Founded by a pair of longtime friends, Alita offers excellent locally-roasted coffee and sublime pastries and sandwiches, all baked in-house. Get a soft slice of banana bread or gooey chocolate chip cookie to have with your coffee if they haven’t sold out yet. While we’ve placed this in the afternoon pick-me-up category, their breakfast sandwiches (bacon, egg and cheese wedged between fluffy focaccia or warm biscuits) cooked right on the other side of the counter, are another exceptional way to start your day.  

A former dry‑cleaners (the sign is original, with the C in Cleaners worn out) turned vintage emporium, Grand Leaners feels like rummaging through a traveller’s memory box. The kooky, nostalgic space holds an eclectic mix: 80s ski jackets draped on an original rotating rack (if you ask the owner nicely, he’ll turn it on for you), art objects, funky home goods, and handmade pieces from local vendors.   

This cosy, mystical boutique marries a beguiling mix of ’80s and ’90s apparel (the jackets and dresses have a slightly more tailored, glam feel at times – like shearlings and a slew of floor-length garments) with curios like crystals, incense, and tarot decks. A cheeky marriage of fashion and ritual.     

The sister shop to LEIF’s original Grand Street outpost, this women’s clothing brand is a blend of earthy apparel, accessories, and footwear, with the pastoral home goods the brand is known for. Between the gauzy blouses, linen throws, and swooping ceramics, it feels like a wholesome slice of upstate New York in the middle of the city.