Once home to immigrants and factory workers striving for the American Dream, the Lower East Side has transformed into one of the coolest neighborhoods in Manhattan over the past decade or so.
Today it's home to upscale shops, trendy boutique hotels, great restaurants, and cool bars.
It is the place to go out in NYC on a Saturday night — or any night for that matter.
The LES is roughly bounded by Chinatown to the south and west, NoLIta to the west, and the East Village to the north.
Best Brunch: The Fat Radish
The Fat Radish serves simple, healthy dishes in an unpretentious setting that's meant to evoke the feel of London's Covent Garden market.
Brunch is a great time to try the simple yet delicious fare, like the avocado toast with spicy eggs or the pumpkin pancakes with pecans and bourbon maple cream. If you're feeling really decadent, order the duck fat fries on the side.
Reservations are recommended, even for brunch.
Best Small Italian Plates: 'inoteca
Prepare to wait for a table at this small, lively Italian restaurant that's generally packed with twenty-somethings.
There's an extensive selection of small Italian plates — don't miss the truffled egg toast — but the wine list is even more impressive.
Best Kosher Deli: Katz's
Opened in 1888, Katz's is a remnant from the days when the neighborhood was predominantly filled with Jewish immigrants.
Yet it has stuck around, and it still remains one of the most popular kosher-style delis in the city — for good reason.
People love the heaping pastrami, turkey, and corned beef sandwiches, which go best with a cream soda.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider