Granny Annie’s serves up some of the best grub on Roosevelt Island plus beloved local beers on tap. Belly up the bar or grab a stool to dig into classic American fare like buffalo wings, and fried chicken sandwiches. Like any good pub, Granny Annie’s also leans into influences that are unmistakably Irish, from Guiness behind the bar to bangers and mash and shepherd’s pie on the menu.

Fill up before your adventures on Roosevelt Island or stop by to cheer on your favorite sports teams—their flat screens are a great place to catch a game.

Indulgent dishes are the name of the game at Nisi Kitchen. Their geometric, windowed entrance is attention-getting from the start, but from then on, the food and drink are the star of the show. This American eatery serves up imaginative dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you can get your Nisi fix all day long. 

Savor salad, pasta, burgers, and more, or keep things clean with dishes from their vegan corner. Once you’ve finished your meal, step outside to quaint Main Street and a quick walk to views of Roosevelt Island Bridge.

Innovative, locally-sourced beers are the pride of BIG aLICe BREWING. With several taprooms throughout New York, BIG aLICe builds community through great beer. Enter their Queens or Brooklyn tap rooms and you’ll see a wall of taps featuring brews like IPAs, witbiers, pilsners, and more. 

If the tap list doesn’t suit your fancy, opt for one of the many canned beers they keep behind the bar. What’s on tap can vary between their three locations, so visit them all so you can try every last variety of BIG aLICe beer.

Nestled right down the block on Main Street, Island OM, the island’s first-ever Wellness Studio is a beautiful and brand new studio offering yoga and barre classes. What better way to get motivated, inspired, uplifted, and empowered than surrounded by the peacefulness of water but still in the heart of New York City. Make it your own personal studio every time you visit and grow and flourish in your personal practice! Get there 10 minutes before class to snap your favorite spot. Classes are supportive and inclusive to all levels.

Mingle with New Yorkers on their weekly shop at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market. Every Saturday of the year, the market comes to life with produce, baked goods, and even art from around the world. 

The market’s core vendors include Wengerd Farms with fresh fruit and veg, baked goods, and local meat and dairy, as well as other farms bringing breads, pasta, pasta sauce, poultry, pickles, olives, and African dry foods and art. Pick up snacks to fuel your adventures or simply stroll through the stalls to soak up Roosevelt Island culture.

Four Freedoms Park is both an outdoor oasis in the city and a memorial to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The park gets its name from the four freedoms Roosevelt mentioned in his 1941 State of the Union Address: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. 

Head down to the park on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island to pay homage to the late president or simply to enjoy a moment of peace and quiet. The park features stone steps and a tree-lined line all pointing towards the East River.