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Lavender Hot Chocolate – Maman’s  239 Centre Street

For a non-traditional take on hot chocolate, the Lavender Hot Chocolate at Maman’s is the perfect choice on a cold NYC winter day. Delectably melted dark chocolate infused with subtle notes of lavender, this hot drink will instantly become a favorite.

Apple Cider – The Grey Dog 244 Mulberry Street

When is boozy apple cider ever a bad thing? Spiked with Soju Vodka and dry red wine, Grey Dog’s cider tastes heavenly and helps soothe stress after a grueling day at work.

Double Yellow Latte – Joe and the Juice 67 Spring St

Lattes are sold by the thousands in NYC but our favorite is a double yellow from Joe and the Juice. Oh, yeah. Drink sizes are color-coded, no “grande” or “large” options here. Drop by and enjoy a latte to start your day with great music, cool vibes, and addictive coffee.

Mexican Buttered Toddy – Ofrenda 113 7th Ave S

Hot buttered rum is great as is, but Ofrenda kicks theirs up a notch and adds cocoa-infused Tequila. Try this Mexican Buttered Toddy to beat any cold front and warm up your soul.

Ginger Soy Latte – Peace Food Café 41 E 11th Street

We’re going a little bit outside our boundaries for this extremely honorable mention. At this “Top 10 Must-Try Vegan Place in NYC", the hot beverage to try is their ginger soy latte. Winter has arrived, so cozy on up with this large cup of warm deliciousness.

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Toloache - 205 Thompson St

Toloache, where drinks are just as unique as their food. They have twelve different margarita flavors, each distinct from the other –and let me warn you, their margaritas definitely pack a punch. On your next visit try La Intelectual, made with: Maestro Dobel, Pineapple, Light Agave Nectar & Lime.

Los Feliz - 109 Ludlow St 

Los Feliz is a taqueria / tequileria located in the heart of the Lower East Side. They offer a wide selection of tequilas from Tequila Blanco to Tequila Añejo. They also offer margaritas, but we recommend you take the time to sip the tequila like you would with fine scotch. It’s a different experience, but it is definitely worth it. On your next visit: try the Partida.

Agave - 140 7th Ave S

Agave offers refreshing cocktails with fresh ingredients. They have happy hour specials so you can try something other than the traditional margarita. Want something stronger? Try their tequila shots –they will definitely take the edge off. On your next visit order the Acapulco Spice, it comes with: House made Jalapeños Infused Tequila, Cointreau, Fresh Lime Juice & Jalapeños. Muy caliente!

Caliente Cab Co. - 61 7th Ave S

Venture towards the West Village for this 7th Ave gem – trust us, it’s worth it. They’ve been around for 30 years and they know their tequila. Caliente offers a charming façade with plenty of outdoor seating and a vintage cab parked out front. Their margaritas are absolutely massive (just the way we like them!) and they come in delicious flavors – our favorites are strawberry, pineapple, and coconut. Bonus: you get to keep the glass as a keepsake, tourist-style. Not to be missed!

Tijuana Picnic - 151 Essex St

Come here if you like your margaritas with a kick – Tijuana Picnic makes their Mi Casa Margarita nice and spicy. These guys also manage to do great Mexican-Asian fusion food. They’re known for their duck and foie gras empanadas, and they also have options for the more adventurous types. Great food and tequila, along with a chilled out ambiance, make this a go-to spot.

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Café Habana - 17 Prince St

From downtown Mexico city, Café Habana offers the most authentic Mexican flavors in town. This hidden gem, which locates between Prince and Elizabeth, attracts tons of locals everyday. You can’t say no to corn with homemade mayo, chili powder, melted cotija cheese and freshly squeezed lime, and not to mention their warm toasted breads filled with perfectly seasoned meat and delicious sauce. We do recommend visiting weekend mornings or weekday nights since this place is always packed with passionate foodies.  

