The Bleecker Street in NYC: The Ultimate Guide!
Bleecker Street in New York City is one of the most famous streets in the city, running through the West Village, Greenwich Village and NoHo neighborhoods. If you are in New York City, you should definitely walk along Bleecker Street, as there are great restaurants, bars, cafes, shopping stores, and clubs to see and explore!
I’ll tell you everything you need to know about Bleecker Street in this article, including our absolute favorite addresses and the most beautiful hotels!
Where is Bleecker Street in New York City?
Bleecker Street begins in the heart of the West Village, runs through Greenwich Village,, and is bordered by the Bowery in the east (in NoHo). Bleecker Street crosses 6th Avenue and Broadway, which is the border between the neighborhoods. Another good orientation is W Houston Street, as it can be found just one street south of Bleecker Street and is exactly one block south of 1st Street.
How long is Bleecker Street?
Bleecker Street is pretty much 1 mile long. It will take you about 25 minutes to walk from the beginning to the end.
What is Bleecker Street known for?
In the morning, you will see many students start their day sitting with their laptops in one of the cafes. After all, New York University, The NYU Stern School of Business, and The NYU School of Law are only two blocks away from Bleecker Street.
Bleecker Street is a go-to spot for New Yorkers because there are great restaurants, like Manousheh Bleecker, Dante NYC (one of my favorite spots!), and the family-run Italian restaurant Villa Mosconi.
Looking for the best restaurants and pizza near Bleecker Street? We’ve got you covered!
Best Restaurants on Bleecker Street
You can eat so well here, you won’t believe it! The selection ranges from Italian to Lebanese to Japanese cuisine. And I can promise you, you will have a great time in these restaurants!
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01 Carroll Place
Carroll Place on Bleecker Street has an exciting concept, as it’s both a gastropub and wine bar where you can enjoy Italian-inspired food. It’s one of our favorite spots when we go for brunch in New York. The atmosphere is relaxed, the vibe is always good and the food is delicious!
Our favorites have been the pizza with truffles and the Pasta Vongole. The fact that the pizza oven is wood fired gives the pizzas a taste like a pizza should have! By the way, next time try the Carroll Place Burger with Gorgonzola. This one looked mega delicious too!
My tip: if you want to go for brunch, be sure to reserve a table in advance!
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02 Manousheh Bleecker
Manousheh Bleecker is a Lebanese restaurant in Greenwich Village on Bleecker Street (unsurprisingly). They are known for their delicious flatbreads, which you can eat either savory or sweet. I especially like the Flatbread with zaatar and sesame seeds and the Kafka with lamb and hummus. Definitely try the bowls too, they are super delicious, fresh and look good.
And if you’re more in the mood for something sweet, you should try the homemade flatbread with Nutella or Halawa (which is a sweet sesame paste)!
The restaurant itself is rather small and there are only a few seats. If you have to wait for a free seat, I can promise you: it’s worth the wait!
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03 Villa Mosconi
If you’re looking for an Italian restaurant with real vintage charm, you have to go to Villa Mosconi! This restaurant has been around for over 40 years and is still run by the same family.
Villa Mosconi restaurant offers authentic Italian food in a lovely ambiance and it’s family friendly and welcoming. No matter what (homemade) pasta you order, it’s guaranteed to be delicious. Another highlight for us was the Veal Milanese. And the best part? The prices are really reasonable!
For me, Villa Mosconi is one of the best Italian restaurants in New York, because we were not disappointed during any of our visits!
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04 Dante NYC
When it comes to the best Negroni in town, there is hardly a way around Dante NYC. They are an institution in New York and have been serving their Negroni since 1915 (it’s an Italian restaurant with a small bar). You find it at the corner of Greenwich Village, SoHo and Hudson Square – here we are super-often when we are on the road in New York.
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05 One if by Land, Two if by Sea
One if by Land, Two if by Sea has the reputation to be the city’s most romantic restaurant and has also been voted the 5th most romantic restaurant in the world – for good reasons. The former carriage house, built in 1767, does not only stand out due to its charming architecture but also due to its rich history. The property was once owned by the United States’ first Attorney General Aaron Burr.
