Yellow cabs: check. Water towers: check. Sirens: check. Fire hydrants: check. Steam coming out of holes in the ground: check. Rats on the subway tracks: check, check, and check. More than any other city, New York delivers on its reputation. No matter how much New Yorkness you soak up in the virtual world, the real thing still manages to over deliver. It's big, it's dense, it's loud, it's exciting and, apart from money and power, two of the things it does best are culture and food.

- Pat Nourse, Gourmet Traveller

Getting Around New York:

To use public transport, you will need a Metrocard which can be purchased at a Subway Station booth, a Metrocard vending machine or at various Neighbourhood merchants. If you travelling outside of New York, for example to New Jersey you will need a separate train ticket which can be purchased at  machines at the station.

Rideshare apps such as Uber and Lyft are popular in New York. Download the apps and look online for more information.

 Big Yellow Taxis—Keen to try the infamous NYC yellow taxis? These can be more expensive but they are metered and accept credit cards.

Getting to the Airports 

To and From JFK to Manhattan
There is a flat flare of $52 + 50c  MTA State Surcharge + 30c Improvement Surcharge, and $4.50 rush hour surcharge (4—8 PM weekdays, excluding legal holidays).

 To and from Newark
To Newark, there is a $17.50 Surcharge + 30c improvement fee in addition to the metered fare.

To and from La Guardia
This is a metered fare. 

Knowing where to go
sometimes is great to go out and get lost, but sometimes you just need to know where you’re going

Uptown
Central Park & Zoo
Lincoln Center
Harlem
Apollo Theatre
The Guggenheim Museum
Frick Collection
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Museum of natural history

Downtown
Brooklyn & Prospect Park
Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn Bridge

Midtown
Times Square
Statue of Liberty
Wall Street
World Trade Center (Ground Zero)
Empire State Building
Top of the Rock
Soho

 NYC Chefs du Jour

Ivan Ramen
This is the restaurant of the New Yorker who took the Ramen world of Japan by storm. He was one of the first non-Japanese chefs to have his ramen achieve cult status.
 Booking recommended
Location: 25 Clinton St

The Momofukus
Korean-American Chef Dave Chang serves Asian meets American food at  his various restaurants across New York. The restaurants vary on price and grandiosity.

Momofuku Noodle Bar
Casual but delicious dining, prepare to queue
171 1st Ave (between 10th & 11th)

Momofuko Ssam Bar
207 Second Ave at 13th St

Momofuku Ko
Two Michelin Stars, a Japanese twist and a multi-course tasting menu. Reservations are essential.  There is limited seating at the bar (non-reservable) where a small a la carte menu is available. 
8 Extra Place

Bagels and Jewish Fare

A true New York experience should involve Bagels, lox and smear. These two Jewish Cafes offer you this with added Latkes, herring and Matzo Ball soup.

Russ and Daughters
127 Orchard St

Katz Deli 
205 East Houston St

Desserts

Dominique Ansel
Home of the Cronut, need we say more?
189 Spring St

Milk Bar 
Ex-Momofuku chef Christina Tosi made classic childhood treats an acceptable adult dessert through the sensation that is bakery Milk Bar. There are several locations across the city.  Her signature treats are Crack Pie and Birthday cake (sold by the slice).

Delis

Do New Yorkers have small kitchens because they have such great Delis or is it the other way round? Here are two examples of great Delis in the Big Apple. Both Delis have multiple locations  

Dean and Deluca

Eataly

Winter Friendly Rooftop bars 

Wythe Hotel (Brooklyn), Bowery 93 (Lower Manhattan)