The problem with visiting New York is knowing where to begin, but even if you don't immediately rush off to view the world-famous sights and icons of this most dynamic of cities, just being there is enough. The wonder of New York is in the energy and the diversity that emanates from its densely packed, multi-cultural population. The city vibrates with colliding cultures, languages and nuances; here high-life and low-life rub shoulders, and whoever you are and whatever your taste, there will be something to amuse and stimulate you 24-hours a day.

Whether lolling on a bench in leafy Central Park, watching the world go by from a French bistro in Soho, gazing up at 'Lady Liberty' from the deck of the Staten Island Ferry, most visitors will feel they've done it all before, simply because New York is so familiar to anyone who has ever seen a movie or watched television. There is something special however in actually seeing the familiar landmarks and experiencing the pulse of the clichéd, but true, 'city that never sleeps'.

New York City is made up of five boroughs - Staten Island, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan, but many visitors never leave Manhattan. There is a lot packed into this tiny area: the 24-hour pasta restaurants of Little Italy and the bustling sidewalks of Chinatown, the jazz clubs of Greenwich Village and the theatres of Broadway; and of course the iconic sights of the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Times Square.

New York has been described as the best three-day city in the world, and that's about right. After a frenzy of museums, galleries, bars and clubs, some visitors are ready for a break. Fortunately there's a lot of choice, from the National Parks of Upstate New York, to the beaches of Long Island or simply the leafy oasis of Central Park. Whatever you're after, New York is ready and waiting to bewitch, bother and bewilder.

The Statue of Liberty

Address: Liberty Island, New York Harbor New York City

Admission: No fee is charged, but the ferry costs $12 (adults), $5(children). Daily 9am to 5pm (except Christmas Day)

Telephone: (212) 363 3200; 866-782-8834 (ferry information)

The universal symbol of freedom and democracy, the Statue of Liberty was the first sight to be seen by the 12 million immigrants who passed through the Ellis Island Immigration Centre. Sculpted by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi and modelled on the Colossus of Rhodes, the statue was donated by the people of France in 1886 to commemorate the alliance between the two countries during the American Revolution. Access to the monument is available by reservation only via a ranger-guided tour and a time pass is required; advanced reservations are possible by calling (866) 782 8834 or online at www.statuecruises.com. The interior of the statue itself is closed. The ferry calls at both Liberty and Ellis Islands.

World Trade Center - Ground Zero

Address: Tribute WTC Visitor Center: 120 Liberty Street New York City

Admission: Suggested donation to the Tribute Center is $10 for adults Museum: Daily 10am to 6pm, except Tuesday and Sunday when it opens at 12pm. Tours of the perimeter: Monday to Friday 1pm and 3pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm

Telephone: (212) 393 9160

The six-hectare (16-acre) work site that has emerged from the rubble of the twin towers has come to symbolise the dreadful events of September 11, 2001 when almost 3,000 people lost their lives. The 1,350ft (411m) World Trade Centre towers were the tallest buildings in New York and symbols of the city's skyline. Millions now come to pay tribute at the site and witness the devastation from one of the viewing sites. In April 2003, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation launched a worldwide competition to design a memorial at the World Trade Center site to honour the victims of September 11. The LMDC received 5,201 memorial design submissions from 63 nations and 49 states making this the largest design competition in history. In January 2004 'Reflecting Absence' by Michael Arad and Peter Walker was unveiled as the design for the World Trade Center Memorial, and will feature a landscaped civic plaza with two massive voids aligned with the footprints where the twin towers once stood. Currently the perimeter of Ground Zero is accessible to the public. The Tribute Center, across from Ground Zero, offers tours around the perimeter, and provides visitors with an accurate account of what the community endured during the attacks. The Memorial itself is scheduled to open 11 September 2009.

