Yaffa Cafe (CLOSED)

This kitsch-crammed, round-the-clock basement hang is a stop along the East Village party trail. The vegetarian-friendly, vaguely Middle Eastern food is pretty forgettable, though: greasy stir-fries, lukewarm soups, a salad smothered in chickpeas. On the plus side, the place is cheap and comfortable, the crowd is usually interesting, and there’s a lovely garden out back. Just watch your step—don’t stumble on the stairs.