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Discover NYC – Your Guide to Indie Businesses

Discover the local, independent businesses that are the heart and soul of NYC in Shoot New York City’s guide to the best of indie New York!

Discover the real NYC in Shoot New York City’s Discover Guide

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of the businesses listed are temporarily or permanently closed. I do suggest that you verify if they are open before visiting them. With many of them, it is probably best to call them as they may not have had the opportunity to update the information on their website.

I love the independent businesses in New York, they are the heart and soul of the city! In this section you will find bookstores, cafés, restaurants, arts & crafts markets and more. This is an ongoing project to list the best of indie New York so visit often to discover the real New York City. Experience the hidden gems and places that New Yorkers frequent. For more information on many of NYC’s vibrant neighborhoods, have a read of my Neighborhood Guides. I am not compensated for writing these reviews and I'm only writing about the places that I like.

Sadly, far too many of these unique, independent businesses close every year. When I learn of one closing I will move it to the category Vanishing NYC. They may be gone but they’ll never be forgotten!

Neighborhoods

Business Type

 

Gray's Papaya, Upper West Side, Manhattan

Gray's Papaya is a real New York thing to do! A hot dog and a papaya juice are the typical things people order. They also have the standard NYC breakfast of bacon, egg and cheese on a roll. Gray's Papaya was a favorite of the girls on Sex and the City as well. It has been featured in many films and a favorite of many famous and not famous New Yorkers.

There were other locations in the past that have closed due to the cost of rent.  I understand that there's another location on Eighth Avenue as well. They're open 24 hours 7 day per week and the food is very inexpensive. No website. I have a photo somewhere in my archives that they endorsed Obama for president in 2008.

Gray's Papaya - 2090 Broadway at 72nd Street

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RestaurantsLeanne StaplesUpper West Side, Manhattan