Empire State Building

Address: 350 Fifth Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Streets, Manhattan New York City

Admission: $20 (adults), $14 (children 6-11), other concessions available. Observatory: daily 8am to 2am; last elevator at 1.15am

Telephone: (212) 736 3100

One of the enduring symbols of New York, and once again the city's tallest structure, the Empire State Building stands 436ft (145m) high. Completed in 1931, this Art Deco behemoth remains one of the most impressive engineering feats of all time; it was built in just 410 days and remains the fastest rising major skyscraper ever built. The building has been immortalised in many films - most famously the classic King Kong. The observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors offer magnificent views of the city.

Central Park

Address: New York City

Telephone: (212) 310 6600

With great foresight, the founders of New York set aside 340 hectares (840 acres) of central Manhattan as a public space. Central Park was officially opened in 1873 and today provides an essential 'green lung' within the concrete jungle that is New York. Originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the park contains themed gardens, tennis courts, lakes and even a small zoo. Much of the park is infused by the city's bustle and on nice days swarms with joggers, skaters, buskers and tourists, but there are areas beyond the range of baseballs and frisbees where tranquillity can be found in this beautifully landscaped park. During winter, two ice-skating rinks open up in Central Park, the Wollman Rink (mid-Park at 62nd St) is one of the most picturesque in the world, set among the trees and rolling hills and against the backdrop of Manhattan's skyscrapers.

Museum of Modern Art

Address: 11 West 53 Street, Manhattan New York City

Admission: $20 (adults), free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult. Free on Fridays from 4pm to 8pm Daily 10.30am to 5.30pm (until 8pm on Friday); closed Tuesdays

Telephone: (212) 708 9400

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), founded in 1929, owns the most important collection of modern art in the USA including works by Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Max Beckman, Ansel Adams, and Kiki Smith. What started as a gift of eight prints and one drawing has developed to a vast and varied collection of 150,000 paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs and other media, and the Musuem's Library and Archives boast an impressive collection of books, historical documents and photographs. Priding itself as an educational institution, the Museum of Modern Art offers various activities and programs for the general public, as well as special segments thereof, in order to broaden the community's knowledge of, and approach to, the exciting and puzzling world of modern art.

The Guggenheim Museum

Address: 1071 Fifth Avenue, at 89th Street New York City

Admission: $18 (adults), free for children under 12. Rates differ during special exhibitions Saturday to Wednesday 10am to 5.45pm; Friday 10am to 7.45; closed Thursdays and Christmas Day

Telephone: (212) 423 3500

The Solomon R Guggenheim Museum was designed by US architect Frank Lloyd Wright and was completed shortly after his death in 1959. It is well worth a visit just to see this icon of Modernist architecture, which was designed specifically to showcase the modern art within. Inside, it features a highly commended collection of late 19th- and 20th-century art works, as well as touring exhibitions. From beneath the huge glass dome, a quarter-of-a-mile-long ramp spirals down the inside of the building, past the collection of art, including works by Camille Pissarro, Vasily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Pablo Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, Cézanne, Robert Mapplethorpe and Robert Gober.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue, at 82nd Street New York City

Admission: $20 (adults) is suggested; free for children under 12 accompanied by an adult. There is no additional charge, beyond the admission contribution, to attend an exhibition Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday 9.30am to 5.30pm, Friday and Saturday 9.30am to 9pm. Closed Mondays, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas

Telephone: (212) 535 7710

The Metropolitan Museum possesses one of the greatest, and largest, collections of art in the world; it is a cherished New York institution and a must see for any visitor. Banners above the Met's Fifth Avenue entrance herald the current attractions - there are always a few exhibitions on-the-go displaying masterpieces from around the world alongside the Metropolitan's own collection. The highlights of the permanent collection are numerous - American collectors having had the foresight, and cash, to buy up a large number of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces from Europeans at the end of the 19th century. The Metropolitan Museum's collection now contains more than two million works of art from all points of the compass, from ancient through modern times, including great works by Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Cézanne to rival any gallery in the world.

