Celebrate AAPI Month In NYC
May is Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and NYC honestly wouldn’t be NYC without the vibrant cultures, creativity, and community spaces built by AAPI New Yorkers. Here are a few of our favorite restaurants, bakeries, nightlife, and shopping spots to support this month and beyond.
182 S 2nd St | Williamsburg
Photo: High Lúa Cafe
High Lúa brings traditional Vietnamese food and coffee culture to Williamsburg with family recipes inspired by regions across Vietnam. Come for the cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee) and stay for the cozy vibes and comforting dishes.
668 Bay St | Staten Island
Photo: Lakruwana
If you’re down to turn dinner into a full ferry outing, Lakruwana is definitely worth the trip. The family-owned Sri Lankan restaurant is colorful, welcoming, and packed with authentic and incredible curries, kottu roti, and massive rice platters.
215 Centre St | Chinatown
Photo: MOCA
Right in the middle of Chinatown, MOCA highlights Chinese American history, art, and culture through exhibitions, screenings, and community programming. It’s one of those museums that actually feels connected to the neighborhood around it, which makes spending an afternoon here even better.
136-20 Roosevelt Ave | Flushing
Photo: New World Mall Food Court
Sorry, we’re being basic for a second, but obviously we had to include THE ultimate food court packed with regional Chinese dishes, dumplings, noodles, bubble tea, and some of the best meals in NYC. Some people would argue it’s the best food court in America, and honestly, they might be right. Plus, they stay open through every major holiday, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
263 E 10th St | East Village
Photo: Niconeco Zakkaya
Niconeco Zakkaya is a tiny gift shop filled with Japanese stationery, ceramics, stickers, plushies, and little objects you suddenly become emotionally attached to. Owner Siming started the shop on Etsy after moving to NYC from Japan and missing the small everyday details of Japanese zakka culture. It’s the perfect spot for a thoughtful gift, and basically impossible to leave empty-handed.
145 Bowery | Lower East Side
Sake No Hana is one of those spots that somehow still feels low-key even though everyone talks about it. The Bowery restaurant regularly highlights Japanese artists and traditions through special collaborations, including a sakura-inspired menu by wagashi chef Phoebe Ogawa and a floral ikebana installation by Kyoto-born artist Kan Asakura, both running through 5/19.
1241 Flushing Ave | Bushwick
Photo: The Red Pavilion
The Red Pavilion feels like stepping into another dimension for the night. Part teahouse, part cabaret, part nightclub, the Bushwick spot is a neo-noir fantasy with live jazz, DJs, performances, and cocktails under deep red lighting.
5617 8th Ave | Sunset Park
Photo: Zin Fa Bakery
RUN TO XIN FA. Their Portuguese egg tarts alone could cure world peace. The crusts are perfectly flaky, the custard stays warm and creamy, and somehow disappears in under two minutes. While you’re there, grab a pineapple bun or taro bun too. You’ll regret not ordering extra, especially since everything’s surprisingly affordable.
44 Mulberry St | Chinatown
Photo: Yu and Me Books
More than just a bookstore, Yu and Me is one of Chinatown’s best community spaces, complete with coffee, beer, and shelves full of immigrant stories and local authors. Founder Lucy Yu created the shop to build the kind of welcoming literary space she never found growing up, and it shows in every corner.
Updated May 2026
