat standing or take it to go. Multiple locations but the Eldridge Street one is the original Chinatown-adjacent spot.

118A Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002 · Daily 7:30am-10pm · (212) 625-8008 · indoor

The pastrami is $29 and it's worth every cent. Don't lose your ticket.

Open since 1888. The pastrami sandwich ($28.95) is hand-carved, piled high, and served on rye with mustard. Yes it's expensive. Yes tourists love it. It's also genuinely one of the best sandwiches on earth. They give you a ticket when you walk in -- DO NOT LOSE IT or you pay a $50 charge. Open late (until 11pm+ most nights, later on weekends). The counter-service line is faster than table service.

205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002 · Mon-Wed 8am-10:45pm, Thu 8am-11pm, Fri 8am-open late, Sat open 24hrs, Sun open-10:45pm · (212) 254-2246 · indoor

Appetizing store since 1914. The lox, cream cheese, and everything bagel is the platonic ideal.

Not a bagel shop -- an appetizing store. The distinction matters here. Smoked fish, cream cheese, caviar, babka, rugelach. A bagel with lox and cream cheese runs about $16-20 depending on the fish. The original Houston Street counter is takeout/retail only -- for sit-down, go to the Cafe on Orchard Street. Fourth generation, same family, same quality. Closes at 4pm.

179 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002 · Daily 8am-4pm · (212) 475-4880 · indoor

The blueberry pancakes are the most famous in the city and the wait proves it.

The blueberry pancakes with warm maple butter are the reason this place has had a line since 2001. Brunch served all day Mon-Fri 8:30am-3:30pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am-4pm. Entrees $16-24. The wait on weekends is 60-90 minutes -- put your name in and walk the LES. The buttermilk biscuit sandwich is the sleeper pick. Dinner Wed-Sat is actually great and much easier to get into.

4 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-3:30pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am-4pm, Dinner Wed-Sat 5:30pm-10pm · (646) 602-6263 · indoor

The sit-down version of the Houston St. counter. Full plates, cocktails, and a bowl of matzo ball soup that heals things.

If Russ & Daughters on Houston is the counter, this is the dining room. Full table service with the same legendary smoked fish plus hot dishes, egg creams, cocktails, and desserts. The classic board (bagel, cream cheese, smoked fish) is about $26-32. Matzo ball soup $14. Reservations on Resy recommended, especially weekends. A calmer, more civilized version of the Houston Street experience.

127 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002 · Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat-Sun 8am-8pm · (212) 475-4881 · indoor