American Museum of Natural History

Address: Central Park West, at West 79th Street New York City

Admission: Suggested admission $15 (adults), $8.50 (children 2-12); plus Planetarium Space show: $24 (adults), $14 (children 2-12); plus special exhibition or Imax show: $24 (adults), $14 (children 2-11) Daily 10am to 5.45pm, except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving

Telephone: (212) 769 5100; 769 5200 (tickets and programs)

Possibly with the exception of its counterpart in London, the American Museum of Natural History is the largest and most important museum of its kind in the world. More than 30 million artefacts are packed into 42 exhibition halls - quite enough to keep anyone busy over a rainy afternoon. The most popular exhibit is a 50ft (15m) tall skeleton of a barosaurus in the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda. There are three more spectacular dinosaur halls on the fourth floor. Other halls include the Hall of Biodiversity, the Hall of Ocean Life, the Hall of Human Biology and Evolution and the fabulous Hayden Planetarium - a 90ft (27m) wide aluminium sphere that seems to float inside a massive glass cube, which in turn is home to the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Those tired of walking can check out the Museum of Television and Radio.

Broadway

Address: New York City

Going to the theatre is one of the most popular tourist events in New York and the shows on Broadway are world famous, boasting some of the best in the world from blockbuster musicals to intense personal drama. There are ongoing shows that have been running for years, such as The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago and A Chorus Line. This is one way to experience part of the American dream, even if only on vacation.

Times Square

Address: cnr 42nd Street and Broadway New York City

Admission: Free 24 Hrs

Though it's just an intersection at the corner of Broadway and 42nd Street, Times Square has achieved iconic status, representing, in a single frame, the hive of activity that is New York City. Flashing advertisements and huge billboards produce a headache-inducing but memorable sight. Times Square has been used in countless films, television and literature. It is the base for ABC's Good Morning America programs and MTV's popular Total Request Live. Annually hundreds of thousands gather on New Year's Eve in the square to revel and see the infamous ball-dropping ceremony.

Rockefeller Centre

Address: Between 48th and 51st Streets; and 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue, Manhattan New York City

Admission: Free with a NY Pass 8am – 9pm

Named for the man who developed the space, the world's first dollar billionaire, John D Rockefeller, this 22 acre (8ha) land houses a plethora of iconic New York City attractions. Radio City Music Hall used to be the most popular tourist venue in the city and still ranks highly among visitors. Radio City has hosted multiple awards shows such as the Grammies, Emmies and MTV Music Awards. It is also a concert venue frequented by today's popular performers. The GE Building, the address for which the popular TV series 30 Rock is named, is the home to Saturday Night Live and the site from which the eerie 'Lunchtime atop a skyscraper' photograph was taken. At the base of the GE building is the Rockefeller Ice Rink with the golden statue of Prometheus at its head. Underneath Rockefeller Plaza is the Concourse, an underground pedestrian mall boasting designer brands and food outlets.

Brooklyn Bridge

Address: New York City

Admission: Free 24 Hrs

The sheer scope of New York City is hard to understand until your traversed the Brooklyn Bridge, inaugurated in 1883, which crosses 5,989 feet (1,825 m) of the East River and connects two of New York's biggest metropoles, Manhattan and Brooklyn. At the time the construction of the bridge was a feat of engineering ingenuity, the longest suspension bridge at the time. Today it is a treasured landmark of the city, colourfully illuminated at night to highlight the architectural towers and hangings. There is a pedestrian walkway from which visitors can savour vistas of both Manhattan and Brooklyn.

St Patrick's Cathedral

Address: Fifth Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets New York City

Admission: Free Daily 6.30am to 8.45pm

Telephone: (212) 753-2261

St Patrick's Cathedral is a magnificent example of the geometric style of Gothic architecture that was popular in Europe in the 13th century. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic archbishop of New York and the largest Catholic cathedral in the United States. With its spires soaring 330 feet (100m) into the air, and the ornately detailed entrance, this is undoubtedly one of the city's most spectacular buildings. St Patrick's was built between 1850 and 1878; its giant organ has over 7,300 pipes. To most New Yorkers and harried tourists, St Patrick's is most valued for its peace and tranquility - rare qualities indeed in this most frenetic of cities.