After the duel in which he shot Alexander Hamilton, he lost the property and it was later repurposed until it became the restaurant we love today. The decor is simply beautiful. On top of that, One if by Land, Two if by Sea features several fireplaces, a piano, and a garden. As you may imagine, the food is absolutely amazing, too. The restaurant is said to be the most popular restaurant in New York for engagements, too.
For even more great spots, check them out in my article on the Best Restaurants on Bleecker Street.
Best Pizza on Bleecker Street
That was really difficult to put together a best list here. Because the choice of good pizza restaurants on and around Bleecker Street is large! There’s Neapolitan and Roman style pizza, so I’m sure there’s a spot for you among my favorites!
These are my TOP 3 pizza spots on Bleecker Street. If you’re looking for more, you can find them in my article about the best pizza on Bleecker Street.
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01 Bleecker Street Pizza
There’s no way to talk about the best Bleeker Street pizza joints without mentioning Bleeker Street Pizza itself. Consistently named as the best pizza in NYC by Food Network for three years in a row, it’s no wonder that this place always has a line wrapped around the door. The pizza here is classic New York style with a thin and crispy crust loaded with cheese and your choice of toppings.
What makes this place unique from the others is the recipe they use for their pizza. Bleeker Street Pizza was initially opened in 2004 using an old family recipe to create what is known as the “Nonna Marie Pie.”
While they have tons more flavors to choose from today at an affordable price, the best types to try are the Nonna Maria Pizza and Grandma Pizza. But, of course, you can’t go wrong with a traditional pepperoni pizza slice either.
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02 Pizza Loves Emily: West Village
Pizza Loves Emily is another one of the most popular spots in NYC for pizza on Bleecker Street. Created by a couple who fell in love over a slice of pizza, Emily and Matt, this spot is perfect if you’re looking to sit down, relax with friends or family over a slice, and have some drinks. Plus, their beautiful outdoor area is even dog friendly so bring Fido along with you while enjoying your pie outside.
That makes Pizza Loves Emily unique are all of the options available when it comes to toppings and the unique combination of specialty pizzas. You must try the Emmy Burger Pizza made with LaFrieda beef, Emmy sauce, caramelized onion, American cheese, and pickles, or the Arenstein made with pepperoni, pickled chili, and honey.
If you’re not in the mood for pizza, you can choose from tons of other high-quality menu options sure to satisfy your taste buds, like their crispy chicken sandwich or the truffle mac and cheese. But, of course, you can’t go wrong with a classic Margherita pizza if you’re looking for something simple but delicious.
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03 Joe's Pizza
Joe’s Pizza is another one of the OG’s when it comes to pizza on Bleecker Street. This spot has been around since 1975, created initially by Pino Pozzuoli, who immigrated from Naples, Italy. Joe’s Pizza is known for having some of the best traditional New York pizza slices in town.
People love Joe’s Pizza because of the consistency and the dedication. They still use the same original recipe from 1975, and it’s still an independently owned business, still supervised by Joe, the founder. So you won’t find any fancy concoctions or slices here. Instead, you’ll find delicious, fresh, New York-style pizza.
While you can order extra toppings and different specialty pies if you call and request it, the best way to experience Joe’s is by trying one of their cheese, mozzarella, or Sicilian square slices. They also offer fresh salads served family-style upon request if you’re feeling extra hungry!
Our Favorite Bars on Bleecker Street
In the evening, we are often near Bleecker Street, as there are many bars and pubs that we love. The Red Lion, Wicked Willy’s, and The Malt House are just a few of them.
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01 The Red Lion
If you are looking for a cosy pub in Greenwich Village, The Red Lion is your place to go! A pleasant, uncomplicated atmosphere and live music awaits you here. We were here for three relaxed hours and really enjoyed it!
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02 The Blind Tiger
The Blind Tiger is a bar right on Bleecker Street in NYC. They have a huge selection of beers, especially my favorite Indian Pale Ales (IPA). They offer outdoor seating and the prices are reasonable. This makes The Blind Tiger one of the most popular bars in this part of New York.