Papatzul - 55 Grand St

In a summer vacation mood? Papatzul is your most affordable getaway destination in Manhattan. With its colorful artisan decors, warm colored light and friendly staff, this restaurant brings you to the restaurant owner’s hometown: Mexico city. Other than their innovated Mexican food, the beverages at Papatzul are also well known. Treating yourself to a chilled delicious watermelon margarita and some juicy Alambre de Res is just the right thing to do this summer.

La Esquina - 114 Kenmare St

Don’t let La Esquina’s ordinary façade fool you because it is anything but that. La Esquina is the epitome of the expression: business in the front, party in the back. On your next visit make sure to walk past the taqueria and over to the bouncer. He will lead you to the dimly lit brasserie – a taco speakeasy, if you will.

Calexico – Prince St & Wooster St

As a winner of the Vendy Award for Best Street Food in New York, Calexico is the favorite go-to neighborhood taco eatery for many new yorkers. The Calexico food cart stops by between Prince Street and Wooster Street from Monday to Friday 11:30am to 3:30pm. Its perfectly roasted meat and rich creamy crack sauce is the reason why busy new yorkers keep coming back for more. 

Tacombi at Fonda Nolita - 267 Elizabeth St

Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of New York? Visit Tacombi for a quick getaway. Its interior decor and casual ambience will definitely make you feel like you’re in a Mexican cantina. And the cherry on top? They have a vintage VW van that serves as a taco truck. 

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Oficina Latina - 24 Prince St

Want to get away? We can’t book you a flight, but we can recommend you take a mini vacation to Oficina Latina. With a two for one happy hour on margaritas and mojitos, you’ll think you’ve gone to heaven… or at least south of the boarder. The bartenders are extremely friendly and knowledgeable (ask for Pierre). We recommend the spicy kick of the Ancho Lychee Mezcalita… but they have a variety of margarita flavors such as avocado, ginger, and banana.

Macondo East - 157 E Houston St

Venture just slightly out of SoHo to LES and you’ll find Macondo East, one of the most fabulous tapas bars in NYC! During happy hour, you’ll find yummies for around $5 and cocktails for around $7. You can’t beat it. With impeccable service and a lively atmosphere, Macondo is the place to go to and have fun with your friends!

Rubirosa - 235 Mulberry St

Who said happy hours should only mean drinks? Pizza hour at Rubirosa Ristorante definitely makes us just as happy. It’s on pies and slices only, but you can still grab a refreshing draft or glass of wine to chase your cheese. The vibe is exactly what you would expect from an old school Italian restaurant in NYC. If you’ve got family visiting from out of town, take them to Rubirosa to show them just how good New York pizza can be.  

Emporio - 231 Mott St

Speaking of Italian, Emporio is the place to hit for a little more menu variety. Their happy hour consists of $5 house wine and stella drafts (you might even be lucky enough to score some free apps). Try the chicken liver pate or the prosciutto pizza. The restaurant is romanticized by the backroom’s skylight roof. It gets pretty busy, so if you want to make the 5:30-6:00 happy hour, then plan ahead!

Sanctuary T’s - 337 W Broadway

When it’s warm out, nothing hits the spot like delicious sangria. Except for perhaps 2 for 1 sangrias? Sanctuary T’s happy hour gets extra points for lasting till 9pm and even features some beers. A top-notch date spot, it also has an impressive tea selection as well as a delectable dinning menu. We recommend the Rose Blossom Sangria­– fruity but not too sweet!

Sweet & Vicious - 5 Spring St

Ever had a jargarita? If you haven’t, this is the place to have your first. Sweet & Vicious is probably one of the hippest spots you can visit this summer. With a chill outdoor patio and awesome jams, all you have to bring is the great company! Till 7 you can get $1 off beers and $6 wines and wells. However, you really have to trust us on this jargarita! (Ok, it’s just a frozen margarita in a mason jar… but S&V makes them delicious… and strong!)

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McNally Jackson – 52 Prince St

Books from floor to ceiling (literally, you have got to check out the décor). Even better, they have a pretty sweet coffee shop as well! Grab a good read and find a cozy place to sit. The atmosphere is everything that you’d expect from your ideal bookstore. The book selection is pretty broad, too. From Philip Glass to Dr. Seuss, you can find something for everyone at McNally Jackson. 

