New York Nico's Guide to NYC

From the “unofficial talent scout of NYC,” filmmaker, and social media icon New York Nico comes the only NYC travel guide you’ll ever need—a beautifully designed, photo packed celebration of the greatest city in the world, showcasing Nico’s top 100 New York institutions, shops, and eateries and the characters who shape them.

What makes New York City the greatest city in the world? As one of the foremost chroniclers of New York’s local legends and urban glory, New York Nico has thoughts. Nico gets asked a lot of questions about his hometown. Where’s the best slice, pastrami sandwich, cup of coffee, vintage store, or bookshop?

In this must-have city guide, New York Nico takes readers on an epic tour of his 100 can’t-miss NYC spots, including food, shopping, and so much more. As he traverses the five boroughs, he offers a raw and authentic tour of the hidden gems of New York. But behind every New York institution are the personalities who make them special. 

Nico’s debut book functions as a document of a city and its people during a moment of transition. You’ll meet and learn the small business stories of beloved characters like Henry at Army Navy Bags, Yuval at Liebman’s Deli (the last kosher deli in the Bronx), Julia who serves Sri Lanken food to riders of the Staten Island Ferry, Jamal at Village Revival Records, and Big Mike and the dozens of barbers who speak Italian, Russian, Greek, Spanish, French, Polish, Uzbek, and Farsi at Astor Place Hairstylists. By hearing the living histories of New York’s most colorful characters, Nico shows us the heart and soul of the place they call home.

Whether you’re visiting from out of town or you’re a born-and-raised local, this book has something for everyone, the same way the city itself has something for everyone. Beautifully designed and packed with photos and illustrations, New York Nico's Guide to NYC is required reading for anyone who loves authentic New York City.

Go beyond the tourist traps and meet the characters who make the five boroughs unforgettable. This guide is your inside look at:

• A True Local’s Guide: Discover 100 of the city’s most beloved spots, handpicked by Nico for their authentic character and charm.
• Iconic Shops & Eateries: From the last kosher deli in the Bronx to a legendary Greenwich Village locksmith, find the city's best-kept secrets.
• Unforgettable Characters: Meet the real New York—the owners, artists, and personalities like Big Mike and Henry who are the heart and soul of their neighborhoods.
• A Five-Borough Tour: Journey beyond Manhattan to find treasures in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island that most visitors miss.
• Vibrant Photography: Experience the city through stunning, full-color photos that bring the streets, shops, and people of New York to life.

“Nobody knows this city’s hidden gems—both people and places—like Nico. You won’t find a better guide to New York.”  - Brandon Stanton, #1 New York Times Bestselling author of Humans of New York

“More than a guidebook, this is a piece of history featuring the people and places that make NYC the best city on earth.”  - Steve Schirripa, actor on The Sopranos

“A must-read guide to the greatest city in the world.” - Susie Essman, actor on Curb Your Enthusiasm

“My guy Nico has been documenting NYC and its main, secondary, and tertiary characters with Vyvanse-level focus, fam. Cop this book and let pure NYC pour over you like the mystery water that dripped on you when you was transferring from the 4 to the 6 on 125th.”  - The Kid Mero, New York Times Bestselling author of God-Level Knowledge Darts

“Nico keeps the spirit of old NYC alive while breathing life into a modern city.” - Debi Mazar, actor in Goodfellas

“A definitive NYC guidebook that helps locals feel like tourists and tourists feel like locals.” - Kareem Rahma, actor and comedian