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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!

 

Westway Diner, Midtown, Manhattan

Westway is one of those cool NYC diners that I keep going back to again and again. They've been open since 1988. As with most of the diners in the city it is family owned and operated. They boast about having the best burgers in the city. I wouldn't know because Westway like many restaurants in NYC serve burgers that are too big for me.

I typically have breakfast and I'm always happy with it. Unlike many of the diners in the city, Westway is actually rather spacious. They serve typical American cuisine as well as some Greek and Italian food and when I was there recently I saw a woman eating Matzah ball soup! They are open 6am-1am daily. Almost 24 hours a day.

Westway Diner - 614 9th Avenue near 43rd Street

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