The best bars and cafés New York

New York's first cat bar! It's run by Chrisitina Ha and French expatriate Émilie Legrand, both cat lovers. You can enter this zen café just to pet the cats and get some work done. Certain hours are reserved for children under 10 accompanied by an adult. You can enjoy sweet treats from the adjoining patisserie, accompanied by a hot or cold drink. The café also offers yoga sessions and other activities. Cats are adoptable!

The word cute could have been invented for this coffee shop, whose decoration seems to come straight out of the imagination of Lewis Carroll, author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The cappuccino - topped with a foam heart, naturally - is excellent and the pastries, especially the croissants, do not disappoint either. Generally, you can also nibble on some salted toast with avocado, ricotta and tomato or fig and prosciutto. For a sweet break, don't miss the s'mores latte, a coffee overflowing with marshmallows.

On the 15th floor of Hotel Indigo, on a street that doesn't look like much, is one of the classiest rooftops on the Lower East Side. If the cocktails are expensive, as in all the rooftops of the city, the view from the vast terrace and the room equipped with picture windows is breathtaking on all sides. The Empire State Building and the skyscrapers of Midtown put on a show to try and outshine the One World Trade Center and the buildings of the Financial District. From up there, with the city stretching as far as the eye can see, you feel a bit privileged.

If you're looking for a cozy neighborhood bar with an intimate vibe far removed from the overpriced, upscale cocktail bars that run the streets of New York, look no further! At 142 Sullivan, the dimmed lights, the narrowness of the bar and the great music selection encourage you to get closer and to share your secrets. Here, you're not looking to be seen and be seen, but to meet and converse for hours. The drinks menu is not very large, and all the cocktails are wine-based, but the atmosphere is enough to make us stay.

The Upper East Side isn't overflowing with places to party late into the night, so it's no surprise that The Penrose is a favorite among locals. Open until 3am, the establishment offers the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of a neighborhood pub, with draft beers to drink at the bar or on the terrace, as well as quality service and good food to effectively mop up the busy cocktails prepared by the barman. A good place to go out in the evening or to take a break after visiting the Met.

Americans love macaroons, and it shows! There is often a wait to get the precious sesame that makes New Yorkers and tourists babas. It must be said that Gossip Girl has widely popularized this little meringue and colored cake, since it is the favorite sin of Blair Waldorf. The store is very cute (it's just like being inside a candy). If there is no table available, you can take your order to go and enjoy your macaroons on the steps of the Met, where Blair spends all her free time.

Brooklyn High Low is the perfect place for a romantic moment or a night out with girlfriends. This small place with a deliberately busy vintage decor also has a beautiful sheltered terrace that is heated in winter. You can sit on the rattan sofas and choose from the variousafternoon tea experiences on offer. The classic formula gives access to unlimited black tea (offered in a beautiful service) accompanied by finger food: small sandwiches with various flavours, scones with jam and sweet bites. So British!

Cedric's is located in the lobby of The Shed, the cultural center of Hudson Yards. It's a nice place to take a break after visiting this growing neighborhood, the cocktails are not very expensive and the selection of regional beers is interesting. The Happy Hour, from Wednesday to Friday from 1pm to 5pm, allows to taste beers, wines and the cocktail of the day for only 5 US$, while sandwiches and other small dishes to nibble are 8 US$. And, for once, tips are included!

Opening in the spring of 2012, this speakeasy nestled in the basement of the Red Rooster - also run by Marcus Samuelsson - is a vibrant tribute to New York's 1920s underground bars, Harlem version. Warm and cosy atmosphere like a bourbon on the rock, fine and original cocktails. Musicians come to play there almost every night. For an even more original atmosphere, it is possible to attend a gospel on Sunday morning while enjoying the brunch buffet! A place unknown to tourists, which deserves to be.