The Best of
New York

To find the places recommended on these lists, we polled hundreds of stylish and savvy New Yorkers — set designers, curators, architects, and Scarlett Johansson among them — on their go-to colorists, storage-unit facilities, framers, and various other shops, spots, and services. The result: our own Yellow pages, containing exclusively excellent places.

The Best So Far

best of new york

The Best City Landscapers in New York

From terrace renovations to edible gardens. By Trupti Rami

best of new york The Best Framers For a 27-foot-long Richard Serra quintych or a photograph in something simple and oak. By Mackenzie Wagoner
best of new york The Best Storage Units For the most space for the least money, a few cases of wine, inherited minks, and more. By Louis Cheslaw
best of new york The Best Hair Removal Services Including the laser-hair-removal studio frequented by several beauty editors and a threader who is a master of the feathery, ’90s-esque brow. By Mackenzie Wagoner
best of new york The Best Bike Shops For used wheels, Tour de France–caliber bikes, and more. By James Lynch and Willy Blackmore
best of new york The Best Colorists Where to go for Scarlett Johansson’s seasonal highlights, bubblegum-pink buzz cuts, “hot girl” hair, and more. By Rio Viera-Newton
best of new york The Best Caterers Individual peking-duck buns from Nom Wah Tea Parlor, racks of ribs from Hometown Bar-B-Que, bissap mojitos from Teranga, and more. By Kaitlin Menza

my spots Jahn’s Diner is this old-school diner. The vibes are Twin Peaks almost. They have red-vinyl booths. The windows are stained glass. It’s like stepping into a time capsule. They’re also open 24 hours, so after the bars, you can go there for a burger or a late-night breakfast. Edgar Gomez’s Favorite Spots in Jackson Heights

The Best Karaoke in New York

best of new york The Best Exterminators Including Chloë Sevigny’s pest guy. By Charlotte Klein
best of new york The Best Florists Where to find bodega roses that will last two weeks, Anna Wintour-approved arrangements, inexpensive marigolds, and more. By Maura Kutner Walters
best of new york The Best Fitness Instructors For $10 pilates, a mind-body workout, “1,000-calorie burn” sessions, and more. By Karen Iorio Adelson
best of new york The Best Housepainters An architect favorite who has been likened to Jackson Pollock, a downtown go-to with a knack for color combinations, and more. By Trupti Rami
best of new york The Best Homeware Stores Affordable vintage furniture, Japanese gifts, Brimfield-quality quilts, and more. By Hilary Reid and Louis Cheslaw
best of new york The Best Playgrounds Giant geodesic climbing nets, ravines full of sprinklers, and a variety of slides. By Caroline Spivack

my spots Le Grand Strip has a lot of hot French vintage poster girl, New Wave–babe clothes and jewelry. It’s very glamorous. My most beloved find is a Morgane Le Fay sheer nude chiffon ensemble. When I found it, the owner was like, “You have to have this. This was made for you.” Sometimes things call to you. Tanaïs’s Favorite Spots in Williamsburg

best of new york The Best Psychics A palm reading by a psychotherapist, chakra balancing with body treatments, access to your ancestors, and more. By Kaitlin Menza
best of new york 2021 The Best Therapists We asked 31 notable New Yorkers about their therapists and are publishing their referrals in their own words. By Louis Cheslaw and Liza Corsillo
best of new york The Best Toy Stores A Harlem fixture owned by a former schoolteacher, the packed-to-the-gills shop in Cobble Hill, and more. By Lauren Ro
best of new york The Best Woodworkers Whether you want a Judd-like plywood bench, a full wall of bookshelves made of rift-cut oak, or just some simple, inexpensive cabinets. By Diana Budds
best of new york The Best Upholsterers For restoring mid-century chairs, pattern-matching a couch, and more. By Trupti Rami