Grand Central Station

Address: 110 E. 42nd St. New York City

Admission: Free; tours cost $5

Telephone: (212) 340-2345

One of New York's most famous and best loved landmarks, Grand Central was opened in 1913 opposite Rockefeller Centre. It is the world's largest train station in terms of platforms, with 44. Its true distinction, however, is its magnificent architecture and striking ambiance, anchored by enormous windows and the refurbished ceiling, covered by a detailed astronomical fresco. The Terminal houses five good restaurants, twenty value and lunch time eateries, and about fifty specialty shops. The 12,000 sq ft Vanderbilt Hall regularly houses public events. Don't miss the one-hour guided tour; book several weeks ahead in peak season to avoid disappointment. Grand Central sees around 250,000 commuters per day, but over 500,000 visitors.

Central Park Zoo

Address: 64th St. & Fifth Ave, Central Park New York City

Admission: $10 (adults); $5 (children) Open daily from 10am – 4.30pm

Telephone: (212) 861 6030

Home to some exotic and beautiful animals the Central Park Zoo is a must for all children and animal lovers visiting the city. Residents at the zoo include the elusive red pandas, polar pears, snow leopards and snow monkeys to name a few. The Tisch Children's Zoo is a great place for young kids, where goats and peacocks can be viewed and children can even pet the goats, sheep, alpacas, potbellied pigs and other barnyard animals on display.

Toys “R” Us, Times Square

Address: 1514 Broadway, Times Square New York City

Telephone: (646) 366 8800

Kids love nothing more than a toy shop, and Toys "R" Us in Times Square just happens to be the centre of the toy universe with an indoor 60-foot (18 metre) tall Ferris wheel, Barbie's Dollhouse filled with Barbie dolls and other Barbie paraphernalia, and a 5-ton, 20-foot tall (7 metre), 34-foot-long (10 metre) T-Rex animatronic to thrill and terrify children. With so much to see and so many toys to choose from, kids will love Toys "R" Us in Times Square, but parents should be advised to bring their wallets!

New York Aquarium

Address: Castle garden, Battery Park, Coney Island New York City

Admission: $13 (adults); $9 (children) Open Monday to Friday from 10am – 6pm. Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 7pm

Telephone: (718) 265 3491

The New York Aquarium is located on Coney Island and boasts over 350 species of marine life. Children will love learning about the aquatic life here, with predators such as reef sharks, nurse sharks, and sand tiger sharks, or fuzzier creatures, such as sea otters, sea lions, penguins and walruses. The New York Aquarium makes a great day out for the whole family.

Trump Wollman Rink

Address: Central Park New York City

Admission: Monday to Thursday: $10 (adults); $5.25 (children). Friday to Sunday: $14 (adults); $5.50 (children) Public Skating hours: Monday and Tuesday from 10am – 2.30pm. Wednesday and Thursday from 10am – 10pm. Friday and Saturday from 10am – 11pm. Sundays from 10am – 9pm

Telephone: (212) 439 6900

This public ice rink located in Central Park, and made famous by many movies, is a fantastic place to take the kids for the day during the winter months in New York City. Children can even attend skating school or host a party or event here, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience.

Brooklyn Children's Museum

Address: 145 Brooklyn Avenue New York City

Admission: Open Tuesday to Thursday from 11am – 5pm; Fridays from 11am – 7.30pm; Saturday and Sunday10am – 5pm

Telephone: (718) 735 4400

The Brooklyn Children's Museum is a great place to take the little ones while o holiday in New York City. It was founded in 1899 and was the first museum in the United States. The Brooklyn Children's Museum aims to educate and captivate children who visit here with its world-class exhibits and programs.

