7 Elephants is a takeout-only Thai spot on East Broadway that makes a delicious, peanutty massaman curry.

Evil Katsu is a pop-up on the Lower East Side that serves delicious katsu sandwiches.

If you’re looking to spend under $15 on a delicious meal near the Lower East Side, Dominican spot Sandy’s Coffee Shop needs to be on your radar.

The LES location of Peppa's Jerk Chicken serves Jamaican food that's just as delicious as what you'll find at their other spots in Brooklyn.

Mel is a bakery on the LES that makes some excellent sourdough bread and chocolate croissants.

Fat Choy serves great vegan, Chinese-inspired dishes on the Lower East Side.

Oola’s Kitchen is a soul food spot on the Lower East Side where you should eat a delicious double smashburger.

Saigon Social serves phenomenal Vietnamese food on the Lower East Side, and it’s one of our favorite new restaurants of 2020.

This casual spot on the LES serves curry goat roti, coconut shrimp bao, and plenty of other Caribbean dishes you want to order tonight.

Skin Contact is an unpretentious natural wine bar on Orchard Street on the LES where you can drink something unusual without paying a ton.

Three Times is a fast-casual Chinese spot on the Lower East Side that serves good pan-fried dumplings.

Arlene’s Grocery is a Lower East Side bar with live music every night.

You can skip the Cajun restaurant on the ground floor of Canary Club on the LES, and head to the jazz club downstairs.

Ernesto’s is a Basque-inspired restaurant on the Lower East Side where you’re going to want to hang out for a while.

Douska is a casual handroll spot on the LES where you’ll want to become a regular.

Peoples is a wine shop and bar in the bottom of Essex Street Market on the LES.