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03 Dante NYC
When it comes to the best Negroni in town, there is hardly a way around Dante NYC. They are an institution in New York and have been serving their Negroni since 1915 (it’s an Italian restaurant with a small bar). You find it at the corner of Greenwich Village, SoHo and Hudson Square – here we are super-often when we are on the road in New York.
Here you will find the best bars on Bleecker Street NYC.
Best Clubs on Bleecker Street
You won’t get bored here, because some of the best music venues and clubs in the city are right on Bleecker Street! My favorite club is The Bitter End, the Blue Note Jazz Club and Terra Blues.
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01 The Bitter End
The Bitter End is New York City’s oldest rock and roll club, having been around since 1961, during which time stars like Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga, Woody Allen, Billy Crystal and Norah Jones have played. And this is just a glimpse of the great artists and bands that have performed at The Bitter End over its 60-plus years.
It also shows why Bleecker Street is such an important street in New York’s Greenwich Village: the creative scene spawned legendary clubs like Terra Blues and record stores like Generation Records that are deeply tied to the New York. To this day, nothing has changed.
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02 Terra Blues
We’ve spent some great evenings at Terra Blues, because it’s probably the most authentic and relaxed blues club in New York. Since 1990, you can experience well-known and up-and-coming blues artists from New York City and the entire USA. Artists like Hubert Sumlin, Magic Slim and the Holmes Brothers have performed here and have their names written on the walls.
It’s located right on Bleecker Street between The Red Lion and Peculier Pub and directly above Wicked Willy’s bar. Those are three more spots I always enjoy visiting.
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03 Blue Note Jazz Club
The Blue Note Jazz Club has called NYC’s Greenwich Village home since 1981. Danny Bensusan, the founder, and owner set out on a quest to create a Greenwich Village jazz club that treated artists with respect and provided patrons with only the finest jazz music in a setting that’s comfortable yet intimate. After its opening, the Blue Note Club was so well-loved that even retired artists such as Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughn, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Brown, Lionel Hampton, and Tito Puente would return to music and call the club home.
Today, the Blue Note works to preserve the history of jazz music while also acting as an innovative and progressive place to practice and play on a nightly basis. Aside from main acts that include Pat Metheny, Ron Carter, Robert Glasper, Chris Botti, Joshua Redman, and Christian McBride, the club is also a great place to find up-and-coming artists playing a wide array of musical types from jazz and soul to funk, R&B, and hip-hop.
The Best Cafés Along Bleecker Street
I love good coffee and am always on the lookout for the perfect espresso, flat white, or cold brew. Follow this link and I’ll tell you all about the Bleecker Street coffee shops in which I’ve had quite a few delicious coffees!
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01
Levain Bakery
Bakery in Greenwich Village
Levain Bakery is one of the hippest bakeries in all of New York. They became famous for their oversized cookies, which are always sold fresh in a relaxed atmosphere. They are so popular that they are now also in the Upper West Side (2x), in the NoHo neighborhood on Bleecker Street and in Williamsburg.
All of the stores have one thing in common: the smell of baked goods is amazing, the selection of cookies, breads, and pastries is large, and their coffee is delicious.
I’m not really a fan of anything sweet myself, but the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and Sour Cream Coffee Cake were sensationally good. Be sure to take some time and sit on the bench in front of Levain Bakery with a cookie and a coffee. It’s a great way to watch the New Yorkers!
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02
Magnolia Bakery
Café in West Village
The classic! Carrie and her girls have eaten delicious cupcakes here. An absolute must-do for Sex and the City fans and all those who can’t resist the sweet treat.
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03
The Butcher's Daughter
Café in Nolita
The Butcher’s Daughter is definitely a hippster spot, whose atmosphere might not appeal to everyone. It’s loud, it’s cramped and always full. New Yorkers love the café, which you can see from the often long queues. The atmosphere and the menu are convincing – by the way, the ingredients of the dishes are from local farms and 100% organic.