Chinese New Year

Where: Starting at Mott and Hester Street,New York City

When: 14 February 2010

New York City's Chinatown is the largest in the United States and the site of the largest concentration of Chinese in the western hemisphere; a visit here feels like being in the country itself. It is a must-see on the opening day of the Chinese New Year celebrations when performers dance in the street in colourful costumes followed by a parade of dragon floats. Traditionally, the New Year marks the beginning of the spring and the rebirth of the Earth. It is a time for family togetherness, and begins with the 'sweeping of the grounds' - a spring clean to sweep out the old and evil, which is followed by festivities and feasts. Chinatown has over 200 restaurants representing cuisine from all the regions of China, and at New Year the suspicious should eat a whole fish as, to the Chinese, this represents togetherness and abundance; also don't chop up your noodles, as their length represents long life! Colour is also important at New Year. The luckiest colours are red, orange, yellow, gold and pink. Black and white are unlucky. In 2009 the year of the Ox begins.

Central Park SummerStage

Where: Central Park,New York City

When: June to August 2010 TBA

Summer Stage is one of New York's greatest institutions, and every summer Central Park is filled with music, theatre, opera and dance. There is a different performance every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, and also usually on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, and most are free. Bring a picnic if you don't want to pay for overpriced beer and French fries. For a list of events visit the Summer Stage website.

ING New York City Marathon

Where: Finish in Central Park,New York City

When: First Sunday of every November

As the world's largest marathon with more than 35,000 runners from around the world, only London ranks alongside New York in terms of prestige. The race passes through all of New York City's five boroughs before finishing in Central Park and is an entertaining spectacle with many runners in fancy dress; it is also a good opportunity to see some celebrities offer their best.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Where: ,New York City

When: 26 November 2009

Thanksgiving (originally a harvest festival) is celebrated across the United States as families get together and feast on huge helpings of roast turkey. Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is one of the Big Apple's most dynamic and colourful events that takes the celebrations one stage further. Its origins date back to the 1920s when the city's European immigrants decided to celebrate the American Thanksgiving Day holiday with the sort of festivities they had known in their homelands. Hundreds of people marched from 145th Street to 34th Street in costume; accompanied by floats, live animals (on loan from the zoo) and musicians. The parade attracted over 250,000 spectators and quickly became an institution. Today the colourful parade features clowns and marching bands, but the biggest attraction are the Floats and Falloons (a Macy's hybrid of a cold air balloon and float) that tower over the crowds; they usually include Angelina Ballerina, The Statue of Liberty and of course, the man of the season, Santa Claus on his sleigh. The parade starts on 77th Street and proceeds down Central Park West to Columbus Circle, then down Broadway to Macy's at 34th St, finishing on Seventh Ave. Good places to watch it include Times Square and Columbus Circle, but get there early as by the afternoon the crowds are thick.

St Patrick's Day Parade

Where: Up 5th Avenue from 44th Street to 86th Street,New York City

When: 17 March, annually

On St Patrick's Day every year thousands of Irish Americans head down 5th Avenue in New York's largest street parade. The day begins with a morning mass in St Patrick's Cathedral, after which the parade marches up 5th Avenue, clan by clan, from 44th to 86th streets. Green face paint, green nail polish, and green clothes are on display in the crowds but the parade itself is marked by more formal Irish pageantry, led by the 165th Infantry (originally the 69th Regiment of the 1850s). The annual parade honours the patron saint of Ireland and is a New York tradition that dates as far back as 1766, many years before the Declaration of Independence was adopted. After the parade New Yorkers of all origins dress in green and head to the nearest bar for a pint of the black stuff.

Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular

Where: The spectacle will take place from barges positioned in New York City's East River,New York City

When: 4 July annually

Independence Day is celebrated throughout the States, but nowhere more than in New York City. Although many locals leave to spend the holiday on Long Island or in Upstate New York, thousands of others stay behind to watch Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular. This is probably the biggest and best firework extravaganza in the country, culminating in a massive party. More than 10,000 fireworks explode from barges along the west side of Manhattan, synchronized and choreographed to music. It starts at sunset and the best place to watch is from the banks of the East River.

