If you’re Googling “Fun restaurants east village,” 886 epitomizes what you’re looking for. The neon-lit narrow space could easily be converted into the city’s smallest nightclub, and the outdoor dining area is pretty much always a Taiwenese-beer-fueled St. Marks party. But the real reason you come here is for the excellent Taiwanese food, like their big fried chicken sandwich and braised pork with soft-boiled egg over seasoned rice. Nothing on the menu costs over $16, so it’s a great spot for an affordable meal with a couple of friends - and on weekends they set up stools and tables in the middle of the street when traffic is blocked.

photo credit: Teddy Wolff