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04
Gasoline Alley Coffee
Café in NoHoOur Highlight
Gasoline Alley Coffee is a very small coffee shop very close to Bleecker Street. It’s one of my absolute favorites in all of NYC because it’s super-stylish, the crew is always friendly, and the espresso is perfect.
Locals also call this area “Gasoline Alley”. That’s how the café got its name. Meanwhile, there is also in the Meatpacking District not far from the Chelsea Market and the High Line.
Shopping on Bleecker Street
From record stores to small boutiques and vintage stores, there are a wide variety of shops. Here are the stores on Bleecker Street that are our favorite shopping destinations:
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01
Mercer Street Books & Records
Book Store in Greenwich Village
What a great store: Mercer Street Books & Records has been around for 30 years and still hasn’t changed. Greenwich Village is a neighborhood where many creative people live. This includes book authors, which Mercer Street Books & Records has supported from the beginning. Here you can find new and used books from a wide variety of genres and even vinyl LPs.
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02
Generation Records
Other Shopping in Greenwich Village
Generation Records is another store near Bleecker Street that is truly unique. That’s because they were the very first record store in NYC to specialize in punk and heavy metal. Today the selection ranges from DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes to LPs.
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03
Kith
Shoe Store in NoHo
KITH serves as both a multifunctional lifestyle brand and a progressive retail establishment. You can choose from two locations in New York: one in Soho and the other in Brooklyn. Established in 2011, both of KITH’s store spaces are trendy, creating a unique experience for customers. Four years after opening, the brand expanded to Kith Treats, made with the concept of an artisan cereal bar in mind. You can order ice cream or milkshakes with cereal mixed in; what more could you want while shoe shopping? In addition to cereal milkshakes, KITH also offers a wide array of men’s, women’s, and kid’s footwear, apparel, and accessories. There is something here for everyone!
Great Art Galleries along Bleecker Street
If you like art and creativity, you should check out these very famous art galleries. For more, check out my article on the best art galleries in NYC.
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01 The Hole
One of my absolute favorites is The Hole on Bowery which is a fun gallery with a great selection of artists and stunning contemporary art. Monthly, they present solo and group exhibitions with a focus on emerging art and thematic group exhibitions.
The Hole has two locations and represents 15 different emerging artists. They have also represented over 200 other artists, both locally and internationally. The Hole is located at 312 Bowery, and 86 Walker Street. They host two exhibits a month and also sell products in their shop that relate to their artists such as books, and art products. Furthermore they are heavily involved in the community, putting on events, and collaborating with local artists.
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02 Zurcher Gallery
The Zurcher Gallery was founded by Bernard and Gwenolee Zurcher in 2009. They created the NY gallery based on their success at the Paris location they opened previously. They put on concerts, and art fairs, as well as sell books related to their artists.
The Best Hotels near Bleecker Street
As you can see, Bleecker Street really has a lot to offer. What could be better for your visit to New Your City than having your hotel near Bleecker Street? See the following list to find out what hotels I recommend staying at during your trip to New York City:
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01 citizenM New York Bowery
4 Stars | The citizenM New York Bowery is my favorite hotel in this area, because it combines a lot of things I like: stylish, bright rooms, a sensational bar and even a rooftop bar with a fantastic view.
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02 PUBLIC Hotel
4 stars | PUBLIC Hotel is one of the newest and, in my opinion, most beautiful hotels in New York. It is located in the Lower East Side neighborhood, right on the corner of Nolita and the East Village, and thus has many trendy bars and restaurants to offer.
The ambience in the PUBLIC Hotel is really nice: harmonious colors, stylish interior and many plants create a very relaxed atmosphere. The hotel’s restaurant and bar are amazing and you can end the evening in the rooftop bar.
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03 SIXTY SoHo
5 Stars | The SIXTY SoHo is not just one of the many 5-star hotels on this list – it’s a real gem. The SIXTY also has to be among the most stylish hotels in the city, for sure. There is a real feel-good atmosphere all around. It almost feels like a stylish, luxurious loft at times and from many of the rooms you have a great view of the city. A luxury hotel with a twist!
Need more inspiration? This is my complete list of the best hotels near Bleecker Street NYC!