Commerce Bank Five Boro Bike Tour

Where: Battery Park to Staten Island,New York City

When: 2 May 2010

The biggest cycling event in the USA, the bike tour sees 30,000 cyclists pedalling through the five boroughs of New York City on 42 miles (68km) of traffic-free avenues, highways and bridges, including the world's longest single-span suspension bridge, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The route travels through Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. The day ends with a festival at Fort Wadsworth featuring live music, food and exhibitions.

Gay Pride Week and March

Where: The march which follows a route along 5th Avenue, right onto 8th Street, on to Greenwich Avenue and along Christopher Street in Greenwich Village.,New York City

When: June 2010 TBA

Rainbow flags flutter in Greenwich Village during New York's Lesbian and Gay Pride Week, with numerous events arranged to commemorate the Stonewall Riot. Highlights of the week's festivities are a massive rally, the dance on the pier and the culminating march.

Broadway on Broadway

Where: Times Square,New York City

When: September 2010 TBA

A quintessential New York City event, Broadway on Broadway is the theatre season's annual kick-off event where live shows from almost every play and musical on Broadway, as well as sneak previews of shows for the new season, are performed on a giant outdoor stage to an audience of more than 50,000.

Times Square New Year's Eve Celebrations

Where: Times Square,New York City

When: 31 December annually

Times Square boasts one of the largest New Year's Eve celebrations in the world and the biggest party in New York. The famous lowering of the New Year's Eve Ball signifies the 60-second countdown to midnight and the tradition has become a worldwide symbol of welcoming in the New Year, viewed by millions across the globe. The festivities include the raising and lighting of the Ball, music, an hourly big screen video countdown, the lowering of the ball and a spectacular burst of fireworks. Revellers are showered with colourful confetti and are given celebratory hats, pom-poms and balloons to welcome in the New Year.

US Open Tennis Tournament

Where: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing Meadows,New York City

When: 30 August to 12 September 2010

The top names and seeds vie for victory in the final Grand Slam event of the season in New York each year. Singles, doubles, men's and ladies, and mixed doubles make up the five separate tournaments within the championship. Held annually at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, the event dates back to 1881 when it was played in the State of Rhode Island as a men's singles event only and it was not until 1968 that The US Open took the shape and structure that it has today.

Ninth Avenue International Food Festival

Where: Midtown Manhatten, along 9th Avenue between 37th and 57th Streets,New York City

When: May 2010 TBA

More than a million hungry people descend on the Hell's Kitchen neighbourhood for two days each May to sample the delights offered at one of New York's finest street fairs. Ninth Avenue's restaurants and food stores cover a vast range of ethnic cuisines, which have made it the city's most famed food district.

Pier Antiques Show

Where: Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 92 and 94,New York City

When: November 2010 TBA

The internationally renowned Pier Antiques show is attended by celebrities, major designers and decorators from around the country, as well as shoppers from around the world. Over 500 exhibits completes the largest art and antiques event in New York, while Fashion Alley holds a huge selection of vintage fashions. It has been said that 'if you can't find it at Triple Pier it doesn't exist'!

Village Halloween Parade

Where: Greenwich Village,New York City

When: 31 October annually

What started out as a walk from house to house in the neighbourhood for friends and family by a mask maker and puppeteer in 1973, is today the largest celebration of its kind in the world, and one of New York's most colourful annual parties. Listed as one of the 'Top 100 Things to do Before you Die', the lively event attracts millions of spectators and participants every year who take part in a parade featuring huge papier-mâché puppets, jugglers, stilt-walkers, bands and dancers, and plenty of outrageous costumes.

Winter Solstice Concert

Where: Cathedral of St John the Divine,New York City

When: 17 - 19 December 2009

Making use of the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, the interior is turned into a stage for the musical, theatrical, dance and environmental spectacle that is an annual holiday tradition in celebration of the shortest day and longest night of the year. The performance is one of the city's biggest and showiest Christmas events and takes the audience on a symbolic journey, each year with its own unique style and special affects. For more information contact the cathedral on +1 212 316 7540.

