Locals' Picks #2 - Tips and advice from NYC locals - Laura Giromini
Local's Picks features exclusive insights and recs from NYC locals, showcasing their favorite spots, hidden gems in the city plus personal stories.
I love to rely on tips, recs and advice from locals when I travel - and I also appreciate that in my own city. Bringing other people's perspectives is a win-win: I can learn a lot, and you can learn as well. New York City is such a huge city, with so many things to do and places to explore and I believe every person has their "Tiny Apple” and why not taking a slice of that?
Meet Laura Giromini. Laura is a “Brooklynite from Italy with infectious energy” - this is how she describes herself on her videos on Instagram. She is originally from Marina di Carrara, Tuscany and she has calling New York City a home for 17 years.
Laura is one of the most sweetest human beings I know. As a fellow content creator, I can speak on how generous and open she is - and how she leads everything with joy and wisdom. I learn a lot with her!
Make sure to check her Instagram page @viverenewyork -
Hope you like her tips!
Since you are an Italian, I would love your personal recs on: best place for pizza, for pasta and for a gelato in the city?
For pizza, I’m biased—my husband owns Sottocasa Pizzeria, with locations in Brooklyn and Harlem, serving mouthwatering authentic Neapolitan pizza. Both ovens are from Naples, and there’s even a Laura's pizza (with speck, mascarpone, and rosemary) named after me!
For a different kind of pizza (thicker and chewy), I like Travelers, Poets, & Friends.
For pasta, try Norma, Antica Pesa, and Barbalu.
For gelato, Park Slope’s Albero del Gelati - made with fresh produce and organic ingredients only - is a must!
What are your top 3 favorite restaurants in NYC and why?
Cafe Luluc in Brooklyn - Cozy, neighborhood vibe, amazing brunch with must-try “famous” pancakes. Their French toasts are even better!
Norma - Authentic Italian with multiple locations and delicious food.
Loulou in Chelsea - French-inspired decor, perfect for lunch or a fun dinner with friends.
And a place for drinks?
I’m a red wine lover, so I’d go to HaveMeyer where my friends can enjoy their mixologist while I’ll always find a delicious wine. Otherwise, I’d go for a Bellini or a Prosecco with a view at one of my favorite rooftops.
Favorite spot for a sweet treat?
In Brooklyn, Little Sweet Cafe for crepes and Mia’s for any treat. In Manhattan, Angelina Bakery is my go-to spot.
Can you share a hidden gem in NYC that tourists often miss? Or a place that it’s underrated?
Brooklyn - Beyond the usual spots like Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, or Williamsburg, explore Cobble Hill and Red Hook. Try Veranda Place in Cobble Hill and enjoy a lobster roll at Red Hook Lobster, a Key Lime Pie at Steve’s, and wine tasting at Red Hook Winery.
What’s your favorite thing to do in the city?
Getting lost and discovering new things. After 17 years, NYC still surprises me - every single day!
What’s your go-to spot for a perfect weekend brunch?
Cafe Luluc. Their brunch is unbeatable, and the neighborhood vibe is just perfect. Note: it’s cash only and the earlier you get there, the less you’ll have to wait in line. I tend to go around 10 am.
What’s the piece of clothing or accessory that it’s your must-have while living in NYC?
A tote bag organizer. It keeps everything neat and makes switching tote bags (probably my favorite must-have) a breeze.
What are your favorite activities or places to visit in NYC?
Summer: NYC becomes a playground for adults with SO MANY free activities from outdoor yoga classes to movie nights, and concerts to Broadway in Bryant Park.
Off seasons: Chasing foliage and blossom (cherry, magnolia, tulips…).
Winter: Enjoying the city’s festive decorations and snow falling.
Do you have any favorite local shops or boutiques that you recommend?
Exit 9 for gifts and Brooklyn Flea for fashion finds.
Describe your ideal day in NYC from morning to night.
Enjoy sunrise, workout (most likely teaching fitness classes), have lunch with my husband Luca, co-work and get-together with friends at a cafe, write/shoot/edit content, and more filming at sunset. Always exploring, connecting, and creating.
Is there a particular neighborhood you think everyone should explore?
Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Bridge Park till Pier 6. They offer a true taste of Brooklyn’s charm.
Do you have any memorable stories or experiences that highlight why you love NYC?
The sense of community. I’ve experienced it first during Hurricane Sandy, when the city came together to volunteer in those neighborhoods that got affected the most, and then again during the pandemic, where I really bonded with neighbors on the stoops and marching together standing for BLM.
What’s the advice you would give to someone moving to the city that you wish you knew sooner?
Spend a few minutes to learn how the subway system works (local vs express trains) and you’ll be able to get anywhere in no time!
Why New York City?
There really is no place like New York. The energy, the diversity, the opportunity to meet and live with the entire world—it’s all here. Everyone comes to NYC to pursue dreams, making it the ultimate city of dreams. It constantly pushes you to never stop dreaming, never quit. There’s a unique love-hate relationship, but that’s part of the charm. New York City or nowhere.
And that's all! I hope you guys enjoyed these tips as much as I did! Please let me know if you have any suggestions of questions for our next round! Make sure to follow Laura on Instagram :) Grazie, Laura!