Guy Brighton's New York Guide

Cafe Habana

17 Prince St (c/o Elizabeth Street) +1 212 625 2001 - This latin / cuban restuaunt is one of the most popular shacks in the neighborhood. Expect a wait for good value food. Perfect for lunch but also worth a try early or late.

If you can't wait, try the take out service next door on Elizabeth (+1 212 626 2002)

Menu

Places to go before or after Cafe Habana
Walk up and down the Nolita streets checking out the boutiques
Look at the fine jewelry made by a local woman on her make shift table displays outside the church yard on Prince

Subway
6 to Spring St; N, R, W to Prince St.

Cubana Cafe

110 Thompson Street (btwn Prince & Spring) 212 966 5366 - Very sweet cuban restaurant with large menu of simple but well made dinners, sandwiches and mojitos.

A perfect get away from the shopping crowd for brunch (after 11.30am) or the kick off for a night around Soho. Decorated just like a Cuban cafe, the staff are friendly and the prices great!

UPDATE: Now in Brooklyn! 275 Smith Street (between Sackett & Degraw) 718 858 3980 !!

Places to go after Cubana Cafe (Day)
Walk around the shops in Soho and then head over to Nolita

Places to go after Cubana Cafe (Evening)
Thom bar at Thompson Hotel
Cafe Noir on Spring & Thompson
The Room on Thompson

Pedros

York Street, DUMBO, Brooklyn - A sort of half bar, half latino diner clinging on the edge of renovating district DUMBO. Don't be put off by the look of this shack for some great (and very cheap) Cuban food.

The restaurant is pretty local; imagine the sort of beach shack in Mexico where you buy sandwiches and drinks for lunch when on your hols, then transport that cafe to a low rise block in Brooklyn with two chaps sitting outside playing loud tunes from the stereo system in their very shiny cars.

The place is divided: on the left is the food counter - on the right is the bar.

I LOVE IT. Try ordering in Spanish.

Places to go after Pedros
Any time of day wander down Water Street
The arty shop at 126 Water Street
The hip bar / restaurant next door to 126 Water Street

Subway
F

Guy's Diary posts about Pedros:
TUESDAY 26th AUGUST : FALLING JAPART