New York Fashion Week

Where: The Museum of the City of New York,New York City

When: September 2010 TBA

The fashion gurus, gorgeous models and Hollywood brass pop into the Big Apple to check out the latest on the catwalk for next year's Spring Collection. All the top names will be displaying their stuff but it is almost impossible for the general public to gain access to the event.

Home

Address: 20 Cornelia Street, between Bleecker and West 4th Street New York City

Food Type: American

This aptly named restaurant, with gorgeous patio seating, produces wonderful home-style cooking and is a favourite with locals. The cuisine takes comfort food to an entirely new level, while steak, pork chops, quail and seafood preparations excel. Signature dishes include a rich, creamy blue cheese fondue and the wine list gathers a number of bottles from Long Island vineyards. Open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday, lunch Monday to Friday, and dinner nightly.

Tribeca Grill

Address: 375 Greenwich Street New York City

Food Type: American

Located in Tribeca's Washington Market area, Tribeca Grill radiates excitement and energy. Co-owned by Robert DeNiro, 'The Grill' is a classic New York social venue. It is a massive restaurant with high ceilings and exposed brick walls - not the place for a romantic dinner, but great for celebrity spotting. The menu includes enticing grilled and sautéed selections with cross-cultural creative influences of many different cuisines. Favourites on the menu include short ribs braised in red wine, the grilled duck and the pan-roasted cod. Open for dinner nightly, lunch during the week and brunch on Sundays.

Le Bernardin

Address: 155 West 51st Street (Midtown West) New York City

Food Type: Seafood

Le Bernardin, New York's internationally acclaimed seafood restaurant, opened in New York in 1986 and in no time became a four-star restaurant that is renowned for setting standards in the cooking of seafood in America. The sliced conch in a Peruvian marinade is delicious, and the crispy black bass with Masala spice is also very good. Open for lunch Monday to Friday and dinner Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays. Reservations are essential.

Delmonico's

Address: 56 Beaver Street, near Wall Street New York City

Food Type: American

This attractive Wall Street landmark first opened its doors in the 1830s as the first restaurant in America and has an impressive history, even providing the setting for Mark Twain's birthday party. Serving up delicious steaks in a leather and mahogany setting, it attracts a loyal crowd of businessmen, who feel at home sitting at the low-key bar. Signature dishes include the 'Delmonico Steak' and 'Lobster Newberg'. Reservations recommended, open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner.

Balthazar

Address: 80 Spring St, SoHo New York City

Food Type: French

Since its 1997 opening, this SoHo bistro has retained its buzz and irresistible allure. It exudes the look and atmosphere of an aged Parisian brassiere with pastel colours, oversized mirrors and powdery homemade bread. Nightly specials are based on classic French dishes, such as duck confit with wild mushrooms. Open for breakfast and dinner all week, lunch Monday to Friday and brunch on weekends. Reservations recommended.

Gramercy Tavern

Address: 42 East 20th Street (between Broadway and Park Avenue) New York City

Food Type: American

This iconic Union Square eatery's spacious, rustic-looking interior includes a casual street-facing tavern, a lively bar and a series of formal dining areas. The dining room menu offers inventive American cuisine such as lobster salad, and venison with onion marmalade, while the tavern is good for seafood chowder or pork sandwiches. The tavern is open for lunch and dinner daily, and the dining room is open for lunch Monday to Friday and dinner all week. Reservations recommended.

Nobu New York

Address: 105 Hudson Street (Tribeca) New York City

Food Type: Japanese

Nobu opened in 1995 bringing innovative 'new style Japanese cooking' to New York City. The restaurant is a visual and culinary delight - tall birch tree columns rise into the ceiling, which is painted copper with patches of open brickwork showing through, giving the effect of a Zen mountain retreat. Nobu's new style Japanese cuisine weds South American sensibility with Japanese traditions. Try the mussels with the signature Nobu salsa, or the yellowtail with jalapeño. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and all week for dinner, reservations essential.

