Shmulik Avital seems to know everyone who rides a motorcycle in New York City. His restaurant, Spiegel, has become the hub of the city’s adventure motorcycling community.
Shmulik’s love of cafe culture was born during his days as a student in his native Israel. And his pull toward the open road is nearly a lifelong obsession. “It’s so amazing riding in the U.S.,” he tells us. “Motorcycles and travel are so much more accessible in the States, and I love everything about it: the wind, the dust, meeting different people. There’s just nothing like it.” Upon completing countless rides crisscrossing the U.S., and even a months-long exploration of Central America, Shmulik combined these dueling obsessions and opened a restaurant of his own. It’s not unusual to see Shmulik helping someone rebuild a carburetor, change their oil, or bleed their brakes on the sidewalk outside Spiegel. If you find yourself in NYC, hoping to plan a two-wheeled excursion or just reaching the end of one, you’ll find a few co-conspirators belly-up to (and behind) the bar.
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“Motorcycles and travel are so much more accessible in the States, and I love everything about it: the wind, the dust, meeting different people. There’s just nothing like it.”
Shmulik Avital's love of adventure moto rides extends far beyond NY. Countless cross-country rides and a 7-month stint across Central America were completed before his business broke ground.
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While Spiegel’s is still fulfilling take-out orders, most of the staff have been sidelined by New York’s recent Stay-at-Home mandate. If you’re able to help, they’re accepting contributions HERE, to ensure this community mainstay keeps its doors open to fellow adventurers for years to come.
