Where to eat

Food, glorious food. New York has so many options and everyone you ask for suggestions will tell you something different. Even Pret has a different menu, including almond butter, blueberry and banana sandwiches.

Nigella Lawson once told me that the best burger in New York was at the Minetta Tavern, and I can confirm she’s not wrong ($38 (£31) with fries). Balthazar is always reliable (and you may bump into Anna Wintour, who is a regular), and the vodka/chilli/tomato pasta at Carbone is just dreamy.

Elsewhere, Via Carota in the West Village (go for lunch, not dinner) is an Italian foodie’s dream, while Gem is a not-to-be-missed small plates and wine bar. For a cheap yet delicious offering, King Dumplings is a snug counter-service local restaurant selling the best crispy pan-fried dumplings and sesame pancakes in the city. And if you’ve room for more, a four-minute walk will land you at Super Taste for saucy hand-pulled noodles.

For the very best lox and cream cheese bagels – and Jake Gyllenhaal-approved merch – Russ & Daughters is worth the queue. And for the most imaginative bakes head to Supermoon Bake House, where you will be presented with an array of Wonka-esque flavour combinations such as its salted caramel, pistachio and brown butter cardamom cruffin or honey lavender doughnut.

Don’t let Economy Candy’s unassuming exterior put you off entering: it’s filled floor-to-ceiling with sweets of every kind. And dotted around the whole of Manhattan you’ll see the iconic pink neon Milk bar logo, which is amazing for soft serve and cookies. They will also deliver to your hotel if you’ve done too much walking already.

An editor’s guide to New York City: where to stay, eat, shop and get creative in the Big Apple