The photographer Dafydd Jones began chronicling British high society in 1981, when he published his first photograph of the then-future Princess Diana, walking shyly through a crowd in a dowdy wool skirt at Sandown Park racecourse. He moved to New York City from London in the late 80s, at a time when Wall Street was booming and people like the artist Robert Mapplethorpe and the controversial businesswoman Leona Helmsley rubbed shoulders.

Before long, Jones signed on to work for Vanity Fair. At the magazine, his job was to attend parties and snap pictures of the smart set—from Iris Love and Brooke Astor to Imelda Marcos. Though Jones eventually moved back to Britain in the 1990s, he still visits New York to catch up with old acquaintances and stop into his favorite cafes, galleries, and bookstores. Ahead of presenting his photographs at Photo London, Jones shares his favorite spots in New York City.

corner: 57th st. and fifth ave.

The whole world passes by at this intersection. In the 1980s and 90s, I’d often see Bill Cunningham there photographing for his New York Times style column. I read in Patricia Bosworth’s biography that 30 or so years earlier, Diane Arbus would hang out photographing on that exact same corner.

neighborhood: port authority

Port Authority hasn’t really changed. During my last visit, I stayed at a hotel nearby (some rooms have fantastic views) which itself is in danger of becoming trendy. For breakfast, I like to find any traditional diner nearby. If cops are there having breakfast that is always a good sign—it was a detective that introduced me to Dunkin’ Donuts! There are plenty of cheap pizza slice places in this area and for something better there is Upside Pizza. (upsidepizza)

The Montero Bar & Grill on Atlantic Avenue, in Brooklyn.

Bar: Montero Bar & grill

There’s a photo in my book of [a man named] Nick in Montero Bar & Grill, taken in 1993. Nick was on the USS Indianapolis in W.W. II. The boat was sunk by a torpedo, and 700 sailors ended up in the water for three days. Many didn’t survive. He did but rarely ever spoke again. Joseph Montero set him up with a room in the basement and he ran errands for the bar. I always go back to Montero when visiting New York and it is little-changed. The beers have improved. The cigarette machine gone. (instagram)

bar: Sunshine Laundromat

There’s a large washing machine door at the back—that’s the hidden entrance to the bar. You can have a drink while doing your washing at the front. (sunshinelaundromat)

long lunch spot: The oyster bar at grand central station

I love it. Back in the 90s an English fashion label had their catwalk show there. (oysterbarny)

Grocery store: SAhadi’s

My favorite Middle Eastern grocery store. Figs, dates, herbs, and spices. I love the tabouli. Worth going for the smell of spices. (sahadis)

PHOTO STORE: B&H

This is the place for photographers, filmmakers, and artists. A lot of knowledgeable staff. Worth going just to see your purchase traveling along the mechanized system to the cashiers. Best to go early, as it can get packed. (bhphotovideo)

Subway lines: the f and the 4

The F train has the best views (above-ground in Brooklyn and Queens). But for speed, the 4. It’s by far the quickest way to get from Brooklyn to, for instance, the Metropolitan Museum.

Greek and Roman statues at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

museum: the met

Always worth spending a day there. Our daughter used to do weekly drawing classes at the museum when we lived in New York and she’s now an artist. At a low-key opening there in 1995, I photographed Philip Roth, R. B. Kitaj, and Lee Friedlander together. (metmuseum)

gallery: Bronx documentary center

A photography gallery and teaching space. Everything they do there looks interesting and I will visit the next time I come to New York. (bronxdoc)

Dashwood Books, in Manhattan’s NoHo neighborhood.

bookstore: dashwood books

A well-curated photography bookstore—always worth checking out. (dashwoodbooks)

Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, in Coney Island.

day trip: coney island

The first time I went, there was broken glass on the beach. Now it’s much improved. Perfect for a wonderful day out, it’s easy to travel there on the subway and a great place to hang out and photograph. Maybe have a swim, too.

“New York: High Life / Low Life” opens at Photo London on May 15

Photos: Neil Spence/Alamy (Jones); Timo Wagner/Unsplash (Montero Bar and Grill); Matthieu Joannon/Unsplash (The Met); Horst Friedrichs/Alamy (Dashwood Books); Cami Talpone/Unsplash (Coney Island)