Daniel

Address: 60 East 65th Street (between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue) New York City

Food Type: French

One of the city's best venues for classical French fare, this restaurant has been restored to its original 1920s Renaissance splendour. Using the freshest ingredients, seasonal masterpieces include squab with swiss chard barbajuan, radish and artichoke barigoule. Leave room for the huckleberry sorbet... Jacket and tie are required for gentlemen. Open for dinner Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays. Reservations recommended.

Park Avenue

Address: 100 East 63rd Street at Park Ave New York City

Food Type: American

With each season, this innovative restaurant changes its décor and menu to suit the changing temperatures and sensations of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Fresh summer greenery gives way to winter white with silver accents, while menus change from fresh lobster salad and fried chicken to filet mignon or grilled veal chops. Desserts include seasonal fruit with homemade ice-creams or sorbets, and warm chocolate cake. Open daily for lunch and dinner, with brunch served on weekends. Reservations recommended.

Hill Country

Address: 30 West 26th Street New York City

Food Type: American

This bi-level, 250-seater restaurant celebrates the Texas barbecue, with smoked meats including ribs, sausage and the Hill Country speciality: slow smoked beef brisket. The barbecued meat is served by the pound in butcher paper, and complemented by traditional southern sides and sweets, along with a Texan wine list. There are two bars and a stage for live music. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Momofuku Ssäm Bar

Address: 207 Second Avenue New York City

Food Type: Oriental

Chef David Chang has created a highly sought-after and authentic venue, serving small-plate cuisine with a menu that changes constantly. The food bar's specialty is Asian food, and dishes vary from grilled branzini and ssäm (steamed buns with meat fillings) to poached Mayan prawns or caraquet oysters. Open daily for lunch and dinner, no reservations are taken.

Acme Bar & Grill

Address: 9 Great Jones Street New York City

Food Type: Southern

With its exposed brick interior, the world's largest collection of hot sauce and catfish and hickory chips delivered fresh from Mississippi, Acme Bar & Grill is as far south you have to go to enjoy the cuisine of the Deep South. Creole delights, such as Louisiana seafood gumbo, Creole jambalaya and 'Catfish Po-Boys' (a traditional submarine sandwich originating from Louisiana) are in abundance - the mashed potato is famous! Open daily for lunch and dinner, and brunch on weekends.

Great Jones Café

Address: 54 Great Jones Street New York City

Food Type: Southern

With its Southern-style menu being so flavoursome and diverse, one would almost expect to walk out of Great Jones Café onto Bourbon Street and dance with the minstrels of the Mardi Gras. Great Jones offers some of the best home-cooked food in New York, with crawfish chowder, cornmeal catfish and chilli fried shrimp 'Po-Boys' on the menu. The Cajun martini and smooth electric Lemonade are recommended. Open for lunch and dinner daily, and brunch on weekends.

Paul's Place

Address: 131 2nd Ave New York City

Food Type: American

Sometimes in life, and frequently in New York, it is essential to eat a truly great burger. Satisfy this urge in the most complete and delicious way possible at Paul's Place, an East Village classic famous for its huge variety of perfectly prepared burgers. The decor is wonderfully kitsch, and the joint is staffed by eccentrics and wacky waiters. As one customer described Paul's Place, 'It's vintage New York!'. Open daily from 11am till late.

Una Pizza Napoletana

Address: 349 East 12th Street New York City

Food Type: Pizzeria

A favourite spot for a great slice of pizza in New York City is Una Pizza Napoletana. This popular pizzeria serves a fantastic Marinara with San Marzano tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs, and their Margherita is made with delicious mozzarella di bufala. All the pizzas are homemade, wood-fired and baked in a brick oven. Open Thursday to Sunday, 5pm till late. Reservations recommended.