Lower East Side, NY [Neighborhood Guide]

Get to know the Lower East Side

Forming a rough triangle on the east side of Manhattan, sitting south of Houston Street and east of the Bowery (with the East River forming its third side), the Lower East Side evokes first, for many, the days of Old New York. Some traces of that period remain, namely a handful of buildings that were once historically significant, if not especially beautiful, tenements. In recent years the neighborhood has been undergoing a transformation. Along its northern edge, it feels increasingly like an extension of the East Village, with bars, restaurants, and clubs along Ludlow and Orchard. Meanwhile, other blocks farther south reflect the ongoing expansion of Chinatown into adjacent neighborhoods.

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Lower East Side Commerce & Culture

Travel east of Clinton or south of East Broadway, and restaurants or shops beyond bodegas are few and far between. In the northwestern corner of the neighborhood, the newest arrival is the Essex Crossing development just south of Delancey. It includes Target, Trader Joe’s, and Market Line — a collection of outposts from local food vendors. Most of the Lower East Side’s popular dining and drinking spots sit on Allen, Ludlow, and Orchard, with their dive bars, casual restaurants, and small clubs with live music (Arlene’s Grocery and Pianos are among the best known of them). Russ & Daughters and Katz’s are mainstays, both over a century old. Venture deeper into the neighborhood and you’ll come upon local favorites like Doughnut Plant, Dudley's and Jajaja. The Tenement Museum on Orchard provides a lively introduction to the neighborhood’s history.