West Village brownstones, red-sauce Italian, and the corner of MacDougal where Joe's Pizza has been folding slices since 1975.
Pino Pozzuoli's Carmine Street counter has folded the canonical New York slice in New York City since 1975. Foldable plain cheese, sold by the wedge, eaten standing.
Signature: New York slice
Order: Plain cheese slice, fresh out of the oven.
Tip: Order at the counter, eat standing at the window. Pepperoni runs out by 21:00; arrive earlier if it matters.
Major Food Group's red-sauce Italian-American room on Thompson Street in New York City turns 1950s tableside service into theatre. Spicy rigatoni vodka is the order.
Signature: Spicy rigatoni vodka, Veal parmesan
Order: Spicy rigatoni vodka and the veal parmesan to share.
Tip: Reservations are notorious; the bar runs walk-ins from 17:30 and serves the full menu. Don't skip the Caesar.
Third Rail on Sullivan Street has poured Stumptown espresso in Greenwich Village, New York City since 2010. Three counter stools, four sidewalk tables, no food beyond pastry.
Signature drink: Stumptown espresso
Tip: Closes 18:00 daily. NYU students fill the seats from 14:00; come early or late for room.
Joe Coffee has roasted in New York City since 2003 from a Red Hook warehouse. Eighteen cafes across the city, espresso pulled to West Coast specifications, gentle filters.
Tip: The Pro Shop on West 13th Street runs barista trainings open to the public Saturdays at 10:00.
Sources from: Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Honduras
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Thiru Kumar's vegan South Indian dosa cart has run on the south side of Washington Square Park in New York City since 2001. Two Vendy Awards, daily lines of regulars.
Try: Masala dosa
Tip: Cash only. The Pondicherry special is the cart's signature; the masala dosa is the entry-level order.
Mamoun's on MacDougal has sold falafel sandwiches in Greenwich Village New York City since 1971. Falafel, hummus, baba ghanouj, shawarma; under-$10 plates, cash counter.
Try: Falafel sandwich
Tip: Open until 04:00; the bar-closing slot is the busiest. Order the falafel sandwich with hot sauce; ask for extra tahini.
Minetta Tavern on MacDougal has run Keith McNally's French bistro in Greenwich Village New York City since 2009. The Black Label burger is the canonical brunch order.
Order: Black Label burger or steak frites.
Tip: Reservations open 28 days ahead at midnight on Resy. The bar serves the full brunch menu for walk-ins.
Minetta Tavern on MacDougal runs the kitchen until 02:00 in Greenwich Village New York City. The Black Label burger is on the late-night menu; bar walk-ins easy after 23:30.
Try: Black Label burger and pommes frites
Tip: The kitchen serves the full menu until 02:00. The bar takes burgers and steak frites past midnight without a wait.