New York City merch may seem like something just for tourists, but those who live in the city know that a certain restaurant hat or grocery-store T-shirt can carry real prestige. Big Apple souvenirs also make great gifts — whether for homesick ex–New Yorkers who regret that big move to L.A., longtime residents who are undyingly loyal their local spots, or newbies who are still excited to buy coffee from a street cart. Here, we’ve rounded up some standout items for everyone on your list, from the frequent Frick-goer to the Dimes Square denizen. You’ll find baseball caps for bagel lovers, subway tees for straphangers, and even a Mister Softee beach towel. Shopping for a non–New Yorker? Check out the rest of our holiday-season gift guides here.
Museum and gallery merch
A crewneck to wear around the house that will look even better once it’s broken in.
A winter-ready beanie that references everyone’s favorite blue whale.
The renovated Frick reopens in its original location next year, so snag this Frick Madison tee before it becomes a collector’s item.
A classic diner-style mug with no mention of that Picasso exhibition.
Ideal writing implements for the friend or family member who has been on multiple Tenement Museum tours.
The New York Transit Museum shop is highly underrated, and its line-specific tees in particular make great gifts for straphangers.
Food and drink merch
Zabar’s merch is the best priced in the city, so you may as well add some bagels to your cart alongside this cheerful apron.
A Cervo’s baseball cap reminiscent of the restaurant’s marinated prawns.
A cozy beanie for anyone who takes their coffee with condensed milk.
As far as white-tablecloth New York–restaurant merch goes, it’s hard to top the Odeon’s baseball cap.
As far as Bed-Stuy chicken-bar merch goes, it’s hard to top the Fly’s wine key.
A roomy tote they can take with them on the rare occasion that they leave South Williamsburg.
They can store all their old Playbills in this tote from the 92-year-old Theater District spot.
For that friend who always steals the restaurant pen when the check comes.
Nom Wah’s tee features an image of its iconic, used-in-many-many-movies storefront.
Pastrami on rye not included (though you could, in fact, buy some pastrami — Katz’s ships).
This sweet Russ & Daughters kids’ T-shirt has “gift for a grandchild” written all over it.
Merch from iconic local businesses
A reissue of a 1981 Film Forum T-shirt designed by animator Robert Breer that could easily pass for authentic vintage.
A big red mug adorned with Pearl River Mart’s iconic lucky koi fish logo.
The oldest apothecary in America, which happens to be in the West Village, sells some discreet and classy merch.
Other city-based merch
A hat for all borough loyalists (it comes in Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island as well).
A portion of proceeds from Only NY’s collab with the city’s Parks & Recreation Department go to the City of New York.
A portion of proceeds from this Only NY collab go to the city of New York’s favorite magazine.
We also have a new collaboration with Knickerbocker that draws inspiration from the souvenir kiosks around its flagship store on Canal Street. This milk glass mug would be nice to sip from or store pens in.
From the same collection, this tote is produced with Steele Canvas in Massachusetts and emblazoned with a hand-drawn yellow cab on the back.
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