Travel video guide
Best Coffee Shops in Manhattan, New York From Jon Barr
This guide turns Why are New Yorkers OBSESSED With These Cheap Breakfasts? from Jon Barr into a practical cafe map with 2 saved spots around Manhattan. The mapped places include a cafe stop and a restaurant stop. Use it to understand the places, dishes, and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
Jon Barr highlighted Mama Joe's Greek breakfast cart as one of his most memorable New York City experiences due to her warm hospitality and high-quality homemade food. He was particularly impressed by the value proposition of finding authentic $6 spanakopita and $3 frappes in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The tour concluded at Gray's Papaya, where he marveled at the ability to get a full breakfast sandwich and coffee for under $4.
What this map is good for
- Planning a cafe stop or short itinerary in Manhattan.
- Comparing food stops from a creator or saved local map before you commit time in the city.
- Saving 2 mapped spots into Varedelo so the list stays usable on the ground.
- Using the original video as context, then turning it into a clean place-by-place map.
Featured spots on this map
- Gray's Papaya
Fast Food Restaurant in 2090 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, USA, Manhattan, New York, United States
Price level: Cheap
Hours: Hours available - Peteys Cafe
Cafe in E 32nd St, New York, NY 10016, USA, Manhattan, New York, United States
Hours: Hours available
Food notes from the video
- spanakopita
- puff pastry with feta and eggs
- olive bread
- chicken noodle soup
- frappe iced coffee
- baklava
- sausage egg and cheese sandwich
- hot dog egg and cheese sandwich
- 1 more included in the app.
Experiences captured
- visited Mama Joe's breakfast cart in Midtown
- interviewed legendary street food vendor Mama Joe
- ate authentic Greek pastries near Grand Central
- filmed in the rain at an outdoor food cart
- visited the last remaining Gray's Papaya location
- ordered the budget-friendly breakfast specials
- compared prices of street food versus restaurants
Planning notes for New York
The Central Park West Historic District in New York City, situated along the western edge of Central Park between 61st and 97th Streets, is a residential and institutional area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Established in its current form through designations in 1973 and 1982.
Must-try foods nearby
- Short Rib Pastrami Suya at Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi
A standout dish from the restaurant recently named the best in New York, this Afro-Caribbean fusion combines Jewish deli traditions with West African suya spice. - Smoked Sturgeon and Nova at Barney Greengrass
Known as 'The Sturgeon King,' this 1929 institution is the definitive spot for Jewish appetizing. - The 'Recession Special' at Gray’s Papaya
An essential New York experience located at 72nd and Broadway, this consists of two grilled all-beef frankfurters with mustard, onions, or sauerkraut. - Chocolate Babka from Zabar’s
No visit to Central Park West is complete without a stop at this culinary landmark. - 6-Ounce Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie at Levain Bakery
A global phenomenon born on the Upper West Side, these massive, gooey-centered cookies often have lines stretching down the block.
When to go: The best months to visit are May and October, when mild temperatures (60°F–75°F) and vibrant seasonal foliage—spring blooms or autumn colors—make the district’s historic architecture and adjacent park trails exceptionally photogenic. Peak crowds and prices.
Local tips
- Walk on the right side of the sidewalk and step aside completely if you need to stop for photos of the historic architecture.
- Book reservations well in advance for popular upscale dining spots like Essential by Christophe or Sempre Oggi, as tables fill up quickly.
- Leave a standard gratuity of 18-20% at full-service restaurants, as tipping is a vital part of the local service industry custom.
- Use the subway for efficient travel, but be sure to check if your train is a local or express line to avoid skipping your intended stop.
What travelers are noticing
- Japan Day Parade and Street Fair on West 72nd Street featuring traditional Japanese food vendors and cosplay
- Viral Salted Brown Butter Oat Lattes served on tap with optional cold foam
- Specialty roaster pop-ups and 'tiramisu lattes' featuring mascarpone cold foam
Extra place context
- Gray’s Papaya
Known for: The 'Recession Special' at Gray’s Papaya. Mentioned as a must-try spot in top foods.
food and The 'Recession Special' at Gray’s Papaya
Official tourism resource
The official destination marketing organization and visitor guide for the five boroughs of New York City, including Manhattan.
Planning questions
Where did Jon Barr eat in Manhattan, New York?
This guide maps all 2 spots featured in the video, with names, addresses, and neighborhoods, so you can plan where to eat in Manhattan, New York.
What are the must-try foods in Manhattan, New York?
Creator picks from the video include spanakopita, puff pastry with feta and eggs, olive bread, chicken noodle soup. Open the map in Varedelo to see which spot each one is at.
Can I save these spots to use on my trip?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save every spot, get directions, and revisit the guide from your phone while you travel.
Use it on your trip
Save this cafe map before you go
Keep the mapped spots, creator context, food notes, and planning details together. Varedelo turns the page into a phone-friendly map you can revisit when you are choosing where to go.