East 6 St, East Village

There is a giant statue of Peter Cooper right at 6th and Cooper Square. These things scare the bejeezus out of me so I try not to pass it after dark. The block between 2nd and 3rd is very eclectic and aesthetically depressing in my opinion. There is a Ukrainian museum and a few restuarants, some bizarre East Villagey shops and a lot of ugly buildings. It's streets like this that make it no surprise that the East Village took so long to come back around in popularity.
6th between 2nd and 1st is known as Indian Restaurant Row. The entire block is Indian Restaurants. I'm not kidding. There are so many that it's kind of hard to choose, but if I were to recommend one, it would be Sonali.
The next block has this series of what I guess are actually co-ops but they look like tenements to me. They are so ugly and I keep thinking that Candyman is going to jump out at any given moment.
There are a ton of bars and little, grubby restaurants on this block. I would say if you like mixology, go to Death and Co. It's not all that popular anymore but the drinks are still good. If you don't care about that stuff and you're in the area, go to Cherry Tavern.
The whole area east of Ave A is pretty gritty and really hipster though there are a lot of community gardens. I don't venture over here a lot because I'm just not cool enough. The area is much safer than it was even 5 years ago but I still think it's pretty ugly.

The stretch of the East Village between 2nd and 1st Avenues on 6th street is popularly known as "Curry Row" due to the ubiquitous Indian restaurants that dot the first floor of the avenue's brownstones. These vary in quality - with some, like Banjara on the corner, rising to the top of the city's not inconsiderable heap - and others better suited to a hangover take-out than for a serious dining. Yet for lovers of curry in all its forms, flavors, and manifestations, there's nowhere better to try a variety of Indian themes on a reasonably low budget - at least, not without leaving Manhattan. But the street has expanded in recent years, becoming a veritable diners' paradise! Peruvian and Cajun restaurants also line this stretch of East Village real estate, while Moroccan and Japanese can also be found. This might make the area too noisy to be truly livable, but nearby side-streets (including 6th streets itself further away from 1st Avenue) maintain their charm. The East Village always seems to be in the process of gentrification - with the attendant trappings: brunch menus, strollers, unaffordable real estate prices - without ever actually attaining the yuppified heights of a Williamsburg or Park Slope. Decades after "Rent," this area is still the most authentic - if not quite so bohemian - in Manhattan, and one of the few places that grit is still considered, to paraphrase Gordon Gekko, good. Try nearby Cafe Mogador, Chez Jules, or Flea Market Cafe for other neighborhood bites.

As a huge fan of Indian food, the Brick Lane Curry House caught my eye immediately, as well as that of many people's! The place was packed and claims to have the best curry this side of Dharmsala. For a more South American flavor, try the Buenos Aires Restaurant! As a person with a slight chocolate addiction/obsession, The Dulce de Leche was supreme!

East 6th is close to the following metro and is accessible to many buses. Foot traffic is moderate, and it is a good neighborhood for young people!!