PERRY STREET ~ outdoor | west village | manhattan

Dear romantic-dreamy Neha,

Perry Street is arguably one of the most beautiful streets in the West Village. Gosh, but aren't they all beautiful? My other favourites in the Village are Commerce Street and Bank Street. 

You should walk and enjoy the quietness of these tree-lined, cobblestone streets. It makes you feel like Times Square doesn't exist in this city.

GROVE STREET ~ outdoor | west village | manhattan

Dear 'Friends'-enthusiast Zoe,

Grove Street is a beautiful street in the heart of West Village. It was the street that made me fall back in love with New York. On this street, you'll find the famous apartment building that was featured in Friends. My other favourite site here is the Grove Court, which is a beautiful courtyard to six houses that I've only ever admired from behind the gates.

You should get lost here and wander along this street, but if you really want to find it, the Friends building is on the corner of Grove and Bedford (above The Little Owl), and Grove Court is located at 10-12 Grove Street.

WEST SIDE HIGHWAY RUNNING TRACK ~ outdoor | west village | manhattan

Dear outdoors-babe Lisa,

Running / cycling / walking along West Side Highway is one of my favourite things to do, when I'm not being a lazy slob (which is almost always). Go for a run just as the sun is setting, you'll get an amazing view of the Hudson River and the Hoboken (New Jersey) skyline.

My favourite stretch is from Pier 25 (N Moore Street, Tribeca) up to Chelsea Dog Run Park (W 24th Street, Chelsea).

MAS (FARMHOUSE) ~ food | west village | manhattan

Dear foodie-licious Steph,

Mas (farmhouse) is my favourite restaurant in the West Village. It is Michelin-star-quality farm-to-table cuisine in a beautiful fine-dining setting, without the wildly expensive prices of a Michelin-star restaurant. 

It's a fancy occasion sort of restaurant, and you're a fancy occasion sort of girl. You will love this place.

ABINGDON FARMERS MARKET ~ market | west village | manhattan

Dear bright-and-early-rising Nicole,

Abingdon Farmers Market are on every Saturday from 10am. You can go for a nice walk and buy your baked goods, fresh seafood and fresh produce for that evening's dinner festivities.

On a non-Saturday, you could come here to enjoy the sun and inspire others with your yoga.

(photo credit: gvshp.org)

ALTA ~ food | west village | manhattan

Dear tapas-enthusiast Laura,

Alta is an incredibly well-hidden Spanish tapas restaurant in the Village. They have the most extensive food menu and they do pretty damn good sangria. I love the beef short rib, duck breast and the calamari. 

You'll want to book ahead and look up where it is on the map!

(photo credit: Alta)

MALATESTA TRATTORIA ~ food | west village | manhattan

Dear pannacotta-crazed Jemima,

Malatesta is my local Italian restaurant, it has an intimate atmosphere and the funny waitstaff greet you in Italian and pour you huge glasses of wine. The pastas are cheap and cheerful, and the desserts are fun to share.

You might want to double your order of the delicious pannacotta.

JOE COFFEE ~ coffee | west village | manhattan

Dear coffee-loving Hoa,

Joe Coffee does Melbourne-worthy coffee in New York. There are a few of them scattered about town, but the one in West Village is my go-to.

Start your day off by getting one on your way to the West 4th subway station.

LE PETIT PUPPY ~ shop | west village | manhattan

Dear puppy-loving Anna,

Le Petit Puppy is the sweetest puppy shop of many in the heart of West Village. One look at these cuties and you won't want to leave. 

WHYNOT COFFEE & WINE ~ food | west village | manhattan

Dear creative-chic Sophia,

Whynot Coffee & Wine is a hipster writer's paradise. Here you will only ever find the most ironic of hipsters writing in their Moleskine journals, whilst judging hipsters on their Macbooks, who are judging your average mainstream kid. 

It's fun to sit here for hours, editing your photos or planning your travels.

(photo credit: Manhattan with a Twist)

BUVETTE ~ food | west village | manhattan

Dear hipster-chic Ashley,

Buvette is a cute French cafe which doubles as a wine bar in the heart of West Village. They do great pastries or snack-like breakfasts. I also love their mulled wine with tapas on snowy December days.

It's fun to people-watch from the window-sill or read a book in the back room.