What are good non-tourist places to visit in New York City?

Question

resturaunts, shops, cafe's and such

I want places with an atmosphere and personality

Answer 1

I can think of 2 areas. The DUMBO section in Brooklyn which is right over the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Washington Heights is another section. This is way uptown Manhattan in the 160s- 190s on the West Side. Ft Tryon Park and the Cloisters are here.

Answer 2

Unfortunately NY has become almost totally a tourist town. Any place that is good has been found by the tourists. If it's good it's written up in Zagats and the Tourists find it.
But, some of the places that I find to be more local are, Capsuto Frere on Watts Street. It's in the middle of nowhere, down towards Tribeca. It's French Lebanese and has a wonderful atmosphere. It has been around for years, but for some reason it isn't all that crowded, or at least the nights I've been there, and I go pretty often. The help is just wonderful.
Somewhat touristy, but full of locals are the Union Square Cafe, Grammercy Tavern and Gotham Cafe, all down around Union Square. They are all on the expensive side, but oh so worth it. You need reservations in advance for these restaurants. All have wonderful atmosphere and are unbelieveable and worth it.
Also, a newer restaurant, not that well known, on 61 st, at Madison is a fusion restaurant called Ghesia. Worth a try.
For the little bit different, and really a more local place, but pricey, is March, in the upper 50's. It is a sort of tasting menu, you get bits of different foods to taste, small portions so you can try a lot of different things.
Worth a trip is wandering the Lower East Side. There are a lot of new restaurants popping up around there and it's an interesting area to visit. More locals than tourists. You can also check out the East Villiage, it is changing and now safe to walk around during the day. Also, you will want to check out Chelsea, that's the 20's on the westside. It was basically nothing but has now become the new area for art galleries. You willl also find a number of new restaurants in that area. They are also filled with locals as the area hasn't really been found yet.
Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The best non-touristy places in NYC are outside of Manhattan. Tourists don't realize that NYC is 5 different boroughs, not just Manhattan.

Check out Park Slope or downtown Brooklyn. Or take the 7 train through Queens and stop in the different international communities.

Answer 4

Wander around NoLiTa, East Village, and West Village.

SoHo is more upper-scale touristy.

Times Square is a complete mess.

Answer 5

go to jersey
better prices on anything you do
River Palm Steak House in Mahwah
Passaic Falls
All is more exciting less people and save lots of $$$$$$$$4

Answer 6

North on 5th and Madison Ave, North of centeral park...

Answer 7

Chinatown. Very real there.