New York has never been short on places to eat and drink, but this beautifully crafted guide proves there is still plenty left to discover—if you know where to look.
Secret New York – Hidden Bars & Restaurants is a celebration of the city’s tucked‑away dining rooms, unmarked doors, subterranean cocktail dens and neighbourhood gems that even seasoned travellers often miss.
The authors are each deeply embedded in New York’s cultural and culinary fabric and bring a journalist’s curiosity and a local’s intuition to the page. Their selections feel genuinely insider, steering readers away from the predictable and into the quietly brilliant. Expect speakeasies disguised as locksmiths, restaurants hidden behind deli counters, rooftop spots without signage, and bars where the entrance is a phone booth, a staircase, or simply a leap of faith.
What makes the book particularly valuable for business travellers is its practicality. Each entry is crisp, well‑researched and grounded in real experience, giving you exactly what you need to decide whether a place suits a client drink, a discreet dinner, or a solo nightcap after meetings. The tone is warm but not breathless, and the recommendations feel curated rather than crowded.
The guide also excels at capturing the atmosphere of each venue – whether it’s a candlelit bar with jazz humming in the background or a tiny restaurant where the chef hands you your plate personally. It’s the kind of detail that helps you choose the right spot for the right moment, especially when time in the city is tight.
Compact, elegant and refreshingly original, Secret New York – Hidden Bars & Restaurants earns its place in the carry‑on. It’s a reminder that even in a city as documented as New York, there are still doors worth opening.
By Michelle Young, Laura Itzkowitz & Hannah Frishberg (Jonglez Publishing). RRP £15.99