Mulberry Iconic Magazines – 188 Mulberry St

Do you remember that magazine that you always loved, but one day couldn’t seem to find? Fret no more, because Mulberry Iconics Magazine has it in stock! If you’re looking to be inspired, especially by great photography, their magazines come from both local and international publishers. With friendly customer service, we might stop by Mulberry even if it wasn’t the only spot to find our all time favorite periodical.

MOMA Design Bookstore – 81 Spring St

We aren’t ashamed to admit that we miss that feeling of being a kid in a toy store. At MoMa Design and Bookstore in SoHo, it’s easy to get lost amongst not only the incredible book options, but also the unique inventory of furniture, gadgets, and gizmos. The types of books you’ll find are similar in subject matter to those you would find in a museum gift shop, but with a bit more variety. This shop is definitely one of those “you’ve got to see for yourself” places.

Taschen - 107 Greene St

Is your coffee table needing a piece of art or your shelves craving some culture? Tashen’s selection of beautifully crafted art, architecture and photography books will certainly not disappoint (and if you’ve ever been to our offices, you will notice our wide collection of art books that we love!). The store itself features some irreplaceable objects, such as real photos of Marilyn Monroe and the 75 pound book, GOAT (Greatest of All Time), a tribute to the American boxer Muhammad Ali, signed by none other than himself.

Clic – 255 Centre St.

Featuring distinctive, hard-to-find selection of books, toys, and art. Stop by to check out the contemporary photography exhibitions and leave with a book by your new favorite artist. Classy as it is intriguing, everything that you’ll find at Clic will make a great gift (even if it’s a gift for yourself). Be sure to check out their site for upcoming events and gallery openings.

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Saturday Surf - 31 Crosby St Located in a beachy clothing store, this is the perfect spot to grab an iced coffee and cool down. You can relax and feel the breeze in their outdoor seating area, then jump right back into shopping for your next vacation. What to get: A latte... iced or hot! Who to bring: Your favorite shopping buddy.

Ground Support - 399 W Broadway While all the places on our list sell yummy coffee, this one is especially known for carrying high-quality products. Friendly staff, an appropriate noise level, and free wifi make Ground Support your ultimate go-to coffee joint for pretty much any occasion. What to get: Almond Milk Latte. Who to bring: Your lactose intolerant friend.

Housing Works Bookstore Cafe - 126 Crosby St Grab a cup of coffee… and a good read? This is where we go when we want a little mental vaca. The best part? The proceeds from both your cup of joe and your new book of Poe go to the Housing Works charity which shelters the homeless and supports those living with HIV/AIDS. What to get: A simple cup of coffee. Who to bring (or buy): Oscar Wilde, Jane Austin, or Harper Lee.

Two Hands - 164 Mott St White interiors, exposed bricks, and mason jars… you should only try Two Hands if you want to be put in a cheerful mood. Mott Street’s best sit-down coffee spot (and close to us here at KW) Bring your laptop or boyfriend, we recommend Two Hands for both work time and good conversation. What to get: Avocado toast & an iced latte. Who to bring: Anyone from a close friend to a cute tinder date.

Harney & Sons  - 433 Broome St Located on Broome St, this shop is the ideal stop for tea aficionados. This chic “tea lounge” features not only over 250 varieties of tea but also a scrumptious menu. You’re sure to leave satisfied and refreshed. What to get: Vanilla scones, Pearl Jasmine tea, and/or an Earl Grey Milkshake. Who to bring: Family from out of town or friends that want to try something new.

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Housing Works Bookstore Café

Imagine a place where you sip well-roasted espresso and rummage through thousands of interesting books all for a good cause. Housing Works Bookstore Cafe is a cozy, vintage café in Crosby street which mission is to build a healing community, where either New Yorkers or tourists can be part of.  Every single penny you spend here is directly used to support the issues of homelessness and AIDS. Buy a coffee, help a good cause, sit, learn, and relax.