Non-touristy souvenirs to pick up in New York

Put down the Statue of Liberty ashtray and step away from the ‘I heart NY’ key ring. New Yorker Alexandra King recommends where to go and what to shop for in the Big Apple to guarantee souvenirs you’ll really treasure

For foodies

Zabars is an institution, having kept New Yorkers stocked with the holy trinity of coffee, bagels and lox for more than 30 years. The shop sits in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper West Side, a hop, skip and jump away from Central Park. Expect shimmering vats of fresh bagels, locals yelling in the deli line and the smell of just-baked cinnamon rugelach pastries. Its slogan is ‘New York is Zabars… Zabars is New York’ and no one, not even Gotham’s grumpiest denizens, can disagree.
Souvenir jackpot: A bag of original ‘Zabar’s blend’ coffee.

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For scent lovers

Brooklyn-based perfumer D.S. & Durga began making its cult scents on a kitchen table in 2009. Now, with a recently opened shop in trendy Williamsburg, getting your hands on a bottle of one of its sought-after scents is finally attainable. Still made in small batches, and with names like Burning Barbershop (hemlock spruce, Turkish rose, burning oil) and El Cosmico (desert shrubs, oak, pinyon pine) these perfumes make a truly special gift. The shop also stocks scented candles.
Souvenir jackpot: For the ladies, a bottle of ultra-feminine Poppy Rouge. For the chaps, try the signature masculine scent, Sir.

For wee ones

For kid-friendly shopping, head to Piccoliny, a darling boutique in Manhattan’s trendy NoLita. From teeny tote bags to hot dog-adorned baby-gros, this is the place to pick up unique NYC gifts for kids. Be sure to check out its Instagram for the latest in pint-size fashion.
Souvenir jackpot: Piccoliny’s original hit, the I heart NY hot dog/pretzel T-shirt.

For homebodies

Fishs Eddy is a nester’s paradise, stocking ceramics, kitchenware and tchotchkes (trinkets). It is famous for its New York Patterns, a range of five boroughs-themed homeware. Expect everything from old-fashioned diner milkshake glasses to Manhattan skyline coasters.
Souvenir jackpot: One of the shop’s signature Cawffee mugs from its ‘Brooklynese’ series.

For connoisseurs

Van Brunt Stillhouse is an artisanal distillery in Brooklyn’s historic Red Hook neighbourhood, producing the city’s finest whiskey and bourbon. And it’s still a beautiful secret. Check the website for opening hours before visiting its deceptively ordinary-looking factory building. On entry though, you’ll find a full working stillhouse, complete with aged barrels, the clink of bottles and the unmistakable smoky smell of cooking malt. After you buy, cosy up in the tiny speakeasy bar on site and enjoy the best Old Fashioned of your life.
Souvenir jackpot: A bottle of Van Brunt’s signature American Whiskey.

For the open-minded

New York is a magical place, and at a tiny shop in Chinatown, the very energy that surrounds you can be captured and taken home. NYC locals and tourists alike flock to downtown stalwart Magic Jewelry to have their aura photographed. For $20, one of the shop’s ‘aura readers’ will snap a picture, with a special camera, before interpreting its colours and shapes right there and then. Even die-hard cynics have to admit that the brightly coloured photos look pretty cool pinned to the fridge.
Souvenir jackpot: Your very own photograph of your NYC aura.

British Airways flies to New York up to 17 times a day from London Heathrow and Gatwick. Discover more at ba.com

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This article has been tagged Fashion + Style, Travel Tips

Alexandra King